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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choices! /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1376016049 Message started by deejaysham on 08/08/13 at 19:40:49 |
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Title: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choices! Post by deejaysham on 08/08/13 at 19:40:49 I'm currently trying to decide between a 2013 Suzuki S40 Boulevard new from the dealer, a 1999 GS 250 from craigslist, or a 2013 TU250X for my first bike. I have issues with all of them for various reasons: 1.) The S40 is my ideal. It's gorgeous, comfortable, and will travel on the highway without maxing out its potential and leaving me without passing power. However it's the most expensive option. So there's that... It's not outrageously expensive. Just more than the other options. 2.) The GS250 I saw on Craigslist is basically the same bike I rode in my MSF class. I liked it. It was a tad bit cramped but not too bad. This one listed is from 1999 so I worry about the age but it's only asking 1500 so it'd dirt cheap. I don't want my first bike to be a lemon that gives me endless problems, however. 3.) The TU250X is what I probably would have bought already if California didn't outlaw it. But I'm wondering if it could still be in the running via the CA DMV 7500 mile loophole. I'm living Colorado currently but moving back to California in the Fall. If I bought it here and registered it here, could I just keep it registered in CO until I've racked up 7500 miles on the bike and then register it in CA? (that's when CA will register a used vehicle even if it doesn't meet their emission standards for new vehicles) I'd love any advice or thoughts people have here. I've been enjoying this forum very much while I've been shopping. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by Serowbot on 08/08/13 at 19:50:32 I can only say "if I were you"... I'd go for little GS250... put some miles on it... learn from it,... and watch for a good deal to pop up on a clean, low mile Savage... It's hard to lose money on a $1500 bike... and you'll learn some valuable lessons in your first 6 months riding... You're still welcome here... all you have to do, is like Savage's... :)... |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by ylwf3vr on 08/08/13 at 20:19:09 4254435E46535E45310 wrote:
I agree as well. Me and my buddy both started out with Ninja 250s. Got lessons learned and moved up to 600 and 750s. Some say you'll get bored/tired of 250 fast, so you should just start at 500/600s. Either way, riding is riding! Go with something you'll wake up and say "man I want to ride!".. not "man how can I get rid of this.." ;D |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by raydawg on 08/08/13 at 20:45:56 I started on a Rebel, many can be had cheap, as they have been around a long time. Just one more option :-* |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by PhantomII on 08/09/13 at 06:03:41 I rode the Yamaha Vstar 250, the GZ 250 and the Honda Rebel the Yamaha was by far the best of the 3, and the Honda coming in close second. The GZ just didn't have enough power to pull my big butt around and the Honda has these side covers that cut into your inner thighs. The Yamaha is also the more expensive, in the end I went with the Savage I picked mine up for $700.00 it was in great mechanical shape but looks ugly as sin, but I knew when I got it that it was going to be a beater until I got my experience level back up and then i would get the one that i really want a Triumph T100. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by Paladin. on 08/09/13 at 06:19:41 6F6E6E616A7278636A660B0 wrote:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm Quote:
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by Dave on 08/09/13 at 06:25:02 It is hard for us to make a solid, sensible recommendation when we don't know your size, type of riding, etc. If you are going to be riding on the 65-70 mph highways......a 250 is not going to be the right choice. In the Cincinnati, Ohio area you have a lot of bikes available and a huge selection on Craigslist....you could get a good deal on any bike you want if you watch and wait for the right one. Beater Savages are $ 1,500, nice ones are $ 2,500, and like new ones are $ 3,500 - $4,000. The Ninja 250 bikes are plentiful and there are many abused ones and some that are very nice for $ 2,000 and up. If you are in a rural Colorado area.....you may not have nearly as good of a selection. You might consider looking at Craigslist in other areas and travel to get a good bike. Craigslist actively goes after anyone that sets up a way to search engines that can look at more than one local place at a time.....but I am told this one works. Google "TEMPEST CRAIGSLIST" Main Page, Type in your Zip, item you are looking for, hit seach, then bookmark. I bought my 2007 Suzuki Savage with 262 miles on it for $ 2,650, and I had to drive from Kentucky to New York City to get it......but it was in great shape and better than the choices I had in Cincinnati. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by nickeynicknick on 08/09/13 at 06:39:47 I'll chime in just for another voice. I, too, started out on a Rebel. Only had it for about a year (so 6-8 months of riding) before selling it. I sold it for a different styled bike (wanted a cafe...only to end up with another cruiser later on, a Savage) But, I loved it and thankful I had it as my first motorcycle. I feel like it was a super easy bike to learn on because of its smaller size. I am a skinny guy, though. Depending on your size, and how far you are traveling at high speeds, a bigger bike might be better for you. The reasons I liked the Rebel so much was its reliability, super easy and forgiving control and its super light weight. Also, it got great gas mileage. I think it was around 60 or so. If I didn't have a passenger and didn't have to go too far at 70+mph the Rebel would be an awesome bike to have. And they're cheap used. That being said, almost everything I just mentioned can be had in the Suzuki Savage. It has a little more weight, some more power and is just a touch bigger. At 6' I was just a little cramped on the Rebel, where the Savage gives me that little extra room. As mentioned already, you can find Savages for around $2000 used. So, if that was your ideal, I would just keep searching for one at a price you like. Good luck! Hope you're riding soon 8-) |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by oldNslow on 08/09/13 at 06:55:24 Is the bike you saw on craigslist a GS250 or a GZ250. Two different bikes. GS is a twin the GZ is a single. I don't know anything about the GS( not sure they still made them in 99 though) but I rode a GZ in my MSF class and it felt very similar to a Savage, just a bit smaller and with less power. The TU is a pretty small bike. If you're cramped on the GZ I think you would find it to be too small. If you have to choose between the three you mentioned, and money is a consideration, my advice would be to go with the GZ and keep looking for a good deal on the Savage you really want. Otherwise just go straight to the Savage. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by deejaysham on 08/09/13 at 07:07:00 Yeah, the listing says GS250 but from the picture it's a GZ250. I'm going to check it out today and if it can be had for 1200 or 1250 it might be hard to say no to. The S40 would be about 6500 from the dealer after all add-on fees and taxes, and as a learner bike I probably don't need to put the extra 5k into it... especially if I'm going to drop it or lay it down early on. Thanks to everyone so far for the input. It's definitely helping refine my thinking on this! |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by Greg on 08/09/13 at 08:53:14 If the S40 is what you really want, buy an older one for comparable money as the others you are looking at. I wanted one and just waited until I found one in my price range. Most people will quickly tire of a 250 unless it is strictly used in the city. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by old_rider on 08/09/13 at 09:04:31 I had a GZ250 for about a year when I was in Illinois. It was good for in town traffic of 45mph and under, but was NOT for riding on the highway. It was hard pressed to do 55mph and I weigh in the 145-165lbs range. I had if for one year and passed it on to a young guy I was working with who had seen me riding to work everyday on it and wanted to learn how to ride, he now has a 1100 shadow. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by WD on 08/09/13 at 09:11:05 A used Savage IS a beginner bike. Or a stay in the game after injury or age forces you off heavier bikes type bike. It is the same dimensions as older 250s, handles the same as older 250/350 bikes, has just enough quirks to keep it interesting... And is THE least stolen bike in the USA, so insurance is as low or lower than many 250s. Get a cheap one that needs some cosmetic work, ride it until you are comfortable, then replace it with a newer one or cut it up and make it yours. Look through some of the custom builds on our site, many highly modified D.I.Y. and components kits builds. We have them ranging from cafe racers to full on track styles, barhoppers to touring baggers, even a few flat track and dual sport conversions. The Savage/S40 is THE best bargain basement, get your hands dirty, cut it up or crash it bike on the market. Just keep in mind, once you modify it, you can't GIVE them away... |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by old_rider on 08/09/13 at 11:10:48 LOL ;D Ain't that the truth! once you modify any bike, it then becomes a "I like it" "I hate it" sale. If someone likes it they will buy it, if they hate it, you will have it till the end of time and won't be able to give it away! I agree tho, I think of all the bikes I've had, the savage is truly a diverse machine. The frame work is so simple you can adapt it to almost any style of bike, or just leave it be and fix the few quirks it has and ride it till the engine gives out, fix the engine and ride it till it quits again. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by deejaysham on 08/12/13 at 19:20:30 Thanks again for all the input, guys. Just following up. I've been to every dealer in town and sat on just about every Rebel, GZ250, TU250x, V Star 250, S40, and even a few Shadows too. - The TU250X won't fly with CA emissions so it's out. - The Rebel boxes really do suck for the leg comfort - The GZ250 is widely considered ultra-low performance even among 250s so it's out. - The V Star just feels annoyingly cramped in such a way that I find myself wanting to avoid using the rear break and that's not a good ergonomic habit to develop. Bottom line... every time I sat on a S40 it just felt right. And now one has come up for sale via private owner that is low mileage, low price, and a no brainer. I'll be checking it out later this week and likely bringing it home. Can't wait to be an official member of the club! |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by ylwf3vr on 08/12/13 at 21:57:27 7F7E7E717A6268737A761B0 wrote:
