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Author Topic: Looking For My First Bike  (Read 3118 times)

Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Looking For My First Bike
« on: May 05, 2011, 08:11:11 am »
Appreciate your thoughts as I look to get my first bike (getting licenced this year).

Have a few options I am looking at in the $4,000 to $4,500 range I like, such as:

- early 2000's Suzuki Katana 600/750
- late 2000's Suzuki GS500F

Looking Sport/Tour class.  I appreciate I should sit on it for position and such, however I want to whittle the list down, and I don't want to be looking at upgrading my bike for the next 4 years (every 18 months) as I don't want my hobby turning me into a used bike salesman.  ;D

So far, I know what I like appearance wise.

Thanks!

TOL
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Offline 5 Wheel Drive

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2011, 08:43:21 am »
Good for you!   :cheers:  Hopefully you're taking a rider training course?

My first bike was a '95 Ninja 500.  It was comfortable, I wasn't too hunched over.  It was light, and handled well.  It had enough power to keep me interested, but not so much as to get a newbie into trouble.  I had that bike for 3 years, it was a great bike to learn on.

Check out insurance before you buy.  (My Versys is insured with Primmum)  An older Katana 600 might not be too bad.  For a beginner I'd stay away from the 750, it's heavier, more powerful, and might be really expensive for a new rider to insure.  The GS500F is also a great choice.  You should be able to get into a newer Ninja 250 for your budget as well.

I can understand not wanting to upgrade every year or so.  The little Honda CB125 might be good to learn on, but you'll get bored of it quickly.

Pictures when you buy one!!!  ;D
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Offline blur911

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2011, 08:56:30 am »
I'd much rather have a SV650 than a Katana.
There is also the Ninja 650 if you don't mind straying into Kawi territory. 

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Online Careener

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2011, 09:16:41 am »
^^
Agreed if you want to keep it several years.
I'd suggest visiting a motorcycle forum as the "what bike for a beginner" topic is well covered.
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Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2011, 09:18:06 am »
Absolutely on the training course!  I'm not Suzuki superfan, but I like the looks of the bike.  Open to any make!

The bikes I know is limited to what is on Autotrader - the SV650 is a looker as well - and the few big dealers that are on Autotrader that have their own inventories.

Appreciate your feedback!
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Offline vdk

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2011, 10:31:34 am »
Quote from: Thinking Out Loud on May 05, 2011, 09:18:06 am
Absolutely on the training course!  I'm not Suzuki superfan, but I like the looks of the bike.  Open to any make!

The bikes I know is limited to what is on Autotrader - the SV650 is a looker as well - and the few big dealers that are on Autotrader that have their own inventories.

Appreciate your feedback!

Check out Kijiji. There are numerous private ads there. Remember bikes have no book value ;)

Also, join this forum: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?134442-New-Riders-Here-Are-Your-Bikes

And I'll walk you through getting a discount on your training course.
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Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2011, 10:38:40 am »
Thanks!  Great link vdk!   

Interesting on book value - I've seen almost new 2008 GS500's and a similar bike with 15,000 kms and the pricing difference is only a couple of hundred?

Any concerns if a bike has come up from the US?

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Offline vdk

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2011, 10:44:11 am »
Quote from: Thinking Out Loud on May 05, 2011, 10:38:40 am
Thanks!  Great link vdk!   

Interesting on book value - I've seen almost new 2008 GS500's and a similar bike with 15,000 kms and the pricing difference is only a couple of hundred?

Any concerns if a bike has come up from the US?



Oh yes, I forgot to mention. Used bikes in TO are severely overpriced. You will find used units going for more money than new units. It's the cheap crack. In the end you can make an offer, and go from there.

My concern with US bikes would be re-sale, unless we're talking Harleys.

Given bikes have no book value, when buying privately, you need to declare to the Ministry the purchase price for tax purposes, and they will take your word for it. :)
« Last Edit: May 05, 2011, 10:45:48 am by vdk »
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Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2011, 11:01:44 am »
That's right, you just picked up your ZZR from Ottawa if I recall (maybe another posted did?).

If I am correct, it was a private sale?  What concerns are there regarding a private sale?
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Offline vdk

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2011, 11:37:40 am »
Sure did. Private sale yes.

Ideally you should have a mechanic take a look at the bike, or ask the seller to take it to your mechanic. The bike will need to be saftied anyway.

On your own you can look for any cosmetic damage (on fairings, handle bar ends, etc), and check the break pads, chain and tires.

Also, make sure that if you leave a deposit you get some sort of receipt signed by both you and the seller. Just be cautious, my deal in Ottawa went very smooth but then again it depends on the person selling the bike.
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Offline dash

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2011, 12:16:03 pm »
Honda VFR is a good sport/touring bike, I think for year 2000+ they are 800cc. As others have said, see if you can get insurance quotes on several bike choices and then you can gauge your budget better.
Personally, I don't believe bike size is the most important (safety) factor for a beginner, it is riding experience, maturity and life preservation attitude.   
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Offline PJungnitsch

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2011, 12:38:33 pm »
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Offline vdk

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2011, 01:19:01 pm »
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Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2011, 02:51:07 pm »
Thanks everyone for the advice and links!
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Offline johngenx

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2011, 03:13:42 pm »
If only you'd posted this a few weeks earlier!!  My turbo 'busa has been shipped to the US.  Would have made an awesome beginner bike...


 ;D
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Offline Thinking Out Loud

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #15 on: May 05, 2011, 03:40:57 pm »
That's called a 'point and shoot' bike, I figure!!  :rofl2:
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Offline vdk

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #16 on: May 05, 2011, 03:47:50 pm »
Quote from: johngenx on May 05, 2011, 03:13:42 pm
If only you'd posted this a few weeks earlier!!  My turbo 'busa has been shipped to the US.  Would have made an awesome beginner bike...


 ;D

Will it be replaced?
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Offline johngenx

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #17 on: May 05, 2011, 06:07:26 pm »
Quote from: vdk on May 05, 2011, 03:47:50 pm
Will it be replaced?

Not sure with what.  I'm tempted to pick up a new one and just leave it alone.  Though, a friend of mine has an RC51 and I really enjoyed the short ride I had on it.  Something really cool about it.  Might begin looking for a cheery unit.  Luckily I broke even on the Suzuki, otherwise the missus would surely be vetoing ANY bike...   ;D
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #18 on: May 05, 2011, 06:13:07 pm »
Quote from: johngenx on May 05, 2011, 06:07:26 pm
Quote from: vdk on May 05, 2011, 03:47:50 pm
Will it be replaced?

Not sure with what.  I'm tempted to pick up a new one and just leave it alone.  Though, a friend of mine has an RC51 and I really enjoyed the short ride I had on it.  Something really cool about it.  Might begin looking for a cheery unit.  Luckily I broke even on the Suzuki, otherwise the missus would surely be vetoing ANY bike...   ;D

RC51 (for me) has some of the most cramped ergos I've ever ridden...even worse than my dedicated race bikes.
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Offline johngenx

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Re: Looking For My First Bike
« Reply #19 on: May 05, 2011, 06:17:41 pm »
I'm 6', but only have a 30" inseam, so I actually find the bike reasonable.  Love the chassis.
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