Why Beginners should buy a cheaper used bike - Page 3 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

bakdoor · 10-12-2005, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Please note: Proper use of brakes will stop your bike much more quickly than laying it down and sliding. Laying it down is very rarely a good option.

I'd have to agree with you all on this one, the bike is much better at stopping itself if the brakes are properly applied when the rubber is on the ground, not the case, fairing, exhaust, etc! Stay with it, and if you have to crash into something, let the bike absorb as much of the impact as you can before you bail, instead of sliding along the road losing perfectly good skin along the way...

As for my new bike..I grew up riding dirt bikes, took a 15 year hiatus, and now I'm on the street for the first time. The clutch/gas thing is no different (that's why all of my vehicles are manual trans, so I don't forget from one vehicle to the next!) But as for the purchase of the bike: I looked and looked for a used bike, but for what the used ones were going for (in April/May in PA), I would have been nuts not to buy a new M50 with the warranty and much better/newer technology.

I tried, I really tried to find a used bike, but in the end, I just couldn't justify the "what you pay vs. what you get" ratio of buying the used bike!

ELGOLD C50T · 01-21-2006, 01:01 AM

I think that one should get a bike that they are comfortable with. If you have the means for a new bike; so be it - why not get the pleasure of being the first owner (and the biggest depreciation). Some people will have a hard time with a 250 while others can handle a 1400 right off the bat. Believe me, I've met both.

During my two day licensing course I had seen some people in my class drop a bike multiple times, crash into barriers, continuously do wheelies and other ego and bike damaging manouvers. Needless to say they should likely not continue to ride (even on a 125cc) bike provided by the school. I have a female acquaintance who has a big Harley as her first ride for 2 years now and has never had an incident.

When I picked up my C50T from the dealer last fall, I had riden a 200cc scooter for three weeks. The ride out of the dealer lot was the most difficult thing so far. Within 5 minutes I know this bike was going to be my friend and in a very short time grew to be comfortable and cautiously confident. Will do a lot more bonding with it come spring.

All this advice is a personal issue and is driven by many factors such as skill levels, ability to grasp new concepts and socioeconomic amongs others. Everyone should really do what is right for them. Hope you all do the right thing and enjoy each day on you bikes safely.

ELGOLD C50T · 01-21-2006, 10:02 AM

One other thing, it is a good idea to pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling, it has much to offer to any rider in terms of honing your skills and safety issues related to many daily situations. It is an easy, entertaining read with many points we all need to use. Be safe!

**inspiron** · 01-23-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELGOLD C50T

I think that one should get a bike that they are comfortable with. If you have the means for a new bike; so be it - why not get the pleasure of being the first owner (and the biggest depreciation). Some people will have a hard time with a 250 while others can handle a 1400 right off the bat. Believe me, I've met both.

I don't know anyone who can handle a 1400 as a first bike. Even a 1400 cruiser can get away from you if you twist your wrist. It doesn't matter if it is a 1400 crotch-rocket or 1400 cruiser. That much displacement means that it has more torque and power than anyone will ever need on the street.

I've done an unintended wheelie once, a few weeks after I got my 1400. A bit too much throttle when merging into traffic. Scared the living s**t out of me.

I had more than 15,000 miles under my belt on smaller bikes when that happened. The difference is that I didn't freak out as it was happening - I just pulled the clutch and kept the front-end straight until both wheels had contact again.

A noobie wouldn't have those instincts, and would probably have dumped it.

DS06C50T · 01-24-2006, 04:58 AM

I have to side with Elgold on this one. Speaking in absolutes is just nonesense. Some will handle a big bike fine; others can only handle a smaller bike. Everybody's different.

And the world keeps going round and round....
Daryl

**inspiron** · 01-24-2006, 05:59 AM

As I said, I don't know anyone who could handle a big bike from the beginning. I'm sure that there are people who bought a 1400 as their first bike and have never had an incident, but I am also sure that these people are the exception and not the rule.

Everyone is different ... that's true. But there are very definite trends and patterns which can be observed. It is these trends and patterns that lead lawmakers to restrict the power of bikes for newbies (in Europe, bikers under 25 are limited to 34 hp for the first 2 years), and also cause insurance companies to set extremely high rates for inexperienced bikers with high-power (= high-risk) bikes.

