Which Bike to choose ?, For those who ride ... Options

[NaderG]

So i finally managed to get my Motorcycle license and i am 95% done with convincing my parents to buy one , all i need now is some numbers so that i can put that one last presentation to seal the deal with my parents.

I have 2 bikes to choose from and i need help in order to pick one !

The Suzuki Gs500F :
it has a 499 CC , carburetted , 9.0:1 compression ratio , air cooled

It is basically old school technology in a somewhat good looking bike. i can get this baby for about 4900 out the door.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R
It has a 249 CC , also carburetted , 11.6:1 compression ratio ( this thing revs all the way up to 16K rpm , pulls pretty nice for engine size) , liquid cooled.

Bike is pretty quick for a 250 , GREAT LOOKING , Cheap , about 3400 Out the door .

The 250 is cheaper , better looking , nicely sized , gets better gas millage , doesnt go that fast so it is sort of safer , but its a 250
The 500 is also pretty nice looking , for some reason felt kind of big ( i was trained on a really tiny 200CC bike ) more expensive , more insurance , but it pulls much better than the 250 (duh) ..... so i cant seem to pick

i dont have much money , so price is a big thing , i know its less than 2k difference but every penny counts ....

So what do all the riders on here think ?

[playr158]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

[SlickRick]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

This post has been edited by SlickRick: Dec 19, 2007 - 1:44 PM

[NaderG]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

i got riding gear already , license and finished motorcycle safety course , since my parents are in this game, they dont want me riding on a "fast" bike , so no 600s , actually that 500 is kind of pushing it ... , as for used , i DONT know what to look for in a used bike , i'd rather pay the extra grand and have peice of mind ...... i guess this post is leading towards the 250 ..... i'll hit the dealer tomorrow and ask for a test ride !

[SlickRick]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

i got riding gear already , license and finished motorcycle safety course , since my parents are in this game, they dont want me riding on a "fast" bike , so no 600s , actually that 500 is kind of pushing it ... , as for used , i DONT know what to look for in a used bike , i'd rather pay the extra grand and have peice of mind ...... i guess this post is leading towards the 250 ..... i'll hit the dealer tomorrow and ask for a test ride !

I think a test ride might be out of the question on a new bike. I have never heard of any1 that bought a bike that has gotten to test ride it first without full cash deposit. And that was on a used one. And have u sat on any of the bikes yet? Best thing it to leave your preconceived notions about what bike u like at the door, and dont have your heart set on a bike until u throw a leg over it and see how it feels. How tall are you? That can play a big role in what bike u want. And buying a used bike can be hard for some1 that does not know what 2 look for, but Playr158 has a good idea of what u need 2 look at for a used bike.