Starter bike

A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!

Any suggestions?

Vic


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Hawk GT..Lots of them still out there. She could probably pick up a pretty
clean one between $2k and $2.5k. Heavy following and support available via
forums and internet email lists.



Denny



http://www.hawkgt.com/



http://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/



http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/honda-hawk-gt/















From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of
vic5491@xxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:08 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Starter bike



A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her
first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a
good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is
capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been
totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her
guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested
the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!



Any suggestions?



Vic



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I second that.

On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 3:57 PM, Denny Fair wrote:

> Hawk GT….Lots of them still out there. She could probably pick up a
> pretty clean one between $2k and $2.5k. Heavy following and support
> available via forums and internet email lists.
>
>
>
> Denny
>
>
>
> http://www.hawkgt.com/
>
>
>
> http://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/
>
>
>
> http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/honda-hawk-gt/
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] *On
> Behalf Of *vic5491@xxxxxx
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:08 PM
> *To:* vfr@xxxxxx
> *Subject:* Starter bike
>
>
>
> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting
> her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be
> a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is
> capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
> prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been
> totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her
> guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested
> the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
>
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>
>
> Vic
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it
> now.
>
> _______________________________________________
> vfr mailing list
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All in favor say "aye matie!"



_____

From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Steve 566
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 7:02 PM
To: Denny Fair
Cc: vfr@xxxxxx; vic5491@xxxxxx
Subject: Re: Starter bike


I second that.


On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 3:57 PM, Denny Fair wrote:


Hawk GT..Lots of them still out there. She could probably pick up a pretty
clean one between $2k and $2.5k. Heavy following and support available via
forums and internet email lists.



Denny



http://www.hawkgt.com/



http://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/



http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/honda-hawk-gt/















From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of
vic5491@xxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:08 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Starter bike



A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her
first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a
good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is
capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been
totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her
guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested
the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!



Any suggestions?



Vic



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Here are a couple in the Atlanta area. I have no association with either, just found them on Craigslist. I was actually looking for a friend here in Athens, GA.

GS500
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671984381.html

SV650
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671955336.html

I picked up a Hawk GT recently that needed a little work for $1200 as well.

Ken



From: vic5491@xxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:07 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Starter bike


A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!

Any suggestions?

Vic


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Where were all these Hawk GTs when I was looking? If you can find
one, it would definitely make a great starter bike. Plus it has the
trick single side arm just like our wonderful VFRs.

On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM, Ken Shuart wrote:
>
>
> Here are a couple in the Atlanta area. I have no association with either,
> just found them on Craigslist. I was actually looking for a friend here in
> Athens, GA.
>
>
> GS500
> http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671984381.html
>
> SV650
> http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671955336.html
>
> I picked up a Hawk GT recently that needed a little work for $1200 as well.
>
> Ken
>
>
>
>
>
> From: vic5491@xxxxxx
> Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:07 PM
>
> To: vfr@xxxxxx
> Subject: Starter bike
>
>
>
> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her
> first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a
> good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is
> capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
> prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been
> totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her
> guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested
> the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Vic
>
>
> ________________________________
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it
> now.
>
> ________________________________
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>
>
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At 08:15 PM 5/7/2008, you wrote:

>Where were all these Hawk GTs when I was looking? If you can find
>one, it would definitely make a great starter bike. Plus it has the
>trick single side arm just like our wonderful VFRs.

A hawk gt as a starter bike?
Hell no! That's sacrilege.
Sacrificing a perfectly good Hawk gt to a rank beginner, your
suggestion makes my skin crawl.
Let her buy that old 250 ninjette learn her real skill's throwing
that tin can down.
Her first bike should not repeat not be something that she will want
to keep for long. It should not be something shapely and nice, it
should be a mechanically sound, but hideous machine. That way she
won't be heartbroken when the inevitable first flop/drop/slip or
crunch comes. Broken mirrors and bent levers will not make her weep,
if she hates the bike.

Then when she has a couple of years, let her get the Hawk or
something that appeals to her then.


JohnS
A Dragon Ascending
"Forging my body in the Fires of my Will"

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On May 7, 2008, at 3:07 PM, vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:

> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in
> getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have
> something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall
> and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently
> looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike
> to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I
> suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price
> and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the
> older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Vic
>

Where is she shopping?

Try these guys:

http://www.otdcyclesports.com

I hear her about the looks of the 07 and earlier. But, remind her
that the Ninja 250 gets 70 mpg most of the time, beating the piss out
of them will lower mileage to a terrible 55 mpg. It's got a 4.8
gallon tank, so it's got great range. I'm seriously considering
getting one just for a daily commuter. Oh and being small and light
means it will out corner bigger heavier bikes.

