Advice needed

[Cabreco]

My 17 year old is going for his MC endorsement. He's taking the safety course at the end of the month.
He's not a big kid 5'8" 120lbs, wirey. He know how to ride a bicycle but has very little time on one. SO..

Should he pass & get his endorsement, would it be better to get a mid 2000 Rebel (250cc) or get a bigger yet older bike like a CB 450, 500 or 500?

In either case he will upgrade or ignore this bike within a year so...what do you think?

[Piute]

  I'd go with him having A 450 ,He can keep up with ya on the hwy's,without hurting the bike,
 I bought the "X" a 450 Rebal (87) new.She road that bike for hours with no problems at all,With the great lower center of gravety makes for a great 1st learning bike and 1 to keep in the family.By the way they only made the 450 Rebal this style 1 year and is very collectable.Some had Gold leafing from factory.
                       

[Lucky 1]

The smaller the motorcycle the faster he will learn, and it will be more fun.
Minor repairs will cost less.
He will not get injured by the weight of a heavy bike, should he make a mistake.

[Re-run]

I would go with a mid-size 350-550 range. I guess a 250 would be fine but he will have few choices, rebel, ninja, and maybe a couple others. Most or ok around town but on the freeway, have to pull a lot of Rs to keep up and if he tries to run with a passenger, well that little bike is gonna be hurting.

Something like a cb500/550 will have enough power, not too much though, and handle a passenger. A suzuki gs500 would be a good choice, something like that.

[sgtslag]

If you can find a Kawasaki 440 LTD, I'd recommend it.  It is a six-speed; it accelerates fast; it handles like a fighter jet -- quick, agile, nimble, lightweight; it gets around 50+ MPG; it has a top speed of around 70 MPH; it is belt drive ('82 on; very smooth; clutch is very crisp, no gray zone, teaches good clutch skills), and it is low maintenance.  Saddlebags can be added, a fairing can be added for protection; a trunk can be put on the rear for storage, too.  The transmission, on my '83, shifted so fast, and so smoothly...  I typically had to grab a lot of brake to make my corners as I was having so much fun flying through the gears, I sometimes overshot, and I had to circle back!  This bike had me laughing out loud in my full-face, nearly every ride -- it was that much fun.


I bought one for my wife, and son, to learn on; I always wanted one, in High School, and it was a perfect learning/town bike.  I strongly urged them to ride it for the first season, and they both agreed, several years later, that it was a very wise thing to do, ride it the entire first season.

The 250 Rebels are good for what they are, but he will quickly tire of it.  A 400cc-500cc will last him a bit longer, it will have more HP (the 440 had 27 HP), and they will handle two-up much better.  I started out with a 175cc Honda, and I rode it for two years, in High School, even giving my friends rides on the back.  Even that 175 was head and shoulders above a moped (handling, and suspension, were a scary joke compared to the 175).

In a year, he will likely be ready for something bigger, like a 750.  On a 400cc-500cc bike, he can do some touring, if he desires.  A bike in that size is a fence straddler, more suited to in-town riding, but it can do distance touring, as an introductory bike.  A 750 is more of a straddler, but less suitable to town driving, though very capable on highways, or even the super-slabs, but it won't be as comfortable for touring as a dedicated, larger machine.

Try to find out what style of riding he wants to pursue, then buy him a second bike of the correct style, and he will be very happy indeed.  Cheers!

[Cabreco]

My thought on the 250 is more for training. I also learned on a 72 Honda 175. I loved the bike but keeping up was a struggle. It was light & easy to handle & I learned. I rode it for a year then boaght a 68 BSA Thundebolt. Loved the bike but couldn't get used to the backward shifter & brake. I traded it for a 72 Honda 500 which I made into a chopper.
So yes I think a 450 500 would be more of a keeper but would it be as easy to master. Unlike me at his age, the kid is not a speed demon so I'm not concerned with him wanting more speed. He likes crusers & hates crotch rocket so I feel better. On the plus side for the 250 that is the bike that the safety course uses.
In any case the 1st bike will be an inexpensive buy. We ALL drop our 1st bikes.
The question is is it better to buy a newer 250 or an older 500. Concerns for safety, parts availability, ease of repair etc.
He loves Fiona but it's too heavy (and wide) for him. Eventually he will inherit her though.  
Being a parent suck in these matters. It was much easier when you bought things cuz the LOOK COOL!!

