Any recommendations on a first bike?

Question

I am going to be selling my car and buying a motorcycle soon because I am going to be pre occupied with the Marine Corps and only have a small area of storage back home. Ive had my license since april yet I havent had a bike. I know I can easily handle around a 650 because I rode one around for hours a couple days ago. My eye as really been on naked bikes. 2 bikes I have been looking at are the SV650 and GS500. If there are any bikes around the 500-600cc range that I could get without spending an arm and a leg I would love to hear. I could put down about $4,000 and I plan on shooting for a used bike.

Answer 1

Check out craigslist. People are upgrading their bikes all the time and selling their old one. You are bound to find one. Go to the site and click on your state.

Most of the bikes are still new. Some people upgrade their bikes like people upgrade phones...

I'm a newbie too but I'm a lightweight so I have a Ninja 250. You practiced on a 650 so you can handle more power.

Those labels sound like dirt bikes. Honda has good ones (I think). If in doubt, go to a bike shop and test them out, write down what you like and find it on craigslist. You will def get a deal!

Answer 2

I love the SV and you could get a nice used one for $4000. Here are a couple examples...

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/...

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/...

Answer 3

1. Good call staying away from bigger, faster bikes, you will appreciate them more for building experience on 500s/600 nakeds.

2. I learned on the GS500. It was a traditional, 1970s style naked conventional bike, altho' I was riding it in 2002. Despite the makeover, I think the design is pretty old hat, although I could be wrong. I think the SV650 counts as a much more sporty, modern bike. I don't think you would go far wrong here - everyone who I have spoken to loves them, from people who have just started riding to a guy I met riding some canyon roads near LA who was plain the fastest guy I have ever ridden with.

3. For that money couldn't you look at Ducati Monsters ? If I was looking at nakeds, that's what I would look at. You might also want to consider Suzuki Bandits. They do those in as 1200s - bigger and heavier, but a similar kind of riding experience, and in parts of europe these are the really big selling nakeds

Answer 4

hd softail rocker custom.... one tough looking machine