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I've had no problems talking people down $500 or more on bikes, I've just yet to actually follow through and buy one. Which is probably good, since I actually can't afford to buy a bike for a few more weeks.
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Nov 12, 2009 18:46
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| # ? May 16, 2024 10:57 |
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I never start the talking down process until I'm there and actually interested in the bike. I figure it's a waste of the sellers time to be talking business if I haven't even seen what he's selling yet. I have however gotten good deals on Craigslist from people who have been haggled to death by other buyers and stood up numerous times. After a weekend of that, the act of actually showing up with any amount of money is usually enough to get the bike into the back of your truck.
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Nov 14, 2009 19:28
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Bugdrvr posted:I never start the talking down process until I'm there and actually interested in the bike. I figure it's a waste of the sellers time to be talking business if I haven't even seen what he's selling yet. Haha yeah. I did that when I bought my Valkyrie. The guy wanted like $5000 for it and I wanted to offer him $3500 (it needed work). While I was there some guy called him and wanted to know if he'd take $3500 and he was bitching about it. I said "I've got $3800 cash on me." He looked at me for a long second and said. "Sold." 
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Nov 14, 2009 19:45
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Ok I went out yesterday and looked at another GS500, the price is good the bike is good, looks like i'll have my first bike early next week. yeehah!
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Nov 14, 2009 22:29
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Just bought myself a 2003 Ninja 250 for $1500! I took it around for about a half hour (having received a lesson from a friend who knows what he's doing), and that's by far the most fun I've ever had in my neighborhood. I can't wait to practice more and get to the point I can use it for my commute!  Thank you again to everyone who gave me advice!
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Nov 15, 2009 03:06
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loving hell. I wish my drat civil suit would go through. I found a mint red 2005 999S with low mileage, magnesium wheels, full Ohlins suspension, random CF bits, upgraded ECU, and Remus CF exhaust. Asking $10k obo. God dammit. I know I shouldn't want that considering the nearest Duc dealership is 100 miles away but I can't help it
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Nov 15, 2009 07:07
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Sonic Dude posted:Just bought myself a 2003 Ninja 250 for $1500! Have you taken the MSF?
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Nov 15, 2009 09:09
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What's everybody's opinion on the mid-90s Honda CB1000F? It looks like a pretty tame naked literbike at 90 something claimed horsepower, which is actually as much as my '83 Yamaha Maxim 750 had. I have a friend that will sell this to me for around $3,000 or a bit less in perfect condition. Is it worth it? I know they're pretty rare in the States but had more of a following in Japan. I really want a bike that will handle well in the corners but am willing to think about bikes like this because 1000cc's of power is fun, too. Edit: Whoops, my Maxim only had 80 something horsepower. FuzzyWuzzyBear fucked around with this message at 16:50 on Nov 15, 2009 |
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Nov 15, 2009 16:47
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I would ride the poo poo out of that if we got it here.
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Nov 15, 2009 17:43
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Endless Mike posted:I would ride the poo poo out of that if we got it here. This. I think we may have gotten them for like, 2 years here in the states, they were definitely on the list before the ZZR1200 came up as a sport touring bike.
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Nov 15, 2009 19:52
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I think the CB1000F was nick named 'the big one' or something here. Great bikes from what I hear. Now, what do we think about this: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/1466860689.html I left the guy a message, we'll see what he says. I really don't need or have room or time for a project bike but it's pretty drat cool and cheap. Should I ride into the danger zone?
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Nov 16, 2009 01:18
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Sonic Dude posted:Just bought myself a 2003 Ninja 250 for $1500! Please take the MSF. Unless your friend who "knows what he's doing" is an MSF instructor, you'll learn for more from the class than you will him - no offense to him.
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Nov 16, 2009 16:41
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Doctor Zero posted:Please take the MSF. Unless your friend who "knows what he's doing" is an MSF instructor, you'll learn for more from the class than you will him - no offense to him. I remember reading somewhere that the most dangerous and un-skilled riders are the ones taught by friends who ride. Because then you're not only developing all of your own bad habits, but also inheriting all of theirs. Sonic Dude, the MSF course is freakin' fantastic. Take it, it's the single best thing you can do to avoid becoming a statistic.
