Howdy in Boston

[rice_rocket]

Hey guys... just doing a little trolling........

I am going to be taking a riders course this weekend and "hopefully" getting my license.

Of course I'm a super noob to bikes.. I've ridden a few before a long time ago, and just going to get a license. Been in Boston for 10 years now.. but I'm contemplating whether it's worth trying to find a bike before winter comes along.

I'm a total car nut.. I'm certain some of the people I know are on here.. but I know next to nothing about bikes, engines, etc.

When is a reasonable "season ending" time for Boston? Is it good enough to get a bike cover and simply cover this for the season outside in a condo parking lot? Any special locks or stands that I need/can get?

And.... how reasonable is it to find a cheap cheap beginner's bike? I'm talking $1K or something like that. I don't really know the difference between models, which are plentiful. Probably looking for a sport bike since it's smaller. I know 250cc is going to be pretty teeny, and 400-500cc seems more reasonable. Honestly, how bad is a 250cc bike going to be to ride on the hwy when I have to? I've seen such huuge range of pricing on bikes, from $1000 I've seen a bunch of old 1990ish models, and a little bit more gets 07 250cc bikes... and then 2500 and around there can get anywhere from 500-700cc... and then up and up!

So.. needless to say I've got a lot of trolling and reading to do, but I thought I'd register today to help me out reading anyways. I do have my own helmet(s) for the car racing that I have done.. the only thing I would probably want is some riding jacket with armour.. and hope for the best!

So.. that's my story, hope to find out some good info here!

[flyer_kaz]

Welcome!!

as far as what to get... I'm sure everyone here will give you there opinion but I think it would be best to do the MSF course (your doing the course right?) and then after you get a feel for those bikes... go from there.

I rode the Hyosung 250 naked bike for my MSF course and I really liked it, and don't think 250 is too small... it can get you into trouble just as fast as a 600!

It all depends on what your going to be doing with it most of the time vs what you want to get.. commuting alot..? want to get into track days and racing?

Whatever you decide.. the good folks here will not steer you wrong.

Oh and btw... I'd take a good look at 07BladeRiders CBR F3...
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...-cbr600f3.html

I wish I had waited till I saw his ad... I bought mine for $2500 and his is in WAY better condition, less miles, better suspension and its the next gen from the F2, overall a much better bike than mine but for less than I paid.
Plus these hondas just go though any kind of torture you can put them through... drops, slides..running into shit... it will keep on going... built like freakin tanks. Plus wrenching on them is very easy and parts are pretty cheap everywhere.


My cbr f2 has served me well as a beginner bike.... they don't have the crazy power that modern 600s do now... its a little softer but still has plenty of power to grow into as you get more experience.

Best of luck in the course (best tip I can give you... once you learn how to shift... do almost all the exercises in 2nd gear... much easier to control I found) and let us know which bike you get!

Best,

Kaz

[-jro-]

welcome to NESR I'm curious as to what standards your car helmet is rated for? I've never heard of wearing a car helmet for street riding...you may want to research that more. Some people here ride well into the winter, all depends on how much cold you can tolerate I suppose. I def recommend finding shelter for your bike through the winter months. Just sitting outside under a cover during the riding season has aged my SV tremendously (it always used to be garaged) so I'm betting the winter will be even harsher. As for buying a cheap bike- the newer 250s may look nicer than an older 600, but you will probably get bored of it quicker. Just my .02, good luck!

[Sportygurl131]

250s arent bad... they can keep.. up but as jro said... get bored easy...

[scubasteveRR]

Yeah there new guy... Kudos for taking the MSF before buying the bike!

I ride a 600 and when I took the MSF I was surprised with the Hyosung 250 I rode, but as JRO and Sporty said you will get bored easy. The pickup of a 600 is so addicting, you just have to have the ability to stop yourself and keep the bike at a speed that you can control it at.

The bike that 07BladeRider is selling is really nice, if you have the cashola I'd go that route. But if you don't have the cash a 250 it would definitley keep you happy for a summer then you can sell and upgrade.

As for buying the bike now, during the winter, or next summer. I'd say go with now/ early winter rather that the spring. from looking at prices last year through the winter then buying a bike in the spring i think i could have save a grand or so. plus the state of the economy has lowered the bike prices since they are more of a second vehicle/ toy purchase...

good luck and hope to see ya riding sometime.

P.S. if you are a size small helmet i have a KBC that i got with my bike that is DOT and SNELL rated, don't know what the car racing helmet is but i'd say go with a motorbike specific helmet just to be sure it is going to protect your knogging the correct way!!

[OreoGaborio]

I dunno, rowing through the gears of a 250 in the city sounds like a blast... and if you do most of your riding in the city, more bike won't do ya too much good anyway.

The best thing about cheap beginner bikes is you can ride em forever & sell em (at the end of the year if you wanted to avoid winter storage) for close to what you paid back in the spring.

ex250, gs500, ex500, sv650 is basically the beginning of the sportbike hierarchy but there's other bikes that fit in there as well. Throw a leg over each & see what ya like.

[rice_rocket]

Ah! Sorry guys... let me fill you in on my car helmets.. lol.

I'm basically a real car nut.. been to road racing, drag racing etc.. My last few cars were well over the "normal range of HP" my 95 Talon was 395 AWHP and ran low 11 sec quarter miles.. then the Evo, which was more fun also ran low 12's and was a beast. I settled down with a Subaru Legacy GT.. which is a lot slower, but I don't get trouble from the law enforcement. Yes.. profiling.. boo!

