Posted: 5/7/2009 4:14:52 PM EDT
| gun people help each other out. time to put that theory to the test. i'm a 23 yo college student living in downtown austin and my primary vehicle is a f-150 that gets me about 9mpg at best in the city. i've thought about getting a moped/scooter to make small commutes like to school and such, and i hear something under 50cc doesnt even require a license. but i feel like that's a little girlie for a 5'11" 200lb guy, so i'd like to explore the possiblity of getting a motorcycle this summer. something used and cheap, preferably a cruiser-type street bike and not a sports bike, but i could go either way. i could sure use some help in finding and test-riding a bike, as well as a basic riding lesson that'll get me on my way. i'm only budgeting $1500 for this now because i'm a fulltime student, but i can probably come up with more if really needed. if someone here can help me in this way, i would be eternally grateful. or if you or a buddy have a bike to get rid of, we could work something out too. i also have ammo to trade. or maybe someone has a dealer license and can take me to an auction? or know a "learn to ride" place that doesn't break the bank? any other advice? i'm just looking for any type of help or knowledge i might find here, really. thanks for lookin:) |
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I'm in Austin and Ive been riding 15+ years. For $1500 you can get a decent deal on a used bike ob craigslist. Might need a little TLC or a carb cleaning but nothing too expensive. I know a good guy over in Pflugerville that runs a shop from his garage. Does top notch work and is very reasonable with prices. Im not sure about 50cc not needing a license but you can't ride them on the streets or sidewalks. As far as classes go....I would suggest if you've never ridden before to take a course somewhere. I think that both the harley shops north and south give basic rider classes. But not sure how much they are. Austin is crazy during rush hour for bikes. I totally avoid it. I can just image what its like downtown. Any further questions just shout.... Jax |
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I don't know what part of TX you live in, but in the D/FW area there is a dealer called Full Boar Cycles. They have a lot of used Harleys and some rice burners. They have pretty good prices on them, I've bought 2 bikes from them and was happy with both. There is one in Hurst and one in Richardson. They have a good trade back program, you can trade up to a bigger bike and get 100 % trade in on the first one you purchased. Check there site out, you can view all the bikes they have.
Full Boar Cycles |
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check out Craigslist...
plan on spending more on gear, you want the best i promise. get enrolled in an MSF course, it's time on a bike in a controlled setting as well as basic practice and you get your license when you're done. as for size to motor needs, it all depends on where and when you're going... I want enough motor to get me the heck outta the way when i twist the throttle, but a slower bike can be useful if you're staying out of traffic... keep in mind you're on a bike and the name of the game is getting out of the way. |
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I'd strongly recommend taking the MSF before you get a bike and when you do get a bike, get a used Ninja 250 (07 and earlier). They are cheap and dependable and prices have really dropped since the super sporty 08 Ninja 250's came out.
250 will get you around town all day in fine style, 50mpg+ and if you drop it or take a spill its a light bike to get back upright....great learner bikes. Also agree with looking on Craigslist. You can find great deals there. Z |
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HEY THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES AND SUGGESTIONS SO FAR. REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!
i've decided i'll take the class because it sounds like it's pretty important. but what "gear" are yall talkin about? i thought it was just a helmet? is it jacket and gloves or something? |
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HEY THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES AND SUGGESTIONS SO FAR. REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!! i've decided i'll take the class because it sounds like it's pretty important. but what "gear" are yall talkin about? i thought it was just a helmet? is it jacket and gloves or something? You won't regret taking the MSF course. Gear needed: Helmet (get a DOT/SNELL approved full face helmet. $10 soup bowl helmets are for $10 skulls.) Gloves (get motorcycle gloves. Anything else will fall apart if you actually fall down.) Long sleeve shirt, jeans, some type of boots. Obviously the best stuff would be a riding jacket, riding pants, and motorcycle specific boots but that's $$$. |
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I started riding a few years ago here in Austin. As far as cities go, it's not too bad for motos, but you can never be off guard when on a bike in traffic... any kind of traffic.
