Need opinions and advice, New rider
Hello from San Diego,
I just wanted to introduce my self. I am new rider and currently taking the MSF course, this friday will be my last day if doesn't rain on the range (got my fingers crossed) So I am geting my first bike very soon.
I have done a lot of research and the Kawasaki 250 seems like the best choice, though I am very interested in a 2009 Yamaha FZ6R. I know it has a little more power. It has a r6 motor but its detuned for begginer riders. So basically I am confused between Kawi 250 and Yama Fz6r. What do you guys think, which bike should I get? All your advices are appreciated. Thank you
My opinion is you can't go
My opinion is you can't go wrong with a Ninja 250r. Enough power for any road but light, and easy to ride. They are cheap and readily available on the used market and not too hard to resell if you want to upgrade. Only problem is the new models (`08 and later) have a fairing crease that is too low for the long-legged. Not a problem with pre-08.
Though I have seen the FZ6r listed as an OK beginner bike so it would not be a problem either if you are comfortable and responsible on a bike.
Craig
Tough call based on limited info
You might get better advice if you provide some more info, such as the kind of riding you intend to do, do you have any MC experience, what are your concerns about the 250, etc...
Hey rookiedude...you'd better
Hey rookiedude...you'd better hope it doesn't rain...to the best of my knowledge, you ride rain or shine my friend!
An FZ6 is a great bike, but it's a lot of bike. It's not detuned for a beginner, it's got plenty of go. The ergo's are good and it's a very capable machine. I think depending on your maturity level and your commitment to practicing and being dilligent about learning, it COULD BE a great bike for you.
I would definately consider putting some frame sliders on it. Beginners tend to drop their bikes in the first few miles/first few times out. It's about $100 at the most, and will be worth every penny.
Good luck!
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
Rainy MSF
My final day of the MSF it rained hard. The only part that really sucked was I had dirt tires on at the time and I lost alot of points on my braking test at the end. Other than that riding in the rain isn't so bad. Mist is alot worse, as we discussed earlier.
Ok, so I have decide to get a kawi 250
As per every one's advice I have decided to go with a 09 Kawi 250 and boy am I excited. I just wanted to thank this forum for a lot of helpfull info. I was also wondering if any one knows of any good (cheap) insurance companies? How about the gear, are there any good sites where I can purchase my gear? How about a certain brand which is not too expensive? I am on a tight budget! :)
Where are you buying the bike?
Where are you buying the bike from? If it is from a dealership, you can usually talk them into giving you a 30% discount or so, it helped out a ton on getting initial gear!
Cheap gear
If you're looking for online sites for gear, I've had great luck with NewEnough and MotorcycleSuperstore. They both have closeout sections with low prices on great gear. Closeouts are usually from a manufacturer's previous year(s), and sizes and colors can be limited -- but it's worth looking. Depending on your size and fussiness over color, you can get a good armored Cortech or Fieldsheer textile jacket on closeout for under $100. Both companies stand by their gear and are good about returns (for defects). But if you order the wrong size, you're typically paying shipping for the return.
I have mostly Cortech, Teknic and Fieldsheer gear and have had no problems. First Gear appears to the value brand on alot of sites. Their gear looks decent, but I have no personal experience.
For boots, I love Zappos. They ship free, if the size is wrong, they return and reship for free. They carry Harley and other cruiser style leather boots, but not moto-specific armored boots -- so may not be what you want.
The two sites mentioned above are also great for helmets, but I would STRONGLY recommend against buying any helmet that you haven't tried on first. There are just too many variables and nothing is more unsafe, distracting and sometimes painful than a poorly fitted helmet.
Some of the cheapest gear I've purchased includes: Armored Fieldsheer jacket at MCsuperstore - $70; HJC helmet at NewE - $120 (my son has a helmet we got for $50 -- it's gaudy as hell, which is why it was marked down from $200, but he's 12 and loves it); armored leather gloves, NE -- $15. So if you look around, you can get some good stuff for low bucks. There's no reason to go unprotected.
