about to become a new rider

[pfcArtie]

well im getting my permit next week and i'm scheduled for the mfs course june 21st. by 23rd ill have my license so i have about a month to choose, buy, and insure a motorcycle. im 17 (6 feet 140 pounds), currently looking at kawasaki ninja 250 (brand new). going to pay off half now and the rest - 24 months financing. im planning on keeping this bike for at least 2 or 3 years because after that ill just buy a car. i need it mostly for town travel. nothing special, but also an occasional trip 45 miles away. will this bike be able to handle it? im not going to push it past 55 on highway.

anything i need to know before buying it and overall getting into bikes? any advice would be greatly appreciated.

im getting gloves next week for the mfs course. the week that i get my bike ill get a jacket, helmet, and a cover for it.

what else would i need?

[Schneiderman]

I thought MSF required you to bring your own helmet?

The Ninja 250 will meet all your needs, IMO it is the king of beginner and small commuter bikes.

Look into boots made specifically for motorcycling, they will improve your feel of the controls, and protect you better if anything goes wrong. I use Shift "Fuel" street shoes, they look like normal sneakers but are very comfortable for motorcycle use (as well as walking around normally) and offer decent protection. Only $100, not a bad deal at all. Be aware, they are not at all waterproof- I found that out the hard way.

[stuco]

Those are great bikes and with the fuel prices nowadays, you will surely appreciate it. I don't see why a 250 ninja wouldn't be able to handle 55 mph cruising easily. You are light and this sounds like a good sized bike for you.

[pfcArtie]

[QUOTE=Schneiderman;482857]I thought MSF required you to bring your own helmet?
/[QUOTE]


the place where i'm going to does not require you to bring your own. they have 3/4 helmets that they supply.

im going to a local dealer to look at the ninja this saturdaywith my friends.

my parents are trying to convince me not to get it because they said insurance would be 3 grand plus but i asked my dad to callour insurance agent todayand he said it would be no more than 600. lol. i think my parents would have to change their minds because imdefinately gettin a bike.

anybody know any goo motorcycle stores in massachusetts near boston area?

[pfcArtie]

is there a good website or someplace where i can find the listings of used motorcycles in massachusetts area?

[shelzmike]

is there a good website or someplace where i can find the listings of used motorcycles in massachusetts area?

Craigslist(where I got mine) and Cycle Trader.

Mike

[pfcArtie]

i found a 1994 ninja 250 for 1500$. is it a fair price or should i talk the guy down to about 1300$?

i also found a 2004 ninja 250 for 2400. how much do u think i can get that for?

if i buy the first one fore 1300-1400 will it be a nice bike for about 1,2,3 years to drive and then upgrade to something else? will it be reliable?


also 1 more question. are there any places that offer off-season storage for motorcycles? if there are what are their names and prices?

[Schneiderman]

I think the 94 slightly overpriced, depending on its condition. Do either of them need tires, chain and sprockets, air filter, carb cleaning, fork seals or oil, anything? If they are running well and ready to go with no work needed then those prices are fair, but that's usually not the case with something from 1994. Offer $2200 for the 2004, less if it needs any work.

Both of them should last a long time if they've been maintained and you continue to maintain them.

I don't know about storage, I suppose you could use a self-storage place, just make sure you prepare the bike for storage by draining the carbs and using fuel stabilizer.

[shelzmike]

i found a 1994 ninja 250 for 1500$. is it a fair price or should i talk the guy down to about 1300$?

As a general rule of thumb (at least in my book) Always offer something lower, regardless. Mainly because you never know - especially if you are willing to pay the asking price anyway - it could never hurt.

One thing though is that buying a bike is a bit different than a car. Bikes need to meet much higher standards and be closer to "perfect" for you than a car does. I mean, you are trusting your life to this machine (along with trusting your own abilities, of course). Not to mention, as a general rule - at least I have found it to be so in my case, fixing a bike up can get quite a bit more expensive than a car.

What I am saying is not to be tempted by the urge and excitement to ride just anything and get anything that comes along, within minimum standards. If you take your time and be as patient as possible, it will work out in the end.

