Quote:
Originally Posted by !NR
^AFAIK Shark no longer offered in Canada, with maybe the exception direct from Yamaha back east. You can however get a shop to special order it for you, or order online (Revzilla). No experience with Suomy so I cannot comment.
|
Shark was a pain in the ass to get into North America. They had the worst distributor in NA and their lead times were horrendous. Highly not recommended!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rk604
i'd recommend the ninja 250 as well as a starter bike, but most people would want to upgrade relatively quick to a 600cc. Go for a 600cc if you want to save the time but keep in mind that its a load of bike to learn on imo.
In terms of checking bikes out:
- What !NR said
- Check engine/clutch covers on both sides to see if any scratches are present (can tell if its been dropped
- Bar ends on both sides
- See how the bike starts when its cold WITHOUT any throttle. Feel the engine cover to make sure bike is cold or even turn the bike on to see temperature to see if owner started the bike before you came to see. This can show signs of battery wear, bike hasn't been up to date on maintenance, bike has been stored for a while.
- Get to know the owner...i know i'll probably get flamed for this but use your best judgement to see the owner's personality. I would rather buy a bike from a mature owner than a younger gentleman in his 20s.
Keep in mind that 03/04 CBR is about 10 years old and seeing how we have a short season in Vancouver, I find that bikes are sitting and going through owners relatively quick. If you consider a 250 ninja, you'll find yourself being able to find a clean unmolested one that can be sold back into the market with ease
Goodluck!
|
All very valid points and great advice.
I'll throw in my 5 cents:
1. I went through a handful of 49cc scooters
2. Went to 125cc - 150cc manual transmission scooters (Vespa)
3. Took lessons @ PRS on their Sherpa, Honda Rebel, Suzuki Maurader, and Suzuki GS500
4. Bought myself a beater 2-stroke 200cc Yamaha RD200 (that thing was fast)
5. Bought myself a 1979 Yamaha SR500 cafe racer (recently sold)
I've been bike-less since last month but I don't miss riding. Why? Because I find that big displacement bikes, particularly sport bikes have no place in the city.
I don't ride much. I went out maybe 4 times last year? One of the rides was to a RS Stock and Noobie meet at Ironwood Plaza. Even then, with a single cylinder 500cc bike, I wasn't able to take advantage of its capabilities. I could ride throughout town in 3rd gear tops. I tried Alphamale's CBR600 F4i and managed to ride around in 2nd gear all over the place.
Mind you, I rode mainly in the city but ultimately what I'm trying to get at is that a 250cc bike is good for a beginner and more bike than any of us really need. Will it be as exhilarating as a 600cc bike? Of course not, but will it achieve the same purpose for you to just ride? Yes. There are so many times where I just want to get onto a 600cc sport bike and just tear up the streets but we all know that there are severe consequences with that. I know that I got that urge for speed and the adrenaline rush but because I knew that I'd be a dare devil on the street, I decided it was best not to pursue this any further knowing I'd kill myself (and others.)
Case in point - I saw a group of guys riding their Yamaha R6s over the Burrard Bridge on Sunday while Alphamale and I struggled to ride our bicycles on the bike lane. Sure, it looked cool and all but it's sad when a bicycle is keeping up with a 600cc sport bike on a Sunday afternoon. That reminded me why I didn't miss riding.
Good luck!