Also
Try motorcyclecloseouts.com too. Pretty much what it sounds like: closeout stuff heavily discounted. I've bought a number of things from them, and they're great.
As SantaCruzRider says, if you're not particular about colors (i.e. you don't absolutely HAVE to match your bike's paint job), you can find some great deals on last season's stuff.
I personally have been wearing Fieldsheer, which I like as a value-priced brand that provides good quality and protection (nearly all of their jackets have standard CE armor).
MSF class was cancelled today (San Diego)
I was hoping to finish my last day at the range but it was rescheduled for next month due to the crazy weather in Diego (I love it though :) ) I passed my written test yesterday and got my permit, 100% percent baby, lol. I litterally memorized every single page in the hand book ha.
So as far as the bike goes, I am going to Fun bike center tomorrow to pick up 2009 kawi 250 R, new (black) As far as the gear goes I will see if I can find good deals on the gear at the shop. I can't really order any thing online because I don't even know the size. Hopefully I will be riding tomorrow, boy am I excited :)
Nice Grade
In Louisiana they don't tell you your grade, only if you pass of fail. I think the cut off is 80% though, not sure. I wonder what I got.
Gratz! (Jealous)
Gratz!
(Jealous)
Passing scores depend on the
Passing scores depend on the state where the class is taken, and it's in two parts: written and riding portion. The riding portion goes on a points accumulated basis...less points means better score. Dropping the bike at time after the test portion begins is an automatic fail.
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
Oops, sorry... I just saw
Oops, sorry... I just saw your grade! Nice work!!
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
Update, got the delivery last night :)
Hey guys and gals, just wanted to update. I got the Kawi 250r last night and its awesome :) Its black and ready to ride. I have to break in the engine so any tips would be highly appreciated. Here is a list of gear that I got as well
1. Alpinestar leather jacket
2. Alpinestar Gloves.
3. Scorpion Helmet (Dot/snell approved)
4. Alpine star boots.
Every thing cost me a pretty penny but I did get a 15% discount from the guys because I got the bike from them. I will post some pix soon :)
new rider used bike
Im looking at getting my first bike and i was thinking about getting a 2007 Kawasaki 500R with 5700 miles for $3,000. it has a few not noticeable scratches like 3. is it a deal? and is it too much bike im 5'9 190lbs
D@D RoCk$
JR, I recommend starting a
JR, I recommend starting a new thread with your question. It's considered bad form to hijack someone elses thread.
new threads
how do start a new thread ? and should i ride a 2004 suzuki gs 500 with 6000 miles or 2007 kawasaki ninja 500R with 5700 miles? wich one should get? plus i live in Central Florida so the cold hearted thing will only affect maybe 2 months a year
D@D RoCk$
Posting a new thread
Go to the "post new topic" link at the top portion of the message area (just to the left of the right column).
As for these bikes, I don't think the years or mileage give either much advantage. If I was looking at these two, I'd get the one that fit the best. If both feel the same, I'd get the one that was the cleanest and/or had the most complete maintenance records. I'd probably also follow my intuition on the seller and how he represents his previous use and care of the bike. If it's still a tie -- go for the coolest color.
Congratulations on the new
Congratulations on the new delivery :)
You might want to add a pair of motorcycle pants to your list. If you fall your legs/knees/hips are going to want as much protection as your upper body. And in a slide they are going to be in contact with the ground. $100 should get you a half decent pair.
Other than that, where are the pix?
Pants are definitly next
Yeah pants are the next thing that I am geting. I spend like $5500 yesterday, well I should have got the pants but I kind of went over my budget. I would like to get the best pants possible so next pay check it is :)
Pix are coming soon :)
another rookie ? How do I post pix?
Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww? :)
I figured it out
Hey, pix are up in the pix/video section. Enjoy :)