Oh yeah, two other points that I ask when buying a used bike:

1.) If they had to name one thing that they would change about the bike (or one thing that needs to be fixed with it, any quirks it may have, etc.), what would it be?
- If they say nothing, or I cannot think of anything, then I would question their honesty. Even if it is something simple. The bike I bought has a front brake that sticks closed. The seller did not offer this information forthright, but when I asked him this question, he told me, which made me think that he was not simply trying to get rid of a lemon.

2.) Also ask why they are selling the bike.
- this could illicit many responses, but one to watch out for is if they say something like "oh, I just got tired of riding it, or I have no interest anymore". If they say this and you get there and they have another bike, then something is up.


Good Luck!

Mike

[pfcArtie]

wel this guy is selling his 2004 yellow ninja 250. hes askin for 2 grand starting. it comes with a nice cover. it just got all the maintenance done so he says it runs very good. but he did tip it over once on the kickstand so its right blinker is alil out of the socket and theres a small crack in the left side. im gona go see that bike sometime next week probly or a week after that. is 2 grand too much for this bike?

[YamahaFan]

I thought MSF required you to bring your own helmet?

hehe you're 18, so the most time passed since you've taken your MSF course is 2 year right? and you forgot how it was already?

The school have their own helmets since most students don't have bikes yet, of course you're welcome to bring your own helmet (which I did).

OP: I'm not sure about getting a car part, unless you'll have a family by then? :) Even so, I got my bike when I met my wife, now I have a 2 year old son and I'm still riding. Can we say ... once you bike you'll never go back? no?

[Schneiderman]

Actually I never took the MSF course.

The closest course would be a few hours away, and I've been riding since I was 8 years old. Not that I couldn't learn anything.

[pfcArtie]

wel this guy is selling his 2004 yellow ninja 250. hes askin for 2 grand starting. it comes with a nice cover. it just got all the maintenance done so he says it runs very good. but he did tip it over once on the kickstand so its right blinker is alil out of the socket and theres a small crack in the left side. im gona go see that bike sometime next week probly or a week after that. is 2 grand too much for this bike?

please can anybody answer my question because im going to look at the bike really soon :)

[Schneiderman]

I think 2 grand is about right, if the minor damage is the only thing wrong.

[pfcArtie]

dam. theres another bike in my area. its the same thing but its not messed up and the guy wants 2.1k for it. the problem is that i dont have 2k lol and im not gettin my motorcycle license until june 23rd and the guy wants to sell the bike as soon as possible.

ill have the money by the time i get the license but i want the bike like a week before.

so 2 grand is a good price for a 2004 ninja 250?

[Schneiderman]

It's definitely a great price for one that's not damaged, I suppose it's a decent price for one that had a minor drop like the first one you mentioned. I would spend that much on it, if I was in the market for it.

[pfcArtie]

well i just passed the permit test and registered for motorcycle school so im gettin my license june 15th. FINALLY!!

another bike sold in my area. it was 2100 bucks 2004 kawasaki 250 but it was in perfect condition, meintenance, and a bunch of new stuff.

i guess im gona have to talk the guy into either fixing the crack and ill get it for 2 grand or ill just offer 1700-1800 max for it.

how much do you think it will be to fix a small crack on the left front fender?

[shelzmike]

the guy wants to sell the bike as soon as possible.


Use this to your advantage. If he wants to sell it right away (this is a funny statement though, I mean who puts something up for sale and says "oh, I do not want to sell this right away! :) ), usually they can be talked down some. Just reference the damage that it has and figure how much that would be to get fixed. Then take that off the asking price to start the negotiations. Good Luck!

Mike

[Schneiderman]

I don't know how much it costs to fix the crack, but I know from experience that a new front fender costs $101 shipped.

Edit: You said fender but you meant fairing. I don't know how much the fairing is or how much it would cost to fix it. If you're handy you can buy a "plastic welding kit", I think for $40-50, and do it yourself. I've seen good results from doing this.

[pfcArtie]

i'm most likely going to ask the guy to drop the price. thanks schneiderman for pointing out thats its called fairing. i know nothing about motorcycles but one of my dads friends is going to come along because he had a bike before so that's gona help a bunch.

[iamgumby]

Look at your first bike like this; yeah get the best you can for the money but not something that's gonna cost you your sanity when it gets dropped.

