"roflcopter" (roflroflroflcopter)
05/17/2016 at 12:57 • Filed to: None
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"roflcopter" (roflroflroflcopter)
05/17/2016 at 12:57 • Filed to: None | 0
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I have recently become interested in doing motorcycle things. I had been on bikes a few times in the past but honestly had no clue what I was doing. I went and took the MSF course this past weekend to get my endorsement(and passed without a single point off on anything). Now I’m looking for a bike.
I think I’ve settled on getting a KTM Duke 390. It’s supposedly fun, it’s not supposedly going to get boring, it’s supposedly a good commuter. It’s also cheap. Kind of. I’ve been shopping around and most dealers seem to want about a 25% markup on the thing. I won’t pay it. I’m going to talk to one dealership this evening, and get to see one in person finally, and hopefully they will be a bit kinder to the wallet. But for those of you who have gotten this far... Any other bikes you would recommend? Check boxes are... Beginner friendly, good on insurance, sub-$5700 out the door, new(for financing purposes), and something I’m not going to want to sell next year.
Manny05x
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:04 |
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If you stretch the budget a bit you can get an fz 07 (I own one so I'm bias) I got mines barely used off Craigslist for 5600.
Hammerdown
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:08 |
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KTM is a good pick. Other bikes in that same class would serve you well. CBR 250, Ninja 300 etc.
Danger
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:11 |
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Yamaha FZ, Honda CBs, Ninjas, and of course the 390 have gotten great reviews. I haven’t ridden any of this new crop, but used to have a Yamaha FZ-8 and loved fun, commutable, and reliable aspects of it. Supposedly the new ones are even better. I was leaning towards getting a 390 then went for a used 2014 690 Enduro.
TheRealBicycleBuck
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:15 |
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Start small, something less than 600cc. Nobody, especially someone without lots of experience, should start out on a 100+hp bike like most of 600s that are out there.
You might like what Wes called “ The Best First Motorcycle Ever .”
DynamicWeight
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:27 |
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Buy a cheap used bike first. Something that has already been dropped. Like a ninja 250. You’ll learn a lot on that bike. Maybe drop it yourself. Then sell it for near what you paid for it and get your dream bike. You’ll know more about the kind of riding you like and you’ll have gotten any drops out of the way.
Then, if you’re like me, only buy cheap used bikes and haggle hard so you always make a profit when you’re done with em!.. or go finance your dream bike that you know you’ll love because you already know what riding feels like. I’ll be there to give you next to nothing for it when you’re done ;)
Oh, and take it easy when you start. Cars are really... like really heavy.
Quick edit: Remember gear costs money too! Really good helmets are ~400, jacket is 200, gloves are 60. That’s at a minimum. Boots and pants are great too and another 150 a piece. Cheap helmets protect the same but feel like shit after a year. Getting something with sturdy face shield and vent mechanisms.
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:29 |
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If you dont ride a turbo busa your man card is revoked
JK but start out small. yea you may outgrow a 250 or a 300 quick but they hold the same value so you dont lose much. I personally like the dual sport or super moto bikes and they are cheap and simple
jariten1781
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:31 |
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I've recommended the Kawasaki's KLR line since the 90s. Put numerous new riders on them and it's the only 'new bike' I've seen that people don't necessarily grow out of. If you're taller the KLR650 works fine, but if you've got a shorter inseam you'll want the 250. I never recommend a new bike to a new rider, look for something 3-5 years old and save the new bike for when you've got a large number of hours under the belt.
Decay buys too many beaters
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:38 |
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The KTM390 is a fantastic bike, I’ve been riding for 10 years now and I’m actually thinking of adding one in a few years. That said it’s a little pricey for a first bike. I’d say look for a cheap (sub $2k) ninja 250 run that for a year and then upgrade (if you want! the 250s are fun in their own right)
Nonster
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 13:49 |
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I recommend getting something used and cheap and ride it for a year. Once you have a better feel for things then sell it for what you got it for and buy something you really want.
I bought a Buell Blast with 700 miles on it for $1000, rode it for a year and put about 3500 miles on it, put about $500 into it between exhaust and tires, and sold it for $2000. Then I got my Suzuki SV650
Liam Farrell
> TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
05/17/2016 at 13:54 |
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My friend bought a 2012 CBR250 last week for his first bike, it was an insane deal for a very lightly used bike
BobintheMtns
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 14:07 |
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I’d be careful financing a 390cc bike as your first bike... You’ll probably outgrow that small a displacement (and want to move to a bigger bike) long before paying it off...
