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Motorcycle riders of NS

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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
For a long time I have thought about buying a bike. I have no experience riding one. Just something that I have really wanted for the last 5 years. From what I hear they are great on gas.

What is a good starter bike? What do I need to know when looking for a bike? I pretty much know nothing and looking for a direction on what to be looking for.
May 15 2012 3:07PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
First, how old are you?

Insurance costs will vary greatly by your age, where you live, age of bike, engine size, etc



Have you ever driven anything with a clutch before (and not just a car, but a dirt bike or quad?)


And how fast do you want to go?


You can get a 250, but it won't go real fast, but it's good to learn on but you might out grow it in literally no time
May 15 2012 3:12PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I dont need to go real fast. Honestly I dont want something that can go that fast because I dont feel like dying.

I am 23 years old and I live in Orlando FL. Ive driven manual cars but never a quad or dirtbike. I would probably take a class to get my licence and make sure I am comfortable riding one before I buy.
May 15 2012 3:15PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I'm just gonna say that motorcycles are great, but open up doors that will allow you to kill yourself faster than almost anything else. 

If you haven't been riding dirt bikes or anyhting previously, take a rider training course first.  You won't even need to buy a bike for it, as they will normally provide one and teach you basic controls and operation. 

If that took, go look for something cheap.  Older cruiser-style bikes can be had for fkn pennies on the dollar, so check CL in your area.  Once you get it, go back to the rider training place you went to and take the level 2 course with your new hog.  They'll teach you emergency shit you'll need to know and it will probably save your life at some point. 

Now go ride.  Put as much saddle time in as possible.  Once you're sick of that bike or fuck it up, get another one that's more what you want, as the first bike will probably get trashed learning. 

Just don't like telling people to get bikes without reminding them it's completely different, you don't just get on and ride and expect to make it home.  Please go learn from a pro first, it could save your life. 

May 15 2012 3:15PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
I'm moving to Sanford in 7 months :)

http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/3016243288.html

Maybe not that one in particular, don't know how thug it might be getting it

or do you want a more classic style?


Id you want a street bike I'd say a gsxr600, or another brand but around that engine size

A ninja 250 won't have enough power, but a gsxr 1000 or something is just too much
May 15 2012 3:19PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
also whats your price range?
May 15 2012 3:21PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I remember we had talked before about Orlando. Why are you moving to Sanford?

And I think I want a street bike. But honestly I have no idea. I have also thought about a classic style cruiser. I think I just need to shop around and learn to ride one.
May 15 2012 3:22PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I have not thought about that much yet. I could spend 2-4k Dont wanna spend too much but I would want something reliable.
May 15 2012 3:24PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
I started on this

Click for larger image

super fun around town, 100mpg, and I got it for $600.
I outgrew it in about a month, however from there you can move up to bigger bikes and gain knowledge of how they all work. 70's hondas are the tits.
May 15 2012 3:24PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
To join the neighborhood watch.....



or flight school haha


I'll look craigslist for a few for ya to look into
May 15 2012 3:27PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/3008575046.html

BOOM looks like a UCF kid's, 3500 prolly talk him down to 3000
May 15 2012 3:28PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I know this is a dumb question. But I'm gonna ask it anyway. Do I really need insurance?
May 15 2012 3:34PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
yeah......

http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/motorcycle-insurance.php
May 15 2012 3:36PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
Pretty good information in this thread..jsut remember don't freakin kill yourself

these things have power:weight ratios that crack super car territory, that plus an inexperience rider and florida drivers is a recipe for disaster

One of the biggest differences between riding a bike and driving is that you need to be defensive 100% of the time, in a car you have the luxury of spacing out and kinda going with the flow of traffic as your surrounded by a few thousand pounds of steel.

and wear your gear! or the first time you lay it down and melt half the skin off your leg you'll remember why any experienced non-squid rider told you so

Remember its not miles per hour, its feet per second..that puts things into a much better perspective
May 15 2012 3:36PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
that reminds me, wear your helmet! its not a law in florida but wear it anyways! I have some friends that have had their lives saved because they were wearing it.....one friend, he's in his 30s, walked away from going 120 and not having enough road and crashing into a cornfield....without a helmet he would have died, and i have lots of other friends that had their life saved because of the helmet


i'm sure in your course they will teach you all about it, but theres tricks like you gotta watch out for oil on the road (roads are different in florida than ny), other drivers are the main cause of accidents, etc
May 15 2012 3:39PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
that reminds me, wear your helmet! its not a law in florida but wear it anyways! I have some friends that have had their lives saved because they were wearing it.....one friend, he's in his 30s, walked away from going 120 and not having enough road and crashing into a cornfield....without a helmet he would have died, and i have lots of other friends that had their life saved because of the helmet


i'm sure in your course they will teach you all about it, but theres tricks like you gotta watch out for oil on the road (roads are different in florida than ny), other drivers are the main cause of accidents, etc
May 15 2012 3:40PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
yeah this. It's a law in mass so it didnt cross my mind either but whenever I'm up in NH and see all the guys who think they're cool riding around capless all I see is a clock ticking down

