I think I want a bike?

Question

I rode on a lesbian's bike yesterday and I loooved it. I know virtually nothing about bikes but I want one. I have a $15K budget that I received as a graduation gift. Should I start out with something cheap? If so what?

1st answer, it's time for you to go to bed kiddo.
2nd answer. so will you.

yeah she had a harley. and yeah I'm pretty tall for a girl but didn't know that factored in.

Answer 1

Start with a class that will teach you to ride on a bike they provide. Make sure you love it and get licensed at the same time. Call your local dmv to find out times and prices. This way if you like it on the back better than driving your not out any money.

Answer 2

Welcome to the biking world, I hope you enjoy it!

I would start small at first. Too many people die on bikes that they are not ready to ride.

I, myself am an advocate for small bikes, and I believe that too many people have more bike than they need for their traveling, like the big cruiser biker who uses their bike to go to the bar and back.

Personally, I would start off with something small, like 250ccs if you stay local, 600ccs for longer distances. I personally find 750 ccs adequete for cross country trips, but I have made 3 state rides with only 150ccs.

If it was the woman on the bike that attracted you, then you should persue that, but you should be clear if that is or is not the situation. Some people will only settle for a Harley, and the 883 Sportster might be right for you. It's prime disadvantages are that is is not very smooth Interstate, and you will wish you bought a 1200 later, because of ride, and resale.

I see TONS of Harleys for sale with less than 10,000 miles on them, so maybe that will be best for you. I personally, am not impressed with Harley quality or ride characteristics, but it is personal preference that counts here.

You might consider a maxi scooter for a first bike. They are easy to ride, have terrific range and comfort, and resell pretty well. 2 that come in mind are Honda Silver Wing and Kymco Xciting 500 respectively.

Hopefully this helps you a little bit, here are my vehicles:

2006 Bajaj Chetak (150cc) for daily commuting.
1972 Honda CT-90 (trail 90) for on and off road.
1983 Honda CB900C (under restoration)

My cage is a 1984 Mercedes 300D Turbo Diesel.

Answer 3

I agree with the people that say 1) take the motorcycle safety foundation class and 2) get protective gear; 3) buy a used small bike (250 cc is ideal, Honda Rebel or Suzuki GZ250) and see if you like to ride 4) if you still like it, get the bike that you want.
The class and the gear are a no-brainer. And starting out with a smaller bike will help you to get used to driving around on two wheels and you can concentrate on your safety and the road and the others on it, rather than concentrating on keeping a heavy bike under control.

Answer 4

i personally love the 08 Suzuki GSX-R 1000...but since you are a beginner i would start out with a 600cc.
Go with either the GSX-R or the Honda CBR...those are some of the best handling bikes out there....learn on one and learn how to drop your bike because if you don't know proper technique on laying down a bike then you could seriously injure yourself...

A great race bike would be a Hyabusa which is 1300cc but as an everyday driver...a 600cc is great...make sure you know what your doing or else you could be in serious trouble...the Harley Davidson building in Roswell, GA or anywhere around you will take 250 bucks and teach you through a course and give you your license...take the class...i highly advise that...

get a feel for the bike and take it to the track...best place to ride...no speed lI'mits...no police...completely legal

Good luck on the decision...im sure you will enjoy every second of the ride...just hold on tight

Have fun

Answer 5

$15g is plenty for an entry level bike, unless you are talking about Harleys, BMWs, Ducatis, Aprillas, .. etc. Your basic "rice" bike, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki (in order of my preference) will run 15g or less.

Unless you are a tall girl, the best to look for is a 600cc or a little less. Its still dangerously powerful, but more managable at slower spends, ... ie - stopping and starting.

I have a Honda VFR and love it, just be extra defensive out there ... in my 25 years of riding - defensive riding has saved my backside countless times.

///// Tall girl + small bikes ... ie 250-400cc /// doesn't work. I had no choice but to buy my VFR its the only one that would fit my 6'6" frame.

Have fun!

Answer 6

15k will buy a nice harley "b**** " bike; the 883 sportster, and have a chunk of change left. there are many smaller and less expensive bikes available for beginners that don't yet have the "feel" of motorcycle riding. my suggestion is to start small... perhaps a honda rebel and if that goes well, trade it and start upgrading as your skill improves. don't try to go full tilt into bikes at first as you may well decide you'd rather be a passenger than to drive your own. male or female, either one can learn to ride equally well. i have several lady friends that ride and own their own machines. to those that ride seriously, there is nothing quite like the feel of wind in your face, although the exposure requires you be willing to accept the risk factor of riding basically unprotected in a world surrounded by objects much larger and heavier than yours driven by folks oblivious to the damage they can cause a biker. its a true challenge to learn to ride defensivelly and is totally necessary to keep yourself alive. there is so much more to riding than the romantic ideals set forth by movies or the first thrill of riding on the back of one. take a little time to decide and check for good folks to ride with that are willing to take you under their wing before going full bore and spending your gift unwisely. best of luck with whatever you decide. ride safe.
gary d

Answer 7

If you have no experience your best bet is to take riding lessons. $15K is more than enough to buy a bike. First learn how to ride and then worry about the bike. Visit your local Motorcycle shop and test fit the bikes. Do not let them pressure you. Test and see what fits you. The most important thing now is to learn how to ride safe. Good luck and happy riding.

Answer 8

THE problem is that once your money is spent on
several bikes.when it' s time to buy your love bike
you don't have it.
Why don't you start with a good used bike for a start.Suzuki 750 cc for around $1.800.that way
you will get us to the feal and handling.
When your ready to buy your love machine.go shopping.Take lady rider with you to help you.
make sure you get a windshield and saddle bags
plan on spending $ 12-13 K
BUT you can get good buy by doing so real dealing.talk them down and you can get a end
of the year model.
LET.S say about a 1500--1800 CC.Most times
the dealer will give you some add on.have him
put them on at the shop.THAT'S because when
you insure it,the insurance will insurance it as
it look.

Answer 9

Start learning! First thing to do is to buy a pair of boots, take the DMV written tests to get your learners' permit, then...

sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. There you will learn to ride a 250cc motorcycle.

After that, if you still want a motorcycle, buy protective gear. Then buy a USED 250cc motorcycle (Honda Rebel 250 or Kawasaki Ninja 250). Ride it around for a few months. If after that you still like the idea of motorcycles, sell the 250, and buy whatever you like.

Answer 10

After riding morotcycles for 30 plus years (street, dirt, etc) my recommendation is for you to SPEND SOME TIME EDUCATING YOURSELF FIRST! Talk to people you know or meet who ride (we all love to talk about riding), go see local dealers, pickup literature they have, purchase a couple of books on motorcycles (check out Amazon motorcycle for beginners books), and educate yourself about the different types of bikes, types of riding, safety gear, bike pricing (new and used), insurance (depending on your age and experience it can be expensive for a new $15,000 bike).

As somone answered earlier GET YOURSELF SOME TRAINING! While in training ask question after question that is what the instructors are for. As for something cheap, my first road bike was a HD Sporster 1200 Custom Cruser Bike, after a couple of years it was too small for me and was not comfortable on 300 plus mile day rides, so I traded up to an HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide Touring Bike and a Kawasaki 250S Dual Sport (gotta hit the country roads and dirt trails).

Basically Motorcycling is a Blast, Great Stress Relief, Great way to meet allot of really cool people, and just Plain Fun! Be smart, educate yourself, get some training, get a bike that fits you, fits the riding you want to do, ride within your limits, have fun and be careful.