I wouldn't put much of my decision on the $100 store credit. $100 is virtually nothing in quality motorcycle gear. As far as the rebel or the Ninja....... They're totally different bikes and totally different riding positions. You need to decide which is more comfortable for you. How tall are you? You said you weigh 170, but I dont remember if you said how tall you are. Unless you're a shorter guy, I wouldn't recommend the Rebel. Honestly, even then I wouldn't recommend the Rebel. Like somebody else stated, I'd look for a used Japanese bike. There are tons of good and inexpensive bikes out there with low miles. I've been riding for 30+ years. Started when I was about 5. I currently have a Harley Road King, but I've always been a Honda fan.The 90's models Honda Shadows and Magna's are good reliable bikes and you can pick them up pretty cheap.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/2840376893.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/2830272943.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/2811748529.html

Good luck in your class and in your search for a good bike.

 

the rebel has so far been the best deal i can find. the insurance is also affordable at $33 a month.

the store credit is just a nice bonus. i am 5'7 by the way.


i have been checking my local craigs list for two weeks and nothing is here besides 750s and larger.

the only thing with a used bike is getting a loan or getting financed like i said in my last post. both come with higher rates too.

then i have to come up with the gear somehow as well.

i dont know much about bikes and i would prefer a new one for many reason i have already listed.

financing, gear and getting a warranty and a good bike.

thanks for the post though. just nothing used around here i like or its too big/old and needs work.

sports bikes are too high on insurance as well.

i am going after work to test sit some bikes.

 

if you are having problems getting good gear, buy them online!
i bought all my gear online from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ they have great prices and shipping is fast too!

 

I wouldn't waste time/money on a new 250. Good chance you'll be bored with it within 6 months, and want to upgrade. You won't get 1/2 what you paid.

You'll ride a 250 at the MSF course. It's not that impressive. I'd recommend getting a used 600cc. That 250 isn't going to carry you and your wife around comfortably. You'll see real fast that power will save your life. People drive like idiots, and sometimes you have to really drop that right hand to escape a hairy situation. It's not like a car where you can just slam on brakes and hope you stop.

Nothing wrong with getting a used bike either. There isn't much to them. I bought a used Honda XR650R that was raced in the Baja 1000, and a couple other races. Then sat for a straight year. I got it, drained the bowl, and it kicks right over. Bikes are very simple and easy to diagnose/fix. Go sit on a few used Triumphs if you want more of the cruiser feel. Or check out some CBRs if you're more of a sport bike person.

But, if you're set on a 250, then buy it used. Ride it for a few months, then sell for what you bought it for, and get a bike better suited for you and your wife.


One thing about gear is that you might want to try some of it out before you buy it all. Talk to some buddies, and see if you can borrow some of their shiz for a ride or two. I personally don't wear much gear. It's highly uncomfortable to me, and takes away from riding. I'd straight up not ride if it was law to wear those padded jackets, pants, and crazy boots. I don't recommend this however and I take full responsibility for the possible outcome, just warning you that before you go drop $500+ on gear, you might want to make sure it's comfortable and that you'll actually wear it.

 

Well, I want to thank everyone for the advice.
I think I am going to wait and save up some money and just buy a new or used shadow or V star. I like how they look and sit.

I have from now until April to make up my mind, and I think a 600cc or 750 cruiser would be the best option.

 

You will def not regret it. You'd be surprised how nice used bikes can be. I park my two bikes in a neighbor motorcycle parking area, and of the 15 there, only about 3-5 get ridden. That's including my two. Lots of people will buy them, and just not ride.
Hell, my buddy has a HD Dyna, 2010 I believe, with only like 1000 miles. He has finally realized it's not worth letting it sit, and is selling.

Find something like that, and it's pretty much new. Just without the new sticker price.

 

I have ridden a long time and have seen new riders come and go... The 250 will carry ya but if you have any skill whatsoever you will outgrow it fast "and I mean within a year". I would recomend a Kawsaki VN 750. handles well, nimble and will carry you and the wife with ease. Yamaha 650 is smaller engine but feels larger so even though the 750 has a bigger engine it feels lights and handles better.