[shelzmike]

i'm most likely going to ask the guy to drop the price. thanks schneiderman for pointing out thats its called fairing. i know nothing about motorcycles but one of my dads friends is going to come along because he had a bike before so that's gona help a bunch.

ALWAYS offer a lower price, you have nothing to lose really.

Mike

[pfcArtie]

a little change of plans. that ninja is sold. I found a 2001 ninja 500. starting price is 1950. im going to see it tomorrow with my friend cause he knows way more about motorcycles than I do. my parents are pretty much anti- motorcycle but because im paying for it they can't really stop me so right now they have one concern - they don't want me to get an old bike. they say a 2001 might be a little old and want me to go for a 2004 or 05. will an 01 be good enough for a first bike if its in a good shape? will it last me for like 2 or 3 years? because im worried I might outgrow the 250 way to fast because I might be doing some highway travel.

[Schneiderman]

2001 should be ok, though it really all depends on the previous owner(s). There's still some Gen 1 500s running around in nice shape thanks to their good owners.

[shelzmike]

It really has nothing to do with the year, rather it has to do with the previous owner (owners) and how they maintained and cared for it. Take me for instance, my first bike is a 1973 Honda CB350. Great shape for the year and it hass been maintained fairly well - still starts up on the first try and idles smooth. As far as I see it, bikes are much more durable than cars because there are less parts to break down. You could get a 2007 Ninja that is in way worse shape than my 73 CB350 - it all is a matter of checking the bike out thoroughly.

Mike

[pfcArtie]

im going to see the 2001 500 ninja in about 3 or 4 hours. what questions should i ask the seller? what are the things i should look for?

im pretty sure its the guys first bike and hes been riding it for the past 6 and a half years but now he wants to upgrade to somethin more powerful and newer. anything in particular i should look at before i buy it if i really like it?

[pfcArtie]

well i was going to buy the 500 but the guy sold it like 2 hours before i showed up to his house. lol. well i found a different one. its a 2006 yellow ninja 250. guy wanted 1800. he has been riding it to work everyday for the past 2 years so it has 6000 miles on it already. bike looks and sounds great. i offered 1700 bucks for it and he accepted. plus he even threw in a free helmet (which is too big for me so ill just keep it for a passenger) and a free cover. i already put a deposit down and my friend will pick it up in 3 days once i get it insured and registered.

now the only thing to do is wait for 2 weeks and get my license

[shelzmike]

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, I do not particularly like the sportbike style, but think that it is a great first bike and I can tell you are as excited as I was when I got my first bike.

Hope that all works out well for you!

Let's see some pitcures when you get it!

Mike

[pfcArtie]

heres the picture that was on craigslist http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/11ce602a12.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

im getting the title on tuesday when i pay the rest for it and my friend is gona drive it to my house once i get the license plate.

im on my way to a local motorcycle store to pick up a new helmet and jacket

[hereswhere]

Congrats on the new bike! And on becoming a new ridder- you're going to love it! I am not a sports bike/rocket person, but this one looks sweet. Have fun- be safe!

[pfcArtie]

than you. just got back from a local store. got a new joe rocket mesh jacket, scorpion fiberglass helmet, joe rocket leather gloves and a bunjie net to secure my second helmet.

taking to motorcycle course the 14th and 15th and registering the bike o tuesday so i can pick it up on wednesday or somethin

[shelzmike]

You must be about broke by now, huh! :)

Like heres said, I am not much of a sportbike person, but would ride one if the opportunity presented itself (as an aside, I am trying to get my wife to start riding and she does not like cruisers at all, especially my vintage 73, she likes sportbikes, so I have been thinking about getting her a 250 Ninja as well, meaning I would definately ride it - that is until she gets a pink and black paint scheme like she would want!)

Mike

She wants something like this:

http://flickr.com/photos/dividedby6/2467276157/

[pfcArtie]

bought an insurance policy today and going to pick up the new license plate tomorrow.

1 question. can my ninja 250 handle a trip on a highway 45 miles away without any problems?

[primalmu]

1 question. can my ninja 250 handle a trip on a highway 45 miles away without any problems?

