"crotch rockets"

I dunno how everyone feels about "crotch rockets" but i've been wanting to get one for quite some time now...i don't wanna get a new one because there so nice...and i don't wanna be like my buddie who bought a brand new one and laid it down within a MONTH and had to total it! I really just want one to commute to work and save on gas hardcore....any suggestions on good used bikes/beginner bikes?

~Stauffie

Few posts on this already:

http://www.grandprix.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001270;p=2&r=nfx

http://www.grandprix.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001469;p=0&r=nfx

buy a HD they have resale that is 10x better in the long run ... plus the chicks love them just as much

Isn't that also the increased repair rate? :p

I have a 2000 Kawasaki ZX7R Ninja...I am a huge suzuki fan myself but this bike does not disappoint me

Buy used cheaper and holds value better then new.

get a honda shaddow or something if you dont want the cost of a HD plus they are smaller .... if you are looking for a really small starter bike get a suzuki S40 or an S50 they are smaller bikes and would be great for starter bikes

Harley's do hold their value, but you'll spend all your money buying it and oil for the leaks (even on brand new models).

For a first bike, pick up the cheapest, reliable bike that you can afford. It allows several concessions on a first bike.
1) You can drop it all you want and it won't matter.
2) They're generally sluggish on the throttle because, like all new riders, you will jerk the throttle and get thrown back in your seat. It's pretty dangerous and will scare the crap out of you.
3) Bikes generally only depreciate to a point. If you spend less than $1500 on a bike, it will still be worth $1500 when you sell it in a year.

for your first bike buy a used Kawasaki Ninja 250. you can find them for around $1000-1500 with less then 5000 miles. and when you sell it a year later even if you drop it it will still be worth 100-1500 because every one wants one. after a few weeks it will feel slow but thats the good thing put several thousand miles on the bike and at least one year (local track days as well) in the saddle. if you go to the local track days and get better you will soon find that the "slow" 250 isn't that slow. i think its something like 80% of all motoGP riders start their career in the 250 class motoGP. I have a friend that used to beat liter bikes in the turns on his 250 and because of it almost every sport bike rider in Houston knows his nickname.(and hes only 16) and i dont know what your body size is but im 5' 11" 280 lbs. and a 250 is still big enough for me with some adjustments to the suspension. and i know riders that are 6'3"-6'5" that still ride 250's because they are so much fun. and you dont have to worry about accidently doing a wheelie when your not ready because you have to get moving around 5-10 mph rev to 10,000-11,000 rpm and dump the clutch to bring it up.

You're right about the amount of MotoGP riders who start in the 250 class. Those bikes, however, are two stroke machines that will whoop the behind of any bike on the road. The 250 class is just as difficult as any racing class.

well yeah thats true but in comparison to the difference between a 250 street bike to a 600 street bike is about the same as a 250 race bike to a 600 race bike. besides 250CC's is more then enough it will still get you to 110-115 if you want(and have 5 miles of straight road. ) but it will putt along at 60 just as easily as a 600 if not better because it will get better gas milage.

I know a guy at the $tealer$hip i work at...his wife has a 250 of some kind...and she's wanting to upgrade...i'll ask how much they want for it...I'm kinda of a small guy...5'8" 160 after eating a solid meal...i'm thinking that might be perfect for me to start on...that guy...he's a mechanic...he has a newer hayabusa(spell)1300, its B.A. he said he's gotten up to 185mph...and he wants to buy a turbo kit for it!? that dudes insane!

~Stauffie

A 250cc race bike is a two stroke vs the 600cc race bike which is a 4 stroke. There's hardly a difference between the bikes. If anything, the 250cc bikes are peppier and faster on many areas of the track since they are significantly lighter.

still even the 250 rebel will get you a speeding ticket on any legal road and beat just about any car across the intersection.

The main thing is start small and don't get over confident and think your ready to move up cause chances are you'll still have the chicken strips on those tires and if that's the case you aren't getting all you can out of your current ride.

Chicken strips? Those rubber molding "spikes" that even cars have? Please explain these chicken strips. I think I understand that the rider is being a chicken if those strips are still on the tires after x amount of miles, but are they like wear bars, sidewall tread...what? Forgive me, I am but a 'cager, and will be for life.

Chicken strips are the strips of unworn rubber on the side of a tire. They prove that a rider has not leaned the bike over far enough in a turn. They're called chicken strips because new riders are generally too chicken to lean the bike far into a turn, instead they'll slow down and take the turn in an upright position.

well i looked at a kawasaki ninja 250, and i thought that was an ugly bike, i hate the front light, what are some other good starter bikes?? i'd really like to get one, what about a 600? is that too big? im like 6' 160ish

A guy I work with wants to sell me his GSXR750. He says it'd be a great starter bike for me, but 750 seems like a big bike to start on. If I got a bike I know I would collect a lot of tickets in a short time.

chicken strips are the unused egde(s) of the tire which is not used do the rider being scared to lean the bike over all the way in a turn. the smaller the strip or lack their of, usaully means that the owner knows the limit of the bike and have faith in the tire- which makes him a better rider in my eyes

the 750 will be the limit to learn on, I only rec that if your are not an "idiot" (be honest with yourself, cause asphalt hurts) AND are NOT easily convinced to take the bike out on the main roads with your friends during the learning stage. stick to the nieghborhood blocks for a couple of weeks,