DFW Sonic owners with motorcycle experience - I may need your help.

[ahtoxa]

Hey guys - need some help if you're in the DFW area, have a motorcycle license and know basic motorcycle mechanics.


So, I'm doing my endorsement this weekend and soon after I'll be buying my first bike. I'm shooting to buy this winter - not exactly sure on the exact dates.

I want to buy from a private party and I'll probably be spending around $3,000.

I need someone to go with me who knows what to look for in a used bike - someone who can ride it and alert me to potential mechanical issues. I know my way around a car, but bikes is a new world to me. I've barely even sat on one.

Additionally, I may need this person to ride the bike back to my house. I can practice from there; main priority is having a second pair of eyes that know what to look for in a used bike.

If you're willing, I'll buy you lunch and a couple of beers.

 

[Sonicnw]

Hey guys - need some help if you're in the DFW area, have a motorcycle license and know basic motorcycle mechanics.


So, I'm doing my endorsement this weekend and soon after I'll be buying my first bike. I'm shooting to buy this winter - not exactly sure on the exact dates.

I want to buy from a private party and I'll probably be spending around $3,000.

I need someone to go with me who knows what to look for in a used bike - someone who can ride it and alert me to potential mechanical issues. I know my way around a car, but bikes is a new world to me. I've barely even sat on one.

Additionally, I may need this person to ride the bike back to my house. I can practice from there; main priority is having a second pair of eyes that know what to look for in a used bike.

If you're willing, I'll buy you lunch and a couple of beers.

not in your area but here are my recommendations. you learning to ride so get a bike at or under 500 to 750 cc depending on your size.
points to know, remember or look for.
1. make sure the bike fits you. don't go for looks, sounds, accessories. you need this bike to be comfortable at your level of experience. too big a bike will overwhelm you.
2. practice in your neighborhood. stop, start, stop start. start and turn stop start and turn. back up. etc. all slow speed skills you can learn. anyone can go fast down a road and straight.. muscle memory for where everything is is very important.
3. even when not riding. pretend you are when in the car. what would you have done when that car pulled out in front of your car if you were on a bike. did you have an escape route. were you looking for him or did he surprise you.
4. had good luck with Hondas and no more than 10 years old as parts become real hard to find for metric bikes. NO you don't need a Harley yet.
5. check tires. are they old? weather checked and cracked on sidewalls by the rim or tread
6. service record. if buying from a private owner. condition of there vehicles, yard house is a good indicator of how they take care of there vehicles.
7. fuel injected over carb if possible
8. least modifications to the bike you can find IE> carb, exhaust handlebars. you need to learn, not look and sound cool on the first bike, also least problems with unmodified bikes.
9. shaft drive over chain to rear tire. lower maintenance
10. look at oil. tires, maintenance items on the bike, when was coolant changed if water cooled bike., if cold out side and water cooled make sure coolant is good for cold weather.
11. signs of damage or replaced parts. example. damaged or replaced. grips, mirrors, clutch brake handles. exhaust pipes. shift and clutch levers, signals etc, if the bike was to have been laid down on its side whatever can touch the ground should be looked at for damage or replacement parts. or run into head on as in front forks rim. etc
12. find one that has been stored inside, not in the weather.

good luck, just some pointers. and don't go ride with others and try to keep up with them. cornering kills more new riders when they try to keep up with there friends who have been riding for awhile. no passengers, learn learn learn, oh and don't ride in the middle of the lane, its the grease strip . it will be slick.
good luck.

 

[cndctrdj]

If you are really looking for short money bike and want something easy to learn and won't lose money on check out the Honda 250. About 3k new and you can sell it for 2800 when you want to move up

 

[ahtoxa]

If you are really looking for short money bike and want something easy to learn and won't lose money on check out the Honda 250. About 3k new and you can sell it for 2800 when you want to move up

A 250cc bike is out of the question. On my commute I have to be able to hit 70 mph on it.

That, and I'm 6'7" and over 200 lbs. Imagine me riding a 250cc bike on the street....


Thank you all for the advice! I have been reading up on that and have my theory well down pat, but we all know that the best laid plans go out the window as soon as the first round is fired.

