- This topic has 25 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by Ikenna1.
Hi from California – Future rider in need of assistance!!
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August 18, 2009 at 7:37 am #21754MunchParticipant
ROFL…. just show them the site. Will be easier, a lot of us have put our experiences on here …god countless times, shouldn’t be to hard to find. Heck just the fact that a place like BBM exists and your a member should prove to your credit.
August 26, 2009 at 9:15 pm #21955eonParticipantYour parents are concerned about the horrors of motorcycling but you don’t think a well respected book that covers how to ride safely worth $20? Instead you think the ‘testimonies’ of 3 of your friends will convince them? Good luck with that.
August 28, 2009 at 4:20 am #21980owlieParticipantI couldn’t have said it better myself.
September 14, 2009 at 1:52 am #22333Ikenna1ParticipantWhy me? My senior year of high school has now begun and I haven’t even made a title for my report (did not start it yet). I’m trying to find time to start researching, but it looks like all of this college preparation is getting in my way. It looks like i’m screwed again.
September 14, 2009 at 3:58 am #22336owlieParticipantI wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you took a poll of the riders on here, I would guess that well over half of them started riding after they got out of college. Just because you can’t jump on a bike right now, it doesn’t mean it is the end of the world. In a couple of years, you will be able to start riding on your own terms rather than your parent’s terms. Frankly, the time you spend preparing for college will pay dividends far above the time you spend riding a motorcycle at this stage in your life.
November 16, 2009 at 5:56 am #23345Ikenna1ParticipantSorry to digress from the topic here, but I had just saw this video on youtube about this gsxr being assembled from parts. I was wondering if it were possible to assemble an older ninja 250 from individual parts assembled or repairing one with a salvage title.
Also, if the bike has major cosmetic damage would it be better/cheaper to repair the salvage title bike, buy a new bike, or assemble one from scratch if I was able to find the parts for low cost. After seeing this video, I would like to start a small project building a motorcycle although I have virtually no experience on doing this. This project is possible, and I was wondering if you guys could give me tips on putting a sports bike together like the one in this video. I would definitely ask for any availible outside help because my dad and uncle only have experience in automobiles instead of bikes.
Thanks.
November 16, 2009 at 5:34 pm #23358eternal05ParticipantThey’ve built and rebuilt their bikes many times and they know what’s up. Moreover, if anything does go wrong and they crash, the racetrack is a (relatively) safe place to go down. For you, a 17-year-old without a lot of spare change, buying a salvaged bike is a terrrrrrible idea. A bike like that can work out for you, but more than likely it will just turn into a huge money sink, not to mention most likely be rather unsafe.
Alright, as the resident 6’4″ Ninja 250R rider (among other things), I will reassure you that size is not going to be a problem for you as long as you make one crucial $120-150 mod: adjustable footpegs. I still have my Ninja despite having upgraded to a GSX-R. It’s a super fun bike to ride around the city, and while I am looking to sell it this year, it’s only because I want to try riding some different types of bikes and don’t have a huge garage. If I could I’d keep that bike forever.
November 17, 2009 at 1:43 am #23369Ikenna1ParticipantIt is just that I cannot pour money into a used or brand new sports bike. I think that If I could convince my dad to assist me in this project during Christmas, he probably might go along with it. I would also seek for any assistance in assembling the bike if I built it straight from parts. I may lack experience, but it is too exciting and it looks like a fun thing to do on my freetime. Also, do you think I could be charged a fee for asking somebody at a shop to help me assmble a bike from parts. Is it relatively cheaperr than buying a salvaged or brand new or used motorcycle?
November 17, 2009 at 1:54 am #23370MunchParticipantsimple answer…no. Mechanics get paid by the time they spend on a vehicle. Whether it be bike or car. At $50 (rate around here) per hour you would likely spend an excessive amount trying to piece it together then you would finding a good used bike. Not to mention the time finding the available parts and getting to know where and how they fit.
November 17, 2009 at 3:51 am #23376eternal05ParticipantBelieve me, everybody here knows how badly you want a bike. We’ve all been in your shoes! But don’t screw yourself over because you’re so desperate to get on a bike that you make really bad choices. Rebuilding a salvaged bike or building a bike from scratch WILL NOT BE CHEAP, and may not even work. If you find yourself to be less than capable of complex mechanical work, if you lack the proper tools, if you lack a good workspace, if you find that many parts of a salvaged vehicle need to be replaced, if you find fundamental flaws in core components (e.g. the chassis), etc. you will be in WAAAAY worse shape than if you just saved up for a while a bought yourself a used $250.
And listen dude, I’m not that far from your shoes. I’m in my early twenties and my parents would NEVER have condoned or financially supported my getting a motorcycle. But when I went to college, I bought myself one anyway using my own money. Where did I get my own money? I worked! You don’t have to walk peoples’ dogs, babysit their kids, dig ditches, fold envelopes, or do any of those mundane things to make money. If you’re 17, go find a cool shop or other business that sells a product or service that interests you and harass (ok, not literally) them until they give you a job. I did this starting at 15, and by the time I graduated from undergrad I’d worked in bicycle shops, guitar stores, as a barista, as a waiter, a soccer referee, a kids basketball coach, a guitar instructor, a web designer, a TA, a research assistant, etc. You just have to start looking!
Right now you think that the $3000-4500 (seem high? it’s cause you forgot gear) it would take to get yourself on a used Ninja is a lot of money. But here’s the beauty of it: you’re a kid living in your parents’ house, eating your parents’ food. Every dollar you earn goes straight towards your bike! Even with a crappy minimum wage job, you’re going to be riding a bike after a summer of work.
Now go get to it.
January 13, 2010 at 2:42 am #23993Ikenna1ParticipantWhat would you guys recommend for me?: a 2009-2010 ninja 250 vs. 2010 KLX 250 SF vs. 2006 to Present Suzuki GS 500f vs. Suzuki Gladius
Which would be the most comfortable?
Would they last long?
Which would be worth saving the money for ?
Best on the Highway/freeway?
Good for long trips as a college student?
Safe? : In terms of Control
Is it Hot?(Looks)
Pics:
Suzuki GS
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Suzuki-GS500Fa-small.jpgNinja 250 Sf
http://pnwfx.net/photos/674402470_jvo6e-XL.jpg imgGladius
http://www.dieselstation.com/pics/2009-Suzuki-Gladius-bike-pictures.jpg -
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