Well I suggested the Ninja 250. It is used market is extremly good hence selling it with little depreciation is possible. But it will give him the transitional tool he needs and some buck to save for now. I agree if he is after performance a 600 class is the best choice.
600 class sportbike...
- Thread starter Bret Chase
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I'm looking for "fast enough", which I think the 250R would be. I'm no longer 18.. I don't need to be going 9,000 miles an hour all the time. and if I get tired of it after a season, I can buy a faster bike.
I hadn't ridden in about 15 years when I got back into it about 4 years ago. I got back into it with an '87 Yamaha FJ1200. Too much bike is only too much bike if you're happy with the right wrist.
Most bikes are extremely manageable in the lower 1/2 of the rpm range, especially in the hands of a mature adult with a responsible attitude. You sound like you are both. A VFR 800 would be too. I'm always reluctant to recommend too little bike because you'll find yourself replacing it soon and getting burned on the trade in.
Just my own 2 cents. Here's a picture of my current bike,
Most bikes are extremely manageable in the lower 1/2 of the rpm range, especially in the hands of a mature adult with a responsible attitude. You sound like you are both. A VFR 800 would be too. I'm always reluctant to recommend too little bike because you'll find yourself replacing it soon and getting burned on the trade in.
Just my own 2 cents. Here's a picture of my current bike,
Hey Bret I been reading this thread and wanted to say I bought a 06 Kaw Ninja 250r last spring to combat this $3.00/gal gas. It is a work vehicle to me just ride it back and forth to work 52 mile a day rt. Below 8k it is tame. bring it up to 10,000 and it is screamin and loves to run. I run it at 7100rpm or below 90% of the time, that would be 55 mph. That is where you will get yr 70 miles to the gallon. It has more power then you will ever need to just use as a vehicle. It has been 20 yrs since I been on one, and thought I would never be on one again he he, now i'll ride one till I cant get on it anymore..
Jeff
Jeff
Although I just bought a used Ninja 500, I have been impressed with the Yamaha YZF600R.
Check it out: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/25/0/home.aspx
It is a nice looking & comfortable bike with plenty of pep. The super sport YZF-R6S is also a nice bike.
And the financing on these models is unbeatable; $69 bucks a month for the 2005, 2006, 2007 models with special Yamaha financing....only for this month. Wish I would have done it.
Good luck!
GL
Check it out: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/25/0/home.aspx
It is a nice looking & comfortable bike with plenty of pep. The super sport YZF-R6S is also a nice bike.
And the financing on these models is unbeatable; $69 bucks a month for the 2005, 2006, 2007 models with special Yamaha financing....only for this month. Wish I would have done it.
Good luck!
GL
That is introductory financing that pays nothing but interest for the first couple of years.
Another bike to consider:
A 2-4 year old yamaha FZ6.
A 2-4 year old yamaha FZ6.
Well I hit up the Kawasaki Dealer, sat on the 250R and it was like a glove... loved it.. $3300 out the door w/ tax and setup. I'll be picking it up friday or saturday.
I also got a quote from my insurance agent and was frankly shocked... $160/yr for full coverage w/ $100 deductibles, I was expecting it to be a bit more expensive than that.
I also got a quote from my insurance agent and was frankly shocked... $160/yr for full coverage w/ $100 deductibles, I was expecting it to be a bit more expensive than that.
Congratulations and be careful.
State farm, been with them for almost 10 years now.. the multi-line discounts (motorcycle,life, auto, homeowner's) are very nice. I checked out geico motorcycle and they wanted $540/yr for just 50/100 liability. The policy I was quoted was for 100/300/100 full coverage w/ $100 deductible. now if I manage to do 300k worth of damage with a $3,000 bike, I was definately putting some effort into it. Though I admit I would have needed it if I hadn't managed to avoid hitting a Ferrari 360 Modena who cut me off about 5 years ago in my pickup.
well... alot of it has to do with living in Maine.. here the insurance companies see it as you can only ride the bike for 4 months out of the year, so the insurance is cheaper.
