motorcycle buying guide

I want to finish my Blazer and sell it for a motorcycle. I'm looking into getting a CBR 600 or if by freak chance, a GSXR 600. So I was talking to my friend and he said that purchasing a used motorcycle is a bad idea, as well as not buying anything below the year 2005.
I would rather get advise from people that actually have a motorcycle as well as have bought one. I'm mainly looking for a used bike, nothing like the older models that have the boxed tails, something more with the pointed ones.

examples only:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30355757@N05/3609565020/sizes/l/

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/1691678108.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/1693506084.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/1696902307.html

 

There is nothing wrong with buying a used bike, nor an older one. Just do your research and look out for one that has been abused. The guy who bought my bike got one heck of a nice machine at a good price.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying used. There are a ton of good used bikes out there. Sounds like your friend works for a dealer and is only looking to sell you a brand new bike.

I only bought my current bike new because it was $4k. My next will be the CBR 600 and it will be used because I have no desire to spend $12k for a new bike. I wouldn't buy one with a lot of miles on it. For me anything over 10k on a bike is too much. But that's just me.

 

If a used bike was maintained well, there is no reason to not buy it. Usually if the seller is vauge with his answers about previous maintenance, I would stay away from the bike. A good used bike will have a good owner. A lot of GSXR/CBR/YZFR owners tend to be on the young and somewhat wreckless side. Not all are, but you don't see many 45 year olds riding wheelies down the interstate. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions about the bike as you can think of, oil changes, valve adjustments/checks, and anything else you want to know. Be patient and the right bike won't be hard to find. One thing to consider is cost of ownership. Different manufactuers have multiple 600cc in-line 4's that are recognized differently by the insurance companies. An R6 will cost more to insure than a YZFR6. The R6 is in a higher class than the YZF, therefore it is more to insure. Just some things to consider. The bikes you have examples of seem to be priced reasonably for my area if not on the low side.

 

Your friend is a numbskull. Don't listen to him. Are you a first time sportbike owner/rider? How old are you? What's your driving record like? If you are new to sportbikes, I would most definitely purchase something used. Do not buy a sportbike without first finding out what your insurance is gonna cost!

 

Those are the same bike. Yamaha offers an YZF-R6 and a YZF-R6S which are not similar at all. The R6 is basically a track bike that is terrible for the street and the R6S is a really good all arounder.

 

You got the models right, I was bass ackwards on the r6's. The YZF-R6S might be the better choice for a first time rider. Don't buy more bike than you are capable of handling. It is really easy to get in a lot of trouble on a bike that is capable of 140MPH+. I guess that is why I haven't purchased a sportbike. What is the point of being able to go that fast if you aren't going to. My v-strom, VTX and DRZ are plenty of fun to ride, but none of them are blessed with enormous amounts of horsepower.

 

My first bike was an Honda f4i which I bough for $4,300. Put around 5,000 of my own miles on then sold for $4,000 to a friend. Now I own an CBR 600rr which is definably more of a sport bike then the F4i. I take good care of my bike and it's battery so it's been really reliable. Many friends who slack on their maintenance stall occasional and lights and it's funny. See what's available around you and do some research on the bike and see if you can sit on it. I've ridden a lot of my friends bikes and some just instantly from the position would make me not buy it. Here's my bike with about 7,200 miles.

 

Stay away from a used gsxr's if possible. Most newbies/Choads are all about gsxrs! I'm sure there are a few out there that haven't been laid down, but for the most part, a used gsxr will have been beat to hell and hacked up. Oh, it's also a bad sign if the previous owner has anything with an ICON logo on it!

 

I'd say go for a used bike, especially if its your first one. I think most everyone covered this point...but I'd also add a few things:
1. year model; I'd say biggest practical reason would be to differ between FI and carb'ed, many earlier japanese sportbikes went FI around 03' ...I have dealt with both and the fuel injection is just so much more convenient

2. do your research once you decide on a model...it's a plus if the previous owner has paper records and maint. logs

3. the whole R6S vs (current) R6 vs. YZF 600R and whatever makes a beginner bike goes something like this...1999-2002 was the gen1 R6. (carb'ed) 03-05 is gen2 R6. After 2005, Yamaha decided to make a new R6 model (R6R) and keep the old 2nd gen body style as the R6S...

and out of those cl ads, the yellow cbr would be my bet...