Still looking to see if a kind DFW member can help a fellow out. I can be quite flexible on the actual date this happens, and will work around your schedule, of course.

 

[ChrisJ]

A 250cc bike is out of the question. On my commute I have to be able to hit 70 mph on it.

That, and I'm 6'7" and over 200 lbs. Imagine me riding a 250cc bike on the street....


Thank you all for the advice! I have been reading up on that and have my theory well down pat, but we all know that the best laid plans go out the window as soon as the first round is fired.

Still looking to see if a kind DFW member can help a fellow out. I can be quite flexible on the actual date this happens, and will work around your schedule, of course.

Perhaps the point was you shouldn't be going 70mph yet?

Buy a 250, ride it until you get a decent amount of experience and then buy a bigger bike. Honestly you have no business being on a larger bike if you are new to riding. This isn't like driving a fast car where you can easily just not put your foot in it. Larger bikes are obviously heavier and depending on the bike the throttle can be very twitchy. While it wasn't a street bike my modified Raptor 660 always felt like it wanted to kill you.

Or, end up dead. Your choice.

 

[ahtoxa]

Perhaps the point was you shouldn't be going 70mph yet?

Buy a 250, ride it until you get a decent amount of experience and then buy a bigger bike. Honestly you have no business being on a larger bike if you are new to riding. This isn't like driving a fast car where you can easily just not put your foot in it. Larger bikes are obviously heavier and depending on the bike the throttle can be very twitchy. While it wasn't a street bike my modified Raptor 660 always felt like it wanted to kill you.

Or, end up dead. Your choice.

That's probably one of the most and one of the very few ignorant and arrogant posts I've seen from you.

If you'd read my post, I never implied or stated I'd be doing 70 mph anywhere in the beginning. In fact, I stated that I'll likely need to person to ride the bike back home for me. Not because I couldn't, but because I'd prefer to start out in a more controlled environment and at a slower pace. I do need the bike to hit 70 mph on my commute eventually, yes, but there's nothing wrong starting out on a larger bike.

Your concern with a new rider's skill is valid, but the closed-minded presentation of your point is not what this thread is about. Opinions of seasoned riders and certified moto instructors differs from that of yours.

 

[ChrisJ]

That's probably one of the most and one of the very few ignorant and arrogant posts I've seen from you.

If you'd read my post, I never implied or stated I'd be doing 70 mph anywhere in the beginning. In fact, I stated that I'll likely need to person to ride the bike back home for me. Not because I couldn't, but because I'd prefer to start out in a more controlled environment and at a slower pace. I do need the bike to hit 70 mph on my commute eventually, yes, but there's nothing wrong starting out on a larger bike.

Your concern with a new rider's skill is valid, but the closed-minded presentation of your point is not what this thread is about. Opinions of seasoned riders and certified moto instructors differs from that of yours.

Ok.
I'm not changing what I said, I stand behind it.

Be aware, though once again it wasn't a street bike I started riding a DS80 in 1987 and I was clocked doing 50mph several times. I've done around 100MPH quite a few times on an ATV that ran mid 12's in the 1/4 mile.

Whether or not you considered me "seasoned" is up to you.


Be safe.

 

[ahtoxa]

I think that if I got a motorcycle in my teens, I'd probably do a lot of stupid stuff on it. Luckily, I'm far away from my teens.

I fully realize the risks, but I am also aware of what needs to be done to reduce those risks as much as possible, which is the reason I went to take these classes to begin with. With enough luck, patience, experience and common sense, I'll be just fine.

 

[ChrisJ]

I think that if I got a motorcycle in my teens, I'd probably do a lot of stupid stuff on it. Luckily, I'm far away from my teens.

I fully realize the risks, but I am also aware of what needs to be done to reduce those risks as much as possible, which is the reason I went to take these classes to begin with. With enough luck, patience, experience and common sense, I'll be just fine.

Luck should never even enter into it.

 

[ahtoxa]

Luck should never even enter into it.

Oh come on, don't tell me that that you're that oblivious to the real world.

While the vast majority of accidents of all kinds are completely avoidable, and arguably aren't even accidents but negligence, there are circumstances beyond control, that cannot be reasonably anticipated.

