I want to buy a bike, but can't afford one yet

I want a bike to ride on nice sunny days that isn't too fast but still gets the chicks. What do you guys think of this bike? It is a AlphaSports GV250 bike that has 28 HP and gets ~60 miles per the gallon. The price of this bike ranges from $2000-3000. :yumyum:

 

looks nice. this is what I'm buyin this summer for my fun :biggrin:

 

weak try a japenese bike they're way better and nothing under a 600

 

This is the bike you want:



Aprilia RS50 (they don't make it anymore for 06 but you can find a used one for around $2,500 - $3,000. If you put that racing kit in you can get up to 65-70 mph (depends your weight)

http://http://apriliauk.attiva.it/modelli/road/modello.asp?id=119#

 

My buddy just picked up an '06 R1 for a pretty good deal at the S. St. Paul Hitching Post, They were about the only dealer that was willing to deal. I know they had a limited edition R6 there. The new R6 is a pretty sweet bike. I've got an '03 Harley for sale if anyone's interested.

 

i LOVE my 2006 zzr 600, driftin240 just got one too...mine was 7,500 otd same bike as a 2002 zx6R, so basicly all the bike that everyone else makes, but for less.

 

+1 for the R6...that'll be the bike to get if i get one. i heard the R1 is abit too big for me.

 

R6's are hot!!! R1's are fast!!!

 

Had an R6 for about 3 years, loved the bike, but in the future would go with something a little bigger, i know Jake can vouch for this, the Bike lacks torque. i think i would go for the new Kawi Ninja's, i have read great reviews on the bike, and if i purchased anouther one today, thats what i would buy.

 

+1 for any new bike rider, i would HIGHLY reccomend this class. I took the class after i had been riding my bike (3 months) It seems like a petty class to take, but you learn a ton on fundementals and basic monouvers that will keep you out of trouble. Also anyone that plans on buying a sport bike, this class is an easier way to get your license, the license test on a sport bike is not the easiest.

 

Before ANY of you guys hop onto any bike, it's really important that you take the time to take the MSF course. Even if you have a few years of riding under your belt, go take it.

Also, if you've never ridden a bike before, do yourself a favor and don't get a sportbike. The brand new R6 this year is a hell of a machine, and even if it is "only" 600cc, it's still a hell of a lot to handle - far too much for a new rider. Look into older bikes, made in the 80's, and around 400-500cc. The bike will get you around and will make you learn what it is to be a motorcycler and where your place is on the road. Far too often a squid hops onto a new sportbike and does some really STUPID ****. I've seen it happen far too often.

I've been riding for nearly 10 years now and I'm speaking here from experience. I started on my dad's 1978 Yamaha XS400. Sure, it wasn't a chick magnet, but it was a MOTORCYCLE. The thing gave me freedom that no other vehicle ever could, or has since. I spent 3 years on that thing before I bought my first sportbike - the Yamaha YZF600R. It was a "sportbike" but more tuned like a sport touring. I had a good two years on that and now am riding an '04 R6.

There's a lot to learn about motorcycles and seeing them as a way to "pick up chicks" is really the wrong way to go about it. Granted, they DO attract the ladies (I mean, DUH) but you have to have a different attitude about what you're riding. You're not cradled by a nice steel cage with rollbars. Other drivers WILL NOT see you and WILL run you off the roads at times, and the power these new bikes put down is downright scary at times.

Do yourself a favor and play it safe and get used to a motorcycle first. You can find an older used one for anywhere between $1000 and $2000, and you can even sell it the next year for near to no loss. I just don't want to see some of you guys totally screw up by buying into something that you think looks sweet without realizing just what you're about to do.

As always, ride safe out there, and don't forget to wave to any rider you pass, even if they're a fat, grumpy, bearded Harley rider who looks like he'd rather snap your spine than wave.

 

^^that's the reason why I want to get a 250cc bike. ...well part of it. (I can't imagine how many phone numbers I'll collect my first month of ownership. Tee-hee-hee) My girl says that if I get a bike, I should get a sport bike (it doesn't have to be fast--just look fast). I don't care though. I'm interested in a commuter bike that is ridden upright--not for speed.

