[usc goose]

i got my m1 license almost a year ago but now that i'm set up in davis and going to be stuck around here for a while i think it's about time i got a motorcycle.

anyone know what's a good way to go about getting a good used motorcycle or what's a good deal on the used market that i won't kill myself on (500cc or less)? i'm looking to spend 2 large or so.

that and i'm curious what some of y'all ride if you do. (inspiration for thread from fractus2 of course)

 

[brent_mr2]

Well, the Buell blast is supposed to be a very good starter bike, but you'll probably get bored with it after a year. It is an american bike so it does come with american service issues. They sell for $4K and IMO is the best looking entry level sports bike out there. The mirror posts bend and the whole bike is made to take abuse such as falling over. They also have two available seat hieghts (2 inch difference). And the Blast does have excellent handling, but under extreme handling, the foot pegs tend to scrape the ground.

Also, if you haven't already, I highly recommend taking a motorcycle safety course, it could save your life.

So in California, do you have a seperate license for motorcycles? Up here, we just get an "M" endorsement on our Class C driver's license.

 

[usc goose]

yeah it's an m endorsement down here in cali too. and i did take the safety class already too so hopefully that helps keep me alive. buell blast eh? i guess i'll look into that. if it's 4k i'll have to figure out a way to finance it though. oh well. thanks for the reply.

 

[fractus2]

Second on the motorcycle safety course. If you have never been to one, they will teach you how to ride. Even seasoned riders learn how to handle emergency situations with bike handling tips from the pros that may save your hide one day.

Sorry, don't have any recommendations for you other than the cycle magazine buyers guides and visiting some shops to see what they've got.

I've owned only two bikes, the 90 Nighthawk 750 in the other thread and a 80 Hawk CB-400T six speed. The later was purchased in Corpus Christi TX after I walked in, paid cash, and drove away. It was either that or the Yamaha 400 two stroke. Think it was the RD-400.

 

[brent_mr2]

Here's a good example of one, but normally they don't come with a windshield, graphics, or saddle bags:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6704

You might want to check Harley dealers in your area, there's a good chance one of them rents the Blast. That would be a good way to see if the bike would work for you. Also, they don't have a tachometer, that's annoying for some people.

 

[BoyElroy]

Quote:

Also, if you haven't already, I highly recommend taking a motorcycle safety course, it could save your life. --brent_mr2

Yes, ditto that. I think that even if you're an experienced rider, it would help to take an advanced refresher course.

Of course, that didn't stop me from rear-ending a passenger car and doing my best superman imitation over the length of the car and landing square on top of my head. Good thing I was wearing a helmet

. Sounds bad, but from taking my Motorcycle Safety Class, at least I knew what I had to do to try to avoid the crash. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and my brakes sucked...

Regarding bikes, the Buell would be a good choice for a new bike or you may want to check out a good used Seca or Honda in the 600cc class. No matter what though, get a bike with good brakes and one that you won't mind dropping a few times!

Also, get a good helmet and wear it at all times. This guy I know was doing circles in a parking lot and low sided and somehow smacked his head on the pavement. And you guessed it, he's got permanent brain damage.

And don't get a used helmet because you don't know how many times it's been dropped and each time you drop a helmet, you damage the EPS foam. The only way to check on the relative health of a helmet is to either x-ray it to check on the EPS condition or to buy a new one. All helmets, as long as they meet industry DOT/SNELL standards offer equal protection. Paying more for a helmet just buys you more comfort/conveniences. Then again, an Arai Quantum F, while about $400-$500, does feel much nicer on long rides than a cheaper helmet.

 

[Old Pa]

Indeed. For the past 35 years. Current: tricked out 1993 F2.

 

[Mr.PD]

A long time ago I had a Yamaha 750 special. It was nice and would go faster than I had the guts to ride it at. I only took it to 130

I crashed it after I quit drinking

I have been considering taking the safety course offered here in Oregon so I can get a motorcycle endorsement. I never did have one

I have been considering getting a bike again here lately, and I thought I should be legal this time. The tickets and drivers license suspension I got for the crash and no insurance were high back then, I don't even want to know what they would be now.

 

[dohminator]

I just took the saftey class a few weeks ago myself. So now I have my M endorsement, but I don't have a bike.

I wish I was able to afford one right now. What I want is a Honda Shadow ACE or a Yamaha V-star, but even used ones are out of my range. I'm just a typical semi-poor college student. Not much money left over after bills and beer.

Just look in the classifieds for used bikes and you might find one that you like that you can afford. It also depends on what type of bike you want. There are a lot more Ninjas out on the used market than there are Honda shadow ACEs.

 

[MacDEF]

First, take a safety course. Better yet, take two. Making a mistake while driving a motorcycle is MUCH more likely to get you killed than making a mistake while driving a car. (Likewise, learning how to avoid other people's mistakes is just as important, as a motorcyclist, as not making mistakes yourself.)

Second, IMO, don't get a "sport bike" as your first bike. Get a street bike or a tweener -- they're easier to control, cost less to buy used, and cost less to repair.

I'd recommend a used Yamaha Seca II (600cc) or a used Honda Nighthawk 450 (450cc). Both are great "first" bikes, easy to drive, fun, comfortable, and inexpensive.

 

[Sol_Zhen]

Get a Ducati.

Even the used and busted ones look cool.