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05-07-2012, 04:40 PM | #1 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 315018
Join Date: Mar 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SLC, Utah
Vehicle:01 2.5RS & 04 FXT STM/AW |
Motorcycle or wheels/tires?
I have ~1000 right now to do something fun and want opinions. My gray 08 hatch is on the stock steel 16" rims with some pretty beat up hubcaps, but I really want an older motorcycle. I have found a few that I could probably get for 800 or so, but would expect to be around 1100+ for decent new rims and some summer performance-ish tires. I would keep the current rims and tires for winter.
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05-07-2012, 05:13 PM | #2 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 291557
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Utah
Vehicle:2016 WRX Premium 6mt CWP |
get a motorcycle!! i just got one and its a blast. you can't beat it!
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05-07-2012, 05:25 PM | #3 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 277487
Join Date: Mar 2011
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Bozeman, MT and Lakewood, WA
Vehicle:2006 CGM WRX Limited 6sp, 18G, Phatron tuned |
Quote:
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05-07-2012, 05:53 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 245242
Join Date: Apr 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Vehicle:2005 STI E85 Power |
Bike first, wheels later.
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05-07-2012, 06:24 PM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 271383
Join Date: Jan 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Omaha, NE
Vehicle:2012 WRX Sedan WRB |
I say wheels. But I sold my bike to get a nicer car. My car comes first then if I can afford a bike I'll get one.
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05-09-2012, 05:13 PM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 315018
Join Date: Mar 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SLC, Utah
Vehicle:01 2.5RS & 04 FXT STM/AW |
I am picking up an 84 Honda tonight... Wheels to come at a future date.
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05-09-2012, 06:01 PM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 256642
Join Date: Sep 2010
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vermont
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Not a good idea at all.
You're going to dump money into an older bike that to keep it running, and you'll also need gear, to take a BRC, insurance on the bike, etc...chances are you'll need tires for it too. I thought I could get a good deal with the CBR I got for $450. It's looking like about $2,700 including tires, other parts, gear, insurance and BRC before I start riding. Almost there though, and definitely going to be worth it!! |
05-10-2012, 10:20 AM | #8 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 294504
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:2016 STI DGM |
Quote:
Get the bike. |
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05-10-2012, 12:53 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 315018
Join Date: Mar 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SLC, Utah
Vehicle:01 2.5RS & 04 FXT STM/AW |
I do have the bike and it looks like it has been kept very well. It is very clean at least... I am replacing the throttle cable, and the hand brake has a crack in it, so all-in-all, should be like 25 bucks? But it also might need a battery. The guy said he thought it did, but I'm charging up the one on it first before I invest the 70+ for a new one. I did my research and this one seems to be a good find. The guy was moving today, so he was willing to take whatever he could for it and I got it for a good price.
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05-10-2012, 12:57 PM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 315546
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: nova
Vehicle:03 wrx silver |
I think its best to get a bike only when you have a spare car to drive during the daytime. bring the bike out at night when theirs ALOT less drivers on the road. I've seen some nasty accidents happen in person involving bikers during rush hour. You can trust your own skills, but not other peoples driving skills.
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05-10-2012, 01:02 PM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 307177
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: 269
Vehicle:2k4 WRX/WRB |
Wheels.
How about you save that $1k and wait until you have more money to get a newer fuel injected bike that will last longer and you will enjoy more. Whatever bike you're looking at that is under $1000 dollars will do you nothing. |
05-10-2012, 03:25 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178426
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FoCo
Vehicle:2010 S4 Gray |
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05-10-2012, 03:26 PM | #13 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 306478
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: chattanooga, TN
Vehicle:2016 Focus RS stock |
i dont think i would ride a 1,000 motorcycle... unless you bought it then rebuilt it.
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05-10-2012, 03:44 PM | #14 | ||
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 277487
Join Date: Mar 2011
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Bozeman, MT and Lakewood, WA
Vehicle:2006 CGM WRX Limited 6sp, 18G, Phatron tuned |
Quote:
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How do you know he doesn't already have a motorcycle endorsement and knows how to ride? Maybe he already has gear? Either way, the cost of those things are still not going to exceed the cost of new wheels and tires. He's still going to come out ahead. I bought a 2003 Ninja 250 with only 3000 miles for $1000 last summer and didn't have to spend anything on it. Insurance is only $90 a year for comprehensive with a $250 deductible. OP, I think you made the right choice. |
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05-10-2012, 04:30 PM | #15 | |||
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 256642
Join Date: Sep 2010
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vermont
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Quote:
When you replace the chain, you should replace the sprockets as well since they wear together. A new kit of chain and sprockets is about $150. If you do the carb rebuild yourself, it's about $50 for parts, if sent to a shop it'll probably be about $200-$300 depending on the bike. Front tires are about $120, rear are about $150 depending on the tires you get. Now keep in mind, that on a bike such as mine you should change the oil every 1000-1500 miles, which is 2-4 times more often than I change it in my car. Plus all the other maintenance like changing tires every 12-15K miles, and the chain every 15K. That pretty much negates the gas savings right there. Quote:
To get a good new lever should be at least $60, the eBay crap ones have been linked to crashes just so you know. The throttle cable will be about $20 after shipping. You're looking at about $85 with shipping for everything for those two parts just FYI. Test the battery, do it with a multimeter following the specs for your bike, get a Clymer or similar manual for your bike, it'll be really helpful on such an old bike. Quote:
In my area, and a lot of others a proper BRC is about $300. That will get you your license. Insurance is cheap on a 250 obviously, since they have no power. They're maxed out to keep at highway speeds My 600 is $259/year. Pretty good price if you ask around... Gear...any helmet is better than none, but I wouldn't buy one for less than $200...I know my helmet is about $500. You'll want a leather jacket, good riding pants (leather is best obviously), gloves and boots. Expect to spend about $800 minimum for all that, and that's for used jackets and pants. Your 250 for $1,000 is normal, it's a great bike too. I'm sure you're happy with it and next year you'll sell it and get a 600 like most people do. The OP made the wrong choice IMO, I would have kept that money aside just in case something goes wrong with the car, or I need new tires like he does. I'm in no way trying to say "Don't get a motorcycle" because I think they're great fun, but I am saying...don't expect to get into motorcycles for $1,000 because it isn't happening unless your family rides and has gear to give/lend you plus a lot of other factors. Just FYI, something like 80-90% of fatal crashes involve riders who haven't taken the BRC. That should tell you something about how important it is to take it. Good luck with the bike OP, but I don't think now was the right time to buy one. But hopefully it works out, just remember ATGATT! (All the gear, all the time) |
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05-10-2012, 04:35 PM | #16 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 306478
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: chattanooga, TN
Vehicle:2016 Focus RS stock |
after buying a brand new r6 back in 2005 i am a little spoiled... but then after riding a lot i realize that people abuse their bikes, drop them, dont wash and oil chains, or otherwise maintain them like they should. So anything that has changed hands a few times probably isnt one i would ride.
