im 20, 5'6" dont know much about bikes, but before i ask about what size bike and all the other good stuff....

what are the procedures of gettin a training/license/insurance?
how much(on average) does the class/training cost and for the license? and how much does it cost to register a bike?

now, what size...alot of people told me to go with 600cc
dont wanna pay too much for a bike(not over 2500)
i just want one to cruise around town, to work, any advice would help, thanks

 

forgot to mention that i live in california....

 

for cheap insurance get something thats not full faired(sportbike). i started with a 1978 gs400(sold it last month) and it was a great bike to learn on. i dumped it twice but it doesnt matter, thats what it was for. paid 500 bones for it and sold it for 450 after putting some cash into it. im not sure about getting a license in CA but here(NM) you need to get a cycle license, i got mine when i was 13 when i took a course for about 200 bucks i think. you get to learn on a nice small bike: how to steer, stop, shift, etc. and then you take a short riding test at the end, along with a written test. they gave me a slip and i took it to the dmv and you just get your license. that was long i guess but i hope it helps. but dont let people to convince you that you need a sportbike because the others are slow, my 400 scared me when i first started riding.

 

http://www.msf-usa.org/pages/MAIN1.html

Take this class. When you pass the "final" (really easy, IMO), you'll receive a certificate, which you can take to your local DMV for your motorcycle endorsement. However, if you haven't taken your permit test (for class C, normal driver's license) recently, then you'll have to take that again. Plus, you'll need to pass the written, permit test for motorcycles. You can take the permit test before the class, if you want.

But you should hurry and register now, since the rates for the MSF class jump up a LOT if you're 21 and over. Cost-wise, when I took it four years ago, $70 under 21, $170 over 21. I've heard the prices have gone up, but I don't know how much.

For me, when I registered my bike (95 CBR600F3), it cost about $300.

As for a bike, I would suggest an FZR600. They're relatively cheap, reliable, and there's plenty of spare (and aftermarket) parts for them.

With regards to insurance, it all depends. Some of the people on this board have really low rates. I'm not one of them. Shop around. If you've got a car insured already, then maybe your insurance company will give you a great rate on adding in a motorcycle.

 

thanks for the tips guys....hopefully i'll pass the written and get my license...

 

you think you can find an f4 for under $2500? Don't forget the cost of gear too. And btw, you spelled "cbr600f4" wrong in your signature