John, I'll look into the Aprilia RS50. It looks hot and is in my price range for bikes.

 

All bikes should come with one of these,

 

You might want to just get a Ninja250 then. I see those around a lot, and they're still have the sportbike look. I hope your girl would at least understand why I say what I say when I cautioned you against just getting an outright sportbike. Remember: She'll want to be on the back, and theres a million times the liability there - you do something stupid and it's not just you that'll be paying the consequences.

I disagree. A responsible motorcyclist is just as safe as anyone else out there on the roads.

 

sooo hawt! i have been a long time fan of the R6/R1 those are amazing bikes. supposedly this new R1 limited wieghs lie nothign. :drool: soo hawt in black or in blue.

 

as far as the class goes i would recommend it to any one, i have been ridin dirtbikes since i was little and took the class a couple years ago when i bought a street bike and they still point out things that even an experienced rider wouldnt really think about. the class isnt very expensive and the main reason i took it is when you pass the class you get your license, so you can take the license test on a little tiny bike that they supply or you can take the test on your own sportbike (if thats what you have) that doesnt turn at low speed and would be a major PITA.

fong instead of buyin that generic bike i'd seriously look at a used suzuki sv650, they started makin them in 01 i think so you could easily get a nice used one in that price range, they are awesome beginner bikes and ive ridden one they've got enough power to be fun and they turn like crazy. and they are a vtwin so they sound almost as sexy as a subaru

and to agree with josh any inline 600 sport bike is torqueless and i will never own another one in my life, i dropped a tooth on my front sprocket on my r6 i had to gear it down a little and it helped but 1st gear became pretty much worthless and 2nd still had no torque, they are lame. liter v-twins are where its at. unless you're going to actually do full on track days and use a 600s top end potential you'd probably have more fun rippin around on the sv650 i mentioned above for a lot less money.

wrxpeed if thats gonna be your first bike use your head, the new r6 is a crazy piece of machinery definately not meant for beginners.

 

i think kawasaki makes a 250 ninja.
cheap, easy, and maintanance is about as complicated as checking tire pressure every month. and for winter, pulling the battery and using some stabil in the tank....
maybe check the oil every 2 or 3 years. :laugh:

 

Yeah...hopefully I can get a 600RR real soon. First bike...kinda want a 900 or a 1000 but they seem kinda scary

 

Just my .02 but I bought my first bike last year an 02 suzuki sv650s and I love it! it looks really sporty and sounds awesome with exhaust (v-twin) insurance is really cheap. I have found many aftermarket parts for it, sure its not the fastest bike on the road but it is plenty fun. I have read so many great reviews of these bikes too. Its the only bike i have ridden but I'm willing to bet the 250 may be a bit under powered after you get comfortable riding. P.S. if anyone is thinking about taking classes I have been wanting to take them just wanted someone to go with.:fiddy:

 

I don't know why you guys all think the 600's are torqueless, because that's just not true. Granted, they dont have the torque that a literbike has, but that doesn't mean they're anemic. My '04 R6 will keep right up with an R1 off the line. Of course, his gears have more power to them so he will lose me eventually, but the torque is there.

It really comes down to how you ride it. Besides, a really torquey bike is not a good idea unless you know how to ride it.

 

I took my test on my TL1000R... rode for 2 weeks and took test... passed... I did an endo to stop in the accelerate adn stop test... went a little fast.. lady looked at the stopwatch and said I was doing about 45 and should have been doing 18mph during the test.. I did it twice ha ha ha.. but I also stopped about 5 feet shorter than most of them so she said well you can stop so I will pass you... ha ha h

this is my first road bike....!!!

