Best Place to Buy Bikes?

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:37 • Filed to: None

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Also talk me out of buying one, because I’m going to kill myself on it somehow. Maybe if I just don’t take it on the interstate...

Looking for as close as I can get to the above image.

MonkeePuzzle > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:42

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criagslist, search for “wife making me sell” to find low mile examples. 

bob and john > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:43

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dude. I am so twitching to explain why that above is such a bad idea....

CalzoneGolem > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:43

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I like that they didn’t clean the gutter before taking this picture.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:46

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In my area at least Facebook has way more listings than craigslist and the local classifieds combined

bob and john > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:47

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actually, this is going to bug me if I dont.

classic cafe racers. The article that I became known for : https://peterblacksvwrangler.kinja.com/why-a-cafe-racer-makes-a-terrible-first-bike-1688355535?_ga=2.210330965.1505794825.1596027504-1519043807.1578433416

this particular one is a modded BMW K100. a 1000cc, flying brick of a bike.

To start with, maybe a suzuki TU-250X  would be the closest. 

DipodomysDeserti > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:52

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The interstate is probably the safest place to ride a bike. I’m selling one of mine on CL.

jminer > bob and john 07/31/2020 at 11:53

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This is very right - buy a smaller bike or scooter as your first bike.  Dual sport bikes are excellent bikes to learn on.

kleeBRZ > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:55

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I got one and still keep off the highways. hard to resist though... and riding past intersections and driveways have risks of their own... but I figure if I don’t compromise on safety gear, and I’m selective about riding when it’s not busy, this can be a hobby I enjoy.

Maybe pick a reliable modern bike that’s ready to ride whenever you feel the urge.

I started on a triumph thruxton for the style and modern convenience.  but I should have sacrificed some style and gone with an SV650 or an old speed triple for rideability.

Manny05x > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 11:56

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Facebook marketplace.

KSUENGINEER > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 12:17

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Have you taken the MSF course yet? If not, I would take one ASAP before buying a motorcycle. If passed a $200 course is a good way to earn a license without spending a lot of money on a motorcycle. It’s also a great place to learn if you like riding or not. If you pass and love it, then start shopping.

Peter N+1 is correct with not buying a “custom/modded” cafe for a first bike. I made that mistake and spent more time working on it rather than riding/improving my skills. An R3, Ninja 400, RC390 will start every time, handle great, tons of fun, and around the prices that some people are asking for a cafe racer. Those bikes are great commuters, can do interstate speeds , and are amazing for track days.

dumpsterfire! > DipodomysDeserti 07/31/2020 at 12:22

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Seconded! Oncoming cars not turning left in front of you, "I didn't even see him"

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 12:25

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Don’t buy an old carb modified bike as your first bike. Get a modern twin like the R3 or Ninja 400, or if you really want the vintage look maybe try to find a used Royal Enfield INT650

fintail > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 12:26

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I’d be much more worried about local state and county roads - you’ll be turned left in front of more than you might imagine. I bet 12 heading out to Naches/White Pass is especially fun for that.

Is that puddle from the bike? 

bob and john > kleeBRZ 07/31/2020 at 12:32

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highways are the safete st place for a bike...

no intersections.
no driveways
no peds
no kids running out
no one turning left in front of you
no parked cars on the side of the road
no one doing random u-turns
everyone is going in the same direction
road is generally in better condition. 

dogisbadob > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 12:39

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txpowersports?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > bob and john 07/31/2020 at 13:09

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...but it looks sooooo cool!

bob and john > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 13:14

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you look less cool in a cast laid up on a hospital bed.

listen to the article and understand why. I’m not saying dont build up to it. But this is like giving a 16 year old an old mustang as a first car. cool yes. at the expense of a LOT. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 13:29

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Maybe you won’t shoot your eye out, but you’ll definitely be flirting with road rash and broken bones.

As others have said, take the MSF course, get a beginner’s bike, and build up your skills before buying a cafe racer. Motorcycles are unforgiving.

Longtime Lurker > bob and john 07/31/2020 at 14:55

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Highways are the safest for a bike, but reading that list makes it clear you've never been on a Saskatchewan highway.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 15:13

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I had this same “I’ll kill myself” through my teens. I waited until I was late 20’s and are less inclined to push myself (I do push the bike but it’s been a few years now).

If you’re young, have a frame under 6’ 200lb and think you’re going to be stupid then stick to a 300cc for a season or 2 . It’s about as quick as a Honda Accord, so it’ll move, just not quicker than your brain is used to.

The highway (out of a jam) is actually the safest place. Velocity does scare new riders but the actual pavement itself is relatively straight and wide with less hazards than urban . When route planning with the moto you should try to avoid intersections as much as possible for safe riding.

Yeah I sort of agree not to go with a very custom bike for a first bike. Typical mods are okay but you’ll want to bring someone who knows bikes to inspect it (my buddy didn’t and had nothing but issues with a beat up Kawi 250). Many of the small newer bikes have ABS, which is a god send for newer riders that may stab the front brake in panic   and wash the front out (gg no re).

I’d maybe go Honda CB300R or Husqva rna 401 if you like that style? They’re not custom bobber but neo retro. They are small cc single cyl and have abs available . The Husqy is on the expensive side though. I’d look for used or new old stock. More towards NOS  for the Husqy because they’ve had to whack some money off of them to move.

bob and john > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/31/2020 at 15:18

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when JAKE ells you to avoid something, you do DAM well to listen lol

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > bob and john 07/31/2020 at 15:20

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I know what to do and what not to do. I choose not to listen to my own good advice.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 15:21

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My modified Ninja 300 is actually pretty similar to that picture minus the seat, lol

bob and john > Longtime Lurker 07/31/2020 at 17:58

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hot take: Sask doesnt have any actual highways. 

rockingthe2 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 19:47

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Weirdly, FB marketplace. Craigslist is now charging for listings. I havent checked letgo but that may be another place. I just find a lot on facebook. 

bshappy > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 07/31/2020 at 22:03

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I’ll go against the grain and give you a “talk me out of buying one” post.

I wanted a bike. I took the MSF course. I got my license. I was committed to ATGATT. And I never bought a bike.

I was hit head on by an old man in a pickup truck while stopped at a stop sign at a T in the road where a side street intersects a larger local road. I don’t know how this absolute moron did it but he made a sharp left turn and ran right into me doing 18k worth of damage to my 911. It was so unbelievable that I didn’t think he would actually hit me until it was over. At that point I realized that there is no depth to the stupidity of drivers. You can do everything right and it doesn ’t matter. Bikes are awesome, I get it, I really do. And sometimes I start looking at CL and the like but at this point in my life I just can’t pull the trigger.

I won’t even say don’t get one but go in with both eyes open.