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Nov 16, 2009 17:54
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Doctor Zero posted:Please take the MSF. Unless your friend who "knows what he's doing" is an MSF instructor, you'll learn for more from the class than you will him - no offense to him. Seriously, spend the $250 or whatever it costs where you're at and take the MSF. I know its saved my rear end at least a couple of times already and one rear end-saving is all it takes for it to be more than worth it.
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Nov 16, 2009 18:20
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Tsaven Nava posted:I remember reading somewhere that the most dangerous and un-skilled riders are the ones taught by friends who ride. Because then you're not only developing all of your own bad habits, but also inheriting all of theirs. Well, according to the HURT report (only authoritative report available to date, taken in 80's?) riders who have no training at all/self taught are a little bit more dangerous. I don't have the statistics in front of me but the gist of it is that a friend teaching you only increases your chances of not being involved in a major accident by a couple percent whereas MSF training increases it by a lot more. Though there may be a correlation vs causation fallacy here... One reason for the difference may be that people that would take an MSF course generally might be of the less retarded variety and take motorcycle safety seriously enough to spend the hours in the class. Personally I took the MSF and it felt like just barely enough to even be reasonably confident taking a bike out on a public road. I plan on going back for MSF experienced rider courses every couple years at the minimum as long as I continue to ride. Considering how terrible some of the other riders were in the course though, I cant even imagine them riding without having taken that class.
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Nov 16, 2009 19:50
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Some selective quoting of the HURT Report Summary:quote:1. Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most often a passenger automobile.
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Nov 16, 2009 20:25
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soy posted:Well, according to the HURT report (only authoritative report available to date, taken in 80's?) riders who have no training at all/self taught are a little bit more dangerous. Most evidence points towards being taught by friends being much worse than just learning on your own, as most people have no idea which way is up when it comes to actually riding a motorcycle. So you end up taking your chances that the person that you are being taught by actually has a clue. I won't teach people how to ride. I'll give them the basics in a parking lot and if they like it and are serious about it then I'll cart them off to MSF. Once they get back I'll keep an eye on them and help them with questions, but that core base of knowledge that MSF teaches, both in the range sessions and in the classroom is really key to having the groundwork to be a good, safe rider.
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Nov 16, 2009 20:38
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Jabs posted:The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent. I have direct experience here. A couple weeks after I learned to ride (at the MSF) I had a guy in front of me with a trailer that didn't have the lights hooked up. At one point I checked my mirrors, and when I looked back he was stopping to turn left. The only problem is that I didn't register that he was until it was pretty much too late to brake because there were no brake lights. A hard swerve onto the shoulder and I missed the trailer by about a foot and went around him with my heart pounding out through my mouth. Without that skill I would have nailed him, I have no doubt, and I also don't think a friend would have taught me to do that - or at least probably not drilled it into my head and made it second nature like the MSF did.
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Nov 16, 2009 21:16
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Z3n posted:Most evidence points towards being taught by friends being much worse than just learning on your own... This, a million times this. Z3n posted:...as most people have no idea which way is up when it comes to actually riding a motorcycle. So you end up taking your chances that the person that you are being taught by actually has a clue. The problem lies in folks can be the best riders in the world but unable to effectively communicate the why and how of techniques. There is a huge difference between doing something well and teaching something well.
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Nov 16, 2009 21:47
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Z3n posted:I won't teach people how to ride. I'll give them the basics in a parking lot and if they like it and are serious about it then I'll cart them off to MSF. Once they get back I'll keep an eye on them and help them with questions, but that core base of knowledge that MSF teaches, both in the range sessions and in the classroom is really key to having the groundwork to be a good, safe rider. Sounds like a good policy. The MSF is great because when they teach you crap you can basically just listen to them, remember what they say, and do it. You don't have to worry that some squid jackass is cutting corners or some bus riding dinosaur is giving you a bunch of retarded safety tips you'll forget immediately. Pretty much everything they said there was useful in one way or another... And the drills/coaching you get is worth the cost in money and time alone.