Also, from experience (I lived in KY from '97 to '00) insurance there is FAR more expensive there than it is here.. for example, my insurance for my '87 Toyota MR2 went from $550/yr in Maine to $1200/6mo just because I simply moved from Maine to KY. Where in KY do you live? I used to live in Barbourville and Corbin.
Also, from experience (I lived in KY from '97 to '00) insurance there is FAR more expensive there than it is here.. for example, my insurance for my '87 Toyota MR2 went from $550/yr in Maine to $1200/6mo just because I simply moved from Maine to KY. Where in KY do you live? I used to live in Barbourville and Corbin.
Bret glad you found a bike you like. The main thing is just to be able to ride whether is a 50cc or a 2000cc....
I forgot to add that sometimes certain states have "exception" rules that make certain models more valuable. For instance in Alabama 125cc Bikes resell very well because Alabama has a "Motor Driven Cycle" License that allows 14 year olds to ride up to 150cc.
I forgot to add that sometimes certain states have "exception" rules that make certain models more valuable. For instance in Alabama 125cc Bikes resell very well because Alabama has a "Motor Driven Cycle" License that allows 14 year olds to ride up to 150cc.
I'm very excited, but I have to wait until saturday (don't have time before then) to pick it up and I suck at waiting.. then I have to wait until next friday until I get my permit... ugh.. waiting sucks.
I bought a Ninja 500 for my fiance to learn on.
I was simply amazed at how nice of a bike it is, and have been riding it much mor than my Concours.
It feels like a 250 below 6000 RPM, but then has a midrange and upper end rush that leaves you feeling like it'a an older 600 class bike.
It is rock stable on the highway, and the fairing actually works pretty well. Handling is very good and made me realize how poor the Concours is in comparison.
I plan on having something like this, a 400Lb twin, from now on, and will probably upgrade to a 650R when the used prices come down on them. That bike fit me better than any other I've tryed out, but it outside of my budget range at this time.
Upgrades I have made or am in the proces of doing, are tubular bars for a more upright position, frame sliders, straight weight fork springs of the right rate for my weight, and a shock upgrade of some sort, again, to match my weight.
Keep in mind that you'll get bored with any bike, if your attitude is that you will get bored with it.
I rode a 250 for 4 years as my first bike and never got bored with it, but that's back when the speed limit was 55. I wanted more power, but it was never boring. I feel, with today's higher speed limits, that the Ninja 500 is about the same type of bike now, one that will give you everything you need, if not everything you want.
I was simply amazed at how nice of a bike it is, and have been riding it much mor than my Concours.
It feels like a 250 below 6000 RPM, but then has a midrange and upper end rush that leaves you feeling like it'a an older 600 class bike.
It is rock stable on the highway, and the fairing actually works pretty well. Handling is very good and made me realize how poor the Concours is in comparison.
I plan on having something like this, a 400Lb twin, from now on, and will probably upgrade to a 650R when the used prices come down on them. That bike fit me better than any other I've tryed out, but it outside of my budget range at this time.
Upgrades I have made or am in the proces of doing, are tubular bars for a more upright position, frame sliders, straight weight fork springs of the right rate for my weight, and a shock upgrade of some sort, again, to match my weight.
Keep in mind that you'll get bored with any bike, if your attitude is that you will get bored with it.
I rode a 250 for 4 years as my first bike and never got bored with it, but that's back when the speed limit was 55. I wanted more power, but it was never boring. I feel, with today's higher speed limits, that the Ninja 500 is about the same type of bike now, one that will give you everything you need, if not everything you want.
well I picked it up early and promptly put 50 miles on it that night.
I am very pleased.. for a 250 it MOVES! The only complaint I had was that I got cold, but that's not the bike's fault. for the first 5 miles I took it easy (I got it w/ 1 on the odo) and it all started to come back to me.. got more and more comfortable as I rode.. on the way home I let her rip (well til 12k anyway) through 3 gears.. look down.. 70.. and VERY quickly I might add.. oops.. slow back down. A smile on my face all night long.
maybe in a couple of years I'll pick up a 600 class, but I'm good right now
maybe in a couple of years I'll pick up a 600 class, but I'm good right now
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