Motorcycle help!

[BalooEyes]

OK, so I've decided to get a motorcycle (something I've always dreamed of) because I hate waiting for someone to let me ride along on theirs... so I'm finally doing it!!

Anyway, if anyone knows about bikes, what would you suggest for a first bike? I LOVE harleys, but I can't afford one. my price range is only $3000 max. I need something I can take on the highway, but I don't go more than 70mph normally. I don't need something to zip on, I don't care if it can accelerate super fast. that's cool, but I'm fine with functional.

If it makes any difference, I'm 5'9", stocky and strong.

For any of you that do ride a lot, what would you say about winter riding? Is it do-able? I'm trying to figure if I can sell the car or not and not have to deal with 2 vehicles.
We don't get much snow here (like 1 or 2 storms a year, and normally I just don't go out till they get the roads under control.) but it gets down to like 20-30 degrees. can you bundle up enough?

[peace_baby]

My granddaddy had a Kawasaki Vulcan that was a pretty good motorcycle. I'd say it's a pretty good bike for a beginner.

My dad rides a crotch rocket. :cool: When I started driving myself to school (we only had one vehicle and he had his motorcycle), he drove his bike everyday unless it was raining. He wears all of the leathers boots and all and some really protective gloves. They have titanium on the knuckles in case he goes down. But during the winter he wears his leathers with a windbreaker suit over them. Says the only thing about riding in cold weather is that his hands get cold because the motor blows hot air on his legs and that keeps him warm.

[gabhainn]

3000 isnt much to work with unfortunately, esp nowadays with bikes being popular again. I would not recommend getting rid of the car, no fun riding in a thunderstorm rain at 60 mph hurts!!!!
Down here I pretty much ride year round, I have a Triumph America and it is awesome, but about 4 times your budget. Honda and Yamaha both have good intro level bikes like Yamaha virago and v star, or the honda shadow......Kevin
p.s. if you like Harley look at buell it is there sport bike division and they are priced pretty good, and HD used to have a deal that after a year you got full value as a trade in on a sporty (the 883)...........Kevin

[JetLagaside]

I'd also recomend going to a "dealership" and sit on a bunch of bikes to find the style you are most comfortable on. If you have someone to help you weed thru all the garbage then Craigs list is a great place to find a used bike - once you know what you want. I'm a Honda girl myself :) and I also perfer a sport bike (everyone has their own preference). You can buy heated gloves and jackets but I'm not into riding when it's really cold out anything below 40 degrees and I'm in the car.

I second gabhainn - don't sell the car

[peace_baby]

I'd also recomend going to a "dealership" and sit on a bunch of bikes to find the style you are most comfortable on. If you have someone to help you weed thru all the garbage then Craigs list is a great place to find a used bike - once you know what you want. I'm a Honda girl myself :) and I also perfer a sport bike (everyone has their own preference). You can buy heated gloves and jackets but I'm not into riding when it's really cold out anything below 40 degrees and I'm in the car.

I second gabhainn - don't sell the car

My dad has a 2006 Honda CBR600RR. :) I looooove it.

[Stalknndashadows]

The Honda Rebel is a cheap entry level bike. They are not much to look at but work for learning, getting around, and not something to cry about when you scratch it.

You could also look in to the Ninja 250R which is a mini sportbike that is around $4000 new.

I currently have a HD Sportster 1200 Custom... fun bike but not really good to learn on.

[JetLagaside]

My dad has a 2006 Honda CBR600RR. :) I looooove it.

I've got a 1997 CBR600 F3! I love it too!
I did buy an older bike so no worries about scratching a new bike.

[peace_baby]

I've got a 1997 CBR600 F3! I love it too!
I did buy an older bike so no worries about scratching a new bike.

Lol yeah, that reminds me of the day my dad went and picked his bike up to bring it home. He said that he let them load it up on the trailer and tie it down, got to the first redlight about a mile down the road and heard a big bang noise. Looked in the rear view mirror to see his brand new bike laying on it's side on the trailer. Apparently they didn't tie it down right and they ended up replacing the plastic on the side of the motorcycle that was all scratched up from the fall. I think since he bought it about 3 years ago, he's only dropped it once while riding. ;)

[Kaitlyn]

Shop around, girlfriend! My dad stopped at a garage sale, and mind you, the motorcycle wasn't even for sale but my dad offered 600 and the guy said sold LOL. And it's a small-ish honda..not a crotchrocket or anything..a 440? Or something I want to say..