For example, reading some accident threads on advrider, there was a guy that got knocked off his bike by a buzzard. The bird flew from an angle high enough and late enough that it was not seen at any time time before it hit him (or rather he hit the bird).

Sometimes, there's nothing you can do aside from not riding. Those are the risks that cannot be fully mitigated, so avoiding those can involve some 'luck'. If there wasn't some 'luck' - whatever your definition of that is - then we'd be able to mitigate all risks in every application. It is not possible, even when you take the human element out of the equation.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

New riders have a horrible accident rate and I think that's where comments are coming from. A kid in my HS borrowed a bike and just going around the hit a telephone pole killing himself. We had 5 mc in my dad's garage growing up have ridden since I was able to hold one up. Here in Houston we average about 1 mc guy buying the farm about every other day, many self-inflicted single vehicle accidents. We're trying to keep you alive, relax.

Sport bikes compress time and space, making decisions have to fit in a very narrow window at speed. You feel like you are a better rider than you are. Most riders go off turns not because they run out of cornering clearance or lowside, but because they don't have skills to really lean them over and knowledge of countersteering to make the bike get over fast at speed to offset the gyroscopic forces.

I honestly suggest a v twin cruiser of 500-800cc for a wide and predictable powerband. ABS brakes are a big help and are on newer bikes. I'd really prefer an enduro bike where you can go on dirt and practice skidding and falling over outside of the public roads. You maybe a coordinated athlete with quick learning...but most people are not. A dirt bike won't get damaged from falling over as easily.

You should REALLY do the MSF beginning rider course. Its a dangerous, but fun world on a bike, you need to be prepared.

Other advice, ride like you are invisible, as you are to many motorists and use caution overtaking cars like ones in a turn line as expect one to pull out to pass, expect cars to turn left in front of you. Expect the worst. And get riding gear and best helmet available.

 

[ahtoxa]

New riders have a horrible accident rate and I think that's where comments are coming from.

No doubt. I'm not underestimating that.

I honestly suggest a v twin cruiser of 500-800cc for a wide and predictable powerband. ABS brakes are a big help and are on newer bikes. I'd really prefer an enduro bike where you can go on dirt and practice skidding and falling over outside of the public roads. You maybe a coordinated athlete with quick learning...but most people are not. A dirt bike won't get damaged from falling over as easily.

Yeah, I never planned on a sportbike. I can't even fit on one at my height. KLR 650 is my main choice now. There's another thread I've started a while back on here about specific bikes I was looking at. 650cc enduro is the class I'm exclusively considering.

You should REALLY do the MSF beginning rider course. Its a dangerous, but fun world on a bike, you need to be prepared.

Yes, that's already done. I fully agree that the course was necessary.

Other advice, ride like you are invisible, as you are to many motorists and use caution overtaking cars like ones in a turn line as expect one to pull out to pass, expect cars to turn left in front of you. Expect the worst. And get riding gear and best helmet available.

Yes, of course. I fully agree.


I appreciate the advice - I've been reading all sorts of great and knowledgeable advice for new riders from all over the web and attempting to ingrain that into my head.

I've also started driving my car as if I'm driving a bike, in order to prepare. This means that I'm scanning even more than I usually do, I'm even more careful not to be in blind spots, more adamant on making sure I'm not between a car and a highway exit, making sure I'm even more at attention when getting through intersections - etc.

 

[CheapFuneral]

I know you already found a bike, but I disagree with most common thoughts that one should start on a smaller bike. How many people buy a geo metro as their first car? Probably the same as people who buy a camaro. The idea of wasting money on a bike is crazy. You buy the bike you want, then you learn to ride YOUR bike. I've ridden a ninja 250, a zx7r, Honda cbr600rr and cbr1000. Every time you change bikes you have to relearn how to ride. I've also ridden crushers and dirt/endro bikes. My first street bike was a 2001 zx7r and I was stupid, but I was also a kid at the time. If I started riding now rather than then I would get the same bike, just not try to see how fast it goes

Sorry for the rant, but yeah.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[ChrisJ]

