Motorcycle help

Jeepj10

Jeepj10

Active Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
Asheville/NCSU
I'm thinking about buying my first motorcycle and I've looked for a while and I've narrowed it down to 2 that are in my price range and seem to have a good reputation as starter bikes. However I cant make up my mind which would be the better bike. Here are my options.

1996 Honda Rebel 250
-9000 miles
-fresh carb, oil and tune up

or

1999 Suzuki sx250
-13000 miles
- new tires, brakes and chain

The Honda is slightly more expensive but not enough to make a difference in my decision. Anyone had any experience with ethier of these?

Thanks in advance

Ben
 
The only people I have ever known to own a Rebel, and I have known 4, were women.




Oh, and by the way, they were lesbians. Seriously. I would suggest a moped if these are your choices. No power at all and you will get blown around on the road because the bikes are too light. Find at least a 500cc bike if you plan on doing any riding at all.
 
Buy my Harley for $6500. It has enough weight to keep you from getting blown off the road by big rigs. 250's are good bikes to learn on, but don't buy one. You will be wanting more power very, very soon if you buy one.
 
I would go for the honda if your dead set on buying a 250. In the cruiser world, a 600 shadow would be a good place to start, not too heavy, not to powerful, just about right in every aspect.
 
Not sure of your price range but it's nice to see someone actually want to start off on something besides a 1K RR bike...

Have you looked at the 08 Ninja 250R? Looks almost identical to the 600.. They hold their value well... and can be had for around $3500.

Only problem with buying something so old is be prepared to work on it... I like to know that I'm not going to be sitting on the side of the highway with a broken down bike.
 
I don't personally have any experience with either of those bikes, but I commend your decision to start on something sensible. I would take a look at the bikes in person and go with whichever looks better maintained and cared for.

Another bike worth considering is an Kawasaki (Ninja) EX500. They can be had cheap and hold there value, are simple, durable, easy to ride, and very fun.
 
90xj said:
I would go for the honda if your dead set on buying a 250. In the cruiser world, a 600 shadow would be a good place to start, not too heavy, not to powerful, just about right in every aspect.
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x2 on the shadow or mabey a honda magnum... can find both for a good deal
 
Yeah it is commendable that you are not going to start on a hyabusa or something like that. I started on a buddies GSXR 750 with a power commander and several other upgrades. Surprised im not dead with the way I road that bike.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I don't personally have any experience with either of those bikes, but I commend your decision to start on something sensible. I would take a look at the bikes in person and go with whichever looks better maintained and cared for.
Click to expand...

90xj said:
I would go for the honda if your dead set on buying a 250.
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X2 for both these. I started out on a 250 Honda Rebel when I was 16. That is the only way my parents would let me have a motorcycle and live under their roof. I had to start out on that for at least 6 months before getting a sport bike. You will get some funny looks but if you have never owned/ridden a street bike, it still fun to ride and getting 73 mpg is even more fun. It may not be the "cool" thing to do but it is by far, the smartest thing to do. I am glad that my parents made me start out that way.

Just my $.02
 
IMO i see this opposite from everyone else. if your wanting a bigger bike anytime in the future, i say go ahead and get it now and "grow" into it. if you get where you can ride the hell out of a 600, then jump to a 1000 and try to ride the hell out of it, you may be in for a surprise. i started out on my 929rr and i was too scared at first to open it up all the way. if you have any sense at all i think you can start on any bike. it also will save money in the long run. this is just the way i see it, i know everyone is different.
 
jonnyB said:
IMO i see this opposite from everyone else. if your wanting a bigger bike anytime in the future, i say go ahead and get it now and "grow" into it. if you get where you can ride the hell out of a 600, then jump to a 1000 and try to ride the hell out of it, you may be in for a surprise. i started out on my 929rr and i was too scared at first to open it up all the way. if you have any sense at all i think you can start on any bike. it also will save money in the long run. this is just the way i see it, i know everyone is different.
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Well I guess if I ever have a kid, I'll just get them a Z06 Corvette when they turn 16 cause they can just grow into it or if I wanted to buy my son (if I ever have one) his first gun, I'll just get him an AR15 cause I mean...hell...he will grow into it.
 
jonnyB said:
IMO i see this opposite from everyone else. if your wanting a bigger bike anytime in the future, i say go ahead and get it now and "grow" into it. if you get where you can ride the hell out of a 600, then jump to a 1000 and try to ride the hell out of it, you may be in for a surprise. i started out on my 929rr and i was too scared at first to open it up all the way. if you have any sense at all i think you can start on any bike. it also will save money in the long run. this is just the way i see it, i know everyone is different.
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imo this is a very strange view on this subject. If half the numbnuts kids buying sportbikes these days would start out on a ninja 250, they would get a better education on how to react to things without as big of a consequence, so when they do move on to the latest and greatest gsxcbrzxyzf1800 they may be able to live just a bit longer by reacting "properly" to a situation as it arises.
 
uncc civilengineer said:
Have you looked at the 08 Ninja 250R?
Click to expand...
jeepinmatt said:
Another bike worth considering is an Kawasaki (Ninja) EX500.
Click to expand...

