[RedFireBird]

My local Honda shop has a 2003 250 super sherpa for 2500 dollars. i’ve been researching motorcycles (and this site) for months now, and think i’m ready to take the plunge. i rode the bike around the parking lot and grassy/dirt area behind the shop for a good ten minutes today, never passing 15 mph due to lack of room, but i was practically sold on the bike the minute i got on it. despite my 5’7″ height and 200 lbs, i had no problem touching the ground, and actually liked the fact that the shocks let go a bit due to my weight. the new honda crf or whatever 230 is $4500, and i refuse to pay that for a new bike, being my first serious ride.

i’ve done as much internet research on it as possible and have been reluctant to find anything whatsoever. everything i have read says it’s a great first bike, decent offroad, and gets 70+ mpg if ridden well. i’ve found more reviews of the liquid cooled version though, it seems to be a bit more expensive as well, and i’d sooner not even bother trying to find one. i don’t even have my motorcycle permit yet, but i’ve been reading the DMV’s book on it extensively, and spending hours a day reading motorcycle advice online. i’m planning on buying it tomorrow with cash, taking it home in the back of a truck, and spending the next few weeks riding offroad to get up enough confidence to ride on pavement, while giving me enough time to get the tag and insurance straightened out. i’ve been looking at a plain white HJC flip up helmet, and while i’d like to have a full helmet for road use, i think flipping the face up will be great for offroading and dirt road riding, as i live in southern georgia. my county alone has 500+ miles of dirt roads if i’m not mistaken.

i suppose what i’m wanting is some sort of review from anybody on here with any experience with this bike. i was thinking about the used 03 ninja 500 they also have, but i’m sold on a dual sport, being that i always wanted a dirt bike as well. i’ll save the street bike category for a nighthawk 750 when i find it.

thanks!

[RedFireBird]

i lucked up today, i went to the bank and took out $2000, went to the dealer, and literally only a minute after i told the man i wanted to buy it and had cash, another man walks in and says he wanted to buy it. now i only have 500 left on principle and 32 dollars of interest, something to build up my credit. i made them throw in a helmet and some chain lube as well, i got a white HJC snell certified flip top. the problem is, i wear glasses all the time, and it’s nearly impossible to get them on my face with the helmet on. i have to let them sit between the outside of my ears and the helmet because there isn’t enough room to get the legs behind my ears. anybody else have this problem? it’s an XL helmet and the roomiest one they had.

regardless, i spent a couple hours riding and put about 70 miles on the bike today. even got it up to 70 one time, quite exhilirating. since i work at a golf course, i rode over the hills and practiced turning on the asphalt cart paths, and i feel i made a real improvement in my riding techniques. and lucky me, my mother is friends with a guy that taught MSF classes for ten years and works on harley’s for a living, he’s taught me a good bit as well.

perhaps i’ll write a full review of this little green monster sometime soon. thanks BBM, for helping me make the right decision.

[RydRy]

that is awesome, you can “hear” the excitement and that seems a great deal of the whole purpose! congrats, i bet its awesome

[Author]

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