Need some advice

rdietz87 · 09-02-2008

I am a new rider having just taken the MSF course last week and passed with flying colors. I never rode a bike before taking the course and I only got a point off while doing u-turns ( front tire went about 5 inches outside of boundary). I am very anxious to get a new bike so i need some help. I know someone who is selling a 2003 250r for 1400 but it needs rear brakes and a front tire. I wanna know if i should get this bike and ride it until the weather permits and then get a new one next year or should I just get a newer bike next year. I want to get a 650r brand new next year. Any advice would be appreciated.

A2rider · 09-02-2008

That's a really good price. Buy the bike, you'll be able to sell it next year for almost what you paid for it, then get the 650.

Musgofasa · 09-02-2008

Have to agree,

That way you get some good riding in before the weather gets too bad. Plus you get some miles in on a really easy bike. You may choose a different bike after riding the 250 for a while and in the meantime, you aren't really out anything as you can sell it easily for what you put in it.

Tire and brakes together probably won't be more than $100? Does that sound right?

take care,
Robert

dwayneb236 · 09-03-2008

For a first bike, I'd go used.. Sounds like a good deal as long as the tire and brakes are fixed..

jbsmd · 09-04-2008

Looks like you're do it the right way. Good price, nice little practice bike, 650 will be a good next step.

Charlie Gary · 09-04-2008

Get the 250! Ride it once you get the tire and brakes sorted out, and you may just fall in love with it. You may decide to leave the 650s to others. You may decide to keep it AND get a 650.

kbroderick · 09-04-2008

Front tire should be just over $100 mounted (get a good one, not a K630), and the rear brake would depend on what exactly is wrong, but you could do new pads and a new stainless steel line for about $100 if you do the work yourself, and I'd expect it to be not more than 2 hrs if you have a mechanic do it.

RobotRider · 09-04-2008

The consensus seems to be to get it as a starter bike. The only thing that i wonder about is that in its current condition you cannot ride it before you buy it. It could have issues that won't show up without a spin around the block.

kbroderick · 09-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobotRider

The consensus seems to be to get it as a starter bike. The only thing that i wonder about is that in its current condition you cannot ride it before you buy it. It could have issues that won't show up without a spin around the block.

Depends on the definition of "needs", although it would probably be better to have a trusted third party with more riding experience do a test ride (they'd be better able to separate out known issues)...if it's just low on tread on the front and in need of a new set of rear pads, it should be perfectly fine to take it for a spin around the block.

airforce1 · 09-04-2008

I'd think that if it needed a rear brake and a front tire so bad that you couldn't ride it before you buy it I would want to have the seller spruce it up enough for a test ride, if only in a parking lot. I'd jack up the rear wheel and run it through the gears.

Ya gotta love most of the guys on this forum, they mostly subscribe to:
"Why would you wait until tomorrow when you could ride today!"
Let the pleasure begin.
+10 with RobotRider - check it out.
If it's decent, the price is right.
Then grab it and enjoy.
Back to us with the result, ok?

moodygne · 09-04-2008

You are not buying a bike to mess up. If you passed the course you know how to ride.The more you ride the better you will get . Just don't get to the point you think you can't mess up.That is when things go bad. I have been riding 56yr I am still sure something can go wrong.Get the new bike and be very carefull. Please be safe

wild_deuce03 · 09-06-2008

I'm in the minority. I bought new because I didn't want to "waste" money on something I wouldn't want to ride for long. I say buy something that you will want to ride for awhile. If money isn't an issue for you than go ahead and get the used one. Either way, be safe.

messer00 · 09-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Looks like you're do it the right way. Good price, nice little practice bike, 650 will be a good next step.

+1

Saleenguy · 09-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by A2rider

That's a really good price. Buy the bike, you'll be able to sell it next year for almost what you paid for it, then get the 650.

Smart lady , listen to her.