Why should I recommend to any new biker that they go invest a good chunk of money in a shiny new bike, when I know they are going to drop it? It is not a criticism - it has happened to almost every one of us at one time or another. It's part of the learning process. But dropping a new bike is more expensive (and frustrating) than dropping an old bike, which already had a few scratches and dents.

tlwisner · 01-28-2006, 11:59 AM

Some people will start with a huge bike, and they'll ride it without major incident. These tend to be the people who go really slow through curves and drag their feet when stopping and starting out. They ride, but they could enjoy it so much more if they really knew how to ride.

A lot of these people will end up wrecking their bikes because they exceed their level of skill and experience.

Many are ruled by ego, they are afraid of being seen on a bike that's not really big and macho. Lots of these people also eschew helmets for the same reasons. Darwin takes his quota of these people.

Rickster · 01-31-2006, 04:11 AM

We all pays our money, and we all takes our chances. There's probably only a few dozen people in the world that can truly handle the performance of a 1000cc or biger sport bike, and yet there are thousands, and thousands of people riding them. Some of those riders even think they are experts. Go figure.

Adrenalin_Junky · 02-07-2006, 09:22 PM

Respect oneself, in order to respect ones ride... kinda Zen like i guess...
If you dont think u can turn down the need to push your bike... dont buy a bike that will push u back... Learn first...

Easy relation to Mtn Bikes. I see Jobbers all the time, riding $6000+ DH bikes for their first bikes. Its a joke. Sure it gets them on the hill, and doing things they normalls wouldnt be able to do. But still nothing spectacular. And now their learning curve is stuck!
It's gonna take them 3x as long to learn how to handle a big bike. as opposed to all the lil grunts out there rocking them away. Because, like i, we didnt have parents $ to throw around. I had to learn on a cheap $250 Giant ATX that i bought with 2yrs of mowing lawns... Needless to say
7 yrs later, and i do own one for those $6000+ DH bikes, and yes I pushed it to the point of breakin it. But i still ride my Hardtail to rip and laugh at the jobbers....
Same with street bikes. People may shun u for buying a small starter... cuz they can twist a wrist and throttle away. But youll be laughing when the corners come and your draggin knees while there still braking...
Enjoy it, cuz remember.... Experience is priceless...the more the better... in any sense

Deckard · 02-28-2006, 08:22 PM

As long as everyone is discussing new riders, I would like to get a little feedback. I am going to get a streetbike here shortly. I used to ride alot of dirt, and messed around with my uncle's cruiser for a while, but now I want a sport bike.

I am 6'4'' and 220, and after sitting on every single bike at the suzuki dealership, the smallest bike that fit me was the SV-650/SV-650S. I just wanted to know what some people thought about starting on that bike and if they had any alternative ideas.

**Trapper** · 02-28-2006, 09:58 PM

How long (Miles) on your uncle's cruiser?

Rickster · 02-28-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deckard

As long as everyone is discussing new riders, I would like to get a little feedback. I am going to get a streetbike here shortly. I used to ride alot of dirt, and messed around with my uncle's cruiser for a while, but now I want a sport bike.

I am 6'4'' and 220, and after sitting on every single bike at the suzuki dealership, the smallest bike that fit me was the SV-650/SV-650S. I just wanted to know what some people thought about starting on that bike and if they had any alternative ideas.

650 V Strom

Deckard · 03-01-2006, 12:26 AM

Trappercase - I just put in a little time on the cruiser, maybe less than 100 miles. Lets just assume I know where the throttle, clutch, etc are and beyond that I am declaring myself entirely newb.

I am looking at suzuki.com and it looks like the Vstrom's engine is essentially the SV650 engine, where does the difference come in? It looks like this bike is bigger, but what makes this a dual sport as opposed to a sport bike?

Rickster · 03-01-2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deckard

Trappercase - I just put in a little time on the cruiser, maybe less than 100 miles. Lets just assume I know where the throttle, clutch, etc are and beyond that I am declaring myself entirely newb.

I am looking at suzuki.com and it looks like the Vstrom's engine is essentially the SV650 engine, where does the difference come in? It looks like this bike is bigger, but what makes this a dual sport as opposed to a sport bike?

Like Night Wolf said, for your size the V Strom will be a better fit, your knees will thank you. It has the same engine as the SV, but with different valves, and tuned to make it's power at a lower rpm. That makes it a bit more user friendly. Other things that make it more user friendly are, longer travel, softer suspension, a wider power band, and a more comfortable seat. Comfort, or a lack of it, can have a lot to do with your learning experience. You don't need the extra distraction of being uncomfortable.

