2 questions for begginer

[BP2K2Max]

^ yup. check out your local dealerships too. i'm sure there are either used bikes there, or they know of people who are trying to sell their bikes. at the place i go to there's a bulletin board with all sorts of "for sale" ads. they sell some bikes on consignment too.

[sv650s]

here's a 2003 sv650s in portsmouth in great condition. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...QQcmdZViewItem


damn i'm good!

[eclipser2001]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

What do you plan on doing with it (daily transportation, weekend trips, burn up curves, etc)?

There are so many good bikes and different styles and sizes to fit different abilities and uses, it's hard to say without knowing a little of what you want out of it.

In general, my advice is to go with an older Jap standard like a Yamaha Maxim, Kawasaki LTD, 550cc-750cc to start learning on, they are cheap, reliable and very compliant and easy to learn on. After riding it for three months or so, sell it and get what you really want.

You should have some idea by then what you like and don't like about bikes.

A sportbike is not a good choice for a beginner. I know, nobody wants to hear it. The problem is your learning curve has to be very quick to gain experience before you run outta luck.

There is some real benefit in learning on something that is a bit underpowered and slow-reacting initially.

My brother's best friend from school killed himself at 19 years old with a 600F2 he'd only had for three days. His folks didn't even know he had it, he was leaving it at a friend's house.

He got going way too fast and missed a curve, ended up airborne into some trees at 60+ mph. Damn waste, in my opinion.

Anyway, an older Bandit, Nighthawk, etc is a blast to ride, quick handling but a reasonable riding position for longer trips, great mileage, reliable, and cheap and plentiful. These are fantastic starter bikes. Light and compliant enough not to intimidate a new rider, quick and nimble enough to put a smile on an experienced rider's face.

Think about what kind of riding you plan on doing, and what features are important to you, and I'll see what else I can think of.

sry to bring back an old post, but i had to respond to this.
last year my best friend got a gixxer. we were going to a car/bike show in Myrtle Beach SC. he was getting cocky on I-95 started speeding up to about 100 or so while i was driving behind him in my car. he lost control or hit some gravel or something. he landed about 100 yards from his bike. the bike got caught in the guard rail and stopped. he died on impact right in front of me.

i just felt compelled to share that to you guys.