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05-10-2012, 07:05 PM | #17 | |||||
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 315018
Join Date: Mar 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: SLC, Utah
Vehicle:01 2.5RS & 04 FXT STM/AW |
You are assuming a lot, and you are right on some of it. But let me help.
First off, this is my first road bike. I have had MANY fourwheelers and dirtbikes though, including 400ex, Raptor 660, CR 250, CRF 450, and others. I do have a lot of good gear, mostly everything except the leather jacket, which I am taking from a friend who just got a new one. And I don't intend to buy any pants since I am not doing any commuting, and I don't live in the city. I will be using it to drive to work and back 10 miles on small town highway roads. If I am pleased with the bike' reliability, and become a lot more comfortable on it, I may decided to commute to school in the fall when it starts up again, at which point I will look into some pants. Quote:
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So I hope I don't come across as attacking you or overly defensive, but I am just letting everyone know that I did my homework and I know what I am getting in to. This is some very good information and should be a major factor to anyone starting. I was very picky and really think I could not have done much better for the price that I paid on this bike. And I have had warnings from everyone already about wearing the gear all the time and even a threat of divorce from my wife if she even sees me sitting on the bike without my helmet on. I take every one of them seriously and will definitely be careful. Thanks! |
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05-10-2012, 10:10 PM | #18 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 233521
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tucson
Vehicle:2005 wrx sedan darkness |
You will love a bike, but not a $1000 bike.
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05-11-2012, 06:10 AM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 299286
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Upstate NY
Vehicle:2017 Legacy Limited White |
I have owned many older bikes (my first ones were the early 80's Honda V4's and my current bike is now "technically" an older bike, a 1999 ZRX1100. There is nothing wrong with buying a $1,000 bike, any more than there would be in buying an 8 year old WRX instead of a new one -- you get what you can afford.
If you live in a city, a cheaper bike will be less of a target for theft as well. A fuel injected bike is easier to maintain while it works, but not a do it yourself repair if something ****s the bed (certainly not as simple as a carbureted bike is to fix, if you know what you are doing). I would never buy a leather jacket, only because i have one and never choose it over my nylon jackets (one summer vented with armor, the other is gore-tex and 3/4 length also with armor). I had my crash test dummy experience wearing a 'flimsy' joe rocket mesh jacket with armor -- it was still intact and wearable (but had some mean road rash, that I did not have) after a 50+ mph slide down the asphalt. I was also intact, which is why I am posting here. My accident happened because someone else cut me off and entered my lane (while I was in it). Keep in mind other drivers suck and ride accordingly, aka keep the rubber side down. A Carbureted bike needs to be maintained, and occasionally the carbs cleaned, but otherwise will run just as long as a fuel injected bike will. There is nothing extra special about a new bike vs an older bike though over time seals will need to be replaced (for example, the piston in the brake level or the fork seals) but they are not hazardous to ride. If I had the cash and they made the bike I want with ABS I would consider upgrading, but my ZRX is everything I want it to be and I've only had to pull and clean the carbs once in the last 7 years, so it isn't a problem maintenance wise. The argument about gas savings is a bit weak. You spend more on the bike maintenance as far as tires (the don't last long) and all the other little things to maintain plus you have an additional vehicle to buy and insure and gear... So buy it for the fun, justify it by saying it is to save gas, but you aren't going to save much money owning a bike. As far as helmets the top selling helmets in the world are HJC and you can buy a decent helmet for under $150. I would not buy a used helmet, but am aware of testing that showed that the cheaper DOT helmets probably outperform the more expensive Snell in the initial impact tests which correlate more with the actual types of accidents people tend to have. For oil changes everyone thinks they know best. I am lazy and run Shell Rotella-T synthetic 5w-30 and change it annually (I ride under 4,500 miles). My last valve job I inspected my cams and they are amazingly clean with no pitting or excessive wear -- my bike has no issues with oil or lubrication. |
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