 

The R6R is not terrible for the street. Yeah it shines on the track but to say it's terrible...come on now.

The top bikes right now imo are the Yamaha R6R and the Honda CBR600RR. You really can't go wrong with either. I personally own a 2008 Yamaha R6R. My bro has a CBR600RR. I really like the comfort of his (minus the seat) but as far as performance goes, It can't touch the smile the Yamaha puts on my face. In the end it's really what you are most comfortable on and what appeals to you aesthetically the most.

 

here, got this from another forum

 

As I do agree with some of what has been said previously, I also disagree a little as well.

I would go with the yellow CBR. I am partial to Honda though. Mileage isn't something that would throw me off when purchasing though. My current Bike is a 07 CBR1000RR, and has 16K on it. Some people say that I couldn't get what I wanted for it, because of all the miles. BUT, if you have to ask how many miles are on it, and they don't post them, -1 point. Someone that takes care of their bike, Most likely took it to the same mechanic, or has all the paperwork. If possible, have a mechanic look it over. I personally would make them take the bodywork off before buying a used bike, because when you lay one down, the color will transfer to the metal underneath.

My best friend has a 98 CBR600F3, and I would buy it from him if he would part with it, and it has 60+k on it.

Finally, your height will have a little to do with your comfort level. The newer the bike, the more your body is positioned leaning forward. I'm 6'4", so my longer arms let me sit up more than my BF who is 5'7". Longer distances are going to be more comfortable for me.
AND as everyone has been saying, once you decide, do your research. If you go by what someone else says, you are only going to get what they think. I'm a prime example. Like I said previously, I am a honda guy.

Good Luck.

 

Hey I know you, whats up! I own a R6 as well...

 

Being a motorcycle mechanic, and having ridden every japanese sportbike made in the last 10 plus years, the 2006+ R6 has the least midrange power or any 600cc repli-racer. Off idle until 10,000 is just painful! I'm not saying it's a terrible bike, it's just not ideal for the streets where that part of the powerband is where it will be mostly ridden. No offense, guys!

 

ONE MORE THING..............its a smart idea to get the VIN #, and run it by your Police Dept, to see if there is a tag on it. Looked at one, that ended up being stolen when I had the VIN run.

 

i hated my r6 on the street... no low end power, you gotta rev the snot out of it to get any power. ok on the street but not fun when you wanna ride relaxed. my buddy had an r6s that was really calm and docile when you want it to be but still shits n gets.

X2 staying away from used gsxrs. the reason new guys buy em are because insurance is real cheap for new riders since suzuki finance doesnt require full coverage.

i would stick to a fuel injected bike for reliability. used bikes are fine. I had a hayabusa i put 56000 miles on in 3 years. got side swiped on the road but didnt go down and it blew a hole in the case. i didnt realize and was following the ahole who hit me and the oil light came on so i shut it down. the dealer checkedthe engine for damage due to oil starvation and nothing, engine was within factory specs for a new engine... and i was NOT gentle on that bike...

 

x1000000 had my r6 for 3 months

to the bikes defense im 6'5 and 275 and my other bike was a hayabusa

 

id go with an honda, and thats coming from someone who rides a suzuki!
most hondas are bullet proof, why do you think most stunt riders are riding honda 600s or 900s? its all up to you, you should be able to look at a bike and tell if its been abused or taken care of. milage isnt a big deal, as long as bike hasnt been abused. i sold a 89 cbr 1000 with 35k on it, and it ran like a top.
i ride a 08 hayabusa and it has 18k on it, and it looks brand new.

 

hey man i had an 89 1000 too!!! good ol' hurricane... CBRs are awesome bikes. i really hate how the new cbr and all bikes for that matter concentrate on high end rather than a little more mid range. Loved the low to mid of my 929rr. perfect power balance.