Few questions again, for my friend.

conure · Nova Slayer Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Karma :

I went with my friend yesterday to a few garages to sit on some bikes, she found the twin 500 bikes the eastiest to sit on at her size and so chance are will end up with one of them (gpz,gs,cb etc..)
Anyway, she's had some car drivers (one of which annoyed me, as he drives like a maniac and if anyone is a hazard on the road, it's him.) telling her that if she gets a motorbike she'll end up dead.
She already told me she wants to do her full licence as a 125 won't get her from reading to canterbury, also because she thinks the CBT won't give her the experience needed to go on the road, which is probably true in some cases.
Anyway, I'd like some experienced views on the situation, the questions are:

Do all bikers end up limbless? I know they don't..but all these car drivers tell her they do, so I wanted some people here to help my arguement.

Another question is, is a twin 500 the best place to start for a new rider? Another one of her friends said instead of getting a 500, she should start on a 250, which i disagree with, I'd like your opinions on that too.

And last of all, roughly how much are you expected to pay for a v twin 500, she's not looking for new and shiny, just well looked after and in good working order. I was hoping in the region of £600, is that possible?

Thanks very much for any input you can give me.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Plenty of people survive bikes, plenty of people wipe themselves out in cars.

There are not really that many 250s around anymore. Only ones that are in any way common are the 2 stroke sports ones and they would be quicker much of the time than the 500cc twins. Only real exception is the GPX250 / ZZR250, neither of which sold well.

Price wise, given time you will find one for about £600 but that is close to bottom price so finding a nice one is more difficult.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

biker-dj · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Karma :

Rob W · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

I would say she's better off getting a 500 as a first 'big' bike. It would certainly cope with long journeys better than any 250 would, and you'd pay a premium for a half decent 250 anyway. I'd expect to pay between £500-1000 for a 500 twin, obviously the upper end being a much newer/better condition bike.

As for ending up dead on a bike, the blokes obvioulsy a twat. IMO bikes are no 'less' safe than cars, it's the other twats on the road you need to watch.
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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

conure · Nova Slayer Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Karma :

I'm talking to the guy now on msn, he seems certain (despite his extreme lack of bike knowlege) that a 250cc bike is better than a 500cc v twin as a first bike.
I suppose he'll never be persuaded though, he's just arguing for the sake of it but trying to persuade the person buying the bike to get a 250!

If anyone could put down a large list of reasons a 500 is better than a 250 I would appreciate it, as I know if she ends up buying a 250cc bike she will regret it when she's on the motorway topping out at 85mph on a cb250!

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Get him to sign up here and argue his case Laughing

conure · Nova Slayer Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Karma :

excellent idea. i'll try to persuade him!

Phil_G · Traffic Copper Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

500 Twin all the way.

I got one as my first machine and that was a 1997 ER 500 for £400. SO no its not mint but, IMO, if you get your hands dirty a little and work on the machine you will better understand it and appreciate it more.

Theres plenty about for sensible money, so pick wisely and dont be scared to haggle on cost. If they wont negotiate, then chances are you will get a better deal down the road.

good luck to your pal!
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap Smile

phantomtek · Lil Joe Tek Joined: 20 May 2005 Karma :

conure · Nova Slayer Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Karma :

thank's very much everyone, i'll show him this!

Lawnie · Nearly there... Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Karma :

500s are far better value than 250s.

I'm not suggesting you should buy new, but look at the Honda CBFs.

Last year the 250 was listed at an RRP of £3,399, whereas the 500 was only £600 more, at £3,999. Plus the 250 had a rear drum brake, and not a disc like the 500.