This is topic Bike people in here please in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
I had a couple noobie bike questions if you don't mind.

When my current project is done or at least sell-able I am selling it to buy a used beginer bike. I'm intersted in spending about $3,000 or less and want the bike to be at least 600cc.

Anyway my main question is can salvaged bikes be registered and insured? I know that might be a retarded question but I'm curious. I'm not saying I'm looking at salvaged bikes but the information would be good to know.

Thanks
 

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Posted by NorCalRydaz (Member # 3233) on :
 
Any particular reason why you want a 600cc? I know you will talk to alot of people that will give you alot of different info. In MY opinion that's too big of a bike to start off on.
You should start off on a 250cc. Especially if you have never riden before. Something like a ninja 250 or a kawasaki ex500.
I give you this advice from experience. When u start off on a newer 600 you're worried more about the bike than learning how to do U-turns and and how to control your bike in parking lots.
Good luck on your choice of your bike and just remember no matter what bike you get. BUY a good helmet, good motorcycle jacket and motorcycle gloves.
 

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Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
Honestly the two main reasons I am looking to get a 600 over a 250 is I'm 6'2" and second reason not wanting to purchase again when I've out grown the 250. I just hear about people buying a 250 then wishing a month later that they had got a 600. I wont be worried about the bike. I'm not going to spend more than $3000 so it wont be some sick crotch rocket like a lot of you guys have. I'll be more than happy to drop it if need be.

My sister just bought a 2004 Kawasaki 250. It seems really small like I'm sittin on a kids bike. I didn't ride it but just sitting on it felt small. Didn't feel right.
 

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Posted by Drift-GT (Member # 762) on :
 
Sup,

Ok let me chime in here. As for your question about salvaged bikes, yes they can be registered and insured. BUT, you want to get them from a reliable source. Go talk to Eddie over at Fremont Cycle Salvage he will not steer you wrong. It would be best to get a bike that might be in “not as good” physical condition to start off with as you will probably drop it within your first 3k miles of you riding it (not saying your not skilled but it’s just statistics). This way you won’t feel to bad scratching it up or damaging a fearing. Also this allows you to spend a little less money on the bike so you can spend more money on gear (DON’T CHEAP OUT ON THE GEAR, I can’t stress this enough).

As for the size of the bike CC wise, 600cc is ok but I would look at the lower end of the scale. No R6’s or ZX-6R, or GSXR 600. An older ZZR600 or YZF600 there larger so you wont have issues (being over 6’) but there underpowered compared to the sport bikes of today’s standards.

Have you taken the MSF coarse yet? I always recommend this to new riders that are interested in getting into riding motorcycles. After passing the MSF also allows you just walk into the DMV take the written test show them your certificate and you get your M1 done deal.

- Dana
 

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Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
Dana thanks for the info. When I buy my gear I'm asking my sister where she went. Her gear is top notch. Her jacket alone was $600.

3 blocks from my house a kid in Fremont got killed on a bike. I'm totally on the same page on getting great gear!!

I have not taken the course Fremont has yet. I want to finish my project and sell it first. Then I'll take the course while looking more seriously for the actual bike.

Thanks for the info on the bikes too. That is good to know. Doesn't have to be a rocket ship 600 but something larger. Any more info on bike suggestion let me know so I can research.
 

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Posted by NavidR (Member # 3164) on :
 
bro yes you can register and insure salvage bikes, and I would stay with 600 and NO LESS, since if you go any smaller you will get tired of it.
 

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Posted by 1991CHP (Member # 5097) on :
 
Let me just add a little advice, take it or leave it. Who am I to give advice? That should be one of your first questions when asking for it. Seriously. I have been riding for over 25 years, yes, 25. I started on a Suzuki RM60, to an YSR50/80, EX250/500, GSXR1100, and TL1000R etc. I have ridden both AFM and AMA on a TLR & R1. So I think I know a little about bikes. Salvaged bikes are ok, if you know what you’re getting. Bikes get salvaged for a number of reasons, most, from what I’ve seen, are because they were wrecked. Wrecked how? Well all end up on their side, and when this happens, especially if it’s the left side, most likely in time your looking at a bent shift fork, possible bent crank and a damaged stator. One, two or all of these problems show their signs after time and your ridding style. So you may now notice it for a while. You also have to look closely at the frame, look for any stress marks or bends dings or dents. Check the rims, a bent rim will ruin your day pretty fast. Bent or tweaked forks, clip ons, pegs, peg mounts and sub frames. Loose or missing bolts. Check for scratches on bolts or new bolts, this will help you in how the bike wrecked. I could go on and on, but if I were you, I would take some one to come with me or buy from a reputable place that puts in writing that they have checked all and more that I have wrote done. As far as the size. If you can ride, you can never out grow a 600. I have proved this time and time again. I have raced people, on a track, on a 250/500/600 and lapped them when they have their 1000. So, have fun, be safe and do take that MSF coarse that Drift-GT said, you even get a break on your insurance.
 

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Posted by xcessive50 (Member # 2995) on :
 

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As far as the size. If you can ride, you can never out grow a 600. I have proved this time and time again. I have raced people, on a track, on a 250/500/600 and lapped them when they have their 1000.

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Originally posted by xcessive50:

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As far as the size. If you can ride, you can never out grow a 600. I have proved this time and time again. I have raced people, on a track, on a 250/500/600 and lapped them when they have their 1000.

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I fully agree it's all about the rider. I went riding with about 20 ppl a couple of years back all of which had 2000-newer "race" bikes from 600 to 1200 (zxr,gsxr,r6,r1,ducatis and so on.)and someone invited this dude that showed up on an old 77-78 kz 1000 POS. Big bike yes but the new 600's are faster than that tank.(I had a couple back in the mid-80's) well,everyone laughed and snickered at first until he flat tracked it around all of us in the marin mountains later that morning. Anyway,a little off subject but it's a fun story

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Originally posted by Jdub07:
thanks for the advice...I am for sure going to take the course.

My brother-in-law knows a thing or two about bikes so I was thinking when it came time to look I'll bring him with me.

keep ya posted...although my winter project is FAR from being sell'able.

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