[plastic]

it lists at 10,600 new, gt abs. Used they are being listed for 7k and 8k plus fees (non-ABS models). I rides great.

[plastic]

No test on kawies or hondas (lame). Tested the aprilia mana, shiver and moto guzzi classic v7.

For the newbie here, guzzi was a bit tricky. Stalled 2x and shift to neutral instead of 2nd a few times. Rattles a lot. Clutch is very sensitive (eaarly release). Too bad. Bike looks great. (disclaimer; i had no trouble shifting or clutching with the 250cc virago)…

shiver (which is really 7k+fees and crap, so it was a bate and switch; real price at 9k) drives really nice with the fly by wire in touring or rain mode (touring a bit better). No troubles with the throttle on a quick test, clutch a bit harsh on my wek-ol wrists, but extremely forgiving gears. No trouble there.

Mana. Ah yes. Easy as riding a bike. Can see a bit of the point being made that can be deceptively dangerous. Only bike I had no (psychologycal) problem getting up to 35+ on the test tdrive, or punching in within blocks. Handles similar to the shiver. Weight not really an issue on either, actually couldn’t tell any significant difference in weight and balance wise between all the bikes above. Granted, top speed was 35 with mana, 30 with 250cc, shiver and guzzi, so there…

Right now, leaning towards the mana, even though it is the most expensive at 10k total (including taxes,etc). I was pretty close to pulling the trigger, but may wait and try to test drive a kawie or gladius… maybe…

[plastic]

A lot of good info. My main reasons for picking the shiver are;

-sitting position feels good, pedals on right places.
-fly by wire to help control the throttle (if it works).
-very similar to the sv and gladius (which seem to be highly recommended for beginners), but a bit nicer.
-price wise, a dealer near me has a2009 one for 6k, which is pretty good. Other dealer has them around 7.5. Hard to find them used.
-Pretty much same weight as the sv’s or other similar 600cc bikes

I did consider that it may be a bit high, etc, but it seems a consensus that people that buy 250cc bikes trade up quickly. The loss in value on a trade would be equivalent to fixing the bike after a drop (unless it’s a major crash, but in that case the 250cc value drop would be equivalent as well).

So I’m trying to find a nice middle ground on a bike I could start up and keep and enjoy for a bit. The mana was in the running, but that one is indeed very expensive for a first bike.

I do worry a bit about parts and all, but being I’m planning on using it just for weekend / fun rides, it would not kill me to have to wait a few weeks.

On a side note how about the honda shadow? Any one likes that (is the only cruisier that feels “right” to me as far as position, not riding)

As for the

[plastic]

It is 750, but has the fly by wire technology to control trottle. Seems light enough. Naked. I have 2 dealers within 15 minutes. No aftermarket, but after my “entry costs; (bike/equip) I probably won’t be looking to spend money anytime soon.

On a side note, how does the extra 100′ affects riding? Are you talking specifically on lower speeds? Or overall?

[plastic]

So first class done today. Awesome fun. And yes, the clutch is fun, and not harmfull to the writs, so all good. Incredibly fun, despite one angry bike coach… In any case, riding the virago, a bit uncomfortable as far as sitting and breaks and all positions. Hopefully get to try the korean and the ninja 250 tomorrow. Hopefully.

[plastic]

Got my MSF booked for this weekend, which will clear a lot of my begining questions (ie how the writs / tendonitis will b e affected). Still doing research and looking over bikes over weekend.

Still a bit curious as far as this – when asking friends with varying experience (one has 15+ riding years, one has about 3, another one has 1) they all seem to think starting in anything less than a 500cc is ludicrous and a waste (“you’ll grow over it in a month” is the common quote, second by bike shop guys). So, granted I’ll find out more after actually riding, but once again, curious on the discrepancy on opinions.

I should say that my riding will be mostly (at least for the first months) pure hobby / weekend riding, light traffic and canyons in LA probably. No plans on freeway driving, etc. Also, I do consider myself quite conservative and careful as far as driving and lifestyle…

Anyway, just still wondering.

[plastic]

I actually meant the gsx 650, and/or the gladius (they are somewhat similar in height, etc). I figure again the class is the way to go, unfortunatelly I will have to wait for that as they classes I s found in a 20mile ratio all include an (impossible) 4pm wednesday classroom.

A friend who is rider is very anti small bikes – he claims the lack of power/weight could actually get me in trouble (balance, wind, bumps), which is why I was pondering on the suzuki’s, being it the next small on the line. The wrist should be figured out in the 2 day class…

In any case, thanks again for all the info, and for “pulling me off the automatic cliff” – my impatient was about to take the best of me.

Any more advice is of course helpful. And I update as son as I take the class.

[plastic]

Yep, either way I still want to take the full riding class (having scheduling conflicts at the moment). As for the wrist, it is hard to tell how it would react, being contitnuos clutching is not something I do. The scooter sounds interesting, but the riding position makes me wonder… If I do go clutch, the suzuki grx and ninja felt pretty good on a “sitting / feel” test – although the sitting position of the suzuki grx’s, etc feel more comfortable to me than the ninja 250.

Again, I will probably find out more once I take the class, yet, still curious as far as the mana, is the oposition to it is it mainly for not learning the clutch or there are also specific power/balance issues for a beginner?

Thanks again.

[Author]

Posts