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Nov 16, 2009 22:37
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So I tried to test ride a DRZ400SM today, but Hollywood Honda doesn't allow test rides on the Japanese bikes. Only the BMWs.  Any idea where in LA I can hop on a DRZ for an hour or two? I did get to sit on one, really loving skinny bike. and quite a bit taller than my Ninja. 
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Nov 17, 2009 02:24
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Do V-twin bikes feel similar engine-vibe/note wise? Today I hopped on and started a Buell Firebolt and was basically grinning like an idiot at the rumble vs the inline 4 whir on my current bike. Do SV's have a similar feel or is this a HD signature thing? edit: To clarify I mean v-twin sportbikes in particular, I'd imagine the non-HD cruisers would make some degree of rumble as a selling point. EndofGoogle fucked around with this message at 05:20 on Nov 17, 2009 |
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Nov 17, 2009 05:06
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EndofGoogle posted:Do V-twin bikes feel similar engine-vibe/note wise? Today I hopped on and started a Buell Firebolt and was basically grinning like an idiot at the rumble vs the inline 4 whir on my current bike. Do SV's have a similar feel or is this a HD signature thing? I got to try an SV650, and I had the same poo poo eating grin of the rumble and instant power compared to my tiny 4cyl
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Nov 17, 2009 05:12
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sirbeefalot posted:So I tried to test ride a DRZ400SM today, but Hollywood Honda doesn't allow test rides on the Japanese bikes. Perhaps a sharing CA poster will offer? You could just ride one that someone is trying to sell private party.
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Nov 17, 2009 06:16
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How hard is it to find parts for a Kawa z650? One near me for $1000 AUD unregistered and not running, considering it as a weekend fixer upper project. EDIT: Oh and how are they to ride around town on? for a someone with 12 months experience on a I4 250.
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Nov 17, 2009 06:31
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Is anyone familiar with CRM250s? I'm looking at buying this one:  The seller runs a 2t specialist shop and gave me a very helpful 10-15 minute walkthrough of everything he did to the bike over the phone. Pretty much the only things "wrong" with it are a bad vinyl sticker on the tail (per the pic) and that one fork seal might or might not go within the next 6 months (he did one of them a while back but not the other). Balance shaft bearings and wheel bearings are good, and it has the original pillion pegs, a stainless bashplate and braided lines. It also has a brand new OEM system on it (250 pounds from Honda), as the ARs apparently are quite fiddly about aftermarket systems. They'll even put some new enduro rubber on it for me. I want to use it for green laning (off roading on unsurfaced public roads to those of you in America) with friends and the occasional trip to a MX track (practice days). I might do some hare and hounds in the future if I really get into it, but I'm not really into competitive riding (other than classic trials, but that's really just so I can ride the course). Anyone have any CRM knowledge to impart (other than listen for balance shaft bearing issues!) or opinions on whether the CRM would be suitable for the use above? Also, while I think a CRM is a good idea in general, not sure which version is best. I just like this AR because it's so clean, needs nothing doing to it, and the seller isn't a mouth-breathing chav (American = white trash).
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Nov 17, 2009 07:48
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Rudager posted:How hard is it to find parts for a Kawa z650? Not very, and fine. It'll be a good post-restrictions bike if you give it a good fix up.
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Nov 17, 2009 11:40
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Saga posted:CRM Never seen one of these before, pretty neat. Did they start with the CR motor and tune it down or is it it's own engine?
