Used MOTORCYCLE for a newbie.....which one?

[Craig 930 RS]

Seriously looking to buy a motorcycle, I'd like one which:

Isn't heavy
Good beginner bike
Used
Fairly quick
Under 2 or 3k or ?

What fits the bill and why?

Thanks -

[87coupe]

Decided against the scooter?

[Rot 911]

I think the best all around beginner bike out there today is the Suzuki SV650. Been out for about 7 years, very reliable, in your price range and you will still like the bike after you have been riding for awhile. Bike is popular enough that after a couple of years you can sell if for about what you paid for it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I swear by my Katana - great commuter bike, very stable and plenty fast. I like to say it's excellent at nothing but good at everything. It'll hang with GSX-Rs (kinda), you can load it up with passengers & gas & saddlebags and anything else you can think of, it's damn near indestructable, small enough to lane-split effectively, large enough to not be squirley, comfortable enough for longer rides (no "crotch rocket" posture), etc. I love it. The 600 might be better for you as an initial purchase versus the 750, but that's up to you.

40+ MPG, park anywhere pretty much anytime, insurance is $300 for the YEAR, registration is under 100 bucks, and don't sit in traffic - ever. It might be heresy here, but I swear I'd sell my P-cars before I ever got rid of owning a bike living in this area it's the perfect commuting tool.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Honda VFR, anything after '85.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Honda VFR, anything after '85.

I agree the VFR is one of the best all around bikes out there, but not for a beginner. Too tall, too heavy, too much power. This is coming from the owner of first a 1985 VF700 and now a 2001 VFR800i.

[Craig 930 RS]

Ack - SPORT BIKE - I forgot to add

[1967 R50/2]

I'm with Kurt. SV650 tough to beat.

Other good first bikes with character:

Kawasaki W650
Triumph Bonneville (New one not the old one)
Ducati Monster 600. (and later variants)
BMW F650

Might have to lay our some dinero for these some of this selection though...something you won't have to do with the SV650.

Of course there are enough old Honda CB750s and Airhead BMWs laying about and represent fair value, although not necessarily preforming like a modern bike....especially where brakes are concerned.

[Craig 930 RS]

Nice.



Keep it coming - links to 'for sales' are great!

[singpilot]

Craig;

Wish you were in SoCal. I have 20+ bikes in a hangar there. You could come take a ride on pretty much every type. There are a few that would make your choice easier.

[5axis]

I have to side with the SV. It can go from mild mannered intro bike to potent track weapon for very few $

http://www.svrider.com/

They have been around long enough that there is a very large supply of cheap spares and upgrades.

My little brother on his 99 SV in the rain at BlackHawk

[Craig 930 RS]

Fire away - what do you have that you'd recommend?
Hell, fire away anyone - I'd love to hear ideas

[techweenie]

My beginner bike was an old Honda 550-4 Still a great looking bike after 24 years.

Ended up with a Yamaha FZR 600. It was fast enough and handled very well.

If the Honda 600F2 is in your range, that's a great bike. A 600 is cheap to insure, has enough power and handles and stops exceptionally well.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Now that I think about it, an '86 or '87 VFR700 (tarriff-beater) is pretty underpowered, maybe 65-70hp.

On the other hand, you might want to avoid a bike with lots of plastic. The SV has some but not a lot, and they sure have a lot of fans.

[nostatic]

I'm not so sure about twins and newbies. Maybe a lower hp one is ok (Monster 600 or a stock SV650), but I find they are pretty intolerant of a less-than-smooth right hand. My Triumph with an I4 was a lot smoother and very kind in the low revs. The Duc likes to jump and buck, and engine braking is very strong.

I agree on keeping it a middleweight (600).

[Steve Carlton]

Ditto SV650, even if you have to pay a little extra for it.

[Craig 930 RS]

Excellent stuff. I'm looking up all recommendations, keep em coming.......

[nostatic]

I'll put in a pitch for a Triumph Speed Four. It was my "returning" bike, and if not for a flare up of a hip injury, I would have never sold it. Great bike.

I also had a Monster 620, and that is a great "newbie" bike, but is more money and if you learn quick and are a bigger guy, you likely will outgrow it quickly.

[id911T]

Some of the best newbie bikes that come to mind are (in no particular order):

Suzuki SV650, faired or unfaired

Kawasaki Ninja 500

Suzuki GS500, later versions in particular

All of these bikes have bulletproof engines whose designs are well tested, and they are tuned well for a new rider (as opposed to the bowstring tuning used on the 600cc class bikes). I'd stay away from the 250cc bikes. The lack of power gets old quick, and can be dangerous in situations that require enough oomph to get out of the way. Kawa has a new ninja 650R twin that looks promising, but I have yet to ride one.

[scottmandue]

I haven't ridden a SV650 but I have read nothing but good things about it. Seeing as I am financially challenged and can't afford a fancy Italian bike like so many that post here ride it is high on my list for a cheap/fun/fast all around bike.
I am also considering a beemer twin because a sporting bike is not a high priority for me.