Rookie

[Kess]

Hey everyone! My names Amanda, I met several of yall at last night's bike night. Dont have a bike right now but am looking. I found a list on craigslist and would like to hear any opinions yall might have. Also, I am a true rookie, completely new to the bike world and would appreciate any tips anyone has to offer.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/mcy/2505887060.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

owner says he is 2nd owner and bike has never been dropped... says scratches came from bike tipping over in driveway.

[dufremle]

Welcome!

[Grinner]

Welcome Amanda! I wasnt there last nite cause of work but im sure our paths will cross down the road.
On the bike...if u are completely new to riding Im gonna suggest that you pass on that bike and get a 250 ninja or honda for now to learn on and then move up once you get comfortable.

[Blizzard_1708]

or at least a bike that has some cosmetic damage so that you dont feel bad when you drop it, and will probably be able to sell in a year for what you paid for it.

Take it from another girl. I dropped my first bike within 5 minutes of buying it (I was also completely new to motorcycles) and I dropped it a couple more times as well. Mostly driveway drops, and a few low speed drops. The first drop was at a stop light. I was making a right hand turn and let the clutch out too fast. I had been sure to wait for the largest opening in the world since I didnt have any experience, and it was a good thing seeing as how it ended.

After a year and a half of riding, I bought a new bike, and I have dropped that in the driveway as well. Now I have "custom texture" on both sides of the plastics. If you are not over 5 and a half feet tall, you are going to drop it before you learn to balance it well (I actually almost dropped it again last week). So, buy cheap so you can learn on it, and not feel bad about "customizing" it.

[Kess]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am defiantly planning on giving it a "custom paint job"… of course not on purpose, just being pratical. Part of why I'm not too concerned with how it looks, however at the same time dont want to get a junker.

[Dragonfly]

Welcome!

[milesmiles]

Glad to have you on the boards. Hope to see you with a bike soon

[AMcGrew]

Welcome.

[2track]

Welcome !

[DemonDuck]

Glad you made it. You will find plenty of people are all for getting a 250 or something like it for your first bike to learn on. As you already know im not on that same note and think it kinda depends on who it is you are talking about. There is no doubt that a 250 will handle great and if you get it cheap enough ... why not. But then I really think it has to be something you like and I would rather get a bike that im not gonna sell in a year but that is just me. There are arguements that getting a 1000 for a first bike is stupid because of what the 1000 can do and people end up flipping them and stuff like that. Some people should not own a bike at all expecially a sportbike and for those people I agree dont go over a 250. If you can be responsible and control yourself then you will be fine on any size bike. I have seen people on a 250 flip it also but then that is one of those that should have never been on a bike. I watched my brother buy a bike that was smaller because he was scared to get to big of a bike for his first then traded it in 2 months later and got a bigger bike... wasting LOTS of money. That looks like a nice bike and it seems to be a good price to me but im not an expert. Also a 600 is a good size bike that you may never need to move up from. Next thing to do would be to go to familypowersports or something and sit on some different bikes and see what feels good. If that bike feels good and if that is a good price (need other people's input on it because im not sure) then I say go for it and make sure you dont try to do to much all at once. You already know I will help ya in any way I can so just let me know.

[DarcShadow]

A 9 to 10 year old bike in the 600 class is not a bad place to start. You just have to sit on them and see what fits you and feels good. The early 2000 era Kawasaki's were a bit larger and heavier then other 600s of the time and much more so then today's 600s. The 2002 ninja is a pretty comfortable bike, relatively speaking, and I think if you were to get the one in your add, you'd be happy enough with it to keep it for quite awhile. That being said, $3900 seems a bit high for a 9 year old bike. Something that old, I wouldn't spend much more the $2500 on it, if that.

[El Diabro]

welcome to the boards

oh, and I also agree with DS, that's a lot for a 9 year old bike....unless that thing only has 36 miles (and the ad said 12k) you're overpaying big time. Keep looking and actually, if I know my board brother's and sister's we'll be sending you options left and right!!!

here's one:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/mcy/2518946850.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/2523569180.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the 750 may seem like a lot of bike, but like DD said, it depends on you as a rider.....i'd look at the 600 for sure

or here ya go:

http://www.cycletrader.com/Sportbike-Mo ... &zip=76108&" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WillK675]

Welcome to the boards. Good luck in your search.

[sauter0966]

Glad you made it. You will find plenty of people are all for getting a 250 or something like it for your first bike to learn on. As you already know im not on that same note and think it kinda depends on who it is you are talking about. There is no doubt that a 250 will handle great and if you get it cheap enough ... why not. But then I really think it has to be something you like and I would rather get a bike that im not gonna sell in a year but that is just me. There are arguements that getting a 1000 for a first bike is stupid because of what the 1000 can do and people end up flipping them and stuff like that. Some people should not own a bike at all expecially a sportbike and for those people I agree dont go over a 250. If you can be responsible and control yourself then you will be fine on any size bike. I have seen people on a 250 flip it also but then that is one of those that should have never been on a bike. I watched my brother buy a bike that was smaller because he was scared to get to big of a bike for his first then traded it in 2 months later and got a bigger bike... wasting LOTS of money. That looks like a nice bike and it seems to be a good price to me but im not an expert. Also a 600 is a good size bike that you may never need to move up from. Next thing to do would be to go to familypowersports or something and sit on some different bikes and see what feels good. If that bike feels good and if that is a good price (need other people's input on it because im not sure) then I say go for it and make sure you dont try to do to much all at once. You already know I will help ya in any way I can so just let me know.

They didnt have a 50 cc in my size Welcome to the boards Amanda, look forward to seeing you out there! Make sure to continue to come to bike nights and Keep an eye out for moderate/Beginer rides once you get your Ride (Oh and dont forget to name Her

[DemonDuck]

I would like to be the first to congradulate you on your motorcycle purchase. Now we just gotta get you a license and riding on it.

[Rhino]

Now that's just mean DD, what'd she get?

[DemonDuck]

LOL I dont want to ruin her fun.

[Telomere]

Welcome!! Sorry I missed you last bike night. Hopefully, I will get to meet you next bike night.

Now that's just mean DD, what'd she get?

I would like to think that he isn't being mean because she is his friend and he knows that she now has a motorcycle. Of course, he isn't going to tell us because she should have the fun telling us or better yet, showing up at bike night on her new wheels

[DemonDuck]

Right you are ma'am. I was trying to be a lil mean and build a little tension but then who wouldnt do the same thing?

[Kess]

Thanks for all the advise. I ended up getting a '06 Katana for 1800 with about 5300 miles on it. No pictures yet but will post when I do.

[milesmiles]

Awesome, congrats! ,but yea pics or it didn't happen

[Telomere]

Awesome, congrats! ,but yea pics or it didn't happen

I say bring it to bike night screw the pics because then you get to see it in person and feel it.

[Dragonfly]

Congrats!
Do you have gear? Helmet, jacket, gloves?

[Kess]

Unfortunately not sure when I will be able to attend another bike night due to work.

Yes already bought a helmet, jacket and gloves so I could get a feel for riding, see if it was gonna be something I was really going to enjoy.

[Telomere]

Unfortunately not sure when I will be able to attend another bike night due to work.

Yes already bought a helmet, jacket and gloves so I could get a feel for riding, see if it was gonna be something I was really going to enjoy.

Just use it to get started and then move to something you really want...even if it takes you a few years to get the love of your life I hope you have fun riding her.