| Author | Message | ||
     Missbehavin |
...on the back that is!! I'm really interested in staying with Buell if I can find one less than $2500. If I can't find one for that price, are there any suggestions as to a good starter bike within that range? I'm small, so I'll need a bike small enough for me. I sat on a City Cross at SMHD&Buell with a low seat, and I think I could handle that, but not much higher. I ride with the 3%ers all the time so I know I'll be getting the best teachers around. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!  Happy 4th!! | ||
| Aldaytona |
Riders Edge Buell Blast, check around, low mileage bikes for 1/2 price. | ||
| Ulywife |
There's also several Blast! in the classifieds. Depends on how far you want to travel or possibly have it shipped. One comes with the soft saddle bags if I remember correctly. Good luck on your search. | ||
| Diablobrian |
around $2k should easily net you a used Blast. The guys at Stone Mtn probably have a couple of former rider's edge bikes waiting for an owner right now. If you can't find one of them, the Suzuki Savage may be a good alternative, or a Yamaha 535 Virago The Honda rebel (250 or 450), the Kawasaki eliminator 250 or 600, or maybe the Suzuki intruder 800. All of those bikes have been around for years and can be found fairly cheap. All have good records for reliability too. I hope this helps. It's the same list I've given before for beginers wanting a low seat height. (Message edited by diablobrian on July 03, 2006) | ||
| Aeholton |
Let's not forget the Kawasaki Ninja 250. Light weight, comfortable riding position, and pretty quick when you keep it screaming. My wife loves her little bike. Although, I tell her she is too easy on it. I take it out every once in a while to wring it's little neck.  | ||
| Tramp |
honda rebel's an easy beegweener's scoot. great personal quote, by the way. we'll go scoot shopping, and i'll play you some bad gyspy violin and get you sloshed on san gria. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
suzuki sv650 is another great option. you can find a gently used buell blast for $2K if you shop a bit too though. good luck, and welcome to the rider side - be sure you take an MSF course! D | ||
| Kuuud |
Absolutely a Blast...or a Savage if you must. You will out grow the Rebels and other 250's in a very short time. The Blasts are very unintimidating yet will cruise two-up at 75 mph!!! Bret | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
 Allison, If you are thinking of tearing up the roads around Suches with the 3% ers, a nice pre owned Blast will do the trick, and should be within your budget. Hard to be a real 3% on a rice burner:-) Handling is the thing in the Mountains, and a Blast is a nice simple bike, good handling, lighter weight, and a much better first bike than a City Cross. That can come later once you get the hang of it. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I would pass on the 250 Rebel, you will out grow it and yearn for a bigger bike. "At least that's what happened to my wife". | ||
| Jlnance |
I'll add my voice to the "Blast would be good" group. I bought one as my first bike and am so glad I did. I still have it, and still ride it to, even though I have a Uly now. So it isn't just a beginner bike. There are always a few for sale on ebay, and they go for about $2k. Here is the one closest to Georgia. | ||
| Sokota |
Thumpers are the greatest "teachers." | ||
| Tramp |
"I would pass on the 250 Rebel...", That's why I never suggested one. The 450 rebel is a nice, low-seated machine which produces nice hiway speeds. My 5'4 (ex) finacee bought one in San Jose and loved the thing. Much lower seat-height than the 250 ninja orthe blast, so you'll drop it less often...and...when you DO drop it...who cares? It's a honda rebel. also- it will cost less-than-half what a blast will, AND it will depreciate less (a $500- motorcycle is a $500- motorcycle), AND they're much easier to sell than a blast. more of these new-to-motorcyling folks want cruisers. The blast is a tougher niche sell than a cheap japanese cruiser. you'll invest less,fall less and lose less with the 450 rebel. slap some drag bars on it, and it's not quite as lame, either. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I didn't know that they made a 450 model. OH, don't forget the Suzuki "savage" 650. thump thump thump. | ||
| Teddagreek |
