| Motorcycle rides and riders in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia | |||||||
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06-30-2011, 08:37 PM
| #1 |
| Training Wheels  Joined: Jun 2009 From: Seattle, WA | Small, reliable commuter for first bike Like the title says, I'm looking a first bike. I do have my endorsement and some riding experience, but far more on scooters than motorcycles, so I consider myself very much a beginner. What's more, 95% of my riding will be on Seattle streets, so a speedy little inline-4 with Day-Glo paint and lots of "R''s in its name will get quite bored with my ownership. I'm leaning toward a single or twin, ~500cc or less, reasonably comfortable riding position, the usual. I intend to use this as a daily commuter and errand-running bike, so reliability is super duper important. Age, however, is not (as long as parts are readily available). Just a few other basic requirements: - At least 99.5% ready to roll, since I have limited tools, very limited workspace, and extremely limited mechanical know-how - Clean title in hand - Good mileage, which shouldn't be a problem - Standard or a little sporty in style (really, anything but a cruiser) - I'd prefer a naked one. Same goes for the bike, too. As for price range, I'd like to stay around the $2000 mark, less being better and more being (potentially) OK. I'm ready to purchase if and when the right deal comes along, but I'm not in a terrible hurry at this point. I check my email frequently: tully DOT lanter AT gmail DOT com. Thanks in advance! |
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07-01-2011, 09:32 AM
| #2 |
| Knee Dragger  Joined: Oct 2010 From: bellevue I Ride: in the air | Last edited by nakedinseattle; 07-01-2011 at 09:39 AM.. |
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07-01-2011, 09:42 AM
| #3 |
   Joined: Jul 2005 From: Tri-Cities Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: '05 Busa, '03 KLR 650, '81 Seca 550, '78 Hawk, '71 SL 350, '69 Z50A | The Buell Blast is one of the best beginner bikes out there. Simple, naked, 500cc single, and can take a beating. I've seen these things just hammered to death and still running. Should be able to find lots of choices for <2K. Good luck on your search! |
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07-02-2011, 12:19 AM
| #5 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2009 From: Seattle, WA | Thanks for the offers and suggestions. I should have added that I've ridden a Rebel and GZ250, and both felt a bit too small. While I'm looking for something relatively small in terms of engine size, I'm about average height (5'10"), so a physically small bike might not be a great match. The Buell Blast seems like exactly the sort of thing I'm after, although I don't know how it compares in terms of physical dimensions. |
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07-02-2011, 04:26 AM
| #6 |
| Knee Dragger  Joined: Dec 2007 From: Puyallup, Wa I Ride: SHINKO's | http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2473450380.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2473406728.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/mcy/2472181291.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcy/2470726409.html here are just a few i found. Last edited by rpappi; 07-02-2011 at 04:29 AM.. |
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07-02-2011, 08:04 AM
| #7 |
| Peg Dragger  Joined: Apr 2010 From: Seattle, WA I Ride: 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer, 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 | I started on (and still ride) my trusty Ninja 500R. She's a great commuter, good mileage, big comfy seat, and she easily does 90MPH on the Highway when I feel like opening her up. She's also fine around town, as I ride through Seattle streets on a regular basis. Not so great at getting above 95. Not easy to wheelie. Not a ridiculous first bike. Keep an eye out for a Ninja 500. They show up on CL all the time. |
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12-31-2011, 05:09 PM
| #8 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2009 From: Seattle, WA | I'm looking to pick something up within the next month or so, so time to resurrect this thread! However, I'm going to need to keep it (well) under $1k for something ready to roll, and I'd also be happy with a dual sport or something along those lines. It will barely ever see highways, and never the freeway, so a tiny engine will suit me just fine. Mechanical condition and reliability are essential, but that's about it! Thanks guys and have a happy new year! tully DOT lanter AT gmail DOT com call/text: two oh six - eight one seven - five one two zero |
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12-31-2011, 05:58 PM
| #9 |
| Track School Dazed   Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can | EDIT!! Cheaper than 2K? A Grand? I'd be look'in for a 50cc scooter! Disregard this post below! (but it may get you thinking about a dual sport for the future) I just tried a search in my local Craigs list and got ZERO hits for motorcycles for $1,000 How about a 'Dual Sport'? Like a Suzuki DR350? Or a XL-250 Honda or XT-Yamaha? They can be had for $2K. Great for surface streets and able to hop onto the freeway for a short while at 70 miles an hour. Thay are taller bikes . So you won't be cramped. They are designed to be ridden on dirt roads. So unlike a sportbike with all the breakable plastic, they can be dropped. With minimal damage. Cheap to maintain. One sparkplug. A couple quarts of oil and a little chain lube will keep them happy. Because of the nature of the bike 'tires' are even cheaper. Dealers are everywhere! So getting parts isnt a problem! EDIT!! Chaeper than 2K? A Grand? I'd be look'in for a 50cc scooter! Last edited by james1300; 12-31-2011 at 06:24 PM.. |
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12-31-2011, 07:56 PM
| #12 | |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2009 From: Seattle, WA | 
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12-31-2011, 08:48 PM
| #13 | |
| Shredder  Joined: May 2009 From: Richland, WA I Ride: '92 Suzuki VX800, '88 pre-Ninja EX500, RIP-'74 'Kwacker' 400 S3 |
him and before you know it he will have it 'sumo'ed and be riding up and down stairs, through buildings, . . . like a HOOLIGAN !!!  Then again, . . . GREAT IDEA !!!  | |
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01-01-2012, 05:00 AM
| #14 |
 Joined: Sep 2005 From: Bremerton I Ride: 05 KTM 625smc, 03 Are See fiddy one, 05 DRZ470SM, 95 FZR1040, 69 Combat Commando Roadster, 73 Commando Interstate, 67 BSA B44, 71 BSA B50 | You're not going to get anything for a grand. Just isnt going to happen. If you think you're going to buy a bike, gear, helmet, boots, gloves, textiles, nad then maintain it....and still save money, you're deluding yourself. But, all that said, dual sport. Put some more street oriented tires on it and ride it. You''ll spend less on spark plugs, more on oil changes and chains and sprockets. Last edited by dragracer1951; 01-01-2012 at 05:02 AM.. |
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01-01-2012, 08:48 AM
| #15 | |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2009 From: Seattle, WA |
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02-18-2012, 10:09 AM
| #19 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Jan 2012 From: Portland, OR | If you are still looking am selling a 2006 250 ninja with less than 3000 miles on it. I am the second owner and I have all the service records for as long as i have owned it. It was dumped it a while ago (right after i got a bigger bike) and it has some fairing damage and a dent in the gas tank (which i am trying to get replaced), other than that it was knocked over once at a gas station by the previous owner. I have replaced any other damaged parts and it runs great though it will need new tires. I am putting some F1 exhaust pipes on it and am hoping to sell this season. I live in Portland and would be willing to ride it to you if you would buy me a bus ticket back. However the lowest i would go is $1900. Great beginner bike though. Let me know if it interests you an i can send you pictures. |
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