what could i get?

ok, I've thought about getting a bike. I haven't thought as seriously as most people do yet, just the thought has crossed my mind a couple times lately. I work two different jobs at the same office. I work as a clerk in the law firm, then i have to be a messenger for them to. I drive to downtown l.a. all the time and a bike would come in real handy. Reason 1. I can take the carpool lane. 2. Save on gas 3. Easier parking. 4. Easier for my messenger job. 5. Just something i want eventually and most important, 6. its cool. Well anyways, i wasn't looking for anything new, or expensive. I don't want one of those huge touring bikes. This lawyer at work has a BMW bike that's a few years old, and i know i couldn't afford something that nice, but i want something similar along the Honda lines. His isn't a touring bike really, and it ain't that sport either. I don't know what new Honda's go for, or even used ones, but in the 5-6k range, what could i afford?

Pics?
No smart asses either.

Well, it's hard to say what that would get you in CA, but out my direction, you could get something pretty decent for that price. Even a new bike!!! Do you have any riding experience? That'll help with suggestions.

1989-1997 Honda Pacific Coast sounds to be the most ideal bike for what you are describing.

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/6/0/48904760.htm

no riding experience.
I was looking at the honda motorcycles website and saw the base model of two different bikes at 8k and 9k i think. That's were i figured a bike a few years old would be a couple thousand less or something like that. I don't want anything to powerful cause i've heard horror stories. I like my civic cause its small and efficient and not powerful enough to do anything stupid. The civic has a reputation as a reliable and very basic car. Any honda bike have a reputation like that as a young college kids' beginning bike?

for the 6 thousand dollar range, i would get a Buell. They are sweet ass bikes. They have the true street racing style. Just my 2cents. If you are interested, send me a PM, i'll give you pictures and we can decide what is right for you. The main question is...What do you like? Or what would you like to own?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/637411CBR900RR.jpg

Honda CBR900RR, '96, 12000 miles, a little under 6K. If you want, check www.stubbscycles.com. They are in the Houston area, but you can use it to check prices on newer bikes, and these are about the highest in our area, so the prices shouldn't be any higher.

that is a sweet ass looking honda. The drawback on that bike is it has alot of miles. It prolly had the shit ran out of it.

True, but you can find others like it for good prices.

Welcome back scott, gonna watch your mouth this time?

12000 is alot of miles? this is not a harley or buell we are talking about, this is a Honda. My neighbor had over 250K miles on his goldwing and all he did was change timing belt and regular maintainence. My kawi has over 21000 and runs flawlessly.

A 900rr is going to be way to much power for him to start out on anyway, even though it gets reamed by modern day sportbikes, it still has alot alot of power.

I still say the PC800 is probably one of the best bikes for his situation. Reliable, comfortable, decent amounts of power, and even has hardbags.

I know it's too much power, it's just a pricing guide of what he can get. A Honda CBR600F4 would do pretty good, and they are very reliable bikes.

My vote goes to Honda, thanks. Buell is NOT reputable... except in recalls. We've already had this fight, and I'm not going back there, but I'm giving this guy the truth.

I'd take the MSF safety course first and foremost and find out for CERTAIN that you want to ride on a regular basis. Then pick up a smaller-sized bike for starters. 600ccs or LESS is my opinion, although others may disagree. The CBR600F4 is a fairly forgiving 600 even though it is fairly modern. There are also CBR600F2s and F3's that are 600ccs but even more forgiving. BUY USED. There are saddlebags and tank bags available for sportbikes, you just have to look around. Another option... only if you feel really comfortable with starting on and paying insurance on a bigger bike, is the Honda VFR750. It'll be well within your price range if you buy the older 750 model. It's called a sport tourer, and is thus a lil more supportive of longer rides.