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Nov 17, 2009 14:34
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VTNewb posted:Never seen one of these before, pretty neat. Did they start with the CR motor and tune it down or is it it's own engine? AFAIK, the 1989 "Mk 1" CRM was based on the CR of that year, but the engines evolved along their own path after that. Redline is low - 7,500? - but they put out 40hp and can supposedly do something like 20k on the road without so much as new rings (presumably if you fill them with TTX and carefully warm it up before use!). I think the general idea is a torquier KDX220 with better build quality, less "woods/enduro" and more "trail/road" manners. But I have seen many older CRMs advertised which have been set up for hare & hounds, so the chassis does actually work off road. The "AR" was the final version (96-99?), and is named for a system called "active radical" aimed at emissions control (either that or Noam Chomsky came free with the bike if you paid MSRP). If I understand the generalities right, it basically dicks with the ignition on the overrun to cut hydrocarbon output. Not sure if it ends up feeling like my buddy's old SWM disc-valvers, but I'm going to have a short ride on it Sunday, so I'll know then. Apparently the AR system actually works, it just wouldn't satisfy someone's emissions standards, so they only ever used it on the CRM. The AR model put out more torque as standard than the earlier bikes and apparently has better low-rpm power delivery, which can't be a bad thing. I saw your post on the Beta 450 BTW - my in-laws just got a used Beta Alp 125, and it has to be the coolest lovely old 11/12 hp 125 I've ever seen. We're going to do some light trials practice on it this weekend... 
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Nov 17, 2009 15:04
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Saga posted:I saw your post on the Beta 450 BTW - my in-laws just got a used Beta Alp 125, and it has to be the coolest lovely old 11/12 hp 125 I've ever seen. We're going to do some light trials practice on it this weekend... Yeah I'm going full Beta this year. I just sold my 01 Scorpa SY250 (for a profit!) as it went out of business and I don't want to deal with dwindling parts on a bike I compete on. Hopefully gonna get a Beta 270 EVO used from one of the national level riders. The '10 beta enduro has it's own engine, can't wait to ride.
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Nov 17, 2009 15:17
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VTNewb posted:Yeah I'm going full Beta this year. I just sold my 01 Scorpa SY250 (for a profit!) as it went out of business and I don't want to deal with dwindling parts on a bike I compete on. Hopefully gonna get a Beta 270 EVO used from one of the national level riders. The '10 beta enduro has it's own engine, can't wait to ride. They certainly have a good rep over here, but we're a lot closer to the factory. I'll have to post pics of the Alp just for laughs. Probably of me underneath it in a muddy puddle!
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Nov 17, 2009 15:28
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As I'm (hopefully) getting licenses soon along with a friend of mine, we've both started looking for good beginner bikes. Unfortunately, a ~$400 Suzuki GN250 got sold only hours before we were going to look at it, it would have been perfect for my friend, being that she's a 130lb 5'9" lady. Lately, she's been talking about a 125cc Aprilia which has caught her eye. Aprilia and 125cc triggers something in the back of my mind, it's not a scooter, so it's definitely an RS125, which is a pretty cool bike. But correct me if I'm wrong, a 33hp 125cc 2-stroke doesn't really sound like a good bike for a beginner, being so highly strung it's gotta be peaky as hell. I'm guessing maintenance will be a bitch, too? The fairings are probably stupidly expensive as well.
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Nov 17, 2009 23:28
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KozmoNaut posted:But correct me if I'm wrong, a 33hp 125cc 2-stroke doesn't really sound like a good bike for a beginner, being so highly strung it's gotta be peaky as hell. I'm guessing maintenance will be a bitch, too? The fairings are probably stupidly expensive as well. They need top quality two-stroke, careful warming before use and attention to the factory service schedule. So then hopefully you only get a partial seizure and have time to whip the clutch and avoid ending up under that truck. That said, it's a better bet than a KR1S or a Cagiva Mito. Maintenance isn't any worse than your average water cooled two stroke other than that. They're perfectly ridable on the street and you could always remove the fairing lowers if you're concerned about them, but I do think you'd be better off with a more softly-tuned four stroke to cut your teeth on.