Chris Stumpf
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A Hawk is perfect as long as you can find one for a reasonable price. Seems like Hawk values have been creeping up over the last 5 years or so. Not uncommon for a nice one to go for $3000 to $3500. You might be able to score an SV in better shape for less money.

If you can find a Hawk in good shape for under $3k, do it. The SV is a great bike too, but it's just a made-over Hawk without the cool factor.

-Steve

****************
All in favor say "aye matie!"



_____

From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Steve 566
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 7:02 PM
To: Denny Fair
Cc: vfr@xxxxxx; vic5491@xxxxxx
Subject: Re: Starter bike


I second that.


On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 3:57 PM, Denny Fair wrote:


Hawk GT..Lots of them still out there. She could probably pick up a pretty
clean one between $2k and $2.5k. Heavy following and support available via
forums and internet email lists.


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In a message dated 5/7/08 5:41:39 PM, cstumpf@xxxxxx writes:


> Try these guys:
>
> * * http://www.otdcyclesports.com
>
Hey! I used to sell for those guys!

-greginLA



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Thanks Denny. I didn't realize they were so reasonably priced nowadays.
Vic

Denny Fair wrote:
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Hawk GT….Lots of them still out there. She could probably pick up a pretty clean one between $2k and $2.5k. Heavy following and support available via forums and internet email lists.

Denny

http://www.hawkgt.com/

http://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/honda-hawk-gt/







From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of vic5491@xxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:08 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Starter bike


A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!



Any suggestions?



Vic



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Saw the GS earlier but the SV was posted since I looked earlier today. Thanks!
Vic

Ken Shuart wrote:
Here are a couple in the Atlanta area. I have no association with either, just found them on Craigslist. I was actually looking for a friend here in Athens, GA.

GS500
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671984381.html

SV650
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/671955336.html

I picked up a Hawk GT recently that needed a little work for $1200 as well.

Ken




From: vic5491@xxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:07 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Starter bike




A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!

Any suggestions?

Vic

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At 11:17 PM 5/7/2008, you wrote:

>I do not disagree at all. In fact I have told her almost verbatim
>what you said.
>
>Vic
>
>JES_VFR wrote:
>Ummm,. yeah buy her a lottery ticket.
>Her best bet with her limited budget (in this area atleast) is a
>either an ex500 or a pretty beaten up sv650. But like I said in the
>other post, it really is best if she doesn't love the bike. Its her
>first bike, its gonna end up on the ground someway somehow.
>Its better if she really isn't in love with it.
>In fact the less that she cares about its appearance, the more she
>will experiment and learn how to ride.
>
>I hated the looks of my second bike (a tired pieced together 82-ish
>gs), but since it was already ugly I did not worry about loosing it
>in a corner (I only worried about whether I would live).
>That utter lack of concern over the bikes appearance, led me to learn
>all sorts of crazy things about riding. I had it for three years and
>then stepped up to my CBR600.
>I gave (yes gave) the GS to a friend's little brother with a warning
>about not fixing the paint, and I think he rode it to death as well.

thanks Vic, I'm glad someone see's this my way today.
I just had to deal with a very very upset woman today.
It seems that last month she completed the BRC course. We get a
little bit attached to these green riders, because the class room is
located right within our dealership.
Anyway she completed the course with one of the best scores and then
bought a nice GSX-R600 (the same color scheme as her hubby has).
Unfortunately, she was just barely tagged crossing an intersection
this morning.
She is fine, (quick somebody pat me on the back for making sure that
she bought all the good gear), In fact her gear is not a worry as it
barely has any damage.
The bike however, tumbled and flopped around like a fish on the
asphalt and is definite $$ total.
Its all plastic and paint damage, but there just isn't a piece of
body work left.

She is heartbroken, and it is just very discouraging to have to deal
with this sort of customer.
If this had been the tired two color ex500 that we have in the back
of the shop, she probably would have been much, much, less upset.


JohnS
A Dragon Ascending
"Forging my body in the Fires of my Will"

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I'll throw my two cents in here...the Suzuk GS500 from years '89-'98 get my
vote. I bought one for my significant other to learn on for $1100 off EBay a
while back. It's a fun machine to ride and not much plastic on it to break
if dropped. Snappy acceleration and excellent braking and handling. It's so
much fun to ride that I often ride it on the daily commute and let the VFR
sit until the Sunday morning blasts. Another plus is it's easy to work on.
Plenty of room to adjust valves, change plugs, jet carbs, etc. The newer
ones have more plastic on them, so steer away from them during the learning
phase.
My two cents.
Mark
'93 VFR 750
'02 Shadow Spirit
'90 GS500

On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 6:07 PM, vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:

> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting
> her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be
> a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is
> capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
> prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been
> totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her
> guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested
> the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Vic
>
> ------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it
> now.
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$3K seems to be right on the cusp of reliability / affordability when you get to over 500cc bikes. At that price, I'd avoid the dealers and look on Craigslist, local classifieds and maybe (very maybe) eBay. Also have a look on relevant forums.