Rather than financing $5-6K for your first bike, I’d find a decent 600-800cc used bike for half that amount.....
And if you’re looking for something to commute on, you should seriously consider something with a shaft drive— tightening your chain every week and half will get OLD.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/31160…
jminer
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 14:09 |
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It’s hard to go wrong with any of the 250/300 bikes that are out there, even a big scooter is an excellent learner. I’m a fan of scooters, but I understand if you’re not.
If you want a bit more and are over 25 I’d recommend the cb500x. They’re solid mid sized bikes in a parrelell twin, upright style, very economical and can be found new for about $5500 and used for about $4k.
The 500 will do 2 up when you’re ready and handle touring as well as commuting.
I’ve ridden several and like them, I almost bought one this spring. I was able to convince myself to keep wrenching on my old beasts for now though (I ride a 71 cb500 and have several other old Hondas in the garage in various states of disrepair).
sn4cktimes
> BobintheMtns
05/17/2016 at 14:32 |
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I’ve got a 350 Husky and couldn’t be happier. Displacement doesn’t always equal fun-factor. I’ve ridden a Duke 390 and it was a very fun bike. Unless you’re going the sport-bike route larger displacement generally equals a heavier bike, and you can definitely feel the difference in weight regardless of having the extra power to push it. My 350 is 244lbs WITH a full tank of gas, it’s like riding a high powered feather in town. The Duke would be a LOT better on the highway than my style of bike while still feeling quite nimble.
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sn4cktimes
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 14:33 |
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I think it’s a great choice if you can get a good price on it.
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BobintheMtns
> sn4cktimes
05/17/2016 at 14:45 |
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I wasn’t saying that there’s a direct correlation between displacement = fun factor, I was merely saying that most small-displacement/first bikes are outgrown... not all, but most. And trading up to a bigger bike is usually pretty simple considering how well motos hold their value.. But that trade-up would be complicated if you’re still paying off your note from your first bike.......
Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 15:03 |
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funny, a bunch of my friends all just got KTM RC390s... I think im going to be the different one, and get either a duke, or a Honda Grom lol
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sn4cktimes
> BobintheMtns
05/17/2016 at 15:05 |
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Oh yeah, sorry if I came off a bit harsh. I was just eluding to the fact not all riders find more displacement to be what they’re looking for. Many, if not most probably do, which is fine. But not all, which is also fine. I’ve ridden a few 600-800's and they’re just not my jam. I personally find light “peppy” bikes more my thing. And the Duke, while not dirt-bike light, is fairly flickable while being quite stable feeling. I think it’d be a great learner bike, would likely hold his interest for a few seasons, and if he goes bigger, he goes bigger. There’s even a couple of bigger Duke’s if he’s really into the KTM feel. If not, it’d still be a great bike to have in the stable for commuting or a quick rip or would hold it’s value pretty decently to sell off.
And as a personal stand-point I never finance “toys”. I saved up for over a year to buy my Husky. A bike up here in Alberta isn’t an all year vehicle so it’s a toy for me. Same with my first bike, a little 250 Hyosung. It was less than $4k CAD during our economic boom. Cash or no dice for toys. But that’s a personal thing after my wife and I dragged our asses out of post-school debt in our 20's. So in terms of the finance vs used I semi agree with your logic. I’d still just go with something smaller for me.
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 15:08 |
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I’m actually a big fan of the RC390
When I sat on the Duke I couldn’t believe how soft the suspension was. I’m a heavy guy at 250lbs so it’s probably not the bikes fault and a set of springs would fix that. But the RC390 felt a lot better from this aspect and I believe they are just about the same price aren’t they?
but just look at it! It’s a thing of beauty.
The only thing you have to keep in mind is cruising RPM. I hear that at 65mph the motor is spinning almost 7,000 rpm. That to me would get real tiring real quick.
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BobintheMtns
> sn4cktimes
05/17/2016 at 15:11 |
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Dood! How dare you! I’m offended! Haha... I think “harsh” is the proper tone for internet forums and I expect it! Lol.... And I do agree with you, light is right, especially with a bike—- I’ll never understand some folks fascination with 800-900lb motorbikes....
Mmmmm
> roflcopter
05/17/2016 at 22:08 |
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I’d buy a used bike since you have no experience on motorcycles. How do you know what you really want? It might become more clear to you after spending 6 months on a bike. Also, a lot of dealers won’t do test rides and I would never buy a bike without test riding it. So, I would make sure you at least test ride it first.