Also, since your relatively inexperienced with riding heavy bikes seriously learn to use the front brake. It is your best friend. Its very counter intuitive for some people especially if they grew up with just recreational bicycle use..but i have no idea what your experience is so i might just be preachin to the choir
May 15 2012 3:44PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
>never ridden a motorcycle of any kind
>recommend GSXR 600

Why do you want OP killed?
May 15 2012 3:44PM
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moment54
Posts: 101 - Karma: 42
I'm also learning to ride; driven DBs and cars, but my learner bike is a Kawasaki 454ltd, really good bike because its decently fast, and I can flat foot it. (sit on the bike while both feet are touching)
I say get a learners bike which you can do that, and you'll be able to ride it easily.
May 15 2012 3:46PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
LOL i learned on a gsxr 600

they aren't that fast or powerful in comparison to 1000's, and with anything less he will outgrow it quick, he's 23, not 16

for any 16 year old i would recommend a ninja 250, but for an adult, a 600 is good

Also the first ever dirt bike I rode was a KX250 (2 stroke 250)
Try never riding a bike before, never using a clutch or anything, and being on a track your first time....you have to pick up quick haha
May 15 2012 3:48PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
I never recommend anyone ride a motorcycle on the street until they've ridden a dirt bike but I guess that's not an option for a lot of people.
May 15 2012 3:56PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
Yea, I was fortunate to grow up in the country, but if you aren't in the country, you gotta start somewhere right?

May 15 2012 3:57PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
mmmm oil burner..must have been fun the first time you hit power band - probably still a brown mark on those pants
May 15 2012 3:57PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
I've ridden a C500, you're making it sound harder than it is.
May 15 2012 4:09PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
CR500*

May 15 2012 4:10PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
I've never ridden before, but I've always wondered. Can you get a dirt bike registered to be street legal? cuz i think that'd b dank.
May 15 2012 4:15PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
Yes, some models. They're called dual sports, and they are indeed dank.

Click for larger image


May 15 2012 4:17PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
depends on the state.

they just legalized 4 stroke conversions in WA.

supermoto time
May 15 2012 4:17PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
you want a fucking treat?

the kid said he never rode a dirtbike in his life then jumped onto the seat a snappy little 2 stroke that probably tried to buck him off the first time he went through the the gears..hence the brown trouser remark

I never said anything about it being difficult or comparing it to any other size bike...what a hardo
May 15 2012 4:18PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
If you've got some, yeah.


2 stroke 250s are not that hard to ride, unless you try to drop the clutch at full throttle your first time. If someone actually bothers to explain to you that you shouldn't do that, there should be no brown streak.
May 15 2012 4:20PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
yeah depends on your state for dual sports, mostly they care about if it has turn signals and is insured.

other things like DOT approved tires 2
May 15 2012 4:20PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
i said it was my first time ever on any sort of vehicle with a clutch, at a track

it was hard, and yes there was a brown mark, at least you understand unlike the other kid


And yea when I hit the powerband for the first time......HAha wasn't expecting it at all!
May 15 2012 4:27PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I learned how to ride on my dad's old 4 stroke Kawasaki from like the 1970s. When I learned, I was too short to reach the ground from the seat, so my dad held me up like I was learning how to ride a bike haha. Rode around my yard for a while, then up and down my street, but I came to a stop sign, forgot my legs were too short, and dumped the bike hard haha. My mom made my dad sell it after that...

Anyway...that was like 13 years ago haha. My dad has a Harley now, which is pretty fun to cruise on, but the most fun bike he had that I've ridden was his Buell XB9S. That thing was fucking awesome.

