- This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by smadaakram.
advice for a first time buyer…
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April 26, 2008 at 12:03 am #1306smadaakramParticipant
I’m getting ready to buy my first ROAD bike this next week. I have narrowed it down to just 2 bikes and would very much like everybody’s input to help me with my final decision.
first off, I’m 6′ 0″ 240lb and i don’t often feel small on any bike. I’ve done allot of off road riding on some really fast bikes and quads, so the general idea of riding is definitely not new to me. however, I’ve never done ANY real road riding.
also I am WITHOUT A DOUBT going to take the msf corse.now for my selections:
1)
NEW 2008 ninja 250r
$3500PROS-b/c it looks bad ass, light weight, great reviews, beginer friendly, gets great gas mileage, it’s cheap 4 a new bike (a major factor 4 me b/c my price ceiling is 4000)
CONS-low power( i feel very comfortable with some extra reserve power, nothing insane just a lil extra), price is in the upper range of my ridiculously low budget.
2)
USED 1995 Yamaha seca2 600
$1800PROS-that extra little power i mentioned, seating position, sound(this is’int that important really), price is very good
CONS-it is used, I don’t get to pick the color
ANY thoughts on the subject will be greatly appreciated : )
April 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm #5829MattParticipantThe Seca 2 (Also called Diversion in other markets) is not a terribly light bike. It lost out in several big comparisons to the Suzuki Bandit because the seca was heavier to turn, slower, and overall simply not as “playful” as the Bandit. Not exactly bad points if your goal is an easy to learn on bike.
Speed wise I’m sure it’ll still be faster than the ninja, but it’ll be harder to ride in slow speed situations. That said, 400ish pounds isn’t _that_ hard to manhandle for someone 6 foot. But I do prefer moving around the lighter bike.
I don’t think you’ll find the seating position on it that different from the 250R, both are pretty upright bikes with a slight lean forward. Both have comfy seats.
One big Con for the Seca is getting parts when something breaks or wears out. Also, newer shop mechanics won’t be familiar with the bike, and they may make some stupid mistakes with it (Stupid shop mistakes basically turned my 84 VF500F into a paper weight). If you get the Seca, your best bet is to find a small garage the specializes in older bikes. Or get a clymer manual and do a lot of the work yourself (Between the lack of fairing, and the air cooled engine, it is about as easy as 600s get to work on).
Sounds like I’m steering you away from the Seca, but I’m not. I happen to really like the bikes, I almost bought one as my first bike – it got sold out from under me
But owning an older bike takes some considerations that newer ones don’t, maintenance and parts in particular. If you think you’re up to it, and have a motorcycle salvage yard in your area, it’s a pretty awesome ride.April 26, 2008 at 10:03 pm #5831uncle_bernieParticipantI think EVERYone who is looking to buy their first bike should read this article. Sport bikes in general, from what I’ve read and from some videos I’ve watched, are more temperamental than a standard or cruiser bike. Therefore, I feel it’s even more imperative that you stick to a smaller, lighter bike if you’re intent on getting a sport bike for your first motorcycle. I’ve only been riding steadily (I rode friends’ dirt bikes here and there growing up) for a little over two months now but have realized in that short time that you shouldn’t kid yourself…mistakes are going to happen. Those mistakes tend to be a lot easier to get through without gravel in your ass on a smaller, lighter, less powerful bike.
~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…
April 26, 2008 at 11:09 pm #5833BenParticipantI know a lot of people who started on a Seca II as their first bike. I would recommend you tear off the front fairing and turn it into a street fighter though, stock it is just plain ugly
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles AdminApril 27, 2008 at 7:05 am #5836smadaakramParticipanti totally agree about the seca looking better without fairings, but if i get the bike I’ll prob ride it with them for the first year or so just in case i was to drop it…then rip it all of and make it look cool : )
//@R!<
April 27, 2008 at 7:23 am #5837smadaakramParticipantfirst, thanks for the input!!
I have read this article b4 and it’s a good one. that said, personally i am used to a fairly powerful modified bike or quad and am proficient when it comes to some of the more important points such as throttle control, clutch feel, proper breaking, and learning a bikes limits in turns. I am going to stay with a lower power bike tho, that is the reason for my 2 choices, and while i know that the seca is a 600cc bike it is also an old tech 2 valve per piston, air cooled, low/mid tuned, spot touring type bike with from what i’ve been able to find about 50-60hp that peaks at about 9k. I’m not sure what I’ll get yet but i think I’ll be comfortable with either bike, although i do like the seca’s seating position better.//@R!<
April 27, 2008 at 7:37 am #5838smadaakramParticipantgood points 4 consideration i must agree. the weight is’int a huge deal, both bikes feel light to me but a very good point none the less
as far as the seating position, ur right they are very much alike, although the seca has a more comfortable seat in my opinion
the parts/labor is not an issue at all 4 me personally b/c I’ve been rebuilding cars and bikes since i was 11and i really enjoy it.
I’m glad u brought it up tho b/c i hadint really thought much about it, prob b/c I’m almost always working on something so it does’int really seem that out of the way 2 me//@R!<
April 27, 2008 at 7:07 pm #5849uncle_bernieParticipantVery cool that you’re reading and are aware of your abilities. I’ve just run into several people who have little or no riding skills considering bikes that are way above their riding abilities and while I love speed, love hard cornering, and love the wind in my face I also love not being in pain, so, I just try to suggest that people err on the side of caution. You sound like you have done your research and know yourself pretty well. So, with all that, good luck out there on the road!
~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…
April 28, 2008 at 12:56 pm #5865MattParticipantThe Seca2 is a standard, not a sport bike.
It actually have very similar performance to a ninja 500 (roughly 50hp and sub 40 foot pounds of torque). Seating is very upright, with wide bars. It was the evolution of an 80s UJM, it just looked like a sport bike. Really the biggest difference between a Seca2 and a Ninja 500 is the 20-30 pounds of weight and the fact the seca’s aircooled (It’ll cook your legs to a golden brown in stop-and-go traffic).And to Ben: Hey! I liked that half fairing. I think a stock Seca2 in dark green is a sexy beast
May 5, 2008 at 6:54 pm #6000smadaakramParticipantI just bought the bike 2 days ago and i went with the SECA. I went on a ride yesterday with my mom and her boyfriend and a bunch of his friends, who all mostly ride cruisers, the whole day was a blast! they tend to really take it easy with alot of rests and drink stops so it was a great first ride on the road, I also got alot of safety pointers.
thanks for everybody’s help with my decision, and I’ll be posting some pics up maby 2maro.
//@R!<
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