[BalooEyes]

Thanks guys, you've been super helpful with some ideas for me!
Its like car shopping all over again, trying to figure out whats good and what I like!
I am dipping really deep into saving mode now, so hopefully I might be able to bump my price up to $5000 at least... I wish I had it now, a friend is selling her practically new Harley Sportster 883 for $5000.

There is an older Honda that looks like its on good shape on Craigslist... but do motorcycles tend to age like cars? Its an '82... that just seems ancient... is it not uncommon for them to last really long like that if kept after nicely?

[gabhainn]

There is an older Honda that looks like its on good shape on Craigslist... but do motorcycles tend to age like cars? Its an '82... that just seems ancient... is it not uncommon for them to last really long like that if kept after nicely?
generally speaking bikes dont get near the mileage cars do most people hobby them and dont ride every day or even every week my dad has an '01 fat boy that might have 15 k on the clock, and that is typical.... Kevin

[cheval]

I had a Hodaka for a long time until I finally sold it to a guy that was as giddy as a school girl about having it. I had a lot of fun crashing on that thing!

Have fun shopping!

[JackieB]

I had a Hodaka for a long time...

Boy there's a blast from my past! They were really common when I first started riding in the early 1970's. Cool! I can see why he was excited.

Regarding the OP, you've received all of the advice I can give. I would just reemphasize that you can't do without a car in PA.

[Steelhorserider]

If you are an inexperienced rider, I would recommend that you buy an older bike to learn and then move up when you are comfortable. It is advisable not to purchase your dream bike and to let another bike take the crashes and drops before investing in one that you want to keep long term. I have owned a Honda Rebel, Suzuki GS550, Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and a Honda Shadow ACE. I sold my vulcan to buy the Shadow and then sold the Shadow to buy back the Vulcan. The Vulcan suits me best although I would like to upgrade to a newer 750 when the budget allows.

[elevenelevenxo]

There is an older Honda that looks like its on good shape on Craigslist... but do motorcycles tend to age like cars? Its an '82... that just seems ancient... is it not uncommon for them to last really long like that if kept after nicely?

My boyfriend has a '73 CB350 and a '73 Triumph. The Triumph is basically in pieces....but the CB350 is intact....he's just tweaking it. He works at a vintage Japanese bike shop so that's really all he deals with (yes, the Triumph is English, but he didn't get it there). If you take care of them, they'll last. :) Maybe even age better than cars.

[Reinmaker]

3000 isnt much to work with unfortunately, esp nowadays with bikes being popular again. I would not recommend getting rid of the car, no fun riding in a thunderstorm rain at 60 mph hurts!!!!
Down here I pretty much ride year round, I have a Triumph America and it is awesome, but about 4 times your budget. Honda and Yamaha both have good intro level bikes like Yamaha virago and v star, or the honda shadow......Kevin
p.s. if you like Harley look at buell it is there sport bike division and they are priced pretty good, and HD used to have a deal that after a year you got full value as a trade in on a sporty (the 883)...........Kevin

I love the Triumph America. That is one awesome bike. If I got one that is the exact bike I would get. My dad has a bonneville T100. I love riding that thing.

I also agree don't get rid of the car.

[HoustonFarrier]

You can't go wrong with a Sportster, they're nice bikes. Easy to ride, hold up well. Only problem with them is....you want a BIGGER one in a few months:D



Steve

[miatapony]

I have a sportster for sale .....

[BalooEyes]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I figure I'll ride for a year, see how much I use the car, and if not much I might downgrade the car to a put-put that I don't need to put much insurance on. or at least get a 4-door because they STILL insist my car is a sportscar because it only has 2 doors (but has about power as a golf cart...)

I have a few prospective bikes picked out, so I need to see what it takes to get my dad to help me pick one. I don't know anything about vehicles other than operating them. My assessment of if its good is: 1) It runs. 2) no really weird noises. That's it. lol.

[miatapony]

well i sent you a PM .

[BalooEyes]

I have a sportster for sale .....

PMed you

[miatapony]

ok i sent you the pics i have of it let me know .. feel free to call me..

[miatapony]

hey did you get them ????

[BalooEyes]

hey, sorry, I got distracted, lol. I was trying to look up if there are any dealerships nearby. Do you need to know now? I need to think about it. It seems like a great deal, but i want to see if there is anything closer, too.

[miatapony]

ohh god no i dont need to know right now ... lol
i just wanted to know if you got the pics...