Thoughts and Opinions - Motorcycle N00b

So I'd love to hear anyone's advice on what bikes to look into, what to avoid, etc etc. ANYTHING!

Currently, I know a guy who is thinking about selling his bike (wants to upgrade to a newer more stylish and more powerful one). The problem is I don't remember the exact year and model, and he's never stated a price - so I get the feeling he wants me to make an offer, which I'm clueless with (going to have to give him a call sometime).

Either way, I DO know it's a late 80's Honda with a 6 speed tranny, 26,XXX miles, speedo, tach, little light that tells you what gear your in, runs amazing, no blemishes or any visible damage, and he spent $500 on a fancy seat cushion for it (very comfy might I add). I'm 75% sure it has a 650 or 600cc engine in it, but I can't seem to find any pictures of any late 80's Honda motorcycles that look like it. My best guess, from what I remember from seeing it and talking with him, is that it's a 1988 Honda VT600C Shadow VLX (it's all metal, no plastic). But could be wrong, but assuming it is, any guesses at a fair price? KBB does motorcycles but there system isn't percise...at all.

Totally open to any suggestions on other bikes to look into as well. Fall is coming in fast so the next few months is when people will be selling for cheap (assuming that the motorcycle market is like that for convertible cars at least).

I am a tall guy with long legs (6'3" 140 lbs...somehow I lost 25 lbs in the last 8 weeks

). My height has been a concern, but I obviously wouldn't be buying anything until I at the very least sat down on it. As of last night, my room mate let me drive his '06 kawasaki ninja 650r for a few laps around the block and then out on some country roads (as he followed me on his other bike). I didn't find it uncomfortable, however, I was only on it for 15 minutes or so. That SOB has a lot of get-up-n'-go! Or perhaps I'm just too use to driving cars?

2. What kind of riding do you see yourself doing. Sport bikes are alot of fun to ride but if your main riding is gona be longer trips a sport bikes gona HURT. And cruisers look cool to some and some offer good comfort but are very poor in the corners and dont offer a very good rding position to propperly learn riding techniques. Standards are just that a good mix of a sports cornering but with a bit more of a cruisers comfort. And lastly duel sports offten lack in power AND comfort but allow ya to play in the dirt and stil work quite well on the road.

I would be riding for to get around town/just go out on a cruise on a lazy Sunday afternoon - that kinda deal. At the absolute MAX I would be driving is 3 hours, and that's really the max. (I don't know anyone who lives outside a 3 hour radius from my apartment.) I have my car if for some reason I need to make a long journey. I am expecting the average trip I would be taking is between 20 and 30 minutes. I've really only looked into the standard bikes thus far, since I have no need for super fast sports bike, and the cruisers are heavy and not to my cosmetic tastes. No plans for any dirt riding either, going to stick to the paved roads.

3. And lastly how mature are ya how old are ya and were abouts do you live (IN canada insurance is hugely dependant on were ya live id imagin it would be the same in the US). How much $$$$ can you justify for the bike, GOOD rideing GEAR (Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, Pants and BOOTS), AND insurance.

I don't really know any way to quantify maturity. I have 2 B.S. degrees, in chemistry and biology, does that count?

I am not ashamed to admit that yes, I am only 22 years old. Which puts me in the perfect sterotypical group of morons and high insurance rates.

My price range for a bike is $1,000 - $2,500, which leaves me a comfortable $1,500 for riding gear (and by the prices I've seen I could get it all brand new for ~$1,000. (~$200 ful-face helmet, ~$300 leather jacket, ~$200 pants, ~$150 boots, ~$75 gloves)- Let me know how accurate those numbers are. I've also contemplated getting some of it used provided I could find it in good condition. Last winter there was a sale going on at a store that sold motorcycle apparel, and my friend picked up a nice leather jacket for $100. (He then proceeded to cover it with metal studs and 80's punk band patches.)

From the insurance quotes I've gotten thus far, if I went with the friend-of-a-friend's Honda Shadow 600cc (confirmed it is one) I would be paying a little more than $515/year, and if I were to chose a 2002 (picked a reasonable year) Kawasaki Ninja 250r it would be $750/year (word on the street is that this makes a good beginner bike, as well as suits my needs perfectly). Neither of which even begins to push my budget limit.

Thank you, and the others, for the help. It's much appreciated. Keep it coming!

Those are some very nice looking bikes you have there.

__sneaky__ wrote:

Eclipse = Failure as a mechanical creation.

TR00F! It really is a perfect example of what Jeremy Clarkson refers to as; "a cow in racing overalls."

I'm certainly not the pinnical of muscular fitness. However, I am not in the slighest bit fat. I used to run and lift on a daily basis, but that has all but completely stopped as of recent. Just haven't had the time.

Either way, I'm far better at endurance than brute force.

right now im lookin at a 2003 yamaha R6. i can pick em up for cheap up here.

Either way, I'm far better at endurance than brute force.