The rebel is a horrible ride.... You can always go to a bike yard and pick up a beater... I've driven older 250 ninja that was a fun little bike. I'd take a riders course if you haven't. You will be glad you did. You might ride with good riders but are they good teachers.. MSF or riders edge has a proven program and in the end you will come out a safer rider and more confident rider.. There was a girl here locally last month took a turn and here throttle got stuck wide open. She basically hung on for her life.. She hit a curb and flew 100 something feet along with the bike.. Her Survival reaction "fear/Panic" was to hang on.. Taking a riding course will help you over come alot of that being a new rider. If she could have over come it she could have hit the kill switch then braked etc... I also recommend the keith code books and surviving the streets.... Good Luck... | ||
| Tramp |
horrible for you or me... great for a shorter newbie, though | ||
| Crusty |
Get a Blast. You'll love it. | ||
| Essthreetee |
Rebels aren't "horrible". I don't think they are great, but definitely not horrible. The 450 is a good starter bike. It is light, comfortable, reliable and CHEAP. It was my first bike, and I am 6'1". Of course I only had it for a month, but for that month it worked great. I do however think that if you are considering a CityX, then the Blast would be more your style (for a starter). Good luck and enjoy whatever you get. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Go the bike yard and get beater 500cc or less.. Dude a Rebel.... Seriously | ||
| Tramp |
"dude" yes- seriously. she describes herself as 'small'. the rebel is a very cheap, disposable, and LOW-statured motorcycle.... and it suffers from virtually NO depreciation.... buy one for $600, sell it, next May, for $600- new dents and all. back where I come from, we call that a win/win situation..... "dude"  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
A rebel is one of the last few low displacement "real" motorcycles that you can get. I think you can still get GZ250 and VN125 or something. These are the next best things to dirtbikes for teaching braking skills and clutch/throttle coordination and modulation. That being said, I still love the Blast, which will require less maintenance than any of the Japanese offerings in its class. | ||
| Tramp |
I'd love to own a blast, and I'm not small. .....hung like a chipmunk, sure. but small? mais non.... | ||
| Pwnzor |
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| Johnnylunchbox |
Tramp, just say it ok! JLB is a chubby bastard and he does ok on a Blast. N.B. I've been watching what I eat and have gained 1 HP so far. | ||
| Buellistic |
"i" did get a BLAST !!! What "FUN" it is !!! | ||
| Jlnance |
In regards to the Rebel. When I took the MSF class we had a collection of low displacement Hondas and Suzuikis. I believe they were Rebel 250s (is there a 125?) They have their plusses. They are lighter than the Blast, and thus easier to learn on. Also, not a big deal to pick up after a drop. They are cheap. I also found them fun to ride. However, I wouldn't feel comfortable riding one on the interstate. I'm not sure it would even go the speed limit, and it would certainly take a long time to get there. BTW, is missbehaving still following this thread or are we just debating amongst ourselves? | ||
| Tramp |
she's in the shower ...i'll ask her when she comes out I rode my (now ex-) finacee's 450 rebel between her crib in Santa Clara and my service gig in Mountain View several times while doing lunch-break work on it. It had NO problem exceeding the speed limits on 101 and 280, It did 90 with no problems....at all I felt like the 5th "Village People" member on it, but it was very, VERY solid, tight little ride. Look- it's a LOWWWWW scoot, which is great for ladies who decribe themselves as small. My ex was 5'4 (national average) and the rebel was perfect for her | ||
| Jlnance |
You're in Mtn View? I was just out there. I work for a company based out there (Synopsys) and come out about once a year. I always have a good time. | ||
| Missbehavin |
I'm still here!! Finally "out of the shower." When I say small, I mean 5'5 and 115. So, if there are other bikes that would fit my frame, I'd love to hear about those too. You guys crack me up! I've learned a lot, but it's always more fun when it is entertaining!  | ||
| Glitch |
Hey sweetie! |