 

There are allot of bikes out there the owners only drive them a few thousand miles and then they just let them gather dust in the garage. I've seen near perfect 15 year old machines with 10 thousand miles on them. Just gotta take your time and look around..

 

The 250 rebel is a nice bike if you are going to be solo for some time.

If you plan on moving to passenger in 2 years, don't bother with the 250, look to a used Shadow 400 to 600 ( depending on the MY you find ). If you go with a 600, there is a 20 year range to draw from on them.

Don't know if you picked the rebel for the seat height, if you have short legs and narrow hips, some seat heights can be a problem.

If you are not already sold on the brand, you can also look to the Kawasaki Vulcan 400. The 400 is a heavy bike, which is nice for open road riding.
I would keep to the V config, but the 500 is an option in side by side ( this was a ZX-5R engine in the cruiser frame ).
If you want to go older you can get an early run Vulcan 750, which were actually 699 CC for the 1st 2 years, and actually weight in less than the 400, and has a shaft drive so no chain maint.

The 250 to 500 / 600 / 750 is not a rocket ship in speed change. The Kawi vulcans 400 is a 39 HP bike, the 500 is 50 HP, the 750 is like 60 some HP in 500# bikes.

I had a Kawi 305 CSR ( smaller version of the 454 LTD ) for a starter, but moved to a BMW 750 in 2 years.
I flogged that 305 up and down the highways, and after going to a heavier bike, it was silly to have such a light bike for any kind of serious HW riding.

Just something for you to think about in your use case.
The lighter a bike is the less pleasant it will be for longer rides.
I did a saddle sore on my '99 9R and it was a lot of work, they are much easier on my ZG-1000 ( ~ 675# curb ) and a cake walk on the GL1500 ( ~ 850# curb ).

As far as gear, you have the correct attitude.
You dress for the crash not for the ride.
Someone that thinks gear is unconformable needs to think about how unconformable road rash is going to be for the next 4 weeks.
It is not you, you should be concerned about, it is the cage next to you not paying attention that pulls left in front of you or changes lanes into the side of you with the 1000W sub that makes hearing your horn impossible.
And try as you may, there are only 2 kinds of riders. Those that have gone down, and those that have not gone down yet.

 

i know i said i would wait but i found a 2009 v star 650 no miles for 5000 on the road gonna check it out

 

That is not a bad bike to choose if you like it.

513# curb weight, 650 cc, ~ 40 HP & 38 TQ, 4.2 Gal tank.

seat height is only ~ 1/2" higher than the V Star 250.

The weight will take a little getting used to ( it is ~ 200# more than the 250 version ), but it is not like it is all up top like a sport tour style.

The weight will come in handy for 2 up highway once you get to that point, and it is not an unruly rocket for a beginner bike.

Sounds like a nice bike, good luck with it.

 

"No miles", as in low miles. Or it's a left over from 09?

 

My cousin has one of those. His has around 25,000 miles on it with no major issues and 25k is allot for a bike.

 

a 250 is way too small for anyone but a 15 year old kid especially if you wife is going to be on it with you.

a vtx1300 is a good bike, thats what i rode for a while when i was getting used to the street, but i had riding dirt bikes for 11 years prior

If you really want a project car get that or even get a project bike you can rebuild.

 

Brand new, never sold 2009 650 V star.

Good to know.

I went to look at the bike and the sales man was super nice.

First thing he told me was to look at this 900 or 1000 and see how it "felt".
It was way too heavy for my tastes. He let me sit on the bike and I just felt it was way to heavy.

Next he showed me the 650. It was white and really popped with the chrome.
I didn't feel it was too heavy. Then we moved over to the 250's he had. After sitting on the 650 they just felt way to small.


He offered me a really good deal but in the end I didn't buy it. I just didn't think spending that much at this time was a good move for me and my wife.

He got the bike and gear (jacket/helmet/gloves/paints) for $148 a month ay 7.7% over 5 years. insurance was going to be $20 a month.

He even let me take a 250 for little spin in the lot.

I wanted it pretty bad, but in the end I think I should wait and buy used. Its was a amazing looking bike (imo) even though it was white with chrome.

http://motosvit.com/Yamaha%20XVS650%...1_d69934ef.jpg