Have you sat on the V Strom? Is there something about it you don't like?

Deckard · 03-01-2006, 01:12 AM

havent sat on it yet but i definitely will tomorrow. thanks for the tip,

robertc729 · 03-20-2006, 05:24 PM

Hey everybody just joined this site today.

From my experience I am glad I bought a used bike first. My first bike was a82 Honda Magna 750v45. This was 2 years ago and I had taken the riders course offered here. I had contemplated a new bike but decided otherwise just starting out. I must have dropped it 3 times within the first month. Never laid it down, only because if I got panicked by a potentially dangerous situation I was just hop off and let the bike fall. Had I gone with a new bike and done the same thing I'd still be kicking myself.

**Trapper** · 03-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Thanks, and welcome Robert.

blackie1491 · 03-20-2006, 06:57 PM

robertc729

Bluecruzer · 03-21-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertc729

Never laid it down, only because if I got panicked by a potentially dangerous situation I was just hop off and let the bike fall.

*flip*

*flip*

*flip*

Ok, I give up... what page of the rider's manual is this technique on...?

robertc729 · 03-21-2006, 09:08 PM

not in the manual just too much of a chicken starting out. Others I talked to always talked about having respect for the bike's abilites and power, I had more fear than respect. Once I got over the fear, I started enjoying the ride.

01-24-2006, 04:58 AM	#45 (permalink)
DS06C50T Kickstand Operator Join Date: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Blvd. C50T (dark grey) Location: Ventura County, CA. Posts: 286	I have to side with Elgold on this one. Speaking in absolutes is just nonesense. Some will handle a big bike fine; others can only handle a smaller bike. Everybody's different. And the world keeps going round and round.... Daryl __________________ Daryl '06 C50T... full-time hard-bagger and true dual exhaust http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...r=DESC&start=0

01-24-2006, 05:59 AM	#46 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,036	As I said, I don't know anyone who could handle a big bike from the beginning. I'm sure that there are people who bought a 1400 as their first bike and have never had an incident, but I am also sure that these people are the exception and not the rule. Everyone is different ... that's true. But there are very definite trends and patterns which can be observed. It is these trends and patterns that lead lawmakers to restrict the power of bikes for newbies (in Europe, bikers under 25 are limited to 34 hp for the first 2 years), and also cause insurance companies to set extremely high rates for inexperienced bikers with high-power (= high-risk) bikes. Why should I recommend to any new biker that they go invest a good chunk of money in a shiny new bike, when I know they are going to drop it? It is not a criticism - it has happened to almost every one of us at one time or another. It's part of the learning process. But dropping a new bike is more expensive (and frustrating) than dropping an old bike, which already had a few scratches and dents. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

01-28-2006, 11:59 AM	#47 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Join Date: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Some people will start with a huge bike, and they'll ride it without major incident. These tend to be the people who go really slow through curves and drag their feet when stopping and starting out. They ride, but they could enjoy it so much more if they really knew how to ride. A lot of these people will end up wrecking their bikes because they exceed their level of skill and experience. Many are ruled by ego, they are afraid of being seen on a bike that's not really big and macho. Lots of these people also eschew helmets for the same reasons. Darwin takes his quota of these people. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

02-07-2006, 09:22 PM	#49 (permalink)
Adrenalin_Junky Wants Better Weather Join Date: Oct 2004 Bike: 2002 GSXR-750 Location: Langley,Canada Posts: 661	Respect oneself, in order to respect ones ride... kinda Zen like i guess... If you dont think u can turn down the need to push your bike... dont buy a bike that will push u back... Learn first... Easy relation to Mtn Bikes. I see Jobbers all the time, riding $6000+ DH bikes for their first bikes. Its a joke. Sure it gets them on the hill, and doing things they normalls wouldnt be able to do. But still nothing spectacular. And now their learning curve is stuck! It's gonna take them 3x as long to learn how to handle a big bike. as opposed to all the lil grunts out there rocking them away. Because, like i, we didnt have parents $ to throw around. I had to learn on a cheap $250 Giant ATX that i bought with 2yrs of mowing lawns... Needless to say 7 yrs later, and i do own one for those $6000+ DH bikes, and yes I pushed it to the point of breakin it. But i still ride my Hardtail to rip and laugh at the jobbers.... Same with street bikes. People may shun u for buying a small starter... cuz they can twist a wrist and throttle away. But youll be laughing when the corners come and your draggin knees while there still braking... Enjoy it, cuz remember.... Experience is priceless...the more the better... in any sense __________________ "Life without Danger and the Need for Adrenalin...is a waste of Oxygen"

