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Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 09:32 pm: | 
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Zane, I know your son is going to do whatever he wants, but consider the Ninja 500 over the GS500. The EX500 Ninja is a bit dated in looks, but it will eat the GS' lunch in all areas. Aftermarket support is huge for the EX and it has a cult like following. It is all around a better bike. |
Zane
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 09:43 pm: |
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I'll suggest it to him but isn't the Ninja a smaller frame. I don't want him to be folded in half just to ride.
There's a XB9SR in North West Florida that I'd love to see him get. Maybe too much bike for a beginner but the 9's are sweet. I pointed it out to him and he said it's a cool bike but not for him.
It's his money and he's the one who has to ride it so dad doesn't get much of a say in the matter.
Anybody have any good information on the GS500F?
(Message edited by Zane on February 21, 2011) |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:03 pm: |
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Zane, the GS500 is a great bike too, but it is down about 11HP vs the Ninja. 11HP may not seem like much, but he is 6"2" and may need a little more oomph to get around. Have him sit on both to see how they feel. Either one of those bikes is bulletproof, so you can't go wrong. |
Zane
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:23 pm: |
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Actually of the two, I'd rather see him on the GS. Less horse power means he'll be less likely to ride like a squid.
When butt testing, it seemed like the Katana frame fit him better but the 17% interest hacked him off. The financial side of the deal looks better with the GS. It'll be his ride, more important that he's happy with the bike than if I'm happy.
He's not feeling the idea of a Ninja at all. |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:45 pm: |
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I think he might find the GS a bit more cramped than the Katana. At 6'2" he's probably got long arms, and the EX500 and the Katana both share the older style long gas tank and longer reach to the bars. The Kawasaki may be a bit more cramped in the leg area though. Hope he finds something that he will enjoy and you get to share the thrill of biking with him. |
Jramsey
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:50 pm: |
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>>I know he's young and has no credit history but 17 freakin' percent!
Gotta start somewhere.
Loan credit is earned and not a given. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 10:56 pm: |
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DUDE.
Didn't realize we were talking about FINANCING, not BUYING.
Does your son have cash in hand? Any?
Time to reread things- I DO NOT recommend a GS500 for $4200 OTD.
Waitaminute. |
Zane
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 11:05 pm: |
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Lol. You have my attention. |
Valiant_duke
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 11:06 pm: |
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I had a GS for a couple of years and loved it. The thing was bullet proof, literally, put gas and oil in it and it would run until you couldnt ride any longer.
It was a great little bike, had just enough umph to get you going, but not enough to get you into a whole lot of trouble. I rode that thing in groups of sport bike riders and kept up just fine, yet still was comfortable and not over powered or dangerous.
I am about 4 inches shorter than your son, but it was never uncomfortable, and would be riding it today, if the guy that bought it from me didnt make me an offer that was to good to be true.
I would say, go with something manageable in power, not a 600 or 750, but what ever fits him, both size wise and aesthetically. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 11:18 pm: |
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Your son should be looking at Craigslist, or at the used/trade inventory at local shops, WITH CASH IN HAND.
I was in HD/BUELL/whatever sales for 4 1/2 years.
For a noob, be sure he buys a well-kept, single owner bike, researching the insurance $$$, FOR CASH.
Craigslist is your friend- maybe Ebay, but only locally.
Walneck's if you REALLY wanna have fun. I love Walneck's. |
Crackhead
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 08:48 am: |
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How much CASH does he have? If he has 2k CASH, get a Blast or a 250 ninja. They will do high way speeds. And if shit happens and he is out of work or injured, the bike will be PAID for.
If you can't pay CASH on something that is worth less in 6months then what you paid for it, it is not worth buying it.
I am 6ft but the length is all in my arms and legs, and the Blast fits. I change the bars to generic "Superbike" bars and it works just fine for highway mileage. |
Zane
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 11:32 am: |
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I agree about financing being a rip off but he needs transportation to work now. I can't keep playing chauffer for him. He just started a job where for the first time he’s making more than minimum wage and can comfortably make a payment. I agree that free and clear is better but this is a case where our hand is forced. All the 2 grand bikes in our area don’t seem to be worth bringing home. Cosmetics we don’t care about but this will be his main transportation so it has to run. I’m not seeing that in the real low end bikes around here.