 

[TOOLS1]

Most every one in my family learned on a 250 Ninja (the one that kicked Toolbabes butt). It was a great bike, and would run freeway traffic all day long. I hated to sell it. If I had had the extra money I would have bought it off my daughter just to keep it to play on. All my friends would take it, for rides when they came over, and every one would have a big smile on their faces when they came back.
TOOLS

[rrgunslinger]

Honda has a new 250RR that's nice and cheap!  Even ABS!

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012-honda-cbr-250-r-preview

[Cabreco]

rrgunslinger wrote

Honda has a new 250RR that's nice and cheap!  Even ABS!

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012-honda-cbr-250-r-preview

One thing he did say was he definitely wanted a cruiser type not a sportbike.
His 1st bike will have a budget of under $1,500 since 1st bike take damage from inexperienced riders.

Knowing that he will want an upgrade within a year, we will stay inexpensive.
He did say that he wanted to wait until December to buy off season when people need cash. He saw the deal I got on my touring bike last Christmas eve. Besides, he wants it titled & insured in his name so he has to wait until February to title it when he turns 18.

Smart kid eh?

[Piute]

                                                         What is "cool"
                                                                 

[Cabreco]

Piute wrote

What is "cool"
                                                                 

This was my cool!  

[shinyribs]

That is still cool! And it should hold some sort of record for kick stand lengthFor some reason whenever i see that picture I am curious as to what kind of cup that is on the hood of the car?

A good beginner bike for $1500 or less? Thats a tough one,really. Are y'all looking for a turn key bike or a project?

[Cabreco]

shinyribs wrote

For some reason whenever i see that picture I am curious as to what kind of cup that is on the hood of the car?

Shiny, you're showing your age (or lack thereof) LOL.
That's not a cup...that's a can of Schaefer beer.

 

shinyribs wrote

A good beginner bike for $1500 or less? Thats a tough one,really. Are y'all looking for a turn key bike or a project?

Tough? Naa, just take a little effort & wheeler dealer skills.
I got Fiona for $800 and the Yamaha bagger for $1,300. Sure I put in extra bucks into both, but not too much.
Mostly bling. Both were actually turnkey & road worthy as bought.
I'm Keeping my eye on a KZ440LTD which is pretty clean. The ONLY thing keeping me from pulling the trigger
is I'm not convinced that he will pass the class 1st shot (he ain't studying the material I gave him from my class)
& I don't need an extra bike in my garage sitting dormant.

[LukeM]

If you can find one, and you're definitely looking at a cruiser, may I recommend the early 80s VT500 or the SilverWing bikes.  The VT500 is the entry level v-twin smaller brother to my VT700C Shadow.  Less power than mine, but enough to get into and out of trouble.
The SilverWing are the GL500 and/or the CX500 V-twins.  Bit heavier than the VT500, and definitely unique looking.

Both are liquid cooled, shaft drive (low maintenance), and work very well. They are getting a bit scarce, though, but parts are out there.  Try http://www.hondashadow.net and see what you think.

The Kawa 440 is a nice reliable bike, bit sportier than a cruiser, dead nuts reliable assuming it's been kept up.  I think the 400-500cc size will do well for the beginner.

