"MountainCommand" (MountainCommand)
04/14/2014 at 22:01 • Filed to: twowheelsgood | 6 | 29 |
So it looks like things might be taking shape for my sister and I to be co owners of a motorcycle. I kid you not this is the exact bike. A 1996 Yamaha FZR600. 50k miles. owned by 2 owners, current one owning it since 1998. Im hitting the books hard on this (aka internet forums...) but I must ask ye oppo, anyone have info good or bad about this bike. And i have a few other motorcycle related questions after..
Insurance...
Ive been perusing about trying to find some quotes and its ranging anywhere between 340-600 a year.
Is there any insurance plan for like 6 months? As the bike wouldnt even move more than a foot during the other 6 months. Im guessing 6 month ins plans dont exist though.
Would it be better to totally insure this thing under my sister? Since she is a girl, she automatically is assumed to be the safest driver.... At least thats what i tell myself since i pay close to double than her in car insurance and neither of us have any record whatsoever.
What do i need to makes sure of with this insurance business? Anything in particular?
Or is it recommended i speak to one the agents about this?
I appreciate any and all advice!
yamahog
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:09 | 0 |
Wouldn't hurt to compare quotes for your sister. I am a 23 year old woman with a 2005 Yamaha FZ6 (43k miles and still running great!) and my insurance is about $250/year. Make sure you have the minimum requirements for your state, and then register in your sister's name if she holds the insurance, but I generally don't go for full coverage seeing as I own mine outright and if I cause over $10k in damage to someone else's vehicle with my motorcycle, I'm probably dead anyway. You can usually take the insurance off for winter storage and get reimbursed, which my father does, or you may want to keep it on in case of roof collapse or other unforeseen incidents.
Skif6996
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:10 | 0 |
I actually owned an 06 Fz1. I have never ridden the older ones but I have heard bad things about the older liter bikes. They had sloppy handling and were underpowered. I loved my 06. It depends on what you are looking for though. If you want a rocket, this MIGHT be the wrong bike. Take this with a grain of salt. Like I said, I haven't ridden one. For a first bike, depending on price, it should be fine. Otherwise, you could probably get something newer and faster around $3k. Also depends on where you live, but people are always trying to unload bikes.
MountainCommand
> yamahog
04/14/2014 at 22:15 | 0 |
minimum requirements for state. Good call, ill check that.
Full coverage wont be likely as the bike is going to be about 1K... And i will own it outright. If something happens to it off season, i accept full responsibility for its loss, and it not worth paying the extra on something ill be paying more for the insurance than the actual bike. if that made sense.
Thanks for the info!
Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:18 | 0 |
It was pretty good bike in it's day. It was somewhat eclipsed by the R series bikes, but at the time, everything was. As far as insurance, most companies will have "storage" insurance, where the cost goes way down.
DollaMoneyAve
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:18 | 0 |
How much for the bike? 50k miles is high. Looks good for 50k though.
Not sure about the insurance, that stuff varies by state. The way they broke it down for me was that I could get one of three options : liability; liability and theft; liability, theft and fire. I took option two. I paid 700 for the year on my CBR, 600 for my GSX-R. I have one no fault auto accident on my record, I'm under 25 and I live in NYC so those prices are on the higher end of the spectrum.
Good luck, I'm not sure I'd settle on that bike... but it does look pretty rad.
yamahog
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:20 | 0 |
No problem, just realized I forgot to mention my $250/year is in Michigan, where rates are higher than usual because of how our no-fault insurance is set up. My normal rate back home in New York was more like $100/year. Definitely check quotes for your sister!
Also, you'll get discounts for things like AMA membership and taking a safety course, as well as overall years licensed.
MountainCommand
> Skif6996
04/14/2014 at 22:20 | 0 |
The owner has done some improvement to safety/handling. He did a full R1 brake swap. i think an adjustable dampening rear shock, and a few other small things ill ask him about again.
Im not looking for a rocket. Just something thats quick enough to get me out of trouble, and something that wont kill me or my sister, as we learn the basics of riding a street bike.
Price is around 1K. So im not expecting a cbr1000rr out of this. I live in jersey, and bikes are usually over priced around here anyways, especially this time of year.
Aaron James
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:27 | 0 |
Plenty fast for a first bike, no need for newer and faster, price seems good, take care of it and when or if your ready to upgrade it should be worth the same as you paid. Do take a safety course, insurance break plus good information.
QCGoose
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:27 | 0 |
MPA
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:27 | 0 |
Hopefully you happened upon the FZR Archives forum - lots of info. I used to read it when I was considering an FZR before I started riding. It's an old school mailing list, but the site has a ton of info
http://www.fzrarchives.com/fizzer_squad.h…
MountainCommand
> DollaMoneyAve
04/14/2014 at 22:29 | 0 |
about a grand. And all the maintenance has been done. Which is a biggie. Plus the owner after talking with him for a while seems to be pretty upkept on his maintenance. Mentioned his 'journal' a bunch of times. Things like that make me feel better about it being a bit high mileage. And my other argument is it may be better to learn on a cheaper higher mileage bike than a really nice, barn find i might be afraid to ride.
Thanks for the input!
MountainCommand
> yamahog
04/14/2014 at 22:31 | 0 |
good stuff! I do plan on taking more the the motorcycle safety and training type courses when i get some extra cash. Its good to take regardless of the insurance discount i feel. thanks!
yamahog
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:31 | 0 |
Good luck and have fun!