I'll definitely add that the very first and best step you can take is the safety course. I priced them around $175, unless you go to the Harley shop in which case I think they are double that (not sure though). I also hear you get a massive credit toward Harley gear when you take their course. Understand, though, Harley Davidson is at the top of their game right now, they are pulling in big bucks for a brand that is rabid. I wouldn't waste a small budget on that brand. There are SO many bikes on Craigslist it's insane. There are all kinds of deals, and your budget + someone to help you find a decent ride should get you where you want to go. Also, I got all my gear on CL and at the gunshow. You need good gear, but getting it used can be a huge expense. I got a $300 helmet, $50 gloves, a $250 leather jacket, and another $120 summer jacket for less than half of retail. Don't skimp on gear. Especially as a new rider. Really never, but especially when you are new. When you see those guys going no helmet, or those hippies on scooters with sandals and not much else, think of what it will be like in the simplest of accidents. Best case is a horrible road rash that takes weeks to heal, worst case is smacking your head and being a veggie (no pun) for the rest of your life. Get religious with All the Gear All the Time. If you are getting a bike as a second vehicle, this is best IMO. Riders who start out with a bike as their only transport can run into trouble. For me, if I wake up one morning and I don't feel 100%, I take the truck. If I haven't had sleep, I take the truck. If I have to ride Mopac at 5pm, I'll probably take the truck. Keeping the truck gives you options, and it's really important when you are first learning. Oh yeah, there's weather too. New riders in strong wind (and holy crap we've had some windy days this past 6 months!!) can really mess with you. Riding on slick roads in the rain takes practice, and you don't want that practice when you are late to work, and all the other Zombie drivers are too. Driving downtown in Austin is actually not too bad. It's crowded, but the speeds are slow and there are a lot of escapes for motos. I think the real dangers are Lamar in traffic, Mopac anytime, 6th street in the evenings and weekends, etc. PM inbound. |
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If you are going to get a bike, the 250 ninja is a great starter, but you wont like it for long...........
Get a decent 600cc sportbike like a R6, or even a ninja 600..............plenty of power, though it will be more than you will ever need in Texas on these flat straight streets. I had a Yamaha YZF R6 and I loved it so much, I now want to get another.........or maybe a sportscar for those weekends or just spittin' around town, my Jeep is old and it will last me a while longer but it is not what I consider gas friendly either, 10-13/17-21MPG............I drive for a living in it and the gas eats me up something fierce. I was looking at either buying myself a new DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 in Black..............or a SUZUKI B-King 1350cc's....................I just had my 30th so I need that mid-life crisis car/bike already...................... 
anyways, seriously, I wouldnt suggest the 250 because many people will kinda make fun of you for riding such a sissy bike..........I did. Get at least a 600cc for your first bike..........dont get bigger, thats for a few years down the line. |
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The MSF course...
CraigsList... etc. All good advice. I do NOT recommend a 600cc SPORT bike as your first. The R6's, GSXR-600's and 600rr's are too close to suicide for a first-time rider. These are the bikes that experienced riders will buy CHEAP after some squid says "Hey, watch this..."; they fix them and turn them into dedicated track bikes because they are so dominant there. I recommend a "standard" bike in the 500-750cc range. If you prefer cruisers, there are all kinds of 600 and 750 Shadows on Craigslist. Honda quit making the 750 Nighthawk in '03. That is the quintessential "standard" bike. It is also bulletproof and needs very little maintenance. Keep the oil & filter changed and the chain adjusted, they will run forever and get 45 MPG doing it. Maybe you can find a Honda 599 - they are water cooled and also require very little maintenance. Careful though, those are close to the sport bikes without the fairing. Unfortunately, they are not that common. You will quickly outgrow a 250, unless its the 250 Ninja. Those are forever fun because they are so incredibly quick & nimble. Reading TheNorm's post... he gave some good advice 
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The MSF course... CraigsList... etc. All good advice. I do NOT recommend a 600cc.. Start with the course! It will be fun, you will meet people and you will learn things that could save your life or the life of your passenger. Once you do start riding, you will see the value of your time and money spent in the course once you have your first few 'close calls'. One of the things you're practically guranteed driving a bike is that you will have them. Hopefully none of your close calls end up costing you. Craigslist would be the place to shop for a bike. I found mine on cycletrader.com but in the years since, they seem to just cater to dealers, etc. CCs.. If you're responsible, I'd get a 600cc.. Otherwise, I'd get a 250cc. NOT to say that 250cc owners are not responsible but.. IF you get on a 600cc pissed off one day and bang through two gears at WOT*, you've hit 70mph within a city block with no where to go.. your organs will be donated as designated on your DL. IF you think you might feel the need to manhandle your bike, do tricks or play around with it, start with a 250 or smaller. * WOT = wide open throttle |
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What most of the others said, invest in the MSF class first. You will have to have a helmet, gloves jacket and boots\ shoes that cover your ankles. The helmet has to be for a motorcycle (actually had a guy show up with a football helmet to 1 class) and the gloves and boots have to be leather.
