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New hobby (hopefully)
- Thread starter Nursingdude
- Start date
Nursingdude
Member
I have no experience with fixing or doing any sort of mechanical repairs. I'd want something that is reliable for at least a season without fixing anything major and just doing minor maintenance routine work.
Chameleon
Well-known member
Then I'd say ideally you get a new bike, or even better you find a somebody that is getting rid of their bike because they realized it's not for them. With a new bike you should get at least a 2 year warranty. And in the latter situation, you'll have the remainder of the original owners warranty.
Nursingdude
Member
Ideally that's what I would want but I don't have that kinda cash lying around for a new bike so unfortunately a used one will have to do for now.
Very very small bike, not something you’d necessarily grow into as a rider. Buying a 300 leaves you enough flexibility to learn on but continue to grow your skills.
125 would not be highway friendly.
Nursingdude
Member
Yeah I m actively looking for something from one of these brands. I called an insurance broker and they classified ninja 300 as a supersport and said insurance would be high whereas folks here have said that ninja and bikes in the same cc class are usually cheaper on insurance so I am thoroughly confused. The bike doesn't have to look sporty since I just wanna learn and improve my skills before I even think about something sporty.
bigpoppa
Well-known member
insurance companies are often times clueless, either ask to speak to a different agent(aka not an old lady) or call around more bike specific brokers
Nursingdude
Member
Anyone have a good experience with their insurance broker/company? Care to share some names?
Nursingdude
Member
You went to them directly or through a broker?
Hack
Well-known member
Desjardine here too. Just go direct - call.
I too question the "don't buy an older carb'd bike" arguments. There's lots of even early 2000's bikes even (much less 80's and 90's stuff) that were still carb'd and if they're in good running condition and the price is right, I would argue there's no reason to not consider them.
Do you have to know how to choke the engine and such on the first start of the day? Yep. But if my wife, of all people, can learn to do that on her current Vstar, anyone can.
Am I saying to buy some bike that has clearly not been taken care of and was stored under a ratty old torn tarp beside someones back shed for 15 years, left with old fuel in the tank and carbs, and is now all gummed up and runs (and looks) like a sack of crap? Hell no. But a perfectly good running well maintained 2005 carb'd bike that starts from cold well, runs well, and checks all the boxes because it was a garage queen? Sure, again, if the price is right.
I use my old 2003 VTX as an example. I bought it at 10 years old with just over 10,000km (~1000km per year of it's age) on the odometer. But it started and ran like a Timex. I sold it at almost 100,000km a few years later and it still ran like a top. Never as much as even saw the carburetors, much less had to do anything to them. It was well maintained and I kept it that way. No problem. Simple. Reliable.
Is my Vulcan Voyager easier to start on a cold fall morning after sitting for a few days? Yep. Does that mean my old VTX wouldn't do the same with the choke pulled and maybe a few extra turns of the starter before firing off..and then needing choke for a few minutes afterwards? Nope.
Do you have to know how to choke the engine and such on the first start of the day? Yep. But if my wife, of all people, can learn to do that on her current Vstar, anyone can.
Am I saying to buy some bike that has clearly not been taken care of and was stored under a ratty old torn tarp beside someones back shed for 15 years, left with old fuel in the tank and carbs, and is now all gummed up and runs (and looks) like a sack of crap? Hell no. But a perfectly good running well maintained 2005 carb'd bike that starts from cold well, runs well, and checks all the boxes because it was a garage queen? Sure, again, if the price is right.
I use my old 2003 VTX as an example. I bought it at 10 years old with just over 10,000km (~1000km per year of it's age) on the odometer. But it started and ran like a Timex. I sold it at almost 100,000km a few years later and it still ran like a top. Never as much as even saw the carburetors, much less had to do anything to them. It was well maintained and I kept it that way. No problem. Simple. Reliable.
Is my Vulcan Voyager easier to start on a cold fall morning after sitting for a few days? Yep. Does that mean my old VTX wouldn't do the same with the choke pulled and maybe a few extra turns of the starter before firing off..and then needing choke for a few minutes afterwards? Nope.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Call another broker. A ninja 300 classifies as sport touring bike which is typically cheaper to insure than a naked standard.
There are no late model super sports sold in Canada under 600cc.
You might consider an enduro, Suzuki DR200, Yamaha XT (or TW). They are very easy to ride, are a bit more tolerant to the occasional tip over. Zipping around trails or dirt roads at moderate speeds is a valuable learning experience and really helps riders become ‘one’ with a motorcycle.
To the OP
I too just recently started riding! I started in April but I can tell you I am having an absolute blast. Ill share some of my personal experiences to help you.
I started with a 2011 Honda CBR125R which is what I am presently riding. I am 6 foot on the dot and usually around 170 lbs. It fits me great and its so much fun on local drives around Mississauga. I started to get acquainted with riding within about 10-11 times being on the bike and although the 125 is great, I do wish I went with a 300-400.