Shoot...just starting out, I thought the CB175 was the starter bike.  How times have changed.
Luke M

[Cabreco]

LukeM wrote

Shoot...just starting out, I thought the CB175 was the starter bike.  How times have changed.
Luke M

Me too. My very 1st bike was a 72 CB175. It was light & easy to handle but hard to keep up with my buddies that had 650's & 750's.
I'm looking at an all around for him to use for about a year or so. He likes the Rebel, shadow & nighthawk 250. Suzuki has the 250 Marauder and Kawasaki has the Eliminator 250. I'm wondering though if he would be bored with it too soon. That's why I started looking at the 400 - 550 cc bikes.

He brought me a few ads for the Kymco 250's cruiser, the Hyosung & a Vento rebellian 200cc. Nice looking bikes but I'm concerned about the Kymco being Chinese made & the Vento Mexican. Athough if the Hyosung (Korean made) is anything like the 2 Hyundai cars I've bought, it would be a no brainer. SUPER dependable cars.

Then agin the Johnny Pags look sweet

A N Y W A Y ...Still my concern is not spending too much on a 1st bike.

[rrgunslinger]

You could get him a Harley 883.  They are much better than they use to be and don't make so much power it will get away from him.  I believe when he gets tired of it and wants to move up they will give you full money back on a trade.  Start around 8000.00

 

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Harley+883&id=23926ACFF773A78EBC21E461127318D3EB5B4E62&FORM=IQFRBA

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 12:09 PM, Cabreco [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

LukeM wrote

Shoot...just starting out, I thought the CB175 was the starter bike.  How times have changed.
Luke M

Me too. My very 1st bike was a 72 CB175. It was light & easy to handle but hard to keep up with my buddies that had 650's & 750's.
I'm looking at an all around for him to use for about a year or so. He likes the Rebel, shadow & nighthawk 250. Suzuki has the 250 Marauder and Kawasaki has the Eliminator 250. I'm wondering though if he would be bored with it too soon. That's why I started looking at the 400 - 550 cc bikes.

He brought me a few ads for the Kymco 250's cruiser, the Hyosung & a Vento rebellian 200cc. Nice looking bikes but I'm concerned about the Kymco being Chinese made & the Vento Mexican. Athough if the Hyosung (Korean made) is anything like the 2 Hyundai cars I've bought, it would be a no brainer. SUPER dependable cars.

Then agin the Johnny Pags look sweet

A N Y W A Y ...Still my concern is not spending too much on a 1st bike.

FIONA
1981 CB750K

Andy
Virginia

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[Cabreco]

rrgunslinger wrote

You could get him a Harley 883.  

Slinger, NO WAY I spend $8k on his 1st bike <lol> 
I expect that it will see road rash or at least kiss the ground a few times.

Ok show of hands, on your 1st bike how many of you guys forgot to put the kickstand down
at one time or another & dropped it?

[shinyribs]

Guilty.  Done it twice. Once wiring the bike and once waving at someone.

[shinyribs]

Oh, I totally forgot. Check out Cleveland Cycle Werks.  Cool cruiser brand new for, I think, about $3k. I know the price is high and their resale is probably nonexistent, but it would the first kind of bike you would be proud of and probably never sell. If memory serves, they get 70 MPG and only weigh a little over 200 lbs.

[rrgunslinger]

Well here's hoping he has a non road rash \ kiss the ground riding experance for his whole life!  My wife got a HD Street Bob for her first motorcycle and only droped it once (first day she rode it) because being a short person she hit a spot where her feet came off the ground.  I fixed that issue right away with 2 inch lowering progressive springs in the front.  After that 31,000 miles accident free!  I'll post a picture later.  Most Jap bikes you can run wide open for hours and not hurt them. 

However I think I would stay away from Chinese stuff for now. 

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 1:00 PM, Cabreco [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

rrgunslinger wrote

You could get him a Harley 883.  

Slinger, NO WAY I spend $8k on his 1st bike <lol> 
I expect that it will see road rash or at least kiss the ground a few times.

Ok show of hands, on your 1st bike how many of you guys forgot to put the kickstand down
at one time or another & dropped it?

FIONA
1981 CB750K

Andy
Virginia

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