18 and ready to ride

4

416Rider

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So I currently have my M1 and plan on buying a bike very soon, but I have a lot of questions on getting started.

The golden question: what bike would be fun to ride and insurance friendly?

I'm looking for something under $5000. Also, I heard its cheaper to purchase a bike in the winter time, is this true? Currently I'm looking at the CBR250R, FZ600 and SV650, along with Ninja 250's. What would you recommend for a beginner and what tips do you have? I've been driving a car for the passed two years and it's always been my dream to ride.
 
Those are all good bikes to learn on but check multiple insurance companies first. Be prepared to pay a lot.
 
Take the course for your M2, it will give you some more experience and get you further along in the licensing procedure. The choice of bike is totally personal, but be aware of insurance costs before you decide. The SV650 would be a great first bike, but at your age it might be too expensive for insurance.
 
In general, there is rougly a 10% discount for buying in the winter on most machines, since people don't want to store machines. In general for the GTA used bike asking prices are lets say, ambitious most of the time, so there may be more wiggle room in there.
 
I'm prepared to pay for insurance, but generally, would you think someone at my age can get insurance for under $1000 a year? After I take the safety and rider courses of course.

As a beginner, would you recommend 250, 500 or 600? I know how to ride already, it's just a matter of safety
 
Your on crack if you think you'll get insurance under a grand at 18. My first year with a cbr 125 21 m2 paid 3 grand. Prepare to be bent over

600s are fine but a 250 would be more forgiving say you lock up the rear, easier to recover on a smaller bike until you learned skills like that
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at 18 you could not even get car insurance for under a grand, especially in 416....

im just over 25, been driving for 10 years with no tickets or accidents and i got my first bike, cbr500r and im just over 2000 a year. i considered that dirt cheap with m2 and m1 course completed.
 
416Rider said:
I'm prepared to pay for insurance, but generally, would you think someone at my age can get insurance for under $1000 a year? After I take the safety and rider courses of course.

As a beginner, would you recommend 250, 500 or 600? I know how to ride already, it's just a matter of safety
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18 years old. M1.

GS500F cost me $3600 for insurance (2011-2012). The following year (this year) a ninja 500 is costing me 2500.

TD will probably be one of the only companies that will insure you. And they will require you to do a valid safety course.
 
It may be cheaper to acquire a bike in winter but not by a huge amount. The problem is that there are far fewer motorcycles listed in the cold time of the year. What will save you more money is looking further away from GTA, where prices are inflated.

All the bikes you listed are fine since you say you already know how to ride. The power delivery of a 250cc vs. an FZ6 or SV650 will be no comparison though. However, insurance will be still prohibitive for higher cc bikes so if you're on some sort of a budget, stick with a 250 for now, maybe get the new Ninja 300 if it's within your means.

Personally, if money were no issue I'd pick an SV650 as well - it is a wonderful bike, with plenty of grunt down low. Your age will most likely not allow you to go that way unless you're filthy rich.

... And yes, think more around $3,000 a year for a small bike - definitely not a 1,000.
 
Just got a 650 after selling my 250. Any 600 SS I cannot afford through insurance but the FZ6 I didn't look too much into, the 650 JUST fell within my budget. Oh I have had an M2 for a year now and I'm 22. One minor ticket. 2600 a year :s...

Tbh I would say go with the 250. You will hear many opinions saying do this do that go 250 go 650 etc etc so best to read as many opinions and research as possible.

It is in my opinion the 650 isn't really the greatest starter, main reason being I think it may be too powerful for some beginners.. If you need to get up and go it will deliver, get a little too cocky and it you'll be on your *** in no time... I had a few oh **** moments on my 250 which has considerably less power than the 650. The newer 650's also have a more aggressive riding position. I don't regret my choice at all to start 250, its got just enough power to make you smile but not enough to make you regret opening that throttle (in most cases).

But hey that's just my opinion. 250's sell like mad, so after a season if you don't like it, sell it :).
 
