to start off, im only 17 and currently drive a boosted lude and a stock s2k. i've lost my thirst for pushing power out of cars and don't feel the need for my honda(s) anymore.. ive wanted a bike probably since I was 12, although that's not a long time the oppurtunity is coming soon. So i'm doing a search ahead of time and trying to get a better understanding of what i'm trying to do and set up goals for myself.

So first off, for my M1 can I take the course as a 17 year old or should I wait until im 18 (few months away) I'm not in a terrible rush to get the license but I figured why not since the good riding months are here for me. (later months = very damp)

and 2ndly does anyone have any experience with SALVAGE bikes? when I first thought of it, I figured people probably died on those but after looking at some of them, it seems like they were just dropped and some SEEM immaculate altogether. Since it'll be my first bike, I figured it would be better to get more comfortable riding before putting money into a perfect bike.

3rd, are there any manuals for fixing bikes? I'm pretty comfortable working on my cars now and I owe most of that to the books.

Lastly, I'm sure this question is beaten to death but I'm still gonna ask it because I really don't understand why... Why do people suggest smaller bikes for learner bikes over a midsized bike? I understand that more power + noob = lose control, but what exactly makes it more dangerous ? I'm wanting to start on a CBR600 and try to learn slowly and work my way up eventually to an even bigger bike. Is it the braking, throttle response, or something else that makes it more difficult/unsafe? If a 600 isn't too big, i'd much prefer to start on that over a 250. my reason is simply because if i start on a 250, ill be going through probably 3 bikes before I'm on the bigger one.

thank you in advance for any helpful advice you can offer me. damn i feel nOob

 

Dagle... are your thoughts in line with the given: Absolute power corrupts absolutely?
That Power in itself, in any form, is in fact intoxicating. This is the main reason for buying small and working your way up.

Now combine with that the fact that a supreme lack of experience in the matters of mechanical control, and you have a receipt for self destruction.

It's basically the reason we don't let children have the key's to the Nuclear Arsenal, No matter how level headed you are... you do not posses the mental capacity or mechanical skills to make sound judgments without a base of EXPERIENCE with which to draw from

Clear enough?

 

Now go finance that Busa

 

lol i do understand that concept, but my question is where i should start more than anything else.. learning on a busa, no thanks haha. is the difference between a 250 and a 600 enough to require a lot of experience to make up for it? or would it be possible to start with a 600. im definately not trying to kill myself if thats what you're implying haha

 

600 is fine if you are of average size

 

It's not like people listen to advice even if you give it. Seems like 99% of the time, people post wanting to justify their purchase even though in the back of their minds, they question it regardless. But if they can convince an intarweb forum that it's a good idea, it must be!

The whole, "I'm mature bla bla bla" and "I've driven fast vehicles bla bla bla". It's like a broken record.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dagle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">to start off, im only 17 and currently drive a boosted lude and a stock s2k. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

thk- im not trying to justify a purchase, im doing research and trying to come up with what best suits me. and for my cars it was more of a intro about myself, not really needing to ***** out my cars.

toshiro- yes lude was paid for fully by me, s2k was half me and half my mom. and im grateful for the shelter over my head, the bills i dont have, and insurance that my parents pay for. the bike will be paid for by me as well, i dont feel like burdening my mom with it.

thanks for the responses guys

 

No worries. I was just commenting the recent threads about asking about what bike to buy but all the advice is usually ignored.

As long as you keep an open mind and just understand that a bike is nothing like a quick/fast car, you'll be fine. You're still better than a friend of mine. He wants a Hayabusa as his first bike. Face -&gt; palm.

Instead of something salvaged or a DIY bike, I'd get something that is as mechanically sound as possible (insert jokes about how I opted for a Ducati though ...). I'd rather be riding than tinkering at something for my first bike. The tinkering stuff can be the second bike. And they do have maintenance manuals for all bikes just like cars.

My only advice is to try and stay away from the late model I4 sport bikes. The beginner bike might not be as fast or as "sexy" but that can come later after a solid foundation. And it's hopefully not going to be your last bike.

