Really want a bike, but...

"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols) 01/03/2015 at 10:48 • Filed to: None

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... in college for one more semester, no motorcycle license, and don't know where to start.

I had a moped for the last few summers to cut down on gas and easier to find parking at the beach and really, not kidding, enjoyed riding it. But I do want something faster (even with the bore kit I was running I would top out around 55), a little safer feeling, and preferably more reliable than the GY6 50cc Chinese motors.

Eventually, I want to get into some off road stuff and maybe even trials bikes. I should be making a decent amount of money fairly quickly out of school (benefits of actuarial stuff), but I will have loans and the likes to payoff. So assuming I'm at least a year and a half from getting something nicer, I was thinking a from would be cool.

But I'm also 6'3" and feel like I need a 150% scale version. Any ideas for something similar new or most likely used in a sub 3k budget that is similar? I like the styling, simplicity, and assumed reliability I just want more of it.

For your time here's what my dream setup would be (albeit uninformed):

I know I'm following the masses, but it really looks like a fun bike.

Trials have always interested me because of the more technical aspect. Unrealistic to try to run one on the road but a cool toy nonetheless.

An enduro bike (not necessarily this KTM) to round things out. If people have some advice for someone trying to get into more off road capable bikes (where to find information, what to look for, riding schools etc.) it would be very appreciated.

And a very basic small truck to haul one or two of them around for longer journeys. Preferably of the V6, manual, 4x4, regular cab, full size bed variety.

At this point I'm not interested in sport bikes or cruisers, mainly because the risk:reward ratio for highway riding doesn't appeal to me (read: scared shitless of being hit by unsuspecting cars).

TL;DR: Any suggestions for a bigger Grom to learn on? Advice on getting into riding and off road riding specifically? What should I realistically spend on a first bike?

Photo credit: GIS

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 11:17

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Doing the motorcycle training to get your license should be easy enough. I started on a ninja 500. It was very reliable but probably not much good off road.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 11:59

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Start with an MSF safe rider course.

The Grom is a fantastic little bike. If you live in a city and don't need to commute on freeways it's an excellent commute tool. Or, if you live somewhere where there are fun backroads that don't require sustained 60 mph to avoid getting killed.

If you want the 150% scale Grom, you're looking at the cb 300f. Also an excellent first bike. You could ride it on the highway if you wanted to.

Decay buys too many beaters > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 12:40

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SV650

Tame enough under 5K RPM for a beginner to feel comfortable on (especially one with riding experience), powerful enough closer to redline to give experienced riders a fun time, relatively light, with a few upgrades it makes a surprisingly capable track bike, and they are extremely cheap (I got my 03 for just over $2K).

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 13:03

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The e-bike made me think of this.

yamahog > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 13:10

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Everyone has offered solid advice on the bike itself, and I'd even throw a Ninja 250 in the ring for a learning bike since they are cheap used and you aren't planning on highway riding. Also, factor in at least $1000 on street gear: helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves as the bare minimum. You can blow tons of money on dedicated offroad stuff, ask me how I know ;)

I'll put this out there, though: it is NOT FUN loading anything heavier than a dirt bike into a truck bed, especially if you don't have a ditch in the yard and a buddy on hand. If your current vehicle has the proper towing capacity, an open utility trailer (with a wide ramp included) capable of hauling any/all of your bikes is probably a better value than a small truck. Also, should anything happen to the street bike that is outside your ability to repair (or leaves it not rolling), you won't kill yourself loading it into the truck or in need of a flat bed.

Patrick Nichols > yamahog 01/03/2015 at 13:37

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Current car is an 08 golf so not exactly tow capable, but the truck would mostly be for the trials bike and maybe a dirt bike if I ever get into it and other general use. Plus I really do hate driving with a trailer, though that could have been because all the previous times were with big trailers and I hated landscaping.

Patrick Nichols > Decay buys too many beaters 01/03/2015 at 13:42

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What's depreciation on lower level bikes like? Are relatively new examples much more affordable than new? Do people get rid of their first bike fairly quickly?

yamahog > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 15:21

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Ah, ok. I've done both trailers and truck beds for dirt bikes and street bikes and I prefer towing. I have a Jeep now for that, but my dad hauled his track bike from NY to Michigan with his Oldsmobile this summer, can't hurt to check what the Golf can tow. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/02/the-gr…

Decay buys too many beaters > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 15:39

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People do, but since there is always a market for small beginner bikes they do not depreciate much (most 250-300s fall within 2-3k regardless of year).

yamahog > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 15:40

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Pretty steep, so yes. You generally want a used bike first so you don't take that hit should you have a change of heart. My current bike was practically brand new (current model year) and a few grand cheaper than MSRP because the first owner was a new rider and no one gave him that "buy used" advice; he tipped it once at low speed, got spooked, and sold it.

bob and john > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 19:39

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look back throuh my posts...you should find some stuff.

big grom? ninja 300/cbr300.

or you can look at a dual sport like a CRF250L

CCtahoe > Patrick Nichols 01/03/2015 at 21:22

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Current jr in college here: take the msf course and since your tall you'll have no problem on supermoto or dual sport. Think of a supermoto as a dirt bike with street bike tires. Both are relatively cheap to fix if they go wrong (which isn't often) and easy to maintain. Also when you do crash it, beacuase everyone does, they are cheap to fix. I've been riding for almost 3 years so I'm not exactly experienced, but this is what I've noticed. I've been on sport bikes and others but they aren't nearly as much fun as the supermoto anyways. Yamaha wr250r's are great but may be a bit out of your price range.Trials aren't really road worthy, while dual-sports and supermotos are so you can ride them to class and such and get more use out of them.

Joel Ness > Patrick Nichols 01/04/2015 at 02:36

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*cough* first gen Suzuki sv650