For running around Austin 250 should be good, your instructors may be able to put on to a good line for one. Cruiser would be a Honda Rebel, there are dual sports that might work for you and of course the Ninja can be had in 250. |
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in all honesty, i can't reccomend a 250 or even a 500... you need some motor to move that bike, but you need experience to control it...
while 250's and such are great to learn on, they won't offer you the ability to accelerate out of the way like a full size bike will. For those who are saying 600's and such are deathtraps for new riders, please shut it! New riders don't wreck because they pick the wrong bike, they wreck because they can't ride a bike and think that looking cool at sonic is what it's about. The only thing that keeps you rubber side down on a bike is skill, the only thing that keeps you from dying almost every trip you get on the hwy for is experience, and the only that that gets you both is practice. I'd focus more on actually 'riding', rather than 'what' you're riding... realize that after the msf course you are now highly trained to ride an underpowered bike, with no traffic, in a parking lot. The thing that kills riders, and if you ride long enough you will see, is inexperience. Guys panic instead of reacting, and when you panic on a bike you lose. Whatever you chose the only thing that will keep it from killing you is the ability to control it, and the experience to react the way you should. |
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HEY THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES AND SUGGESTIONS SO FAR. REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!! i've decided i'll take the class because it sounds like it's pretty important. but what "gear" are yall talkin about? i thought it was just a helmet? is it jacket and gloves or something? At first I thought I'd only use a helmet and gloves as I'm gonna be on a cruiser and it wouldn't be "cool". Until I read on some other houston and national bike forums on other peoples' crashes and ROAD RASH. Most of the guys with MINOR road rash were out for a week or so, and hurting for a while. So yea, I'll be the "uncool" guy in a hot and heavy leather jacket and full face helmet in the summer, but WHEN(most people who ride say when not if) you fall down you'll be glad you were wearing it. Seriously, just look at vids on youtube/liveleak on motorcycle crashes/roadrash. All those guys are "squidding" it with shorts, flip flops and of course the tactical brain saving sunglasses. Yes, it's your decision. Yes, it's your life. But personally I'd rather be  then  . Bikes don't have seatbelts.
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I just took my basic motorcycle course a few weeks back in Houston with no prior motorcycle experience at all. I took the course, because I thought knowing the basics would be a useful skill to have. I plan on taking the test when I get my license renewed next year and I haven't bought a bike yet.
