Help me pick my first bike

[Doc]

Originally posted by hqp921
How hard it is to paint the fairings? I've seen some decently priced bikes with the ugliest color schemes... could I rattle-can fairings? Perhaps I could paint it hot pink? (Hmm... I just looked at that picture and that bike has a lot of plastics... maybe I should just get the ugly color schemes... and throw on some of that 80's spandex to match )

You can use "Bedliner" in a can to give it a tough look.

[FazerChic]

Originally posted by ultraTwist
I'm going to say skip the 250. One of the things you really need to get a feel for is weight transfer on the gas and the brakes. There's very little transfer on the 250 but on the 500 you get a good feel for it. Also, I can't imagine the 250 keeping you that entertained for that long, not that it's a bad thing to ride now and then, it's just not going to keep you happy for very long. Pretty much the first time you ride any other bike you are going to want that.

I have to agree here. You will learn easily on a 250, but get bored quickly once you have it down. My first bike was an EX500. Great bike to learn on. Forgives easily. Doesn't get away from you if you accidentally twist the throttle too much while learning. Plus, they are pretty much a dime a dozen. Easy to buy, easy to sell.

[hqp921]

Originally posted by Doc
You can use "Bedliner" in a can to give it a tough look.

Ha, I like it. Get some Rhino-Lining -- then who cares if the bike goes down? It's iNviNciBle!! (Combined with the tank top, shorts and flip flops, of course!)

[hqp921]

Bumping this up to ask about a few bikes:

What's the deal with:
- Buell Blast? (I'm not really interested, being a thumper and all... oh, and isn't it a subsidary of HD? )
- AlphaSports/Hyosung?! All they know is they make a neat looking naked 250:

[OreoGaborio]

yuck, yuck, yuck

[slaps76]

Haven't heard many good things about the Buell Blast. You'd be better off with the Ninja 250 or 500.

Hyosung...don't know a thing about them.

[hqp921]

Originally posted by slaps76
Haven't heard many good things about the Buell Blast. You'd be better off with the Ninja 250 or 500.

Hyosung...don't know a thing about them.

Yeah, I'm still looking at Ninjas and the GS. Gotta admit, I like the way the GS looks over the Ninja, but it's not a deciding factor for me. I'd probably take either at a decent price.

Just like to poke around and see what's out there. The only reason I found Hyosung is because MOM South carries them new (on their website).

[Doc]

One of the cycle mags had a lil comparo with the Hyosung in the mix.

It came out dead last but they were actully impressed, they thought it was gonna be a through POS but it was OK (the 650)

The Transmission sucked and it was priced at $50 more than an SV650!

I would buy a good used bike before I would buy one of those.

[JeffL]

Yeah, I've heard the Hyosungs have a decent amount of problems. I'd look elsewhere.

[GrooveMonkey]

Used SV 650. End of thred...

[hqp921]

Originally posted by GrooveMonkey
Used SV 650. End of thred...

I've heard mixed reviews of them (as far as for a 'beginner's bike' goes). I love how they look (both styles)... and I've found some in the low $3k, which I could probably get into. I figure it's probably worth the bump up from $2500 for the EX/GS 500 and get the SV.

[Doc]

With an SV your getting into a little more bike...

But it is a good bike and a v twin so more forgiving in my opinion. Plus you can hop it up pretty easy when you are ready.

An SV might be a good choice, just be smart.

(Personally I would still go with an older used bike, carbs are easier to play with and IF you dump it parts should be cheap and plentiful)

[GrooveMonkey]

SV's can be very forgiving, and "civilized" compared to some other bikes. You really have to ring their necks to go overboard.

[Jenks]

The new ZX14's are supposed to be a nice easy bike to learn on. It's got enough power to give the right idea of a street bike but not enogh that it will kill you. If you goose the throttle on accident it is pretty forgiving, then maybe in a year or so when you get comfortable with it you can upgrade. Don't forget helmets and gear are for old wimps that don't know how to ride. HAHAHAHA

[ancosta]

Originally posted by GrooveMonkey
SV's can be very forgiving, and "civilized" compared to some other bikes. You really have to ring their necks to go overboard.

...or charge a corner and get the bike unsettled, the SV suspension makes a bad situation worse in that regard.

But I agree to get into trouble on an SV you really have to go out of your way.

[slaps76]

I thought they had pretty good low-end? I was surprised to see the performance specs on them: low 3's 0-60, low 11's in the 1/4 mile. Not TOO far off the 600's.

[Wishbone]

get this...great starter bike...you do have a 999r right?


http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.p...2&Itemid=126:D