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Zongshens? (edt: hyosungs?)
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January 16, 2009 at 5:11 pm #2465AtlusParticipant
Hey everybody! First of all let me say how much I love this website, Im actually getting my M1 this weekend purely because of the information and support I’ve received from here .
Anyway, the obvious question I have is what kind of first bike should I look into investing in? I read all the reviews so far but really it comes down to what deals I can find on used bikes in my area. For reference, I am 5’7 and about 140 pounds. Most importantly, I have noticed a small cc bike which hasn’t been mentioned on this site at all, the chinese company “zongshen.” Since it seems relatively new to the US and not too well known I’ve barely found any information regarding them, however they are cheap, low cc, and look pretty good. Any information, experience, or stories would be appreciated. Thanks!January 17, 2009 at 1:38 am #15735MunchParticipant+1 for parts and support. No bike is perfect off the assembly line. You will find hick ups, flaws, and stuff just plain forgotten to be put on. If you can’t find the information on the WWW for it…. chances are hard parts are going to be even more impossible. No fun in paying for something just to wait for the parts to be found, shipped, competently installed and back on the road.
Taking a chance on an unknown bike as a first, for me is alot of risk. You should really be looking to something where you can focus on your riding skills and not so much on what your riding.January 19, 2009 at 1:03 am #15778AtlusParticipantOkay so I think Im ruling out a zongshen then since I agree that the lack of multiple reviews/dealers is a bit discouraging. Now I am considering the Hyosung 250 comet as a start bike since I’ve seen one for sale on craigslist for 2600 but once again I must ask if anybody has experience or advice regarding the bike. Also, any other bike recommendations would be great since Im on a budget and am looking for whatever is available used. Thanks in advance!
January 19, 2009 at 3:38 am #15786briderdtParticipantIt’d help if we had a $$ figure to work with. And don’t forget your gear.
January 19, 2009 at 3:46 am #15787AtlusParticipantI was hoping in the range 2,000 just for a starting bike to practice on (I can go higher or lower but not by much) before I commit to a bike I really love, though the 2,600 seems like a decent price for an 07 hyosung.
January 19, 2009 at 8:38 am #15799smokeizfireParticipantShould you buy a motorcycle before taking the MSF course? Many have done so. It is best, however, to wait until you are licensed so you can test ride before buying to be sure it suits you. If you do buy early, keep it in the garage until you have passed the course and are licensed. Until you have received proper instruction you are not qualified to do any more than sit on the bike uttering vroom, vroom sounds.
While waiting to take the course you can be doing research to prepare for buying your first bike and properly equipping yourself with safety gear. If you are not yet sure of what style bike you want to ride, this is the time to start learning more about the different types of motorcycles.
Buy smart. Chances are the bike you really want should not be your first bike. It will be too large and/or too powerful for a beginning rider. Keep in mind that this is your first bike, not your ultimate bike. If you buy an inappropriate bike it may well be your last bike.
A common recommendation is that you spend a year of so (3,000 miles) on a 500cc or smaller standard style bike, or a 750cc or smaller cruiser style bike, or if you have long legs, a 650cc or smaller dual sport bike. Think twice and then think again before buying a larger bike. Do believe the mantra: large and heavy or powerful bikes are not for beginners.
Horsepower—A Beginner’s EnemyBy all means, stay away from the high performance bikes (super sport, race replica, street fighter, super bike) like you would the plague. Because they will bring a plague upon you consisting of gobs of horsepower, insane acceleration, a twitchy throttle and deadly serious braking power. These bikes require a practiced, smooth and steady touch to stay out of trouble. As a new rider you will be anything but smooth and steady. Riding such a bike as a beginner is like lighting off fireworks while sitting on a barrel of gasoline. The fact that some new riders select these bikes and live to tell their tales is not a good reason to put yourself in harms way. Some people do stupid things and get away with it. Others are not so lucky.
Beyond the fact that the performance bikes and large, heavy cruisers substantially increase your risk, is the fact that they detract from the joy and fun of your early riding experience. Just controlling the bike and trying to survive will leave little time to truly enjoy the ride. Smaller, less powerful bikes make the job of learning and building your skills so much easier. The smaller bike will be much more maneuverable, agile and provide more pure joy while you are learning. So, should your first bike be a Hayabusa? I don’t think so.
Riding motorcycles is an inherently dangerous activity. Don’t increase the risk by trying to learn on an inappropriate bike. You don’t want your first bike to be your last bike, do you?