I know you already found a bike, but I disagree with most common thoughts that one should start on a smaller bike. How many people buy a geo metro as their first car? Probably the same as people who buy a camaro. The idea of wasting money on a bike is crazy. You buy the bike you want, then you learn to ride YOUR bike. I've ridden a ninja 250, a zx7r, Honda cbr600rr and cbr1000. Every time you change bikes you have to relearn how to ride. I've also ridden crushers and dirt/endro bikes. My first street bike was a 2001 zx7r and I was stupid, but I was also a kid at the time. If I started riding now rather than then I would get the same bike, just not try to see how fast it goes ��

Sorry for the rant, but yeah.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

That has to be one of the dumbest comparisons I've ever seen.
It's more like buying a 100-200HP car as your first one vs a 400-600HP car. Not only that, you don't have to hold up your car with your leg anytime you stop as well as take weight into consideration other times.

How many young drivers have serious, often fatal accidents driving a very fast car?


Yeah, sorry, really dumb comparison.

 

[mitdr774]

My first bike is a small, low power, somewhat not heavy bike. Makes sense to me. Also, we basically drive what amounts to a modern day Metro as far as where the car falls in the GM line up. Its slotted below the Cruze and if we go back to when the Metro was in production the Cavalier (what the Cruze ultimately replaces) was just above the Metro.

 

[CheapFuneral]

If you have to hold the weight of your bike when you stop... Your not doing it right. Most of the things that can get you killed on a 250 will also kill you on a larger bike. With sport bikes yeah there is a lot more power that demands respect, but if you know that then you will be fine. Same thing with a 400-600hp car. And yeah, kids die in fast cars for being stupid but they also die in Honda civics and pick up trucks for also being stupid. Comparing a 100hp car to a 400hp car is very similar to a metro to a Camaro... The old 3cylinder ones were probably 75hp to the crank

Anyway weight makes no difference when your learning as long as you can pick up the bike by yourself, so don't get a 1000pound Harley. The reason I say it makes no difference is because in 2 months when your over the 250 you will have to learn to ride with that weight anyway. Unless your learning to ride and never rode a bicycle before you will be fine.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[ChrisJ]

If you have to hold the weight of your bike when you stop... Your not doing it right. Most of the things that can get you killed on a 250 will also kill you on a larger bike. With sport bikes yeah there is a lot more power that demands respect, but if you know that then you will be fine. Same thing with a 400-600hp car. And yeah, kids die in fast cars for being stupid but they also die in Honda civics and pick up trucks for also being stupid. Comparing a 100hp car to a 400hp car is very similar to a metro to a Camaro... The old 3cylinder ones were probably 75hp to the crank

Anyway weight makes no difference when your learning as long as you can pick up the bike by yourself, so don't get a 1000pound Harley. The reason I say it makes no difference is because in 2 months when your over the 250 you will have to learn to ride with that weight anyway. Unless your learning to ride and never rode a bicycle before you will be fine.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

There are many times you may need to old the entire weight of that bike. You can't predict every stop.


There's a reason most people say you should start with a lighter smaller bike and most if not all of them don't end every post with "If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!"

 

[$ub$onic]

I started on a cheap 1982 Yamaha 650 maxim.

It was a lot of fun to drive, wish I still had it.

Then it was a cbr 600 f4i for a couple months before deciding that was the bike that was going to kill me. So I traded my bronco 2 for my 91 sporty I now affectionately call the "ratster"

 

[CheapFuneral]

There are many times you may need to old the entire weight of that bike. You can't predict every stop.





There's a reason most people say you should start with a lighter smaller bike and most if not all of them don't end every post with "If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!"

What does my quote have to do with this? In case you forgot everyone dies. I just happen to love more than one type of Motorsport.

Btw, there should never be a time when you have to "hold the entire weight of your bike" that's the wheels job.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[CheapFuneral]

I started on a cheap 1982 Yamaha 650 maxim.

It was a lot of fun to drive, wish I still had it.

Then it was a cbr 600 f4i for a couple months before deciding that was the bike that was going to kill me. So I traded my bronco 2 for my 91 sporty I now affectionately call the "ratster"

<3 f4i


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!