Ok people,

so im looking into buying my first motorcycle and im going to buy a used one. Is there like an average amount of miles a bike should have for every year old it is... say like 3,000miles a year, so a decent 2006 bike would have about 9,000miles on it.

and is there anything i should look for when looking at a motorcycle and questions i should ask? im trying to buy a bike before spring and prices go back up.

Thanks!

just like a car look for accident damage, strange noises, leaks, etc.... repainted bikes usually have been dropped unless it's a custom paint job.

it's a bit easier to look for stuff once you have ridden a little bit...if you find something local to the FR area and need someone to go look at it, I am always willing to lend a hand.

ALSO check for new rear tires, above rear tire look for rubber, look @ the chicken strips u can tell how agreessive the rider is, front forks for excess fluid

well i found this one for 3k.

has scratches on the plastics, no mirrors, and a dented rear rim. its an 05 with 18,000 miles.

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/1595344519.html

i have no problem fixing some of this stuff because i dont start my classes till march. but what has me concerned is how much it would cost to either fix the rear rim or buy another one.

any input?

i have looked up those problems, and people have said you're able to actually fix those cracks with jb weld and some sanding and then painting it. and the rim can be either bent back into position (if it is not that bad) with a 2x4 and a hammer, or there are places that can fix it.

What do those Ninjas go for new? His price strikes me as very high because of the mileage and need for parts. My bet is it's been abused, bad.

Keep looking, you'll find bikes of that same year with half or a third the mileage. And since this will be your first bike, don't spend too much on it. Chance are it'll get dropped and you'd hate to ding up a nice bike if you can avoid it.

As for what to look for, bikes can't hide very much. Don't be afraid to ask to remove the plastic. If the seller balks, it's time to walk. If something is bent or has been re-welded, it'll be obvious. Check the brakes, clutch, chain (roll the bike and have a friend watch to make sure it doesn't bounce from stiff links. This is a telltale sign of a worn out chain. Also look for rust, rusty chains need to be replaced). Check the fork seals for leaks. Make sure all the lights work. Check the condition of the tires (if they need replacement, get a quote from a shop, not the seller).

Also, go for a bike that YOU are comfortable with. Don't buy a bike because someone else thinks it's "sick". You have to ride it, so make sure you'll be happy on it.

Great call on taking the classes too. You'll be much better off when you hit the road, and it may even change your taste in bikes.

i think you have to take the classes to ride one...right?

but where can i find cheaper motorcycles? i been looking on craigslist and that is the cheapest with a year that new.

That bike looks and sounds beat man....CL is the best bet to find one and you can find them relatively cheap. Where are you located? I should have time tonight to find you a few bikes in the price range you are looking for that haven't been beat bad. In fact Derrick, 97BlownSaleen on here has a REALLY nice black/burned orange CBR600 F3 he is selling and you could probably get a really good deal from him on it. Bike has tons of work and brand new plastics on it. I have ridden it a few times and can definitely vouch for it.

i live in North Kingstown, RI... but i dont mind traveling to pick it up at all. i got $3k to spend, and i cannot finance anything, because i have to register and insure it under some one elses name [i cant get a vehicle insured under my name]

I'll post up some stuff i find tonight....I'll get Derrick to pop on and maybe post some pics and description of his bike too

I have a 2000 GSX-R 600, JUST turned 10k miles.. lowered, jet kit, carbs cleaned/tune-up last year (RECEIPTS from dealer), Carbon exhaust, tinted windscreen, new tires (front and rear!) inspected, carbon-look levers, tank protector, frame sliders, custom chain guard, 2nd seat AND solo cover, etc. Im sure Im forgetting shit.. I actually wanted more but I'd take $3800 cash. Just mentioning it, if yer interested. It's yellow/black, very clean. It was dropped once, but only minor scratches remain on plastic (low and hard to notice). Let me know if you (or anyone else for that matter) are interested..

jb weld a rim??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? wtf!!


got a sweet cbr at the shop ero edition red white and blue for $3800

dude put 300 miles on it since he bought it last year

not the rims, the plastics.

that sounds like a cool bike, but still out of my price range


i found this:
http://www.monarchmotorsport.com/vehiclede...x?VID=105264965

the only thing wrong with it, is it is missing the front left/right fairings. . . not sure why. but i am going to ask if they will come down in price at all. but i kind of like it with out the fairings.

but maybe i will ask the motorcycle place down the road, razees, to see if they have any used bikes for $3gs

If razees has anything for 3k its either going to be older..or have higher mileage. That 05 636 seems like a good deal ..Is it a clean title?