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Nov 17, 2009 23:45
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I wouldn't recommend a 2 stroke for a beginner period. Find some old, boring, dead reliable UJM or other such bike and ride it into the ground. 2 strokes are a fair bit more finicky than 4s, and with them it really pays to have a rider who's in tune with the bike. As a new rider, that's a lot to process on top of learning to ride at the same time.
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Nov 18, 2009 00:02
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KozmoNaut posted:Lately, she's been talking about a 125cc Aprilia which has caught her eye. Aprilia and 125cc triggers something in the back of my mind, it's not a scooter, so it's definitely an RS125, which is a pretty cool bike. That and it's technically not street legal, though some states will plate them (I know texas will)
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Nov 18, 2009 00:30
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blugu64 posted:That and it's technically not street legal, though some states will plate them (I know texas will) It's completely street legal in Europe  Z3n: That's exactly what I was thinking, which is why I was hoping to get her on the GN250. I have a friend who's been riding for about 10 years and he's helping us pick out good bikes, GSs, CBs, Bandits, GPZs etc. that are worth looking at. The Aprilia just seemed like a pretty drat cool bike and could be a very interesting ride, but obviously not for a beginner
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Nov 18, 2009 08:47
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KozmoNaut posted:It's completely street legal in Europe How mechanically sympathetic are you and your friend? If you're able to keep the oil topped up, spend the money on quality fully-synthetic oil (not lawn mower two-stroke or cheap scooter oil from a petrol station) and are willing to give it proper warming up before use, you certainly could get an RS125. There's nothing unrideable about them for a beginner. But if either of you would expect to start it in the middle of a Danish winter and ride away 30 seconds later with 10,000 rpm on the clock, Bad Things are very likely to happen. What does Danish law permit you to ride? Up to 250cc then? I'd take a 250 bandit or CB250 over a GN.
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Nov 18, 2009 10:38
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Saga posted:What does Danish law permit you to ride? Up to 250cc then? I'd take a 250 bandit or CB250 over a GN. If you're between 18 and 21 you can only ride small bikes. If you were older than 21 when you took your license, but did it on a small bike, you're restricted to small bikes for a period of two years. Sidecar training is mandatory, which is all kinds of awesome. Small bikes are defined as having less than 0,16kw/kg and less than 25kw total. Big bikes are obviously anything more powerful than that. She's mostly looking at 250cc bikes. I weigh in at around .1 ton, so I'm looking at mostly 500cc bikes, possibly a 600cc Bandit at most, current "check these out" list I got from a friend includes Kawi EX500, GPZ500, ER-5, Suzuki GS500, SV650, Bandit <=600cc, Honda CB500, NTV and Yamaha XJ600. Additional recommendations are more than welcome
KozmoNaut fucked around with this message at 14:37 on Nov 18, 2009 |
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Nov 18, 2009 14:14
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KozmoNaut posted:I weigh in at around .1 ton, I know that is actually a reasonable weight, but that just seems like a very unflattering way to refer to yourself.
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Nov 18, 2009 15:13
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KozmoNaut posted:If you're between 18 and 21 you can only ride small bikes. If you were older than 21 when you took your license, but did it on a small bike, you're restricted to small bikes for a period of two years. Sidecar training is mandatory, which is all kinds of awesome. Very similar to the current UK rules I think - I take it there's been some sort of EC directive on driver licensing. EX500 and GPz500 are the same thing. Good bikes with great fuel economy, and you can buy them cheap at least in the UK and the US, because (i) they've been around since the 80s and (ii) they've been ridden by a lot of beginners and have the scrapes to show for it. I like all those recommendations, with the possible exception of the GS500. They were known for terrible finish and build quality, questionable reliability and not having any other particularly redeeming features. Although having said that I will now be flamed for it. Not sure about additional recommendations, you have a pretty good selection there. You might want to include the Honda Transalp. The Transalp would be good for touring and commuting, and I think they're quite popular/available on the continent. They can potentially do some light off roading, although they're really far too heavy (190kg) for anything serious. They're very much a cult bike, so there is a large owner base out there and lots of info.
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Nov 18, 2009 15:32
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