First bike

I'm considering my first bike. Since I'm a beginner and live in a flat area,
and don't plan to do a lot of high way, I narrow down my choices to
either the Yamaha Virago 250 or the Kawasaki 500LTD.
The price diffenrence is $1400, is it worth it?

Thanks for your help and for any tips and experiences you can send,

Art

 

My opinion is to go ahead and get the 500cc bike. I don't have any
experience with either model of bike. A 250cc is just doesn't have much get
up and go at all. While you may not plan on doing any highway riding or just
cruising, some day you may decide to give it a try. If so you'll find the
500 to be much more enjoyable.

You may want to wait to buy until you take the MSF course (if you haven't
already). You may have a better feel what you want then.

Good luck -
And I can't recommend the MSF course enough for new riders, so start
thinking about that if you haven't already.

Darrell

 

No offense, but why not just consider a Vespa if that's your choices?

I don't know what size you are, but unless you're a 5'0" teenage girl
weighing 100lbs or so, you might not be happy with the 250cc
motorcycle. It might be ok for a few weeks/months, but you can bet
you'll outgrow the motorcycle before getting your money out of it.

One thing to also consider when buying is the availability of
parts/accessories.

Check into the 600cc+ bikes. Even for a first timer, you'll be happier
in the long run.

 

All,

Thanks for your comments. I actually had a Vespa when
I was in college . I'm 5'7" and 170lb. Besides the Vespa
I rode a 125cc before. That one was comfortable up to
about 50mph but it could go to about 65mph.

I'm taking the MSF this weekend. They told me the training
goes with 250cc motorcycles but I don't think we will be
allowed to leave the parking lot where the practice takes
place.

It would be good If I can find a used bike for learning,
and then if I find that I really like it then I'll buy
a new one, but as Steve mentioned the 250's are hard to find,
they sell very quickly, and not for much lower than the
new price. I read that the Honda Rebel engine has less
power than the Yamaha Virago. I checked the Honda Shadow,
650, but now we are talking around $7K.

I appreciate your help,
Art

 

(Art Vega) wrote in

I rode a Helix (250cc Honda scooter) for years. You're going to *love*
moving up to a real motorcycle.

You'll be staying on the practice range, which is a good thing.

After your MSF course, I'd recommend a quick scan of the dealers in your
area, and see what they've got in stock used. Here in Houston, several
of 'em have their used inventory online:

www.hondaofhouston.com

2001 Honda Rebel 250 for $2499, with 1,459 miles.
1998 Honda Shadow Ace 750 for $4299, with 12,738 miles.

www.stubbscycles.com

1995 Honda Nighthawk 750, $2995 with 4,475 miles.

(I love looking at used bike ads.)

--
Albert Nurick


'97 Honda Pacific Coast
'93 Honda Helix
'87 Honda Helix

 

I've read some good/great reviews on the Virago 250 but when I was looking
for my first bike, I couldn't find one. I think it would be a great first
bike if you can find one. The 500LTD seems good to me also if you like
cruisers. The same engine in the Ninja 500 would be my personal choice, at
$4800 MSRP. I ended up with a Ninja 250 which I think is fantastic, but
socially unacceptable in motorcycle circles.

 

definately go with the 500, you might look at the kawasaki ex500 too. not a
cruizer but more of a sport/standard. of course insurance would be slightly
higher. However, you can wring a lot of fun out of it and its extremely
reliable and has good resale if you want to move up.

 

I would suggest getting a (first) bike between 450cc and 750cc. It's really
a matter of safety -- you DO want some get-up-and-go when riding in
traffic, dealing with intersections, etc. That is to say, it's VERY
important to be able to get out of harm's way and that is what a moderate
displacement bike will give you. See if you can find a used Virago 535 (now
out of production). Air-cooled, shaft drive -- easy to ride and work on.

 

In a separate message down thread, Art mentioned he had prior
experience with a Vespa 125. A jump to 500 - 650 cc cruiser should be
within his league. Example, a Suzuki LS650 Savage thumper will be more
satisfying in the long run than a 250, because it has some cruise
capability, but is not so overpowering that it cannot be controlled.
Also, its weight is only 46 lbs more than a Rebel 250.

 

All,

I took the MSF exam this weekend. I enjoyed and learn important
things that if I had known them before I could have saved a couple
of falls when I had the vespa scooter.

One thing that I noticed while talking to people who have been
riding motorcycles for a while is that all of them have had
different motorcycles. Some have settled after 3 or 4 bikes
for what they consider their favorite. Others just like to have a
new one every other year or sooner. So, if this is something common
among bike owners, looks like its not critical what bike do I get,
if I ride often I will likely want to use another bike later.

I rode a Suzuki 250 on Saturday and a Honda Rebel on Sunday.
I think both had a little more juice that what I can handle
at this point since I'm a beginer, specially the Rebel. It
was smoother since it has 2 cylinder and has more torque at low rpm.
Therefore seems to me that my best choice right now is to find a
used 250cc bike in reasonably good condition and sell it later on
when I'm ready to move to a bigger one.

Even I use it only a few months it may be worth it even
I don't get all my money back, since chances of getting
in trouble are a little lower with a bike I can control better
when driving in town.

Besides, with the experience I may have a better opinion on
what bike to choose afterwards.

Thanks and regards,
Art

 

im 14 and am fixing to take the course so i can get riding on the rodes. im
going to try and get a bike sometime around december because i have to save
up first then once im 16 im be hammerin the roads on the kz650 that charles
gave me
is the coarse hard?

[/QUOTE]

 

Hey leslie -

You live in S. arlington and ride? Are you going to keep
riding after you get rid of this bike? I live in S. arlington and am
always looking for new people to ride with.


--Fullstate

 

I disagree with that one. I have meet a few guys that are riding
250's. Those people that ride on the track or like to have fun in the
twisties (as opposed to drag racing, stunting on the highway, etc.)
appreciate what a great bike that little 250 is. They can FLY
through the corners.....they just can't keep up no the straights.


--Fullstate