When's the best time to buy my first bike?

"4B11tFTW!" (4B11tFTW)
09/23/2015 at 16:04 • Filed to: None

So I got my motorcycle license earlier this year, been practicing on a 200cc scooter, and some more on my friend’s R6. I LOVE his R6 which is why I’m kind of leaning towards either it or an R1, but I’m open to all brands as long as it’s over a 600cc. I’m a bigger guy (6’3 249lbs)

Unfortunately due to full time work/school I haven’t had much time for any activities other than watching a ton of internet porn and furiously downing tasty alcoholic beverages, so I’ve put off buying one so that I could save up enough cash and just buy outright from a private seller versus going through a dealer.

Now down to the business, when is the best time of year to purchase? Now? Middle of winter? Close to Spring? Bike prices seem to have gone down the past couple weeks (I’m in Minnesnooowwwddda so winter is right around the corner) but I can’t help but think that the prices will go down even more during winter. The only issue I see with buying during winter is the fact that the roads will be covered in several inches of salt and sand, so even if there isn’t any snow on the ground, a “test drive” is highly unlikely during winter. Lastly, should I wait until spring to buy? I wasn’t looking at prices then, but I can only logically hypothesize that prices would skyrocket around that time.

Any and all advice is welcome, I’m sure I’ll get the “don’t get anything over a 500 for your first bike” answers, but bear in mind that I’m a big guy, and I’ve got about 30-40 hours riding time on my friends R6 (which is a relatively low amount of time I know), and my budget is $2,000-$3,000 so nothing too crazy, once I have some more riding time I’ll worry about buying something nicer like a newer model bike.

DISCUSSION (19)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:09

If you like Yamaha, why not a FZ6? Or a FZ1? Those should suit a guy your size

dogisbadob > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:12

as soon as you can afford it

Sam > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:13

I think a 600 is a perfect starter bike, if you live somewhere where you will end up on the highway.

Maybe the classic starter bike duo, the Ninja 650 or the GXSR 600?

I’d say the best time to buy is late fall.

Party-vi > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:15

Wait until you can afford it, and then wait for the mid/end of fall. Most people will be trying to sell their bikes before it gets cold.

4B11tFTW! > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
09/23/2015 at 16:15

I haven’t had the opportunity to ride an Fz6/FZ1, I’m open to any bike for the most part. Although I’ve had several friends tell me to avoid GSXR’s due to lack of comfort. I’m more focused on the best time to buy

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:19

SV650s are cheap and torquey. I’d say end of fall or early winter

jariten1781 > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:23

Most individuals don’t bother listing bikes in the winter. Shops tend to be on low inventory and want to make as much profit as possible per sale. Anecdotal experience tells me winter->early spring is the worst time to buy.

Really though, you’re probably talking no more than 10% swings so I wouldn’t worry about trying to time it, just buy when you’ve got the dough and you’re comfortable.

lone_liberal > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:23

3:23pm

bob and john > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:33

“r1 first bike”

HA,. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHJHA

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/motorcycle-pos…

read through those.

and remember. its your FIRST BIKE. in no fucking way is it going to be your last. So start small. you dont need anything over a 500. (yea, i’ve taught student who were 280lbs. our 125s and 250 were just finew for them and their skill level

bob and john > Sam
09/23/2015 at 16:35

sam....600s are NOT 650s. 600s are the racers. those are anything BUT a starter bike

vicali > lone_liberal
09/23/2015 at 16:35

after school, by the bike racks..

TheRealBicycleBuck > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:48

I’m a big guy too. Unless you are racing on the track, I can guarantee that anything with 500-class horsepower (~50 hp) is more than enough to get you moving.

natarax > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 16:52

best time - late fall — look for signs of new child and a garage

Dont start on R1 IMHO

I currently ride z750s started on a Suzuki s40 savage <— comfortable and plenty torquey for city riding but capable enough on hwy.

just my $.02

Mmmmm > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 17:04

The worst times for riding are when they will be the cheapest. Crotch rockets suck on the street. Practice emergency braking in the parking lot when you get a bike. Don’t cheap out on gear. Get a bike you will be ok with dropping. From there have fun :)

Mmmmm > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 17:05

All sport bikes are going to be equally uncomfortable fyi.

Master Cylinder > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 18:00

Late fall/early winter is best in my experience. Also, and you can feel free to ignore this if you want, but a supersport is just about the worst choice for a first bike, even if it’s “only” a 600.

That’s not to say that someone with restraint can’t safely learn to ride on one, but they’re basically race machines with lights on them. They’re a lot less forgiving than most motorcycles.

I’m a big guy too, and I’ve also been riding for over a decade. My only bike for the last 3 years was a 350cc dual sport with all of maybe 30hp. It was one of the most fun vehicles I’ve ever owned. And I had no problem keeping up with squids on sportbikes on twisty roads. Sure, they could blast away on the straight sections, but reeling them in in the corners was easy unless they were fairly skilled.

Take it or leave it, but my advice is to start on something with less than 50-60hp that weighs less than 450lb or so.

jordang1028 > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 18:12

Wait until the first solid few rains come through, ab0ut mid October here in Sacramento, and then start shopping seriously. My advice is not to get a race replica bike (R6, CBR600rr, GSXR600). I think an awesome choice for you, even with your size, would be a Ninja 650 or a Suzuki SV650. Both have plenty of power, and will allow you to learn to use the bikes power and handling capabilities without a swift and imminent death. I have been riding for 3 years on 3 bikes, and I am still not entirely sure a 1000cc race replica is a good choice for me. Do yourself a favor and even if you must get a race bike, get a 600 and not a 1000.

iSureWilll > 4B11tFTW!
09/23/2015 at 18:54

Best time to buy is definitely end of fall. Try to buy during the last week or two of riding season.

I wouldn’t say don’t go over 500cc for your first bike but a 1000 can get you in trouble REAL quick. If you thought a 600 was fast, wait till you get on a 1000. 40 hours of time is too little of time to really get the feel in your wrist for throttle control on a big bike, although a 1000 in your price range is most likely an older, heavier, and lower power bike so you might be ok. Just be careful!!!

IMO, a gsxr isn’t necessarily uncomfortable. It’s all in the body type and how you hold your body upright on the bike. If you put all your weight on your wrists then pretty much Any bike is uncomfortable. FZ1 might fit the bill for you as it’s an upright seating position with the 1000 out of the old R1. The upright bikes are generally a little cheaper than the sport version AND you can fit luggage, accessories a little easier.

I’ve ridden a lot of bikes so if you have any specific questions, I would be happy to help.

Edit: maybe an SV1000, VFR800, RC51, TL1000s(or TL1000r), Ducati 996, or 99-02 R1?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > 4B11tFTW!
09/24/2015 at 01:43

I had a friend who bought a 600 (I forget which one but it was a supersport and not a sport-tourer). He picked it up during the winter and trailered it to his dad’s storage facility. He said he got a really good price on it because, well, who is going to demand a high price for a bike when there’s snow on the ground?

That being said you might save a few hundred bucks if you pick it up in December but you won’t be able to ride until April... maybe you’re better off putting that money to use elsewhere? Also you might just find a deal on a bike that is better than any winter discount you’re looking for. When I bought my bike the average price I saw online was $5k. But then out of the blue I found one that was $4.2k and I went for it (this was September of last year, close to the end of riding season). So just keep on hunting.