i would think its clean considering its coming from a dealer, but im not sure

i just hope the fairings wont be too much... considering it will need the left and right, and the bottom one under the bike

Yea..but there are a few dealerships in NH that deal with slightly damaged bikes ( ex. Argo Cycles) and insurance companies will total a bike out for minimal damage. So you might want to check that. Check ebay for the plastics...Oem ones might run you a few hundred..but it would be worthing spending upto 600 or so..

looks like they got some damaged products, which could be trade ins from customers, and some nice stuff that is in almost new condition.

what does a total mean? that it cant be registered?

this is what an old of mine on craigslist i had:

I'm selling my 1996 Honda CBR600 F3. It's time for em to upgrade since this was my 1st bike and loved every minute spent riding it and I'm going to have a hard time letting her go since I put a lot of work into her. She has 20,xxx miles on here and runs like she is new. I'm asking $3200 obo. I went through the entire bike from changing the 96 plastics to 98 plastics with custom paint. There is a before and after pic. Please only serious inquiries!

Here is a list of mods done to her:

Full Jardine Exhaust
Vortex front and rear sprockets
520 rx gold chain
K&N air filter
Velocity stacks
Tinted windscreen
Carbon fiber mirrors
Carbon fiber gas cap pad
Black bar ends
Carbon fiber triple tree cover
Carbon fiber brake and clutch levers
1998 plastics painted black and copper orange
Black grips
Carbon fiber gauge cover
Custom embroiled seat skin
Flush mount front turn signals
Integrated tail light
Carbon fiber rear pegs
Carbon fiber case cover

bike when i originally bought it:


bike with new plastics:

I hope it's perfect otherwise if it's missing fairings. I personally like it without the plastics, but you can see in my signature I like naked bikes.

As for where to look, I found my first bike on cycletrader.com. My two current bikes were found on craigslist. By the looks of it you're after a 636 Ninja? Are there any other models you may be interested in as well? I scour the local craigslist daily, if you have any models you're after I could search for you.

Also, when you go to buy, HAGGLE. People ask stupid prices on bikes, stick to your guns and stay within your pricerange.

im not stuck on the ninja... honestly i really dont care. i will take anything from a honda, kawasaki, suzuki, yamaha, buell, tiumph, ducati.... it just so happens that those bikes have been the cheapest ones i can find.

I'm also assuming you want a 600cc sportbike, got any particular model years you want to stick with?

I would prefer a 600cc, but i will take a 750... but just has to be a 2000 or newer.

If it's "totaled" ...the title will be marked salvage or rebuildable. This would require you to get it inspected by the state police before you register it. You will have to show receipts for parts and it's just a pain..not only that, but the bike wouldn't be worth what you paid for it when it comes time to sell.

what does it mean when it says "Insurance Title"? Is that the same as salvage title, just in different words?

I'm not familiar with the term insurance title.

anyone have any comments on a 2005 Hyosung GT650R? I found one for sale in N.H. and honestly, is the only bike i am really interested in for my price range.

well im going to New Hampshire sometime this week, to hopefully pick up a bike. Its an '03 R6 with 11,000 miles. it has new front/rear tires, micron muffler, fender eliminator, sidebars, front and rear sproket kit, and new chain. its silver,black, orange.

thanks for all the help guys. cant wait to go ridin

hyosung..stay away...they are cheap..for a reason...03 r6 is a nice bike. Good luck man

yea thats what i heard from some of the reviews online.

Whats the best way to transport the bike? i can get a pick up truck, but i dont have any motorcycle tie downs. and i dont know how much the motorcycle transport trailer from uahaul is. any tips?

Know anyone with a work van ? (e-150 anything like that?) if not get some ratchet straps. Wrap them around the handlebars and ratchet it down. Same thing for the back. Might be able to wrap them around or through the rear pegs and hook them into the hooks that are usually on the corner of the truck bed...

no. but i think im going to rent a bike trailer from uhaul. it comes with the built in chock and straps. and its only $15/day. just begging that there is no rain or snow thursday

Any Chinese bike is great, till it breaks. They grenade early and big. As Papa said above, they're cheap for a reason.

As for transport, get ratcheting tie-downs. Get something 600lb or higher. I got mine from Autozone for $30, they work just fine.