Anyways, I have a bunch of helmets.. a DOT approved one, a Snell one .. and the newest one was an EU standard.. which I read was better than DOT, but sadly disappointed that the track said that they only accept SNELL. So.. they really are motorcycle helmets, just used them for the car as it's a requirement when you go "fast" enough

That CBR certainly looks beautiful.. but maybe a little more than I'm willing to spend unless the person is willing to negotiate I think I really wouldn't want to spend more than $1500 since I know I have to get it registered and all the extra gear and covers. I don't have the luxury of storage, so it's going to have to go under a cover!

I am not sure if I will have the bollox to drive it to work in Boston (highway on the mass pike) but we'll see how it works out for now.. I hope I like bikes, I've driven before when I was in the teens, but never had the money or time (and of course death threats from parents/gf if I got a bike)... haha

[rice_rocket]

If there are links for beginners to learn about bikes mechanically and/or any rules that would be awesome. I looked at the sticky on links and was reading up, but none really satisfied my "how to" need..

Ie even parking your bike downtown. I did speak with a metermaid and they said.. park it on the sidwalk as long as there's more than 1/2 the sidewalk I won't give you a ticket... just don't think you can sneak behind a car and block them and not pay a meter. Also, he said put it on a side street where it's a "private" way and as long as it's not blocking, then good for you.

That was good information! And yes, storing bikes, maintenance.. would be nice. I don't know what the MSF is going to teach me.. but I hope to have a lot of questions answered after this weekend! Thanks for being so nice guys!

[Jaynnus]

Welcome...where are you taking the MSF?

[rice_rocket]

Was going to take it in Framingham.. nearer to my place, but not enough in the class.... so going to Brockton.

www.trainingwheelsonline.com One of the Mass RMV approved schools.

[Jaynnus]

Was going to take it in Framingham.. nearer to my place, but not enough in the class.... so going to Brockton.

www.trainingwheelsonline.com One of the Mass RMV approved schools.

Sweet!!

If you had waited until the following weekend I would have been your instructor!!

Good luck!

[rice_rocket]

Haha I'm always up for private lessons That would have been too funny to meet you online here before the actual class !

[Rambunctous]

Welcome. Buying late summer, fall, early winter are when bargains are galore. My humble opine is this for street bikes. A big bore motard. Can do anything except long highway jaunts. Take the car then.

[rice_rocket]

Got another stupid question.... any good way to make the cheek lining less.. thick? Seems that in my old age my cheeks are fat.. now it's really really tight! The helmet itself is sized well on the interior for my forehead and skull, but the linings press so much in it's a task to keep my mouth shut.. haha. I went to the manufacturer's website and looked for linings, but I can't find any of these innards to buy! Well.. if it's too tight for my comfort, I'll be using the loaner helmets..

[OreoGaborio]

it should squish your entire head, including your face, evenly.... but not to the point that it's uncomfortable. I always ride with a slightly opened jaw.

[rice_rocket]

Yeah.. unless I just have to wear it in some more.. but the cheeks are really tight... I found cheek pads for the helmet brand, but not the exact model.. <sigh> It's a KBC helmet I'm trying to fit (the newest helmet I have).

[OreoGaborio]

if it's new, they'll break in slightly. As long as it's not uncomfortable, the snugger the better.

[rice_rocket]

Well today's first day was very exciting and fun!! After sweating a bit in the helmet it fit better

Now I have to shop around still for a bike! : 07Bladerider just sold his today.. that was on the top of my list before!

[naked-daytrader]

Sweet!!

If you had waited until the following weekend I would have been your instructor!!

Good luck!

I'm going to take the MSF again so I can look at Jaynnus's ass......

[rice_rocket]

Lol.. Maybe I'll show up again just to meet Jaynnus

I passed today with no problems at all... now I just need to find a nice bike around $1500 to $2K and around 600CC's... Anyone want to post in the wanted section for me? I can't seem to post up there.

[rice_rocket]

Any comments about a 95 ninja 500 for around $1K? Good deal?

[flyer_kaz]

Any comments about a 95 ninja 500 for around $1K? Good deal?

lol... its gonna be hard with only one line of description on the bike...

Pics..? and maybe a little more detail and we could help you out.

here.. check this one out.. its $2500 OBO... offer $2k cash and he'll prob tak it. http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/1357529675.html

[rice_rocket]

Hehe my bad.. here are some more details...

You are looking at a 1995 kawasaki ninja 500 ex that runs like new only 4500 miles on it has a few scratches and dings nothin major. all lights work horn everything works mint drives like a new bike has yoshimura exhaust sounds awsome needs very little could use a rear tire front is new and a clutch lever other then that this is get on and ride and save gas and very reliable i have been working on bikes for years and i am a motorcycle tech and this is a very good running bike and is ready for a rider if you have any questions please email me and thanks for looking

So... I can get it delivered to me for $1K.. I need a new clutch lever and a rear tire...

Blackstone is a bit far from me, I saw that ad and I like it.. but if it's $1K difference that's a big difference to me I can spend on gear.

[Jim]

Any comments about a 95 ninja 500 for around $1K? Good deal?

I've said this before to some fellow members looking for a bike in the $1k - $2k range.....

typically a bike that old will require some scheduled maintence. You're looking at a fork & shock rebuild, sprocket & chain set, maybe brake pads, maybe tires, and fluid change (oil, coolant, brake fluids).

So while you're skipping over the $3k - $5k bikes that might not need anything to ride, you're looking at a cheaper bike that will need at least $1k for the bike to be ridable.

I've seen it first hand, as well as a few NESR members.

[OreoGaborio]

The EX is damn near bulletproof & cheap to maintain.

Jim... go look at the bike for yourself before tellin the guy it needs a friggin grand to be ridable. The thing could be in perfect shape & faster than your gsxr in the right hands

Where is the EX?