When I went to look at my bike I had doubts coming from my Daytona. But when I saw it it was like :). Then when I sat on it.. :D. (Until I almost laid it down on my way home the day I bought it lol). Hope it all works out! |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by deejaysham on 08/12/13 at 23:30:50 2D382332672226540 wrote:
Pre-buying paranoia... What happened when you almost laid it down?! Too much bike for you?! Or was it just switching from the Daytona to a cruiser style? My only lingering reservation with the S40 is the displacement but nearly everything I read says that the 652cc single cylinder is about the friendliest 650cc class bike you could start on. When people debate starting on 650 vs 250 bikes they often talk about Ninja 250 vs. other 650 sport bikes and my impression is that the S40 650 has less noob-startling power in it than even a Ninja 250, given the way the torque and HP is. Hope I'm right. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by misterbbq on 08/13/13 at 04:48:18 love the little tu250. rode that in my msf class and then found a savage for $2k. just couldn't find a tu250 in my market.... |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by savagebob on 08/13/13 at 04:56:22 I'm new to the Savage and fairly new to bikes in general. My first bike that I learnt to ride on is a Suzuki Bandit 250GSF and I still own it. Comparing the two in my opinion,.. the Bandit 250 is faster, at 45hp and 6 speeds, I think it out guns and out handles the bigger engined Savage. It even keeps up with my friends Ducati Monster 400 no problem. But the Savage is much easier to ride I think, more relaxing and forgiving. I bought a Savage because it seems like one of the cheapest most modifiable bike around. I wanted a bike to cut up and and tinker with and make my own without spending a fortune. All depends on what you want in a bike. Now I'm not wanting to upset any Savage owners, but from what I've learned so far, if my goal was a reliable bike which is fast enough in standard form to keep me entertained without having to learn to turn spanners in the weekend. A Savage wouldn't be the bike. My 2 cents. :D |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by oldNslow on 08/13/13 at 06:25:51 Quote:
I didn't know that. Of course the one I rode in the MSF class never got past second gear. I think the real beauty of the Savage is that it's just so doggone easy to ride. It's just a friendly, unintimidating motorcycle with adequate performance for almost all the things I use a motorcycle for. |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by ylwf3vr on 08/13/13 at 07:44:56 6F6E6E616A7278636A660B0 wrote:
Pre-buying paranoia... What happened when you almost laid it down?! Too much bike for you?! Or was it just switching from the Daytona to a cruiser style? [/quote] Yep just the transition from Daytona. And also the fact that I hadn't ridden for 2 years before this one. But after about 10 min I was good to go lol |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by SavageCat on 08/14/13 at 10:24:37 Adding my $0.02...my first (and current) bike is my 98 Savage...absolutely love it. Bought it from a friend used for $650!! It was missing a few pieces so I fixed it up and its a fully functioning Savage. Never once have I questioned it. Does great on the highway and piddles around town well. To compare, my brother left his '11 Ninja 250 at the house and I have ridden that a few times and prefer my Savage over the Ninja by a huge margin...The 250 just doesn't give me enough power to feel safe and I'm not a big guy so...take it for what its worth. I'd get the Savage, smooth bike, decent handling, and of course...she's purdy!! To each their own, get the one you like and are comfortable sitting on! |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by deejaysham on 08/14/13 at 22:23:34 Well I did it. I bought a 2009 S40 today and I love it! I got it for a decent price - which will give me some budget left over to get it painted something other than the candy red (more pink than red). But that's later on... first I RIDE!!! |
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Title: Re: New, Used, or Illegal first bike... such choic Post by zieglarf on 08/14/13 at 22:58:20 I wouldn't hesitate to buy a good 250 for a low price - you ride it for 6 months you can resell it for the same as you paid for it. But ultimately the S40 is better - size and weight is a little more than a 250 but power is a lot more. |
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