09-02-2008	#1 (permalink)
rdietz87 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	Need some advice I am a new rider having just taken the MSF course last week and passed with flying colors. I never rode a bike before taking the course and I only got a point off while doing u-turns ( front tire went about 5 inches outside of boundary). I am very anxious to get a new bike so i need some help. I know someone who is selling a 2003 250r for 1400 but it needs rear brakes and a front tire. I wanna know if i should get this bike and ride it until the weather permits and then get a new one next year or should I just get a newer bike next year. I want to get a 650r brand new next year. Any advice would be appreciated.

09-02-2008	#3 (permalink)
Musgofasa '08 ZX10R BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Spartanburg SC Posts: 450	Have to agree, That way you get some good riding in before the weather gets too bad. Plus you get some miles in on a really easy bike. You may choose a different bike after riding the 250 for a while and in the meantime, you aren't really out anything as you can sell it easily for what you put in it. Tire and brakes together probably won't be more than $100? Does that sound right? take care, Robert __________________ Do not operate in closed in spaces or on small islands

09-03-2008	#4 (permalink)
dwayneb236 Go Cowboys BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Benbrook, Texas Posts: 516	For a first bike, I'd go used.. Sounds like a good deal as long as the tire and brakes are fixed.. __________________ Stranger things have happened '06 Vulcan 900 Classic Last edited by dwayneb236 : 09-04-2008 at 10:41 AM. Reason: I'm a moron who can't spell

09-04-2008	#5 (permalink)
jbsmd nu2kawi Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 2,212	Looks like you're do it the right way. Good price, nice little practice bike, 650 will be a good next step. __________________ 07, Z1000 01, XVS1100LC Yam cust.

09-04-2008	#6 (permalink)
Charlie Gary Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: May 2007 Location: Near Seattle Posts: 613	Get the 250! Ride it once you get the tire and brakes sorted out, and you may just fall in love with it. You may decide to leave the 650s to others. You may decide to keep it AND get a 650. __________________ Later, Charlie ----------------------------------------- I like women plain, not battered.

09-02-2008	#2 (permalink)
A2rider Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: KCK Posts: 19,729	That's a really good price. Buy the bike, you'll be able to sell it next year for almost what you paid for it, then get the 650.

09-04-2008	#7 (permalink)
kbroderick Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 114	Front tire should be just over $100 mounted (get a good one, not a K630), and the rear brake would depend on what exactly is wrong, but you could do new pads and a new stainless steel line for about $100 if you do the work yourself, and I'd expect it to be not more than 2 hrs if you have a mechanic do it.

09-04-2008	#8 (permalink)
RobotRider Gotta Ride! BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 59	The consensus seems to be to get it as a starter bike. The only thing that i wonder about is that in its current condition you cannot ride it before you buy it. It could have issues that won't show up without a spin around the block.

09-04-2008	#10 (permalink)
airforce1 BUBF BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 1,251	I'd think that if it needed a rear brake and a front tire so bad that you couldn't ride it before you buy it I would want to have the seller spruce it up enough for a test ride, if only in a parking lot. I'd jack up the rear wheel and run it through the gears. Ya gotta love most of the guys on this forum, they mostly subscribe to: "Why would you wait until tomorrow when you could ride today!" Let the pleasure begin. +10 with RobotRider - check it out. If it's decent, the price is right. Then grab it and enjoy. Back to us with the result, ok?

09-04-2008	#11 (permalink)
moodygne Thankfull Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pa.The state of confusion Posts: 313	You are not buying a bike to mess up. If you passed the course you know how to ride.The more you ride the better you will get . Just don't get to the point you think you can't mess up.That is when things go bad. I have been riding 56yr I am still sure something can go wrong.Get the new bike and be very carefull. Please be safe

09-06-2008	#12 (permalink)
wild_deuce03 Uggh! And down goes Quinn BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Center of the Universe, better known as Ft. Bragg Posts: 2,087	I'm in the minority. I bought new because I didn't want to "waste" money on something I wouldn't want to ride for long. I say buy something that you will want to ride for awhile. If money isn't an issue for you than go ahead and get the used one. Either way, be safe. __________________ Ryan Mean Cycles Gallery 2008 Black Vulcan 900 Classic

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