First bike-opinions please

[Scarecrow5]

Hello,
I'm looking to replace my car soon with a motorcycle. My needs are:

1.) Must be able to reach speeds of at least 65 MPH (part of my commute is at 60 mph)

2.) Inexpensive. (cheap repair costs as well)

High acceleration value is not a big concern for me. However, I would not be against high acceleration value if the bike satisfied 1 and 2.

Some personal information:
Weight: 200 pounds
Height: 5 ft. 11 in.
Age: 23/male
Riding experience: no motorcycle experience; only bicycles.

Additional information: Car is old; mechanic says to scrap it soon. I am in college and do not have much money, so I'm looking at a motorcycle as a cheap replacement to get to school. (45 minute drive to school; speed limits ranging from 15-60 mph)

Thank you for any replies.

[Jesterrace]

Obviously the smaller the engine you can get away with the better. What about riding weather? Are you in an area where you can comfortably ride most of the year? Very few people can truly replace a car with a bike due to a bike being far more limited by weather conditions. Is there a style of bike you would prefer? (ie cruiser, sport bike, standard).

You might be a bit cramped on a 250 Ninja but it would be capable of getting you up to 65MPH without too much difficulty. A 500cc Ninja would do it easily. In the cruiser range a Yamaha V-Star 650 would be a good choice and can handle what you are looking for easily. All of the aforementioned bikes are twin cylinder.

[primalmu]

Don't be fooled into thinking a motorcycle will be cheaper than a car. For the price of a used Ninja 250 you can get a running car that you can use in bad weather. Maintenance can also be expensive, if not more, than a car. Heck, two motorcycle tires + installation are often more expensive than new tires all around on a car. Then factor in gear, insurance, and the MSF course and you can easily be in it for $3000+.

[DachshundUberAlles]

It takes a heck of a commitment to go 100% motorcycle. There's no turning back. Rain. Cold. Limited cargo capacity. 'primalmu' is right, you're fooling yourself if you think the upkeep will be less. Wrong. It will be more and your repair shop options will be fewer.

I know it sound like we're trying to run you off from the sport but this is just honest talk. Because you have no motorcycle experience, I think you should avoid making this your introduction. Get one later when you can enjoy it more.

[CookinBeans]

Tires last around 5 to 10K miles. Oil NEEDS to be changed no more than 3K miles. If you do it yourself, how are you going to take the old oil to get recycled? Geting good bags various cargo can be expensive. A cheap rainsuit, gloves and boots will last one rain storm. If you go on a date, are you going to provide the extra helmet, gloves, etc?

That said, I believe a Yamaha XT250 would foit the bill nicely.

[Char]

Originally Posted by primalmu

Don't be fooled into thinking a motorcycle will be cheaper than a car. For the price of a used Ninja 250 you can get a running car that you can use in bad weather. Maintenance can also be expensive, if not more, than a car. Heck, two motorcycle tires + installation are often more expensive than new tires all around on a car. Then factor in gear, insurance, and the MSF course and you can easily be in it for $3000+.

I don't know where you live, but where I am a student can't get an insurance quote for ANY car, for less than $4000 a year. Usually closer to $5000. $6000-7000 for anything sporty. No joke. Factor in at least $80 a month for gas...maybe a bit more since this guy has a long commute. And a working car is at least $2000-3000. So worst case scenario the bike is still half the cost.

[DachshundUberAlles]

Originally Posted by Char

I don't know where you live, but where I am a student can't get an insurance quote for ANY car, for less than $4000 a year. Usually closer to $5000. $6000-7000 for anything sporty.

I don't know what the forum rules are for language, but I will test it with this comment:

Those insurance companies in your area are RAPING you!

[Gold5th]

In the summer I dd my bike, and only use my truck 1 morning a week (commercial newspaper delivery).. but I do have the truck, or most days even my wife's car as a backup.. shoot most days I could even snitch her bike.

If you've never ridden before, I don't think this would be your best way to jump into motorcycling... you may grow to hate it.

[primalmu]

Originally Posted by DachshundUberAlles

I don't know what the forum rules are for language, but I will test it with this comment:

Those insurance companies in your area are RAPING you!

She lives in Canada. Canadian insurance is insane. Gotta pay for that "free" healthcare somehow.

[Gold5th]

My insurance isn't anywhere that bad. I pay $3382/yr for Full coverage on my 04 Durango, Wife's 02 Neon, 08 C109RT, 09 Ninja 250,and Liability/fire/thieft on my car hauler and my 88 Virago. And I'm in Canada

[rustrider]

Even with minimal gear and say you get a small 250cc bike you will be streching those rubber bands pretty tight and something will break down with that much driving. Go throw a couple thousand at a hatchback in good condition and it will last longer than the bike would. To get a bike to stand up to the drivetime you are looking at and do it safely I would say somewhere around 4 grand. Thats with a few years on the title, good tires, battery, and mechanically sound. Helmet, riding gloves, backpack instead of saddlebags i assume, riding jacket would be prefered but its your hide if you lay it down. Now if you lived a little closer and didn't have the highway speeds you could pick up a nice scooter for under 2 grand pick up a cheap helmet around $50. Not exactly a girl magnet but nice conversation piece.

[Biker Dash]

For schooling, I would say a car would be much more practical, but, if you do decide on a bike, the Shadow 750's or equivolant from one of the other big Japanese companies should fit the bill nicely.

I will say that motorcycles may cost less when it comes to gas and insurance (emphasis on may, cause you might find yourself riding a lot, and I do not know your insurance situation) but you WILL end up forking out cash for maintainence. If you can do the work yourself, then you can save money that way.