*ninja edit*

I just saw your U-haul trailer includes straps. Be sure to tie down hard enough to collapse the suspension a fair amount. You don't want to hit a bump that compresses the suspension enough to disconnect your straps. To tie it down solid, make sure you have at least 3 straps, 4 preferred. Put a strap around the frame rails around the head tube (one per side) and strap the rear down using using one on each of the passenger pegs. You can also go through the frame rails, or if you have the means to strap to the swingarm, use that (it's best to tie through unsprung components). If you only have one strap for the rear, go through the rear wheel. You don't want it bouncing around and coming loose. When you're done, take a short drive around the block for a test run before you hit the road. It's better to come loose where there is no traffic than on an entrance ramp on the highway.

although im sure the person behind me would be laughing. Thanks for the tips! i will be going up thursday after classes... hopefully everything goes flawlessly... if not, that fine i will go snowboarding. but i prefer the bike.

i heard its supposed to snow down here tonight and tomorrow... and in NH, till wednesday. hopefully there wont be any snow on the roads

well i dont think i will be able to get that bike, cant find a vehicle with a hith or a pick up. and the price of a uhaul just is not worth it. i would end up spending almost $250 on uhaul. so i think i will be going to Razees see what i can get there now that i dont have my sr22 anymore

tell you what man, i would have cautioned you against that r6 anyways, here's why:

-sprocket kits

-partial cage

-2 new tires


That thing was stunted at one time or another. Sprocket kits to make it wheelie easier, cage in case it gets dropped (which it definitely did) and new tires needed because of burnouts, endos, and other tire using maneuvers. red flag after red flag.

that is all fine be me... but what ever. im sad

ok one more question:
Do you need a motorcycle license to buy (from dealer)/ register / insure the motorcycle?

i wouldn't think you need one to buy but probably to register/insure

damn that means no loan

You don't need a license. I went through this last summer when buying my bike. You do however need a permit. You can register and insure it under your name having only a permit.

I basically rode a buddies motorcycle one time up and down a dead end street, two months later went and got my permit. Picked up my bike the next day, and rode it home from dartmouth to swansea. Ofcourse I was nervous as hell the whole ride home though.

Put it this way... I was so inexperienced I had to take my two year old $7500 bike to the nearby best buy parkinglot and practice how to stop, go, and turn properly at slow speeds after riding it off the dealership lot before making that ride home.

well to continue my quest for a used motorcycle, i have came across a 2004 GSXR 600. It will be $3,700 and it comes with extra parts, fresh paint, and delived to my door (which is a major plus for me, and the only reason im considering it)

The miles are not that high, and i have yet to see pictures of it yet. He is waiting for the plastics to get out of paint. now the reason why he is getting the plastics repainted is because he took off the race plastics off and put new non painted ones on. It was a racebike and was down 2 times. both times fixed by G.M.D. Computrack in Boston....

and it will be coming with... extra brake pads, racing forks, muffler, brake pads, few sets of tires, racing plastics, woodcraft left engine case cover, extra levers... and other stuff i didnt manage to write down while talking to him on the phone.

think it would be a good bike? i mean from what i heard about GMD and their work, i should not have a single worry about this bike... but i am still worried, atleast till i see pictures. any insight on this?

Having been to the track a few times and seeing a number of bikes go down, I'm not sure I would want something that's been through not one but two crashes. The repairs may be just fine, but I certainly wouldn't pay near the going rate for a former race bike. I don't know what 04 GSXR's go for, and I'm willing to bet the "extra" parts are there because the originals were destroyed in the crash. Remember, it's a 6 year old bike now, and 2 crashes is a lot, especially if the bike cartwheeled.

I personally would only buy a former track bike to use as a track bike unless it was something that was super cheap. Before you buy, take a look at it in person, and bring someone who knows GSXR's inside and out with you to check it over, and give it some thought before you make a move.

sorry to disrupt your New Toy thread, but does anyone know if you have to pay the 7% sales tax to register a motorcycle in RI if it was bought in Mass.?

no offense, id say do a little more research. i think youre looking for something specific that either doesnt exist or you are being too picky, but take the advice of these people and do a little more research man. shit, ur best bet is derricks bike by far. it looks and runs clean. u know the owner, and hes personally owned and ridden it.. intense transformation looks wise. either way.. find a bike u look and want.not by miles and money.. narrow it down.. look at shops. maybe im being a bitch, but the right bike isnt going to fall in your lap or be handed to you via link by member. sorry

well this is what im getting. black 2004 GSXR600 with 5700 miles on it. will be delivered to my house sunday. just have to get the VIN checked tomorrow.\









its completely stock aside from:
vortex/RK 520 conversion
zero gravity windscreen
yamaha R1 master cylinder with brembo reservoir.

is this the former race bike?

yes it is.

well got the bike today. it is in great condition. rode it around and had a blast. definately fast.

congrats man....we'll def have to ride together soon....any plans for her yet?

yea get black levers... considering my older sister just broke my clutch lever.