Not really sure what the point of this post was, but I figured we were sharing our first riding experiences. Yay!
May 15 2012 4:28PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Whoops, meant XB9R.
May 15 2012 4:29PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
Your mom sounds hot, said pics mom of?
May 15 2012 4:29PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Click for larger image

Try not to get too wild.
May 15 2012 4:32PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
i'll assume that is your dad? just as I pictured, but not your mom, i was expecting a fake blonde with boob implants, tell your dad nice work, she looks good for being at least 40+ (not trying to guess her age, but if you are 16 and she had you at 16 she must be at least like 40)
May 15 2012 4:34PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
dont get a chick bike. go for a 600. be a man.
May 15 2012 4:40PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
threads, looking to get a bike eventually, but not yet
May 15 2012 4:44PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
Click for larger image

MY DUCK...no but seriously OP do NOT buy a motorcycle for practical transportation, it sounds good but doesn't work out. you have no shelter from the elements and you shouldn't rely on one for a DD

do not finance, if you really want it you'll save and pay cash. it will make you a more responsible rider

and yes passing cars at 140mph is fucking awesome burrrrp buurrrrrrrp
May 15 2012 4:47PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

And this right here is the type of stupid fucking dumbshit thinking that will get you fucking killed. 

Don't just buy a fucking gsxr600 because ECB survived it and Anathaema is talking shit. 

Read my post towards the top.  Use your head.  Learn, then get a total cheapo beater pig first.  Then learn more, get comfrotable and THEN get a rad bike once you're comfortable.  Don't let your macho desires sign your face up with a highway at 80+ when your grill is ground off up to your fucking gygomas by asphalt or your legs amputated by a tree it won't matter how fucking cool you are.  Never forget that and never EVER listen to stupid fucks spouting off about "Oh, I learned that way and I'm alive" as there is a right and fucking retarded way to do everything and only you can ensure your own safety. 

May 15 2012 4:47PM
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Jib-Ninja
Posts: 2819 - Karma: 20
Going to rape both.
May 15 2012 4:49PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Thanks for the advice. I was not planning on getting a powerful bike first. I dont care if it seems like a bitch move to get a smaller engine if it helps me stay alive.

Thanks for all the info guys! What would be a good price to pay for a starter bike?
May 15 2012 4:50PM
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heavy_lettuce
Posts: 210 - Karma: 82
I got my first bike when i was 16. 2004 honda cbr 600rr. And i hit 150 on my bike and it had plenty more to go, so they definitely are not slow. I had a rm 85 dirtbike for a couple years so that helped.

And my buddy just got a 05 zr 600 and he has never ridden a motorcycle or dirt bike. It was pretty scary to watch him ride the first couple weeks. And i strongly recommend the weekend course to get your license. You get your license (not just your permit) right off and it helps on your insurance. That is in vermont so im guessing it is the same in florida, not 100% sure however.

On the other hand, watch out for super high miles. Saw one earlier in the thread with 39k on it (lot for a bike). thats getting sketchy. And if you dont exactly want a harley cruiser thing, look into the sport cruising bikes like a honda f4i or a zr 600. Something like that.
May 15 2012 4:51PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
You should really look for something with low miles. take a look for oil residue, tire wear, chain condition, etc. I've had a chain break at 80mph and i am very, very lucky to have walked away unhurt.

read lots, and buy used because you will dump your first bike
May 15 2012 4:53PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
^ woman logic.


seriously though, don't get a chick bike. just don't. there's nothing worse than some douchey kid who thinks he's a boss racing around on a little 250. you don't need training wheels to help ease you into that shit. get a real bike, you'll get used to it in a few days, and you'll have a blast.
May 15 2012 4:53PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Good luck!
May 15 2012 4:54PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Wait, you're saying it was scary to watch your friend ride a 600 as his first bike, when you just said you got a 600 at 16 and immediately took it up to 150?
May 15 2012 4:56PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

From the most chicklike dude on NS, that's a fucking laugh.  Why don't you stick to knitting, poetry, Tori Amos blogs and crying into pillows because you seriously fucking blow horse cocks when it comes to giving advice on motorcycles. 

May 15 2012 4:57PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
I would say that having your brains splattered all over the pavement after being merged into by an unaware driver while you were trying to split the lane at 110mph is worse.

Fuck, I would recommend that OP doesn't even buy a bike and instead try to find someone with a dirt bike that will take him riding first. There's gotta be someone you know with a motorcycle.
May 15 2012 4:58PM
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heavy_lettuce
Posts: 210 - Karma: 82
He is also 6:4 275 going to college to play center on the football team. So i guess that makes it a little worse. And yeah, got it the summer going into junior year. (Im a junior now) i just hit 150 like 3 weeks ago. But for people who do not ride, they dont know how to take corners and how to multitask with the gas/clutch/brake.
May 15 2012 5:00PM
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