 

I almost shudder to think what would have happened to me if I got a bike when I was 17-18.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dagle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the bike will be paid for by me as well, i dont feel like burdening my mom with it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
How generous. You'll end up on a 600, try to get your M endorsement first.

 

take an MSF course before anything.

people say to get the 250 over the 600 first because it is more forgiving to a new rider.

but to each their own. good luck with your first bike you'll be addicted the first time you ride.

 

You say you don't want to "burden" your mom with a bike payment. What about the burden of you riding a motorcycle everyday or the burden that she has paying for your insurance, your bills, half of your s2k, etc. Instead why don't you tell your mom you would like to be more mature and start paying her back for the s2k, or you would like to start paying for insurance. This shows maturity and builds a foundation for the rest of your life. You have many years to buy a bike why not save your mom the piece of mind as well as some money and offer up some help. You say you are grateful and that you are mature but yet you have 2 cars and are talking about dropping a couple grand on a motorcycle.

Oh and don't say you aren't trying to convince us to tell you to get a 600 because you are. You won't go through 3 bikes before you get a bigger one. You obviously want the image of riding an SS rather than riding for the enjoyment of it. This is validated by the fact that you "own" 2 cars at 17 both of which are status symbols. Sell one of the cars, pay your mom back, pay for your insurance and then consider a bike.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TypeR864 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You say you don't want to "burden" your mom with a bike payment. What about the burden of you riding a motorcycle everyday or the burden that she has paying for your insurance, your bills, half of your s2k, etc. Instead why don't you tell your mom you would like to be more mature and start paying her back for the s2k, or you would like to start paying for insurance. This shows maturity and builds a foundation for the rest of your life. You have many years to buy a bike why not save your mom the piece of mind as well as some money and offer up some help. You say you are grateful and that you are mature but yet you have 2 cars and are talking about dropping a couple grand on a motorcycle.

Oh and don't say you aren't trying to convince us to tell you to get a 600 because you are. You won't go through 3 bikes before you get a bigger one. You obviously want the image of riding an SS rather than riding for the enjoyment of it. This is validated by the fact that you "own" 2 cars at 17 both of which are status symbols. Sell one of the cars, pay your mom back, pay for your insurance and then consider a bike.</TD></TR></TABLE>

couldnt agree more

sell your prelude and get a decent bike. its been my goal for a while to have an s2k and a nice bike

 

perhaps i should have been more clear in my first post, im selling one or maybe even both of my cars for a beater, bike, and paying my mom back for the s2k if theres enough? My prelude's estimated value is ~~ 10k + all the stuff i have lying around at home that ive collected..

if i was reading this thread and saw someone proposing to ask mommy for a bike without helping i'd react the same way as for the s2k, i originally planned for it to be my DD through college but recently I've come to realize it's not that practical due to thieves... i can't just leave it anywhere, so i'd like to move onto something less attractive for thieves.

as for tinkering with a bike for a first bike, im not buying a parts bike to build, i was planning on buying it from a salvage yard, they have some good looking bikes that no one bids on. (seeing that its kinda hard to sell) the only thing I'm truly worried about is the frame's trueness, hehe need perfect geometry on that one

 

id go with a nice clean used bike that runs great for a first bike. once u get more experianced in the motorcycle world then look at salvage bikes.

salvage bikes can be hit or miss. you dont wanna get one with a bent or cracked frame. you really need to know what to look for when buying them.

 

yeah, that does seem like the biggest problem i would encounter. but i think i could make it work for the more local auctions near me and bring a motorcycle mech who would be willing to come with me to inspect the bike b4 i buy it.

on a completely different note, what bikes come in white? and are all the pieces (whats the term for fenders and stuff? lol) made of plastic or is it poly?

 

not many bikes come in white. you got,

07 600rr
93 vfr
the f4i came in a white/red model
ducati has newer bikes in white

thats all thats coming to mind.