motorcycle pointers Options

[99Celica]

so i'm looking for a bike to help with driving duties.

I have zero experience with bike maintainance and dont' know what to ask about when I meet sellers to check out the bike, what should I look for?

my preference is late 90's to early 00's 250-650 cc bikes by suzuki, yamaha, or kawasaki. Do any of these have red flags?

Trav

[gt_driFFter]

Ninja 250 can be a good option, but if you're anywhere near my size (6'2) then you will be uncomfortable on it to say the least. A 90's Suzuki GS500 will not only be inexpensive but very beginner friendly, with enough power to get out of it's own way (unlike the 250, which you wont want on the highway), but tame enough that you're not likely to get in trouble unless you try. You can find GS500's in good shape for $1500 if you look around. Check out GStwins.com for a bunch of friendly, level-headed riders and some potential good deals.

DO NOT get anything more powerful than an older 500. There will be newbie mistakes that you will make, no matter how careful or responsible you are. And on a bike any bigger, those newbie mistakes will hurt. Bad.

This post has been edited by gt_driFFter: Oct 16, 2008 - 10:36 PM