After you get trained and licensed, I'd recommend researching insurance rates before you buy a bike and shop around. I'd assume anything 250cc or lower won't be much at all though. I'm also 23, and was quoted anywhere from about $300/yr to $800/yr for the minimum required insurance on a '02 Yamaha r6. Full coverage would've been at least $2000/yr 
I'm wondering since you live in downtown and probably don't have a garage, do bikes get stolen often around downtown Austin? If you get used, look around Austin for a motorcycle shop that'll inspect bikes for you (preferably for free). |
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My first bike is a GSX-r600...I get 39 mpgs
250cc's are fine for short point A to point B bikes, also good for college kids. I know a girl that had one. You go to UT? Then you probably don't drive but a few miles, so you shouldn't be too worried of "down town rush hour traffic" like on 35. I did not take the driver safety course. Been driving trucks 10 years, I know the rules. I've ridden dirtbikes, and BMX; I know two wheels. The biggie: Other drivers don't see/look for you. You have to keep an eye out always. Your course is now complete
Pro's for the Safety class mentioned: You get your license after the course, you get 10% discount on insurance, you get experience and a tutor to answer questions. With no saf-T course my insurance is $95 per year. Anything over 600cc and the insurance increases due to higher risk. It's like driving standard, clutch-shift-release clutch and add gas. Give or take. How much is your head / face worth to you? You don't have to get an $800 helmet with cool graphics. Look to spend at least $300. Get a mesh style jacket with padding and a liner (liner for winter). You can go all out leather like I did. Works great on sliding across pavement, but you'll be pretty sweaty come summer time. |
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I just took my basic motorcycle course a few weeks back in Houston with no prior motorcycle experience at all. I took the course, because I thought knowing the basics would be a useful skill to have. I plan on taking the test when I get my license renewed next year and I haven't bought a bike yet. After you get trained and licensed, I'd recommend researching insurance rates before you buy a bike and shop around. I'd assume anything 250cc or lower won't be much at all though. I'm also 23, and was quoted anywhere from about $300/yr to $800/yr for the minimum required insurance on a '02 Yamaha r6. Full coverage would've been at least $2000/yr
I'm wondering since you live in downtown and probably don't have a garage, do bikes get stolen often around downtown Austin? If you get used, look around Austin for a motorcycle shop that'll inspect bikes for you (preferably for free). Yeah, you're under 25. For Males, insurance prices drops at 25 due to all males losing their testosterone and angst at 25 (less of a risk). Girls get cheaper insurance at 21 I think.
Insurance is going to be more expensive in those bigger cities (i.e. more accidents per capita). I'm insured through a small town, we always get the cheaper rates. Both of you need to look into getting a wheel lock. Locks onto the disk brake. |
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The riding classes at the Harley shops are more than double the price of the basic rider MSF courses elsewhere. Wood's Fun Center has info on the more reasonably priced ones.
And here's one: http://www.totalrider.com/courses.html |
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Yeah, you're under 25. For Males, insurance prices drops at 25 due to all males losing their testosterone and angst at 25 (less of a risk). Girls get cheaper insurance at 21 I think.
Insurance is going to be more expensive in those bigger cities (i.e. more accidents per capita). I'm insured through a small town, we always get the cheaper rates. Both of you need to look into getting a wheel lock. Locks onto the disk brake. Insurance drops at 21 and 25 for both guys and girls. The drop at 25 is quite a bit more than the 21 drop. |
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Yeah, you're under 25. For Males, insurance prices drops at 25 due to all males losing their testosterone and angst at 25 (less of a risk). Girls get cheaper insurance at 21 I think.
Insurance is going to be more expensive in those bigger cities (i.e. more accidents per capita). I'm insured through a small town, we always get the cheaper rates. Both of you need to look into getting a wheel lock. Locks onto the disk brake. Ha. Insurance rates depend heavily on what you ride. If you ride liter class sport bikes, it's never cheap for full coverage. Buddy of mine couldn't get full coverage insurance for less than the cost of the bike when he was under 25. My insurance got manageable when I turned 30. If I wanted a new bike, the insurance would run me about 2 grand a year for full coverage. I'm 39, married, no accidents, no tickets. |
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Yeah, you're under 25. For Males, insurance prices drops at 25 due to all males losing their testosterone and angst at 25 (less of a risk). Girls get cheaper insurance at 21 I think.