I'd try to push her to something light and affordable like the Ninja 250, and then move on after a year or two. You can find very nice 250s for well under $2K (got one sitting in the garage right now that I bought for an ex-GF to learn on).
However, it sounds like she's already got her mind set on something with a bit more eye appeal (although for me the 250 in the right color scheme isn't a bad looking little bike, much nicer than any of the equivalent cruisers).

If you do some homework on KBB retail / trade prices, you could come up with a list of bikes that may qualify.

For example a 99 BMW F650 has a trade price around $2500, and makes an excellent starter bike. That is what my ex (at 5'9") started on, and three are lowering kits available. She's very appearance / badge conscious, so the BMW was a no-brainer as she wouldn't even look at a Ninja 500.

If she doesn't mind the height, a KLR650 would be an excellent alternative and you can get nice ones for that money. A big advantage of the KLR is that it doesn't really matter if you drop it a few times.

Otherwise the options mentioned before, of the Ninja 500 (better bike than the GS500 in many ways) and so on will all work.

I'd try to put her off the cruiser route: IMHO the cruiser riding position doesn't allow you to learn to use your body to control the bike effectively, and then there are all the usual cruiser weight / power / suspension limitations.

Probably too much motor, but if you could find one in suitable unmolested condition, a late 90s Yam YZF600R, Kaw ZX-6 (not the 6R) or Honda CBR600 would probably be ok for weight and in the price range.

If she can spring a few hundred mere than $3K, it may be worth looking a little upmarket. I've been looking at WeeStroms as a reasonable commuting / light dirt road touring bike, and an '04 WeeStrom trade-in price is just over $3K.
There is a very nice low-mileage '04 Wee on one of the forums for $4300 negotiable, that will probably end up going for under $$k.
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Thanks Mark! Good advice. I'll pass your words along to her.

Vic

SpeedProp32Cleaver'sGMail wrote:
I'll throw my two cents in here...the Suzuk GS500 from years '89-'98 get my vote. I bought one for my significant other to learn on for $1100 off EBay a while back. It's a fun machine to ride and not much plastic on it to break if dropped. Snappy acceleration and excellent braking and handling. It's so much fun to ride that I often ride it on the daily commute and let the VFR sit until the Sunday morning blasts. Another plus is it's easy to work on. Plenty of room to adjust valves, change plugs, jet carbs, etc. The newer ones have more plastic on them, so steer away from them during the learning phase.
My two cents.
Mark
'93 VFR 750
'02 Shadow Spirit
'90 GS500

On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 6:07 PM, vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:
A female friend just passed the MSF course and is interested in getting her first bike. Anyone reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but she thinks it is just too ugly to love!

Any suggestions?

Vic


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Thanks. The Hawks are getting a lot of recommendations. We will add that to the list.
Vic

playit loud wrote:
hawk gt

--- "vic5491@xxxxxx" wrote:

> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is
> interested in getting her first bike. Anyone
> reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be
> a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and
> athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is
> currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
> prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although
> a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I
> suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to
> her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out
> the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but
> she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Vic
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with
> Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.>
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I have to put in a plug for the Honda Shadow 750, as well. I don't
particularly like the cruiser-style riding position and handling (as
compared to the VFR), but my fiancee loves her 06 Shadow Aero. And, as
a first bike, I have to admit it is just about perfect.

It has great slow speed stability, enough low-end torque that you don't
often kill the engine when starting out and a refined but calm power
curve. I actually enjoy riding it around town (as a change of pace). I
am always struck by the fact that it is a very, very easy bike to ride,
even though I wouldn't want one for myself.

There are a lot of years and versions of Shadow motorcycles out there,
too, many of which can be had for a modest price.

Mark


Thanks. The Hawks are getting a lot of recommendations. We will add
that to the list.
Vic

playit loud wrote:

hawk gt

--- "vic5491@xxxxxx" wrote:

> A female friend just passed the MSF course and is
> interested in getting her first bike. Anyone
> reasonably near Atlanta have something that might be
> a good starter bike? She is about 5'8" tall and
> athletic. Her budget is capped at $3K. She is
> currently looking at SV650s, GS500s, etc. She
> prefers a sport or naked bike to a cruiser although
> a cruiser has not been totally ruled out. I
> suggested the new Ninja 250 but she is sticking to
> her guns on price and a new one is about $4100 out
> the door. I also suggested the older Ninja 250 but
> she thinks it is just too ugly to love!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Vic
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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