02-28-2006, 09:58 PM	#51 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,772	How long (Miles) on your uncle's cruiser? __________________ Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

01-21-2006, 01:01 AM	#42 (permalink)
ELGOLD C50T Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jan 2006 Bike: 2007 HD STREET GLIDE Location: TORONTO, CANADA Posts: 189	I think that one should get a bike that they are comfortable with. If you have the means for a new bike; so be it - why not get the pleasure of being the first owner (and the biggest depreciation). Some people will have a hard time with a 250 while others can handle a 1400 right off the bat. Believe me, I've met both. During my two day licensing course I had seen some people in my class drop a bike multiple times, crash into barriers, continuously do wheelies and other ego and bike damaging manouvers. Needless to say they should likely not continue to ride (even on a 125cc) bike provided by the school. I have a female acquaintance who has a big Harley as her first ride for 2 years now and has never had an incident. When I picked up my C50T from the dealer last fall, I had riden a 200cc scooter for three weeks. The ride out of the dealer lot was the most difficult thing so far. Within 5 minutes I know this bike was going to be my friend and in a very short time grew to be comfortable and cautiously confident. Will do a lot more bonding with it come spring. All this advice is a personal issue and is driven by many factors such as skill levels, ability to grasp new concepts and socioeconomic amongs others. Everyone should really do what is right for them. Hope you all do the right thing and enjoy each day on you bikes safely.

01-21-2006, 10:02 AM	#43 (permalink)
ELGOLD C50T Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jan 2006 Bike: 2007 HD STREET GLIDE Location: TORONTO, CANADA Posts: 189	One other thing, it is a good idea to pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling, it has much to offer to any rider in terms of honing your skills and safety issues related to many daily situations. It is an easy, entertaining read with many points we all need to use. Be safe!

01-31-2006, 04:11 AM	#48 (permalink)
Rickster Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 4,210	We all pays our money, and we all takes our chances. There's probably only a few dozen people in the world that can truly handle the performance of a 1000cc or biger sport bike, and yet there are thousands, and thousands of people riding them. Some of those riders even think they are experts. Go figure.

02-28-2006, 08:22 PM	#50 (permalink)
Deckard Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4	As long as everyone is discussing new riders, I would like to get a little feedback. I am going to get a streetbike here shortly. I used to ride alot of dirt, and messed around with my uncle's cruiser for a while, but now I want a sport bike. I am 6'4'' and 220, and after sitting on every single bike at the suzuki dealership, the smallest bike that fit me was the SV-650/SV-650S. I just wanted to know what some people thought about starting on that bike and if they had any alternative ideas.

03-01-2006, 12:26 AM	#53 (permalink)
Deckard Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4	Trappercase - I just put in a little time on the cruiser, maybe less than 100 miles. Lets just assume I know where the throttle, clutch, etc are and beyond that I am declaring myself entirely newb. I am looking at suzuki.com and it looks like the Vstrom's engine is essentially the SV650 engine, where does the difference come in? It looks like this bike is bigger, but what makes this a dual sport as opposed to a sport bike? Last edited by Deckard; 03-01-2006 at 12:34 AM.

03-01-2006, 01:12 AM	#55 (permalink)
Deckard Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4	havent sat on it yet but i definitely will tomorrow. thanks for the tip,

03-20-2006, 05:24 PM	#56 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,165	Hey everybody just joined this site today. From my experience I am glad I bought a used bike first. My first bike was a82 Honda Magna 750v45. This was 2 years ago and I had taken the riders course offered here. I had contemplated a new bike but decided otherwise just starting out. I must have dropped it 3 times within the first month. Never laid it down, only because if I got panicked by a potentially dangerous situation I was just hop off and let the bike fall. Had I gone with a new bike and done the same thing I'd still be kicking myself.

03-20-2006, 05:27 PM	#57 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,772	Thanks, and welcome Robert. __________________ Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

03-20-2006, 06:57 PM	#58 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,633	robertc729

03-21-2006, 09:08 PM	#60 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,165	not in the manual just too much of a chicken starting out. Others I talked to always talked about having respect for the bike's abilites and power, I had more fear than respect. Once I got over the fear, I started enjoying the ride.

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