- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 11 months ago by caffeinejunkie88.
First bike Help
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May 23, 2009 at 10:02 am #2878caffeinejunkie88Participant
I went to the local dealer with my dad and asked about the ninja 250r and he told me the ups and down of the bike and how It would not be enough 101 and told me that i should go bigger and suggested the 2009 Suzuki GS500F. Would this be a good one to start off with? and will it hold when i try to resell? I’m 5’10 and somewhere around 130.
May 23, 2009 at 2:57 pm #18870TerriKhaliParticipantOhhh, I HIGHLY suggest it too!
I’m a 5’4, 120 lbs female, my hubbie is 6’1, 180lbs, and we BOTH started on the SAME BIKE!
I love the GS500F! Its got ALOT of spunk, and I found that after many years of riding, I STILL love that one the best. My hubbie moved up to bigger after 2 seasons (Our seasons are about 6 months outa 12 up here in Canada)I would, however, seriously recommend you spend an extra $100-$200 AFTER you get it home-(Same day, for sure!) and strip ALL of the lower front fairing and front cowl/fairings off- and KEEP them off, for a good 6 months-2 years, depending on how much you ride. (Just add a bucket w/ears, signals and mirrors- after market, and it wont cost much at all! So easy even *I* did it myself in about 45 min!)
Theres 2 reasons for it. 1st off, I bet you dollars to doughnuts, you WILL drop it. Its not any reflection on your skills at all, but this little beast is kinda top heavy, as I find all sports bikes to be. EVEN hubbie dropped it, so strength doesn’t fit into this equation. Its lack of experience, which, on your first bike, even if you TAKE the course (which all will also recommend) you just don’t know that bike- YET.
So, you will hit loose gravel or sticks or dirt, usually at very LOW speeds, and the bike drops. Its an embarrassing initiation, but one that happens to most of us. Usually in a parking lot, or some other such place. With plastics on, they WILL get scratched, or even cracked. Dropping resale. And confidence. Plus, it doesn’t look very nice either.
New plastics, btw, cost a bloody FORTUNE too!So, ride it, love it, and have a good 4-6 months without dropping it, then spend an hour, and put the plastics back on. (or keep them off until time to resell, your call really, but Im betting you LOVE the fairing look as much as I do)
Now, you have clean, scratch free, sexy bike. Thats really what your after anyhow- right?
Now you have also preserved a decent resale value to it as well.Its a great bike. I LOVE mine. I’d seriously recommend it. Its small enough to keep safe while feeling enough power to satisfy your needs, big enough to hold interest while learning safely. Its not intimidating, but with enough power to not feel like you outgrow it in a month or two.
This comes from both husband AND wife. Both very different sizes and strengths.And, since it is a sought after bike, selling it when your ready to more on, is VERY easy to do- especially if you keep it scratch free, as I suggest.
To find resale, and give you an idea, just check out your local auto trader/craigs list. Thats about the best way you can assure yourself of what the market sells them for, in your area.
…and while your looking, whats the harm in thinking that a few year old one isn’t for you? Cheaper bike means BETTER, NEW gear! And then you can start to save for ….. lord only knows, but theres ALWAYS stuff you’ll want to ADD to the bike. My wish list is around $20k. *lol* Not that it will happen anytime soon…..Best of luck!
Let us know what you end up with!May 28, 2009 at 6:15 am #18999caffeinejunkie88ParticipantSweet thank you for the advice and all the Help
May 28, 2009 at 12:45 pm #19004bigguybbrParticipantIt’s not a bad bike at all to begin on. Also with you being so light, it’ll be all the bike you need for quite a long time.
May 30, 2009 at 8:12 am #19073caffeinejunkie88ParticipantI know it will take a while but I was already thinking once i get the hang of everything and get enough exp on the 500,atleast a year, to upgrade to the K 09 650.I absolutly love the look of it but as for right now no riding exp till next year when i plan to get the 500 and stuff. but would a year be long enough to get a hold of everything? and how about rain? is it not rec for riding a bike in the rain since this will be my main sorce of transport?
May 30, 2009 at 2:53 pm #19085MunchParticipantWhen people ask if a year would be ample time for upgrades it’s hard for anyone to really answer. It leaves me to question: How long of a riding season you have, How much are you intending on riding, what kind of weather conditions are you going to shy away from?
You can better judge that at the end of your year. If you put serious miles on it you should be fine. Rain is really not that bad to ride in as long as your careful and you spend the first couple of times in a not so busy area to build up confidence. It will not take long to get used to .June 1, 2009 at 7:44 am #19104caffeinejunkie88ParticipantForgot to say i Live in Cali in Gilroy most of the time its decent weather. and this is going to be a constant riding friends,work,school, and everything else inbetween.
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