MountainCommand
> Aaron James
04/14/2014 at 22:32 | 0 |
Yep safety courses will be taken for sure. And the price is why im looking into this, i could always make back most of the cash if i needed to sell it in the future.
MountainCommand
> MPA
04/14/2014 at 22:36 | 0 |
I was actually just reading on there at the time i started the thread. So far i like what im reading on there. But im sure there is a bit of bias haha.
Aaron James
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:38 | 1 |
good, good
yep, I agree. forgot to mention the insurance, you'll have to just call around, prices can be all over the place. It will be less for your sister.
MPA
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:40 | 0 |
Yup. IIRC they have 18" wheels, so the tire selection isn't too plentiful - but I'm sure they have recommendations for stuff like that ;)
MountainCommand
> MPA
04/14/2014 at 22:42 | 0 |
I did read about that, but in that handy FAQ, they went over some of the selections, so im not super worried. Plus the owner said the tires are actually fairly new.
DollaMoneyAve
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 22:47 | 0 |
$1,000? Go for it, you really can't go wrong at that price. It really can't depreciate much further than that... even if you drop it it will still be worth nearly that much.
I didn't know you were still learning. Definitely better to start on something like this, than say, something you'd be really upset to mess up, like you mentioned.
If you don't know how to drive a manual, learn before starting to ride. It's easier to learn the nuances of a manual when you're not worried about falling over. Learn how to rev-match, learn clutch control. You probably already know considering you're on Oppo, but that's advice I give everyone who's just starting out.
Take an MSF course if you can. The instructors are legit, and they'll expedite the process of getting your license.
Ride safe bud
MountainCommand
> DollaMoneyAve
04/14/2014 at 23:02 | 0 |
Exactly my thinking.
I mean, ive ridden dirt bikes in the past when we had them (not any longer). And if by manual youre referring to a 5spd car, then i already can drive stick. I am familiar with shifting gears on a bike tho too. Plus the concept comes natural now that ive driven stick for quite a while now.
yep MSF course is in the works. Actually iirc thats the course i am going to take (its like a 3 day thing) where its a whole process and in the end it ends up exempting you from the DMV motorcycle riding test.
But first things first, i gotta square away some insurance before i can make my offer on the bike. Luckily he doesnt have it up for sale, its just word of mouth so i have some time.
Thanks for the help!
DollaMoneyAve
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 23:20 | 1 |
Oh, I thought you were a rookie. Riders who started on dirt are the most talented on the street and track, imo. You'll be fine.
Good luck.
XJDano
> MountainCommand
04/14/2014 at 23:22 | 0 |
I miss riding. I actually signed up and paid for a beginners class that includes a waiver for license at DMV. Although I already have ridden for 2 years without a license, I wouldn't recommend it. Check your state laws and see what you have to do to get your license. MO you take a written test, get a 30 day temp, then take a driven test, just like for cars. Although going through this class I'll get that waiver so I won't need to get a temporary permit or driven test.
The class I'm doing is $240 and 2 days 8-5:30 during the week. I was able to get off work for this and some if my tax refund will go towards this.
Something also to think about is when you buy a helmet, get a Snell rated one for double duty for auto-x.
although I now own a YZFR1, it was technically a gift or on loan from my brother who's fiance didn't want him to have it & he didn't want to sell it yet. Also its beat up bad, I know the last 2 ownErs and its been dropped over 4 times.
YOu prospect purchase looks good. Just defensive riding always. I onca had a Harley ridder split my lane and it scared the crap out of me.
DollaMoneyAve
> yamahog
04/14/2014 at 23:29 | 0 |
Yamahog, are there others like you or are you the only one?
A normal, intelligent girl who rides a motorcycle is like UFO sighting... you can tell your friends about it but they won't believe you.
MountainCommand
> XJDano
04/14/2014 at 23:37 | 0 |
Yep. Ive already looked into the process of getting the license. Its a 3 day course where you take the written test and then 2 days of actual riding. Completion of that course exempts you from the DMV's motorcycle test, and you can get your license after finishing the 3 day program. 300 bucks and im licensed.
Good call on the autox compatible helmet. I was gonna be getting a helmet for autoxing soon anyways.
Thanks for the info!
yamahog
> DollaMoneyAve
04/15/2014 at 09:00 | 0 |
Not to shatter your illusions here, but I'm still a biker.... we're not exactly "normal" by nature! And yes, there are plenty, and numbers are growing. Not that there's anything wrong with enjoying stereotypically girly or boyish things, but the less kids are taught to adhere to gendered expectations, the better, at least in my book.
DollaMoneyAve
> yamahog
04/15/2014 at 10:20 | 0 |
Yes, you are right, there is nothing wrong with it! I admire young women who go against the grain and pursue a hobby that is perceived as male dominant.
I'd love to ride with you someday. Next time I'm in Michigan I'll give you a shout, and you should do the same if you find yourself in NYC.
yamahog
> DollaMoneyAve
04/15/2014 at 10:37 | 0 |
Cool, thanks, and as it turns out I'm from upstate NY. My dad lives in Westchester now and is working in the Bronx.... he just got a new FZ09 and is too paranoid to take it to work with the potholes!
DollaMoneyAve
> yamahog
04/15/2014 at 10:42 | 0 |
That's smart, the roads are still full of craters. They've been working on them in Brooklyn and Queens, I imagine they are doing the same in the Bronx... but by the time they fill all of them, it will likely be winter again.
Skif6996
> MountainCommand
04/15/2014 at 18:17 | 0 |
Cool. Sounds like you know what you want and what you are getting. Good luck and keep the shiny side up!