- This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by gitchy42.
Looking to buy my first, dont want to get hustled
-
AuthorPosts
-
July 7, 2010 at 5:52 am #4085drummdude01Participant
Hey everyone,
This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while and now happens to be the right time for me to do it. I got licensed and took the MSF basic course last summer and haven’t touched a bike since then because it wasn’t accessible at the time. I joined the military and was moving around a lot.
I went into a local dealer today and hit the salesguy up with a few basic questions. From my research it seemed like the Ninja250 or 500 would be the best route for me, preferably used. He immediately said he does not recommend buying used as a first bike because you don’t know what to look for (which is true I suppose) and also said I was too big for a 250 and should be looking at the 600/650s. I’m 5’9″ and 170lbs. Am I too big for a 250?
I’m pretty set on a sportbike, although not opposed to a cruiser, but I am looking for a good bike to get around town with and occasionally take a few 300 mile trips up the coast and maybe even back home (about a 12 hour car ride). Used or New is not a problem for me money wise.
I suppose I share the main concerns everyone else does, don’t want to get something over my head but don’t want to get something I’m gonna grow out of in a year or that doesn’t fit my basic needs. Also don’t want to worry about dropping it in my first months (the 650s he had me sit on were pretty heavy) but also don’t want to get a used bike that appears good in the sale and falls apart on me a month later.
As it has been over a year since I touched a bike, I will be re-taking a basic course (the base makes you take one if you want tor ride). The catch is it’s about a 7 month waiting list unless you bring your own bike.
Any input would be much appreciated, thanks!
July 7, 2010 at 12:47 pm #27364MunchParticipantFirst and foremost….. of course your too big for the 250 the commission is too small for his wallet. He has a valid point for new vs used. However if you find someone knowledgeable with bikes to help… or if the or a shop offers a pre purchase inspection you can take the appropriate steps to avoid the pit falls. Anyone buying a bike needs to remember that THEY the seller is in it to make money….your in it to purchase and will be dealing with your decision for the rest of the time you own it. You know your skills and mindset err on the side of safety and sensibility.
And by the way……. most everyone will be looking to upgrade one time or another. Its the grass is always greener syndrome.
July 7, 2010 at 2:40 pm #27366JackTradeParticipantAlways be aware of the incentives of the parties involved…for a dealer, profit margin on the smaller displacement bikes that beginners usually buy is pretty small, so you can imagine why he thinks it’s too small for you. The same goes for his views of new vs. used. Guess which ones have higher profit margins?
It’s pretty common to buy a used bike for your first. And as long as you educate yourself and prepare, it’s not a problem. Do you have any friends who ride? They can be of immense help in the buying process, and will often know what to look for. Also, read this:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
It is a wonderful guide to what you need to know when buying used. Even has a checklist you can print out and bring with you when actually looking over a motorcycle (so in the heat of the moment, you don’t miss anything). I used this guide, and brought the checklist with me when looking over the bike I eventually bought.
Unless the dealer has the used bike you want, you’re probably better off looking through craigslist or ebay’s classifieds for a private seller. You’ll get a better deal, and as long as you’re careful and do your homework, you’ll get a good bike.
And others with more experience will weigh in, but the Ninja 250 should work just fine for you.
July 7, 2010 at 5:25 pm #27367CBBaronParticipantI’m 6’2″ 220 and ride a Ninja 250R. Eternal on this site is even taller and has one also. You are definately not too big for a Ninja 250R.
If you are reasonably mechanically inclined I would look for a low mileage fairly recent Ninja 250R, Ninja 500R or GS500F. With patience you can find a good deal on craigslist or similar sites. Pre-08 Ninja 250Rs can easily be found for under $2000 and good examples of the other are under $3000.
Ninja 250Rs in particular have excellent online support ar ninja250.org There are other places to look for information about the other bikes. However that site will help you out with all kinds of maintence, repair and upgrade questions.
Good luck with your search but I would take advice like that from a dealer with a grain of salt. A used Ninja 250R is not going to make him much money and it easy to find much better deals else where.
However if you really like the newer Ninja 250Rs then buying new is not a bad option. Because of demand those bikes hold there value pretty well and you will lose less than you would buying most other new models.
Craig
July 9, 2010 at 12:14 am #27398gitchy42ParticipantYou mentioned the Ninja 500, good mid-sized bike, managable (from what I hear), but not boring in the least. More than enough power to get someone in trouble if they aren’t careful. They have discontinued them, and you may be able to find a dealer that has a new 2008 or 2009 marked WAAAY down.
Used is a great option. When looking for my bike I was thinking new. Don’t have to worry about someone else thrashing a bike before you get it, and some factories are having some great deals on new bikes. However, when you get a brand new bike, you have to break it in, which can be a long process for a beginner. Just about everyone I know that rides has never bought a new bike, but have bought many used bikes; either from a private party or a dealer.
One thing to consider, is that if you buy new and decide to sell in a year or two, you are going to lose up to half of the price that you paid for the bike when it comes time to resell, even if you didn’t put that many mile on it. If you buy one that is 2-3 years old, ride it for a year or two and decide to sell it, you’ll likely be able to sell it for what you paid for it, or near to it, and if you get a screamin’ deal on it, maybe more.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.