I have owned both of these bikes. Unless you are under 5'8", do not get the 250. It has more than enough power to be fun, and is light enough to learn on, but it is just to small to be comfortable. The 500 is a little more power, and a little more comfortable, still a very good bike to learn on. But again, smaller bikes are less comfortable and you will probably end up wanting something bigger in less than a year.

If you are looking at a cruiser, i wouldnt get anything less than a 600. 900 would be better.
 
if

you think you are going to ride then you should buy a bike that suits you and is what you want. dont start out with a little bike unless you have never rode anything before i rode dirtbikes as a kid an my 1st cruiser ride was a electraglide and now i have an ultra the bigger bikes are heavier but i promise you will want somting bigger in no time so maybe consider something like a 900 or bigger but just my 2 cents...good luck ...:wheel:
 
Thanks

First off thanks for all the help definitely pointed me in the right direction.

I think after reading over this my best bet would be to find a street bike somewhere in the 600cc range, these seem to be an in-between from my original plan of a 250 and some of the bigger bikes.

Would a 1998 Yamaha FZR600R be an okay bike? its priced right and looks halfway decent.

Thanks again

Ben
 
Jeepj10 said:
I'm thinking about buying my first motorcycle and I've looked for a while and I've narrowed it down to 2 that are in my price range and seem to have a good reputation as starter bikes. However I cant make up my mind which would be the better bike. Here are my options.
1996 Honda Rebel 250
-9000 miles
-fresh carb, oil and tune up
or
1999 Suzuki sx250
-13000 miles
- new tires, brakes and chain
The Honda is slightly more expensive but not enough to make a difference in my decision. Anyone had any experience with ethier of these?
Thanks in advance
Ben
Click to expand...
hey you got any pics of that zuk? I cant find anything on the webz. I know what the Rebel looks like.
My opinion, if these are your only two choices, go with the heavier bike. Go handle each one of them and just see which one is bigger and heavier.
Otherwise save some money and get at least a 500. my .02
 
Jeepj10 said:
First off thanks for all the help definitely pointed me in the right direction.
I think after reading over this my best bet would be to find a street bike somewhere in the 600cc range, these seem to be an in-between from my original plan of a 250 and some of the bigger bikes.
Would a 1998 Yamaha FZR600R be an okay bike? its priced right and looks halfway decent.
Thanks again
Ben
Click to expand...
^^^^^better choice.
 
90xj said:
imo this is a very strange view on this subject. If half the numbnuts kids buying sportbikes these days would start out on a ninja 250, they would get a better education on how to react to things without as big of a consequence, so when they do move on to the latest and greatest gsxcbrzxyzf1800 they may be able to live just a bit longer by reacting "properly" to a situation as it arises.
Click to expand...
"kids" dont need to be on any street bike. numbnuts in general dont need to be on any street bike. i guess part of the reason i have my opinion is because i didnt own a bike until i was 20 or 21 and didnt see things the way a numbnut kid would.
 
John B. said:
Well I guess if I ever have a kid, I'll just get them a Z06 Corvette when they turn 16 cause they can just grow into it or if I wanted to buy my son (if I ever have one) his first gun, I'll just get him an AR15 cause I mean...hell...he will grow into it.
Click to expand...
i dont care what you buy your kid (if you ever have one), i'll only buy mine (if i ever have one) clothes, food, and maybe a busted up yota. i bought my own bike, when i had the money and responsibility.
 
The fzr has a more streetable power curve than its counterpart the yzf, and will be more forgiving with throttle input mistakes. If it's a deal i'd jump on it
 
My first bike was a vulcan 800. Didn't look too bad, had good pick up, and would cruise on 440 somewhat comfortably. I always suggest first time riders get cruisers but thats just me.
 
jonnyB said:
i dont care what you buy your kid (if you ever have one), i'll only buy mine (if i ever have one) clothes, food, and maybe a busted up yota. i bought my own bike, when i had the money and responsibility.
Click to expand...

When I had my first job, money and responsibilty at the age of 16, I bought my first bike which was a Honda Rebel. I also bought my first Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Stealth that year.
 
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