 

SV650 ftw!!

back to the 600 torque thing, maybe i should have worded it differently, they have torque but its not on tap like a vtwin or a liter4. 600s are fun on the freeway and if you were to do track days because they are all top end, but for rippin around town and backroads a liter vtwin would be my ultimate choice, rc-51 im not sayin 600s are pieces of crap they are insane on the top end, i'd just rather have a broader powerband for an all around bike

 

+1

I'm looking at a ninja 250 right now with all of 200 miles on it. But I am le broke.

damnit.

I want to move from scooters to bikes since i need to commute longer, but I'll probably end up with a 250cc scoot instead of a bike. If I could get a loan for under 4k i'd be picking up the ninja 250 tomorrow. If i wait long enough i'm going for this:



And starting out on a crotch rocket 600cc+ is just plain not good. The first bike i rode was a CBR 1100. Holy**** that thing was just way too much.

a CBR600RR is a one way ride on the midnight train to slab city for someone who doesn't have any bike experience.

 

i have a 2005 ninja 250 in addition to my zzr600 it was a great 1st street bike, plenty quick, faster then most cars on the street, topped out at 110, and the worst mileage i EVER got was 70 mpg....i still rip around on it from time to time, its the old lady's toy now you cant beat 2999 for a brand new bike!

 

also...my 600 has 80 ft lbs...its PLENTY torquey...if you need more torque, go down a tooth on your front sprocket.

 

250 ninja's are fun bikes.
and ftr i had a 350 that would pull on ANY v-twin out there.... (untill about 50 mph and/or the first corner)

 

all the new 600s are around 45ftlbs i think you better recheck that stat

and aaron i'm pretty sure that 350 was a 2 stroke, thats just cheating

 

46.3 ft lb @9500 to be exact!

 

:biggrin:
you bet!

 

^^^To be exact...The ZZR600 has 48.7ft.lb$, and 112hp @ 12,500rpms.

The bikes have great torque and hp! If you dont feel the need to do 1500prm wheelies, you don't need any more torque than what we already have. Try riding it first!

 

Since we are on the topic of bikes, anybody going to the superbike races at road america in june? And Fong if you are looking towards something a little more "upright" you can also get a regular sv650 not the "s" model which btw the s looks nearly identical to Nathans bike. talk to Sam? at bp subaru his new bike is a sv650s.

 

Owned a r6 for 3 years ive riden....

 

I'm going! Got to cheer on Mladin and Hodgson.

But Fong, speaking as a lifelong rider and racer, I must concur that you MUST sign up for the MSF class. It will teach you everything to be competent on your own AND get you your license.

As for the subject of what motorcycle to get, your girlfriend has the right idea. A sportbike will be lighter (easier to pick up when it tips over), faster (better to merge with traffic), more nimble (to avoid cars), and it will brake better (when a car pulls out if front of you).

Do not buy a new bike. As a new rider, your bike will fall over. Better to have it happen to a used bike. An older SV650 doesn't have fairings to scratch. However, they are not that cheap.

The best bike would be the 1998-2003 Yamaha R6. It is fast, light, reliable, and it was the most popular race bike for six years. There are billions of spare parts for it, especially body work. The engines are bulletproof, even for racing purposes. You can find a good condition used one for about 3-4k.

In fact, I can probably get you a refurbished race bike with street fairings for 3k. It'd have a full exhaust and jet kit, cams, and be good for 117 hp at the rear wheel. And it will look almost brand new. I know of someone trying to unload a pair. PM me if you want to know more.

 

My buddy is a shop manager at a bigger bike dealership and said he'd get me on a 2006 R6 for a little under $8K. Is that a pretty good deal?

I wouldn't get a liter bike anytime soon, even an R6 may be a little much and I may buy a smaller cheaper bike at the same time to practice and take the class and test with. I have ridden other bikes, my dad has an '04 FJR1300 which is a handful to say the least, and with 1300cc can easily keep up with newer 600cc sportbikes on the highway.

+1 on the coffin too, inexperience is a dangerous thing on 2 wheels. I know i wouldn't mess around with over 100HP on 2 wheels and 800lbs.

 

+1^9

Alot of bikes are more than most can handle. Although Kickin' seems to have his head on straight. Not looking for a 1000cc+. Looking for a good small, fun cc bike.