New or Used?A used bike, preferably a model without fairing which is expensive to replace should you drop the bike, is your best investment. This eliminates the large first year depreciation incurred with a new bike. By not investing too much in your first bike, you won’t have to keep it as long to get full value from it. Put the money you save into your second bike savings account. After a year or two of riding, you will be much more knowledgeable about the type of bike you really want and have the experience to handle a larger, higher performance bike.
Also most new riders drop their bike at least once at barely moving speed, while stopped or while parking the bike, So don’t be surprised if it happens to you. It is easier on the ego and wallet if the bike you just dropped has a few dings from prior owners and does not have an expensive-to-replace fairing. If you shop and buy wisely you can resell the bike, after riding it for a year or two, for the same or not much less than you paid for it. Used beginner bikes in good condition are always in demand.
Be extra cautious when buying a bike ten or more years old. Doing so exposes you to outlays of cash to repair the bike and/or make it safe for the street. Rubber, belts, seals, fuel tanks, seats, cables and wiring deteriorate with age. They deteriorate faster if the bike is not ridden and maintained regularly. A bike that has been sitting for years is a bike to skip. It may look like a good bike and good deal at first glance, but may be a money pit in disguise. As a beginner you don’t need the grief. Also, newer model bikes are safer and more enjoyable. Brakes, suspension, handling and reliability are much better on newer model bikes.
This is from another website I found that gives advice on purchasing motorcycles.
January 19, 2009 at 3:51 pm #15807Clay DowlingParticipantThe Kymco Venox 250 got mentioned here last week. The more I think about it, the more I’m fascinated by this bike. It’s a knockoff of Honda’s Magna 250, and definitely has the looks. It also has a bigger powerplant than a lot of the other 250s out there, and reviewers are reporting that it can handle 90mph pretty easily, so it wouldn’t be too bad on the highway.
That said, I’m kind of conservative in my vehicle choices. I like well-established companies with a reputation for putting out quality. That’s why I bought a Honda, after my experience with their cars.
In the used market, at the very top end of bikes suitable for beginners, you might check out the Honda Magna (the 750cc models from 1994-2003). New enough not to have too many quirks, gentle throttle, good braking, and if you like chrome it looks nice (if you don’t like chrome, not the bike for you). You can usually pick one up for $2500 – $3500. This is absolutely the biggest bike I would recommend though. A friend of my wife bought a shadow 1100 for her first bike, and it’s proven too big. She’s dumped it a couple of times at corners while she was learning.
January 19, 2009 at 5:27 pm #15808AtlusParticipantthanks for the advice everybody, especially smokeizfire (very useful tips).
I actually found on craigslist a 06 250ex ninja for 1500 with around 2k miles and just a few dings for 1500. Bargain? If so Im considering making an offer right after I check it out since I feel like deals like that disappear quickly…
Also, 2005 gz250 for 1500 (5k miles), also a good deal? *sigh* so many questions, haha sorry guys.January 19, 2009 at 7:01 pm #15811haakon59ParticipantI have a friend who owns a Hyosung and his comment to me is that he feels it is an especially good bargain and that the parts are higher quality than you normally find for the price. At the same time, he is also unintimidated by working on his bike and fixing small things that go wrong. Nonetheless, he likes Hyosung and has been encouraging me to buy one. When it comes to styling, Hyosung is pretty nice. For myself, well, I am not a rider yet, but I have done some research and I would tend to go with brands of proven reliability, like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc.
Although I haven’t taken the test yet I was considering buying a bike ahead of time, but now have decided to take the safety course first and then try out bikes. Best of luck.
January 20, 2009 at 11:00 pm #15863AtlusParticipantWell so far all these responses have definitely encouraged me to stay with a 250cc range of sport bike. Im torn at what is a good price for 250cc ninjas though since they seem to be all over. For example:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/1000676748.html
Almost 9k miles and body damage for 1,900, is that still a good deal?January 20, 2009 at 11:31 pm #15864Sangria7ParticipantI would:
1. Ask how the damage was incurred. If it was dropped in an accident there may be some mechanical damages that has not emerged yet. Then ask the extent of accident if any. I know he said he did a wheelie but still ask how fast he was going, how it landed, etc. The more information you can get the better. He may try to omit details though.
2. Call repair shops and ask how much new fairings or simply cosmetic repairs would cost and factor that into the cost of the bike and try to negotiate it down to cover those costs.
3. If you are really interested – do a real close inspection on the bike and bring someone who actually owns a bike for a while. Make sure the forks are straight, it idles cleanly, and the shift gears are smooth.
If everything else is kosher, $1900 is not a bad deal.
Good luck.
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