Good starter bike - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

jola · 07-02-2007, 12:15 PM

I just got my permit and I'm in the market for a starter bike. I only want to spend max $800 for a bike. I'll probably wind up waiting until the end of the summer to get one, since I don't know when I'll be able to get my license. Anyways, that puts me in the realm of 70's and 80's Japanese standard type bikes, which I don't mind at all. I'm thinking of Honda CBs, Kawasaki KZs, and Triumph Bonnevilles (I know, not Japanese, just giving an example). Fortunately for me, I like the styling of these bikes.

Here are my questions:

Would a front drum brake be ok? I won't be riding much. It will be for leisure.
Would an old school (weaker) 500cc be too big?

Feel free to give advice and whatnot. I plan on taking one of the DMV weekend courses to get my license, if I can get into one. They are jam packed.

j0n · 07-02-2007, 12:28 PM

I learned how to ride on an '03 cbr 600 that ran 11.4 @ 120mph+ in the quarter. The person i bought it from also learned on it. An old weak pansy-ass 500cc bike will get boring within 10 minutes of riding it.

jola · 07-02-2007, 12:33 PM

Well alright, that opens up some options.

Wasted Youth · 07-02-2007, 02:21 PM

Depends what you are comfortable on, some people like sport bikes, some like sport touring, some like cruisers, best is to go to the dealership and sit on a bunch of different bikes and see what you like...then look for a cheap bike that style...and trust me anything that you are paying $800 for...has to either be not running, or a starter bike...even the early 80's jap bikes go out for 1-3k on ebay....

jola · 07-02-2007, 02:38 PM

Sport bikes are my favorite, but most bikes with a large enough wheel base is comfortable. I'm shopping according to price though, so I'm not being picky. I'm only going to keep this bike until I am comfortable on a motorcycle.

GP99GT · 07-02-2007, 04:37 PM

see if you can find a used ninja 250 if youre a lightweight, or 500 if youre bigger...they can be had for under 1200 for a fairly newer one

Mike · 07-02-2007, 04:44 PM

i learned on a 03 cbr600rr back in 03 when it was brand new........i personally wouldnt ride another size bike

Featherburner · 07-02-2007, 04:59 PM

Have you ever ridden anything? Any dirtbike experience?

V · 07-02-2007, 06:31 PM

learn on anything from 250-600.
Once your comfortable, sell it to someone else or even a friend who wants to learn to ride.

i know of a '07 ninja 500 for sale for around 2800. 5 miles on it and a few little scratches.

GP99GT · 07-02-2007, 06:33 PM

best part about the starter bikes is you can usually sell it for what you paid for it, or VERY close

07-02-2007, 08:17 PM

anyone that says a 600 is too much is full of it. I also learned on the 600 and it scared me enough to stay out of the throttle for a couple weeks. but it was still fun for awhile and could beat almost any street car. and im the one that ran 11.4 at 123 on it lol

NJSPEEDER · 07-02-2007, 09:13 PM

a cheap old jap bike is definately the way to learn. they are also easy to work on and learn from since many of the bikes are still basically the same, just with a lot less space towork on them

i have a 1980 kawasaki ltd1000 that i am planning to sell soon. i was planning to ask a bit more than you were looking to spend, but it is negotiable. shoot em a PM if interested

84HOtransam · 07-02-2007, 10:07 PM

fairleigh dickensin (sp?) in teaneck has 5 spots left for the bike course on july 25-27...

another vote for not wasting time or money on anything smaller than a 600cc bike to start...take the weekend course..then just take it slow with the bike you buy..you can get hurt on any motorcycle...most of the time its something you cant control that causes the accident....if your going really old like that honda cb's are awesome....it was the bike to have when my dad was young..

Savage_Messiah · 07-02-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84HOtransam

fairleigh dickensin (sp?) in teaneck has 5 spots left for the bike course on july 25-27...

another vote for not wasting time or money on anything smaller than a 600cc bike to start...take the weekend course..then just take it slow with the bike you buy..you can get hurt on any motorcycle...most of the time its something you cant control that causes the accident....if your going really old like that honda cb's are awesome....it was the bike to have when my dad was young..

More info about that class? That's 10-15 mins from me

jola · 07-03-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

a cheap old jap bike is definately the way to learn. they are also easy to work on and learn from since many of the bikes are still basically the same, just with a lot less space towork on them

i have a 1980 kawasaki ltd1000 that i am planning to sell soon. i was planning to ask a bit more than you were looking to spend, but it is negotiable. shoot em a PM if interested

That is really ironic. My brother just called me and told me about a guy that my dad knows who would sell me a KZ1000 for cheap. I have to check it out this weekend.

84HOtransam · 07-04-2007, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage_Messiah

More info about that class? That's 10-15 mins from me

check there website..its $250 for the 3 day class...

bikes over 750cc will cost you more to insure as well

Rich189 · 07-04-2007, 09:44 AM

i learned how to ride on an R6 then upgraded to an 04 r1 but i was riding dirtbikes a lot before that... but even for someone who didnt id still suggest a 600