599

620

Another naked alternative is the Suzuki GS500. Awesome beginner's bike. The 599 and Monster might be too much.

That's not me, I wish it was

I really like the 599 though - especially in asphault.

this is my naked beauty-1990 kawasaki zephyr 500 (aka ZR550)
they are somehwat rare bikes, and that is one of the reasons i love them, also since they are sweet looking naked bikes
i love naked bikes, the monster is one of my favs-that 599 is hot as well...but i would try the bandit (which was my other choice besides my zr-they are sweet bikes) or if you can find one, a zephyr
you can pick a good used one up for cheap, and insurance is not bad at all on them. they are fast, nimble, and easy on gas-mine gets 50+ mpg!! and my girlfriend and i ride it all the time-and it is plenty for the both of us

And then I saw the VW CC

If you're looking at those two, definately consider the SV also. Much better bang for the buck than either of the above. None of the three make the best beginner/learner bikes, but they all (especially the SV) are very ideal first bikes if you really think you're going to hold onto one, since they are pretty new rider-friendly and are great all around street bikes, but they also offer enough to satisfy even the most particular of riders.

Be wary of the "I don't want to grow out of it" syndrome though. It can get you into trouble easily, whether it be financial or physical. I don't think there are too many people here (at least from the people that post alot) that HAVEN'T dropped a bike in their first season/year of riding, myself included. Plus, you might not want to go into it knowing for sure that you're going to sell a bike in a year or two, BUT...if you're not happy with your bike for whatever reason or you decide you are interested in another type of machine, you'll be much worse off (financially, at least) having to sell the newer, more expensive bike.

Also, seriously consider buying a used bike, especially if you're concerned about the budget. Often you can turn a used beginner style bike around a bike in a year or two for little or no financial loss. The beginner friendly bikes are also cheaper to insure--plus, if the bike is cheap enough to purchase, if might not even warrant full coverage...saving you even more cash.

http://www.riderreport.com//output.cfm?id=775099

Buy a Duc for $6K. I know where there are NEW '03 Darks left over for $5995

Thats MRSP. Up here they are 8,999 Can. On sale no for 8,299 - which is about 6,000.

The SV650 is the best deal, but I've heard that it is a marginal beginners bike because it has touchy throttle

I've been doing alot of research on bikes and have decided that I'm getting a monster 620. Everyone talks about the cost of maintenance on the ducatis, fact is they require maintenance first at 600 miles, then at 6000, and every 6000 after that. The valves are a different design and are adjusted differently , which I think freaks alot of people out. My local shop told me that on the newer monsters, most times when they check the valves they don't require an adjustment.....and if they do, so what? It's two valves per cylinder....4 valves total, how long or difficult can that be? And if you're somewhat mechanically inclined you can do your own oil changes and chain maintenance. I'll take mine in every 6000 miles and let them do it, I figure that will be roughly once a year (6000 miles in a year is alot of riding). I'm going to pay cash for the bike, so since I won't have a payment I figure I can afford $400 to $500 a year in maintenance.

Also, at least on the '04 model they showed me, you don't have to "drop" the motor to do your scheduled maintenance. The tank has a latch in the front and is hinged, you unlatch it and swing up the tank. A prop-rod holds it in place. You don't even have to disconnect the fuel lines or anything.

Thanks to the guys who posted up their great first bikes.....I'm getting a starter bike in October and then my ducati next april if all goes as planned. Now I have a few other models to search for on cycletrader.com

JQ

(note the 16" front wheel that the early Hornets had)

For me it was love at first sight. Coolest bike ever back then. After reading about it I decided that it would replace my Hawk GT if it came to the US. I waited and waited and then in 2000 I got a Speed Triple. An honest naked sportybike. No cheesy low rent frame and suspension.

I've eyed up the 919 and 599, but to be honest they don't do it for me any longer. If I was currently in the market for a 599, I'd be on a Speed Four in a hearbeat. In the $8k price range there are a lot of other bikes I'd take over a 919.

FS A painstakenly compiled list of 550 verified paid survey websites. (good for college students)

[url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=148970805[/url]

http://www.cumberlandmotorclub.com

yup....actually...it might be a naked f4...those are quick!

FS A painstakenly compiled list of 550 verified paid survey websites. (good for college students)

Just be careful and don't drop it. The thought that my tank costing 1800 keeps my testrone under control.

[url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=148970805[/url]

http://www.cumberlandmotorclub.com

Its based off an F3.

The point, however, is still valid.

Quote, originally posted by wickedcooldubba »

Monster 620 I've had mine since April 17th, 5800 fun filled miles! My first service only cost me $150, 6000 mile service should be about $300.

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Everyone keeps telling me how "expensive" the m620 will be to maintain. But those numbers don't seems unreasonable to me. But....

I recently went to look at Buell motorcycles, they have a new model for 2005 called the city-x, or xb9sx. I'm interested in this bike because of the engineering that's gone into it, there's some other things about it that also appeal to me. For one, the belt drive requires little to no maintenance and is always kept tight, and only requires replacement every 25000 miles. It has self adjusting valves and gets 50 mpg city, 65 highway. I'm going back down there today to ask more questions about it's maintenance schedule and what not.

I'm finding out really quick that people's opinions on bikes are similar to that of cars. Seems like you can't go wrong with most japanese bikes, but if you want something with more style or more soul, then look to european makes. Seems like people like what they like and that's about it. I just enjoy driving, and owning, something that's a little different than that of the mainstream. When it comes time for me to purchase my "keeper" bike I want something that looks good, has good performance, is comfortable, and is relatively easy to live with. Right now those two bikes are the ducati and the buell, the ducati has comfort, performance, and style and is within my price range. The buell has a different style that i'm not opposed to, comfort, better performance and components, and is slightly more expensive than what I'm looking to spend. But in the long run, it seems like it would be easier to live with from a maintenance standpoint. I've yet to get an insurance quote on the buell, so I don't know if it would be cheaper or not. The parts are probably cheaper, so I think the comprehensive coverage might be cheaper....but it makes more hp than the duc, so liability might go up.

I guess when the time comes I'll just have to ride them both and see which one suits me best....

JQ

620's are the cheapest to ride and maintain.

[url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=148970805[/url]

http://www.cumberlandmotorclub.com

thanks for correcting me...i actually was really curious about this

FS A painstakenly compiled list of 550 verified paid survey websites. (good for college students)

I agree, 6000 miles in a year is alot on a motorcycle, even here in Arizona where you can ride almost year round. So, once a year I'll end up shelling out around $500 for full coverage insurance and around $400 for service. I can live with that. Oh, I called the insurance company and got a quote on the Buell.....over $1000 a year for full coverage. I'll be getting my ducati next April then, hope there's still a few Capirex models left

JQ

To all potential new riders:

When you hear advice like this, which conflicts with the advice you get from other riders, consider the source of the advice (and the experience level of that source) versus the source of the conflicting advice (and the experience level of THAT source).

JQ

VW GTI MkV - Pic
Yamaha YZF-R1 - Pic
Yamaha YZ426F - Pic

VW Scirocco 16V (sold) - AUTObiography

I pay $260/year full coverage, from Progressive.

[url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=148970805[/url]

http://www.cumberlandmotorclub.com

Do you get your insurance so cheap because the riding season up there is so short?

JQ

Pacific Specialty/McGraw has given me great rates on motorcycle inusrance ever since I had my permit at 15 1/2. The few claims I've had they took very good care of me.

VW GTI MkV - Pic
Yamaha YZF-R1 - Pic
Yamaha YZ426F - Pic

VW Scirocco 16V (sold) - AUTObiography