Help me advise my new rider friend

[hardk0re]

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696 is very user friendly. But if that is an option why not a nice used 650. It's beginner friendly cheap to run and a solid reliable bike.

For a first bike brand new is not the greatest. Not only for potential drops but what you like riding may not be what you like the looks of.

 

[coyo]

I've said it a multitude of times; the GS500 (not F or faired model) is the ultimate in starter bikes;
- it's bullet-proof
- OEM and after-market parts EVERYWHERE
- it's a tried and true design
- it's bullet-proof
- no plastic (well, barely any) to damage when you drop it
- you'll sell it for the same that you bought it for
- it's bullet-proof

The current crop of 250 / 300 bikes are great platforms for learning on... except that they are completely wrapped in plastic and if / when anything should happen, it gets expensive fast.

I often advise people to get a GS (or reasonable facsimile), drop it in their driveway, learn to ride the wheels off of it for a year, drop it and bend the lever back into position, sell it for what they paid for it, THEN buy the bike they want. Most have ignored my advice and gone for the "sexy" bike (which is what the CBR / Ninja 250's are marketing for on top of being a beginner bike), many have regretted it.

As for the 125's, personally I think they're just too small to seriously be a viable option.

My $0.02

 

[PLau]

I've said it a multitude of times; the GS500 (not F or faired model) is the ultimate in starter bikes;

As for the 125's, personally I think they're just too small to seriously be a viable option.

For someone that is looking to get a monster 696, I would agree that a 125cc bike would be nowhere near a viable option for his friend. I think if someone were to spend the kind of money they would on a monster 696 as a first bike, a brand new cb500, which looks similar in style could be an option

But then again, insurance costs do change a lot of minds.

 

[coyo]

For someone that is looking to get a monster 696, I would agree that a 125cc bike would be nowhere near a viable option for his friend. I think if someone were to spend the kind of money they would on a monster 696 as a first bike, a brand new cb500, which looks similar in style could be an option

But then again, insurance costs do change a lot of minds.

But that's a new bike... I don't recommend anything new, or near new, for a new rider. I know every new rider WANTS a new bike but chances are a new rider won't have a new looking bike for too long or will have spent a fair bit of coin to have that new bike look new again.

That's a lot of "new" in that statement!

 

[PLau]

But that's a new bike... I don't recommend anything new, or near new, for a new rider. I know every new rider WANTS a new bike but chances are a new rider won't have a new looking bike for too long or will have spent a fair bit of coin to have that new bike look new again.

That's a lot of "new" in that statement!

I know what you mean, but some people just have that kind of money to spend and are set on buying something nice. I'm not that experienced as a rider and don't know the difference in the learning curve of riding something like the monster 696, but from what others say, it is not really beginner friendly.
I was just making that suggestion in comparison of the monster used market price vs the cb500 price brand new, and the honda is still cheaper (probably be around the same price after taxes and freight).

 

[coyo]

I know what you mean, but some people just have that kind of money to spend and are set on buying something nice. I'm not that experienced as a rider and don't know the difference in the learning curve of riding something like the monster 696, but from what others say, it is nowhere close to beginner friendly.
I was just making that suggestion in comparison of the monster used market price vs the cb500 price brand new, and the honda is still cheaper (probably be around the same price after taxes and freight).

Valid point, and I agree that I don't think the M696 is a good starter bike from an easy ride point of view.

 

[Jampy00]

I started on a SV650 and was very pleased, it was enough bike to keep me humble. No matter what you tell your friend, they will get what they want only money will stop this so get a insurance quote first I am sure that will narrow the choices.

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