Toying with the idea of getting a bike

[Dallas4u]

There definitely aren't many bikes good for beginners being import into the US. Over in Europe, they LOVE anything below a 650... there are TONS of options. The thing is, begineer bikes sell like MAD over here. So, don't think about having a problem selling whatever you buy when you are ready for your next bike... it is almost guaranteed to sell, and at a decent price as well.

The Ninja 250 and 500 are also (one of, if not THE) best selling beginner bikes out there. They are kinda hard to come by, so if you find one, and decide you want it, jump on it! Also, if you like the look of the naken SV650, you may consider the Suzuki GS500. Power that won't get you into too much trouble, naked styling, and you can find them pretty cheap.

Good luck, and keep us updated!

[Heraclid]

Yeah, lots of guys have said turning around and selling your first bike for what you paid for it a year earlier is no sweat. I'm not a big fan of the naked bikes, but if it saves on insurance and repair costs, I'd be game. And the SV650S is decent-looking with the added sporty front end that the SV650 lacks. The GS500 has a little more dressing, too. Here's a little something I read that explains why I'm so much more into the Ninja than the GS500...

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval...comparo07a.pdf

[xdfarrx]

I would get an R6 or cbr600.
The bottom line is with bikes if you have the dough to graduate into different bikes then cool. For me with my work I live feast of famine. I try to buy with vision for were I am progressing and evolving not only in taste but in ability.

I have 150 rwhp R1... I don't do wheelies unless power ones, never a stoppie, and take the *shame on you**shame on you**shame on you**shame on you* dead serious.

There isn't really a bike out there the avg rider can push to its limits. Look at AMA superstock times vs Superbike. Factory bone stock machines are very potent.

An 80 rwhp motorcycle is just as dangerous IMO as a 150, with the difference being that one will attach itself to your ego faster then the other; being you can get into trouble faster by virtue of the bigger hp.

Your throttle hand and clutch hand control the inputs, but it is you mind, awareness, and most importantly your ego that 'drives' a bike. It is failure to control the fore mentioned which often puts fools in the hospital and in the ground.

If you have yourself in check, you could buy a GSX-R 1k and ride it no worries... My first bike was a full liter bike. Ironically it was a 600 that I first went down on due to later discovered Glycol on the road.

It fundamentally doesn't matter, **** around and you will get landed on your SV or gixxer-

You sound clued in.... follow your bliss, and then as the saying goes, don't ride faster then you guardian angel can follow you-

good luck


PS
Any person that says they bought a new bike and even pre owned bike and flips it for the same is not common and I think they are full of *shame on you**shame on you**shame on you**shame on you*. I ride em, bought em, and sell em.... maybe out here in Cali the buyer is a little more savvy but be careful assuming youll recoup the same money out as put in I don't think is sensible.
To the defense of the Kawi 250's and 500's those are beginner bikes- They haven't had any updates to the bikes since almost being released and are frequently available...
I would go to the WERA forum if you want a SV... many on there as well as aftermarket parts, engines, wheels etc...

[shoota77]

It's actually fairly common for the Ninja 250/500 to get turned around for close to if not the same price one bought it for. Like Dallas said, they are kind of hard to come by because they are "the best" beginner bike out there. And like xdfarrx stated the design hasn't changed in 15 years, so it really doesn't make sense to buy one of these new...mine was a '95 with some sweet purple rims.

[Heraclid]

Hey Dallas, I PM'd ya back - sorry if you get duplicates.