Yes. I still can't figure out why people are skeptical about the Ninja 250's abilities. What other 250cc bike (that's not a racing bike) tops out at over 100 mph?

[pfcArtie]

lol. ohh ok good cause im goin to college like 50 minutes away from home, but i'm not taking my bike there, yet i still want to have to option of bringing it there once in a while if i really need it.


if i have proof of insurance and i go to RMV to get the license plate for my new bike, will i get 1 right away that day?

[shelzmike]

Beings that I do not live in your state, I cannot say for certain, but I do not see any reason as to why you wouldn't get it that same day.

Mike

[pfcArtie]

yup. just got the license plate and paid the sales tax. my friend will pick it up probly either tomorrow or on friday so it will be chilin in my backyard for about a week and a half until i get my license and actually learn how to ride it. :)

[pfcArtie]

the bikes in my backyard already. im going to wash the whole thing right now and post some pics. :)

[pfcArtie]

just got home. passed the MSF course and will get my license in the mail next week. already took my ninja out for a lil run. got a couple of questions.


u kno how when u fill up a car and when the tank is full the nozzle pushes out so you dont overfill the tank? does the bike gas tank do the same thing?

i think i skipped gears on my bike when i was shifting. is it even possible or did i press too hard on the gear lever?

when is it good to change gears? cause as soon as i start from first and get to about 15 miles an hour i change to 2nd then 3rd at 25 or 30. do i shift too late? cause my i shift mostly when my rpms are at 4 or 4.5

[primalmu]

You can't shift through multiple gears with one shift. To use bicycle terminology, the gears are "indexed" -- one "click"/shift per gear (other than neutral, that is).

As to when to shift, it really depends on your bike. In the case of the Ninja 250, the power really doesn't even kick in until 9k rpm. It may not be convenient to crank the engine that high in the low gears, but I don't think it would be out of the question to wait until 10k rpm or so to shift. With bikes like the GZ250, the engine pretty much tops out around 15mph in 1st gear... you can DEFINITELY tell when its time to shift with that bike.

[pfcArtie]

ohhh ok then i guess im doing everything right. its just weird that sometimes when i shift it makes a weird noise and jers a little but its probably cause im doing something wrong. maybe because i release the clutch a little too fast, or rev the engine a lil before i realease the clutch. i guess i'll just have to get used to it and get a little more practice, cause today IS only my second day on a bike

[primalmu]

Yea, sounds like you just need to work on shifting smoothly. I know I'm gonna have to really work on downshifting... during the MSF course, I could shift into higher gears just fine, but my downshifts were a bit lurchy.

[Dodsfall]

Yea, sounds like you just need to work on shifting smoothly. I know I'm gonna have to really work on downshifting... during the MSF course, I could shift into higher gears just fine, but my downshifts were a bit lurchy.

Sounds like you are using too low a gear for the speed you are moving/downshifting too soon or letting the clutch out too fast. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.

[primalmu]

I was just having a difficult time matching engine speed to wheel speed when downshifting. I always seemed to get caught behind the slow person, so I didn't get as much shifting practice as I could have. But, I'm not too worried. I should pick it up easily when I finally get my bike (hopefully sometime this week).

[pfcArtie]

well im used to dwnshifting. like when im about to come to a complete stop i automatically shift to first gear without thinking now. just dont have matching to engine speed to the road yet. need a couple of more days and then ill be fine :)

[shelzmike]

Sounds like you are using too low a gear for the speed you are moving/downshifting too soon or letting the clutch out too fast. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.


I second that. It is just something that you learn, without even really thinking about it. In fact, you generally have to relearn this on any bike that is new to you, thought the curve takes much less time. Trust me, in my opinion, you really get much more in tune with your bike than you ever would with a car - that is what is so great about it.

Mike

[pfcArtie]

i didnt let my rpms go past like 8k today but for some reason i pulled up to my friends house, put it in neutral and was just sittin on it. the seat became very hot and the temperature on the gauge went up. it wasnt in the red zone but it was pretty close. the fan started running like crazy. it was madd weird. it lasted about 3 or 4 minutes and then everything went back to normal.

i put 15 miles on it today (live in an urban city). im gettin the hang of shifting already. :)