Some people forget what motorcycles are about. The freedom! Some think 'I need more power'! I need to go fast! Grrrr.... Then, eventually they get used to the power and just start getting comfortable and doing stupid **** and hurt themselves or others. Idiots.


I miss my old YZ-125! Most fun on wheels I ever had.

 

^^^6^66^Thank you. I just want the wind to flow through my thinning hair; that's if the wind can get into my helmet first (thinking about drilling speed holes into helmet :biggrin: ). I'm not on the quest for speed on a bike. Just something that I can get on and ride places in style.

And Discopope, thanks for your suggestion on the Kawasaki Ninja 250. That bike looks hot! It seems to have very good bang for the buck--not buck before the bang. If the buck can't beat the bang, the bang will see the buck next time.

John, the Aprilia RS50 has an engine too small. I'll get ran over within the first hour driving it.

 

I have a Suzuki SV650 as my first bike. great starter bike. Newbies should really stay away from buying a sport bike as a first bike. I know everyone wants the power and speed but on motocycles it is VERY important to start out with a more comfortable bike. gotta be a squid to ride a sport bike for more than 40 mins. puts a lot of strain on forarms and back. specially if you're short.
I only been riding for 2 years and almost been run off the road like 6 times. MSF course is a big plus. If you get your permit and take the class and pass it, you don't have to take the driving test.

 

speaking about bikes for beginners... hwat you guys think about my sons... ha ha ha


which should be his choice to Learn on... he h he yes I am joking..

I was raised on a farm in Australia and learnt to Ride a 250cc Trials Bike when I was 7 yrs old....
my first bike at 8yrs old was a 400cc Dirt & Road bike

 

Awwww.... He looks just like you, Nathan. But with a smaller head. Just kidding. It seems like you've got your fair share of speed in your history.

 

I think Fong is smart enough he can buy a sportbike and not kill himself. They are only dangerous if you grab too much power, and I doubt he's hamfisted with the throttle.

Don't buy a 250. It was my first bike and I outgrew it in less than a year. Seriously Fong, it'll be slower than your car! :biggrin:

Besides, you want something with a good passenger seat, and the R1 sucks. That's why I didn't get one, after two previous 1000s. Must be getting old.

 

What i may suggest is, go up north to like, Paul Bunyan Nation Forest, and rent a dirtbike and try riding around on the dirt trails. Thats how i am learning to ride and its a great deal of fun. You tip it over, no big deal. You can really get a hang of your balance and gain valuable experience. So much can happen on the road. Thats why its hard to go out and just start riding. The truth is, drivers are supposed to watch out for you, but they dont always. So just be a safe rider!

My 2 cents.

PS: On that Aprilla, you would get run over. Gotta have somthing fast enough to keep up with the traffic.

PSS: We have dirtbikes and go dirtbiking alot, so if you wanted too, you could come with us up there and give you some generally good advice. My dad is a crazy good rider and its helping me out alot. He could do the same for you.

 

I've grew up on bicycles and hopping curb ramps with them so balance isn't an issue with me.

I was looking at 250s because of the fuel economy and adequate pickup power, but fuel economy was the trigger that got me looking into motorbikes. Everything else follows fuel economy: fuel economy-->price-->quality-->Hawtness-->freedom/openness-->performance-->comfort/drivability. The comfort not being the least important of what I want in the bike, it's the least I want when searching for a bike. My future bike must posess all the above. I want my cake, eat it, and poop it out.

 

Well, you'll never save enough in gas to recoup the cost of the bike. It'd be like buying a hybrid.

As far as mpg, a sportbike will do the best because it will be the lightest. BTW, how tall are you? It's an important consideration.

 

250cc scooter FTW.

I just got mine ordered. Selling the 50 at the moment... $2k for a 2005 TGB 303R with a Tecnigas race pipe and variator if anyone wants one =]

I'll probably get rid of it on craigslist. You dont need a license to ride it though.