Insurance is going to be more expensive in those bigger cities (i.e. more accidents per capita). I'm insured through a small town, we always get the cheaper rates. Both of you need to look into getting a wheel lock. Locks onto the disk brake. Ha. Insurance rates depend heavily on what you ride. If you ride liter class sport bikes, it's never cheap for full coverage. Buddy of mine couldn't get full coverage insurance for less than the cost of the bike when he was under 25. My insurance got manageable when I turned 30. If I wanted a new bike, the insurance would run me about 2 grand a year for full coverage. I'm 39, married, no accidents, no tickets. Some bikes are in a grey area to the insurance people. My Kawasaki EX500 is a sport bike, but the insurance don't see it as a sport bike. Of course you don't say "Ninja 500". I don't know which other bikes fall into this area... And while I'm on the EX500, it's a great starter bike IMO. You can get one really cheap, if it wasn't abused it'll run forever. They are reliable as hell if taken care of, and parts are cheap both new and off the piles and piles of wrecked bikes. There is more power than a 250, but not overkill, so you will outgrow it a little later! My insurance (liability only) is $82/yr. I'm 38. |
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gun people help each other out. time to put that theory to the test. i'm a 23 yo college student living in downtown austin and my primary vehicle is a f-150 that gets me about 9mpg at best in the city. i've thought about getting a moped/scooter to make small commutes like to school and such, and i hear something under 50cc doesnt even require a license. but i feel like that's a little girlie for a 5'11" 200lb guy, so i'd like to explore the possiblity of getting a motorcycle this summer. something used and cheap, preferably a cruiser-type street bike and not a sports bike, but i could go either way. i could sure use some help in finding and test-riding a bike, as well as a basic riding lesson that'll get me on my way. i'm only budgeting $1500 for this now because i'm a fulltime student, but i can probably come up with more if really needed. if someone here can help me in this way, i would be eternally grateful. or if you or a buddy have a bike to get rid of, we could work something out too. i also have ammo to trade. or maybe someone has a dealer license and can take me to an auction? or know a "learn to ride" place that doesn't break the bank? any other advice? i'm just looking for any type of help or knowledge i might find here, really. thanks for lookin:) If you drive a motor assisted scooter that is under 50cc, you are prohibited from driving it on any road that is marked over 35MPH. You can cross the roadway like a bicycle but may not operate the device on it. In other words, if you can get to your destination in Austin on roads that are 35mph or less, your good. If you decide to get an actual MOPED, you will need to obtain a moped license and register the bike as moped, and get a MOPED license plate, wear a helmet, insurance etc. You can not operate a motorcycle with a mope license however. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/pages/Electric.htm |
Just get a 50cc and drop a 110 in it 
In all seriousness I wouldn't get a 250 and just start on an 600cc, their monsters if you use em but easy if your not aggressive. The msf is def 1st thing to do, but be careful cuz it doesn't feel like your going fast on a bike... recently just got pulled over 80 in a 30
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... it doesn't feel like your going fast on a bike... recently just got pulled over 80 in a 30 I'll second that sentiment. It does not feel like you're going that fast; certainly not too fast to stop in the same amount of space that a car would. Acceleration is also much easier and quicker. From the perspective of driving the motorcycle you're NOT zipping around. From the perspective of people in cars, you are. |
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One of my roommates in college fooled around with this. He was about 5'8" and Vietnamese, 160lbs, not very big. He started out on a scooter and got tired of looking like a complete tool in traffic with his big phallic helmet. He traded around and finally got a motorcycle, I don't remember the brand.
A few weeks later, 4 or 5 of us were hanging out in a parking lot at Northgate (TAMU) and he was showing us the bike. He's sitting on the bike telling us all about it and suddenly, "wham!" he looses his balance while he's parked and falls over. And if that wasn't embarrassing enough, he could barely stand it back up by himself. We had to help him. A couple of weeks later, he was delivering food for a restaurant in the rain and laid the bike down in a ditch full of water. He wasn't hurt or anything, but you could tell it was wearing him out. A week or so later he shows up driving a Toyota pickup. He had finally given up and sold the bike and bought a pickup. Just a tidbit of past experience for ya to keep in mind. |