The 125 with me on it can go up to and sustain 115 km/h. The acceleration is not as abysmal as people will make it out to be, but its no great. The problem non the less is that its not heavy enough to handle high winds on the highway. Essentially, I cant really take it on the highway with out being on high alert because the wind just feels like its in control. If I had a bigger bike, I would ride it to see my family in Hamilton, but for now, I can only ride the 125 anywhere other than a highway, I do ride it to work every time I can.
If you are sure that you will not be needing to go on highways this season AND your not heavier than 190-200 lbs. the 125 is a good choice imo for local roads. some 125's are bigger than others. for an instance, my 2011 cbr125r looks considerably bigger than a 2007 model which I had checked out prior to getting my 2011.
As for insurance, the lower the CC's likely means lower insurance. I am no expert in this field. I will say, I get a full tank of 92 octane fuel for my bike for $12. and its good for about 400 km's. Its really good for gas, compared to a car. So I like to take it to work when the weather is nice, and honestly, the money I am saving on fuel, offsets the insurance cost for me as a new rider.
I use fortnine which is a Canadian company out of Montreal. I dont know if their prices are the best compared to local shops but I have not been disappointed otherwise.
As for the schools, the training is so important imo and I went for the one closest to me with the nearest dates.
Perhaps, if I were to go back in time, I may consider having started on a Yamaha sport bike around 400 cc's. But at the same time, if this is going to be a life long endeavor for me, I appreciate that I will always know what a 125CC was like compared to all the bikes ill ride one day.
I am keeping the 125 for this season, but ill be looking for a 400 CC starting next April.
I have not yet dropped my bike. But I did make a lot of mistakes, all of which had absoloutely no consequences because I was riding a very forgiving 125! So start with a used bike, You will make mistakes, you will possibly damage it or wear out some parts while you learn, at least, you wont be doing that to a brand new bike for which you will likely be much more emotionally attached.
I too just recently started riding! I started in April but I can tell you I am having an absolute blast. Ill share some of my personal experiences to help you.
I started with a 2011 Honda CBR125R which is what I am presently riding. I am 6 foot on the dot and usually around 170 lbs. It fits me great and its so much fun on local drives around Mississauga. I started to get acquainted with riding within about 10-11 times being on the bike and although the 125 is great, I do wish I went with a 300-400.
The 125 with me on it can go up to and sustain 115 km/h. The acceleration is not as abysmal as people will make it out to be, but its no great. The problem non the less is that its not heavy enough to handle high winds on the highway. Essentially, I cant really take it on the highway with out being on high alert because the wind just feels like its in control. If I had a bigger bike, I would ride it to see my family in Hamilton, but for now, I can only ride the 125 anywhere other than a highway, I do ride it to work every time I can.
If you are sure that you will not be needing to go on highways this season AND your not heavier than 190-200 lbs. the 125 is a good choice imo for local roads. some 125's are bigger than others. for an instance, my 2011 cbr125r looks considerably bigger than a 2007 model which I had checked out prior to getting my 2011.
As for insurance, the lower the CC's likely means lower insurance. I am no expert in this field. I will say, I get a full tank of 92 octane fuel for my bike for $12. and its good for about 400 km's. Its really good for gas, compared to a car. So I like to take it to work when the weather is nice, and honestly, the money I am saving on fuel, offsets the insurance cost for me as a new rider.
I use fortnine which is a Canadian company out of Montreal. I dont know if their prices are the best compared to local shops but I have not been disappointed otherwise.
As for the schools, the training is so important imo and I went for the one closest to me with the nearest dates.
Perhaps, if I were to go back in time, I may consider having started on a Yamaha sport bike around 400 cc's. But at the same time, if this is going to be a life long endeavor for me, I appreciate that I will always know what a 125CC was like compared to all the bikes ill ride one day.
I am keeping the 125 for this season, but ill be looking for a 400 CC starting next April.
I have not yet dropped my bike. But I did make a lot of mistakes, all of which had absoloutely no consequences because I was riding a very forgiving 125! So start with a used bike, You will make mistakes, you will possibly damage it or wear out some parts while you learn, at least, you wont be doing that to a brand new bike for which you will likely be much more emotionally attached.
When you call for a quote also ask them about quotes for more powerful bikes down the road. I.e. if you go with like a cbr125r see how your rates might be if you deicide to upgrade to a cbr500r or cbr650r in a year or two. Before I bought my first bike I did this and found out I'd have to wait at least 3-5 years before I saw any real drops in insurance to warrant upgrading so it made sense for me to get a newer, slightly more powerful beginner bike (cbr500r) that would last me longer than a season or two. Also before you buy the bike I highly recommending doing the rider training course since you'll get a chance to try all the different types of bikes making it easier to choose a bike that fits your needs.
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