I had a CBR125 when i was 17, was about 2000 a year for insurance don't expect any type of insurance to be lower than 1000 especially in Toronto AND your age. I'm 23 now and i ride a Ninja 650, as stated before...650's have a lot more power than you think and i wouldn't recommend a 650 as a starter..especially since your experience on the road is very low. Honestly we all want to jump on the cool crotch rockets when were young and want to go fast and all...but reality is a lot different (and saying you're gonna drive carefully and never push your limit will be a straight up lie...especially when you have a bike with lots of power). Get on a LOW CC bike like a CBR125, Ninja 250 and if you aren't picky to the sporty looking bikes look for some awesome dual-sport bikes...they're fun as hell and probably lower on insurance too
 
Insurance cost will always be expensive in your age bracket, any motor vehicle can be too much if not handled with a straight clear mind, don't think a reduction in displacement will keep you safe. I started on a Suzuki GSX-R600 took it easy very easy. It's a monster when you want it to be but also easy to ride when keeping it legal. Driving a motor vehicle can and is dangerous when you are not mature enough to handle the responsibility and consequences. Keep safe and always look where you want to go.

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Insurance under $1000 at your age is impossible. At your age the Ninja 250r or CBR 125 would be the most practical unless you are extremely wealthy.


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If you're planning to keep it under $5000 and you're planning to wear gear:
cbr125 - $1500
insurance - $3000
cheap set of gear - $500
-------------------------
total - $5000

cbr250/ ninja 250 - add $1500
 
I recommend you stop asking questions about insurance rates here and start calling companies for quotes. You may decide to put off getting a bike for a couple of years.
 
I heard insurance rates from other riders for $800 which is why I thought it was the same for me, thinking that it was different from car insurance. However, if I decide to buy a bike just for the season and then sell it when the season is over, would the rate be the same?

A lot of my family members are into riding and they always tell me that safety is extremely important, I definitely know the dangers of riding. Also, I hear group riding tends to be safer, is this true? A few of my buddies also want to get into riding in March.

Are 125's fun at all? I'm not going to lie, I want to let the bike really go every now and then, when it's safe and there's an open road of course. Again, I'm not riding for purpose of getting from point A to point B, I'm riding for the thrill of it!
 
416Rider said:
I heard insurance rates from other riders for $800 which is why I thought it was the same for me, thinking that it was different from car insurance. However, if I decide to buy a bike just for the season and then sell it when the season is over, would the rate be the same?

A lot of my family members are into riding and they always tell me that safety is extremely important, I definitely know the dangers of riding. Also, I hear group riding tends to be safer, is this true? A few of my buddies also want to get into riding in March.

Are 125's fun at all? I'm not going to lie, I want to let the bike really go every now and then, when it's safe and there's an open road of course. Again, I'm not riding for purpose of getting from point A to point B, I'm riding for the thrill of it!
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$800/year is when you are over 25 or 30 with a clean record and tons of driving experience.

If you plan on riding say May til Sept. You would eat up around 70-80%; of your yearly premium. So if you did that and insurance was say $3,000 you would pay around $2,100-$2,400.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-Farm-policy-Want-to-know-your-Penalty-Refund

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-Insurance-Company-will-give-me-the-best-rate

Group riding is actually more dangerous because you have a bunch of testosterone in a small vicinity, It can be safer if you are all riding the speed limit and wearing hi-viz clothing but I can tell you would not be the one to do that.

125's can be fun and a greta learning tool, I can bet that it would take you a couple years minimum to get the full cornering ability out of it, but as for straightline thrill, You can get bored fairly quickly.

You last comment is why insurance companies don't want to insure young riders on supersports, Lack of experience and the fastest and most difficult vehicle on the road for a new rider/driver is the beginning of a disaster.
 
jeffjones said:
You last comment is why insurance companies don't want to insure young riders on supersports, Lack of experience and the fastest and most difficult vehicle on the road for a new rider/driver is the beginning of a disaster.
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I'm perfectly fine with riding a 250, especially since it'll be the first bike that I've owned. I know older riders tend to look down on younger riders but I mean I have to believe that they started riding for the same reasons as us!

Last few questions, generally, when is the best time to buy a bike, based on number of options and pricing? And where's the best place to look?
 
416Rider said:
Last few questions, generally, when is the best time to buy a bike, based on number of options and pricing? And where's the best place to look?
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Cheapest fall
Most selection spring
Best place to look anywhere outside of the GTA.
 
"knowing" how to ride and actually having experience are very different. The bikes you mention are all different in displacement. You should start with the 250 or the ninja 300 as your first bike ... Once you ride that for a few years you will be ready to move up in displacement. Much easier to resell also.
416Rider said:
I'm prepared to pay for insurance, but generally, would you think someone at my age can get insurance for under $1000 a year? After I take the safety and rider courses of course.

As a beginner, would you recommend 250, 500 or 600? I know how to ride already, it's just a matter of safety
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