I’d lend him the money free of charge but the lawyer and my ex wife get every nickel when I’m working and I’m between contracts right now. I just blew my free money on and don’t have anything extra to give him. It sucks being poor. |
Guell
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 05:59 pm: |
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there are worse bikes to learn on, i think if he has 1k street miles on the blast he should be ok on the katana as long as he takes it easy.
I had some dirt experience and then jumped on my m2, probably not the best first street bike either but im still here. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 01:30 am: |
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OK- still no answer, how much CASH does he have, and/or/with/without any contribution from you?
Cast your nets further out, if locally you can't find a decent bike for 2Kish. Don't underestimate the value of finding a bike that just needs an easy fix.
Heck, I just sold my '82 BMW R65, it needed a few things easily fixed, for $2K. Kinda wish youns had looked at it now...
I still recommend a proper size Thumper over just about anything else.
Seems youn's are fixated on this Katana. I recommend re-evaluating this, and re-evaluating time frames for accomplishing the goal. Spring is upon us, generally, and there's BOUND to be someone who NEEDS to sell ASAP.
Be ready!! |
Ljm
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 01:52 am: |
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Came late to this, been on the road, but my stepson has two katanas, both 600's, one '98, one 2000. Paid $2K for each of them, one with 21K on it and the other 12K. They are idiot proof (other than being cold blooded on startup), handle well, easy to work on, comfortable to ride. Oh, and they are pretty fast for when and what they are. Both of them are easily good for 130 plus. Oh, and there are lots of them out there for parts and some manufacturer's making them still. Dealers also stock many of the easily breakable ones.
You really cant' go wrong with these bikes. Cheap, fun, idiot proof and lots of them. |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 08:36 am: |
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I'm not putting anything into the bike and he only has about $500 for a down payment. This was a catch 22 situation. He needs transport to get a decent job and needs a decent job to afford transportation. Public transportation here in Pinellas County is a joke. Buses run at best every hour and the route he needs to get to work runs every 1.5 hour. He's working about 30 hours a week now.
He qualified for a loan from Suzuki so he got the GS500F. Caught a promotion so his finance rate is 1.99% for 4 years. His goal is to pay it off in 2. He did get the extended warranty.
At least I won't be his chauffeur any more. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 09:41 am: |
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Sounds like a good deal Zane...the GS is a good reliable bike....perfect for commuting... |
Ljm
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 11:33 am: |
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Sounds like the perfect solution. Good bike, building credit and if he is anything like the rest of us who don't know better, the first of a fleet of bikes. |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 12:34 pm: |
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Now I just need to make a quick trip to Dallas/Fort Worth to get MY bike... |
86129squids
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 12:55 pm: |
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Cool! As long as he got that rate, plus a good price on the GS, good on youns!
Now- be sure to look around for GS500 owner's groups, farkle that thing for safety!!!
I never looked to see where youns lived- blue hairs and cataracts in Cadillacs, not to mention the insanity of Hillsborough county- hope he stays in St. Pete!!
Good luck, and keep the rubber side down!! |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 02:13 pm: |
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Actually we live north of St. Pete in Dunedin and he works in Tarpon Springs. North end of Pinellas county and the much better half I think.
Yeah. He got a good price. About what the used NADA average retail 2009 price is but it's brand new.
As far as farkles, we've only talked about some soft bags. What would be some good goodies to add? |
86129squids
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 11:13 pm: |
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Head to Autozone or something. I found a $10-15 cheep strobe that I wired into the brake lights on my old BMW- glued it into the upper inside of the lens- presto! Easy, cheep, safer!
Take a look at auxillary lights for the front forks too- Motorcycle Consumer News did a piece about some new LED's, real nice stuff, but looks like big $$$.
3M reflective tape on all junk and riding gear doesn't suck too bad either. |
Zane
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 12:07 am: |
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Great safety suggestions, Thanks Squids!
We went to bike night tonight at Quaker Stake and Lube. He rode his bike while his girl friend and I followed behind in the cage. While we were there he made it a point to walked past his bike half a dozen times. |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 12:46 am: |
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At least while he's new get sticky tires, go for mileage, when ready for it. Pirelli is usually good, there may be better - check the boards, they will know who has the current best deal as well.
EZ |
Zane
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 08:40 am: |
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Right now the bike has Dunlaps. Yeah, something a bit more sticky for while he's learning is a good idea. |
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