Learner bikes, from down south

My friend's hubby just bought her a 200cc motorcycle. It's called a "Brute"
and looks like a small classic cruiser. I think they are made in Mexico.
It's big enough for her to learn on but they come with very puny stators, so
the electric start is no good, if you have been running the lights at all
(She has trouble with that, due to a pre-existing leg injury). And boy,
does it have lights. Head light, running lights on the front and a large
tail light. That's why it also has a kickstart. Also, the speedo shows
kph, not mph. It's a learning experience for her, all the way around.
I think top speed is about 65mph. Great for around town, as it supposedly
gets about 80+ mpg. It has a gas gauge but I haven't seen it come off the
"F" yet, though she has put over 120 km on it already.

So far, she's doing real well and getting better at slow speed turns but her
biggest complaint is that she really has to get the rpms up, before she can
take off. It reminds me of a riding lawnmower I once had. And the pipes
are so quite, that I could barely hear it, even with it running and me
standing next to it. Another drawback, inadequate heat shields. She's
already burned her leg (3rd degree).

I'll follow her to the dealer on Friday (she has a learners permit) and have
the bigger stator put on, get the mirrors fixed (one has already fallen off-
they are cheaply made) and see if the dealer has anything else that will
make it easier for her to ride, say like a *windshield*.

Oh yeah, the bike came with tools that look like they came out of a child's
toy chest and the bike has cute little *pleather* saddlebags, with the logo
"Barley Davidson" on them.

Would I recommend one of these little bikes, for beginners? Possibly but
with the disclaimer as written above.

My friend will be wanting a much bigger bike, very soon.

 

I guess we'll find out.

I suggested other bikes but it was a spur of the moment purchase on their
part.

 

This one was $2400 total (TT&L, out the door). Thanks for the info but I
imagine that if anything, she's going to want something bigger. As it is,
her trike is here at our place, waiting for her to get the engine she wants
for it, so Joe can put it together.

 

Is this the same people that had the trike fiasco a few months ago?

 

sounds like it. it also sounds like they unintentionally subscribe to
the "buy cheap, get cheap" theory.

 

No, it isn't. That lady ended up buying another trike.
Joe worked on the first one and fixed a bunch of stuff and now I think she
may have a buyer for it.
IINM, I believe she still has a lawsuit against the builder.

 

Wrong. It isn't the same couple. It isn't the same trike. The trike my
friend was riding the other day, that blew up, was her husband's trike and
it's an old one, that he has had for a long time. He had just put the
rebuilt engine together and evidently some things just weren't right.

Btw, not everyone has a lot of money to spend. Us poor folk buy what we can
afford and when you're paying cash, that might not amount to much.
Having a clear title means no additional "debt".

 

Hey, don't get me wrong. It's a nice little bike. It just has too much on
it, for a bike that size. And if my friend is happy with it for now, then
I'm all for it. IIRC, it has a Yamaha engine.
When she's ready to step up, I'll be first in line to help her find
something bigger and better.

 

Sunny,I'd stay far away from this sort of bike. If you want a tiny
cruiser, a Honda Rebel is a cheap, reliable option that doesn't
depreciate if you buy it used. And there are dealers around who can help
if you need it.


Sunny said: I suggested other bikes, but it was a spur of the moment
purchase on their part~~


Hopefull for thier sake, they didnt pay much, maybe a ''song'' eh?
Now those Rebels arent cheap. I saw one in the paper for sale, used., it
was about $2,000. Therefore I'm hoping she only paid about $1195.00. <g>
I'd like to see one of those Brutes. grin> bj

 

(sunny)
''Btw, Another Viewer, not everyone has a lot of money to spend. Us poor
folk buy what we can afford and when you're paying cash, that might not
amount to much. Having a clear title means no additional "debt".


bjay#webtv.net
''There ya' go''. Sunny, I ain't never had a motorcycle payment. But, I
havent had but one newun' either.
I just sold my 750 03-Shadow Ace, I paid 4600 for it two years ago this
very week, and sold it Monday night for 4500. My honey and I rode it all
over Arkansas, and south Lousiana. <g>
Although I did put some JC Whitney stuff on it, but rode it for two
years, and lost maybe $800.00.
unnnnhuh? <g> bj

 

In my younger days, for many years I lived from paycheck to paycheck.
No disposable income and no access to credit. To feed my passion for
riding I once bought a mid 80s V-45 Sabre (V-Four)that clearly had
been down once or twice. Although it looked fine it had a funny low
speed wobble and did not feel very comfortable at highway speed. Flaws
and all, it was what I could afford and with taking great care while
riding and a little tweaking, at least I was on the road. On another
occasion I bought a 750 Yamaha triple that had no second gear. Not to
mention my first bike I bought for twenty-five bucks and that was all
it was worth.

It didn't make any difference what I was riding, I was just thankful I
could ride. I would do it again if I had too and still have the same
smile on my face when riding I have today.
--


Don
RCOS# 7
Riding Again!

2000 - Yamaha Venture Millenium Edition

 

i totally agree with ya, cash is the least expensive way to buy
anything. anyone can get into trouble with credit and accumulated debt.
a good credit line lets some people get in way over their heads and the
finance/credit card ppl love that, it's how they make the most money.

there also are some things that aren't worth the money asked and are no
bargain however low the price.

 

Don Binns adds)~:{ ''In my younger days, for many years I lived from
paycheck to paycheck. No disposable income and no access to credit.
I once bought a mid 80s V-45 Sabre (V-Four)that clearly had been down
once or twice. Although it looked fine it had a funny low speed wobble
and did not feel very comfortable at highway speed.
~It didn't make any difference what I was riding, I was just thankful I
could ride. I would do it again if I had too and still have the same
smile on my face when riding I have today. DonBinns~


Most young married couples cannot pay cash for anything what-so-ever,
because they cannot mentally come up with a plan about saving a (%) of
their paycheck.
Consequently, they are forced to buy new Bikes, New cars, etc, because
of the Credit system. Those same ones, should only have one credit card,
period.
(Here's the kicker)~~Once, one gets their vehicle paid for, I suggest
they continue the ''car payment'' for atleast 2 to 3 more years, Why
not?
Those folks are used to making the monthly payment, but now ''deposit''
the same amount in a separate ''savings'' toward the next vehicle or
bike.
I did that till I was able to pay cash for stuff. and so 4th. bjay~

 

that's a darn good idea, builds up the cash reserves while they're used
to spending the money somewhere. time to spend it on their savings.

i too like low mileage used vehicles. buying a new anything takes the
biggest depreciation hit the moment you drive/ride it off the lot. the
best deals seem to be when there is the introduction of a new model.
the previous model has had most of the production bugs worked out and
they are devalued because the "new and improved" version is the item
being pressed by the salesmen while it has it's new version problems yet
to be discovered. first model year of anything should be skipped, why
pay to be a guinea pig...

 

I agree but instead of bashing their choice, why not wish her good luck.
Afterall, she is enjoying riding it every day.

 

My sister-in-law has a really clean Honda Rebel 250 for sale. I think she
wants 2500.00 for it. Bike is located in Euless Texas.

Redshad