hello all

desi_555 · 05-03-2008, 01:11 AM

hello people....i am a newbie when it comes to bikes in US. I am from India and had my first bike when i was 13. But they say bike riding in US is more dangerous. But i am thinking of giving it a shot. Anyways, i have some questions and as i was going through this forum i cleared lot of them...the remaining one's are

1. Which is better GZ250/REBEL250/VULCAN500
2. Do i need to get learners permit before attending MTC (Motorcycle training course)
3. Is it costly to maintain a bike, i mean all the oil changes and maintainence things

Please give me your suggestions

Drive Safe....

Easy Rider · 05-03-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desi_555

1. Which is better GZ250/REBEL250/VULCAN500
2. Do i need to get learners permit before attending MTC (Motorcycle training course)
3. Is it costly to maintain a bike, i mean all the oil changes and maintainence things

Welcome to our humble little group!

1) The GZ...of course! :cool:
The best one for YOU is the one YOU like the best. Honestly.

2) Check with the MTC people or your DMV. Good idea even if not required.
Best to take the course before you buy a bike.

3) Not usually......if you get a bike less than 5 years old that is in good condition.

desi_555 · 05-03-2008, 10:55 AM

Thank you Easy Rider. I used drive 2 stoke Yamaha 100 (lot of power back then) during college days and Kawasaki Boxer 100CC when i visit india...I liked the looks of GZ better than other bikes. Having my class on May 10,11 in Texas. Can't wait to get on the bike...Also, any suggestions where i can get a Helmet ( also what kind)....

Thanks....

Drive Safe....

Rudeboy · 05-03-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desi_555

Thank you Easy Rider. I used drive 2 stoke Yamaha 100 (lot of power back then) during college days and Kawasaki Boxer 100CC when i visit india...I liked the looks of GZ better than other bikes. Having my class on May 10,11 in Texas. Can't wait to get on the bike...Also, any suggestions where i can get a Helmet ( also what kind)....

Thanks....

Drive Safe....

best thing is to find a local motorcycle shop
a helmet has to be comfortable
you have to go to the store and try it on
and wear it around the store, if it starts to hurtat all
then try a different one

LilNinja77 · 05-03-2008, 05:35 PM

Speaking unbiased (as I don't have any of the bikes you mentioned), it's all going to depend on what you want. The Vulcan 500 is by far the most powerful, but considering how cheaply used ones can be found you may be suprised to find one in the same price range of a GZ or Rebel. The Ninja 500 motor that's in the Vulcan is known for great fuel economy (particularly for its' displacement), and unlike on the GZ and Rebel you won't even have to think about having enough power for any given situation. Don't mistake what I'm saying as bashing on the GZ (or any other small-displacement bike for that matter), I'm just speaking realistically. If you live in a place that won't requre lots of speeds over the 65 mph range then that's not even an issue anyway, so truly just pick the one that A---you like the best, and B---fits you the best.

As for the expenses, yes there a quite a lot of things to take your money.....but there are also things you can do to minimize the damage to your wallet. One of the biggest places many people spend money is on maintenance work done at a dealer/mechanic, and those people will charge you every penny they can; so it's always a great idea to try and learn how to do these things yourself. I do every bit of maintenance on my Ninja 250, and find it fun and educating, saving money is just an extra bonus.
To put it in perspective, a typical 500 mile maintenance fee at a dealer can run anywhere from $100-$300 at the shops near me. They keep your bike for several days, and you pretty much have no way of telling what's been done to your bike unless you are familiar enough with your bike that you can hear the difference in valve clearance (and most people don't have that experience when dealing with a new bike). I can do the same maintenance in a couple hours and spend less $$$ than I do for lunch at McDonalds.....seriously. I just recently disassembled the rear end to do a swingarm lube and shock linkage lube, only thing it cost me was the $6 for some high-speed bearing grease.......you don't want to know what the dealer would've charged.

But don't be afraid to invest money in the areas that really deserve it: Tires, brakes, riding gear, rider training. Don't ever skimp on quality when it comes to these things, because all 4 are extremely important to your safety. Hope you have fun on whichever bike you choose, ride smart and ride to be seen.
Ride safe

desi_555 · 05-03-2008, 08:00 PM

wow thats pretty cool....nice write up....thank you LilNinja77. :2tup:

Also, thanks Rudeboy :2tup: . I will keep what ever is said in mind while making my final decision....

First i will finish the training next weekend and then visit some delaer ships to check out the bikes....

one question though....if i am buying a used bike from some private party....is there anyway to have the bike checked up at any repair shop before i give money???? Usually we do the same for cars right...so just wondering if bike mechanics do offer such services....

Thanks....

Drive Safe.......

Rudeboy · 05-03-2008, 10:43 PM

to be quite honest, If you have a limited knowledge of motorcycles, then you should try to buy a bike from a used bike dealer.
It may cost a bit more at first but could save you 100's to 1000's of dollars in the long run.
some people sell bikes because they outgrow them, and some people sell bike because they broke them.
the problem is both bikes and people will look the same.
at least when buying from a dealer there may be some recourse if there is a problem.
A smart seller would NEVER let a person take a bike for a test ride.
A smart buyer would Never buy a bike without a test ride.
I have known, in the past, more than one of my friends to buy a bike used that was not worth buying.
this has left them and me with a well based fear of buying used bike private.
Chances are you will not be able to take the bike for a test ride, but if the seller will not let a mechanic inspect the bike at your expense then you should walk away from the deal and go to a reputable dealer.

desi_555 · 05-04-2008, 12:29 AM

Rudeboy, i totally agree with your write up. Execellent suggestions for a newbie like me. :2tup:
I will keep these in mind when i start looking for bikes....

Is the motorcycle license renewed once a year or once 10 yrs like car license??

Also, we call the sound of bike as ROAR. What is it like on GZ250?? Can we change or improve it once buying it?

Rudeboy · 05-04-2008, 08:17 AM

renewal depends on the state you live in.
generally every ten i think
in ontario canada its every 5

as far as modifying the bike
read as many of the threads in the GZ BIKE MODS forum
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewforum.php?f=9

and in the HOW TO's forum
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewforum.php?f=8

and read the two write ups by Dupo
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php?t=19
and
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php? ... light=loud

desi_555 · 05-04-2008, 11:42 AM

awesome thanks....

05-03-2008, 01:11 AM	#1
desi_555 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	hello all hello people....i am a newbie when it comes to bikes in US. I am from India and had my first bike when i was 13. But they say bike riding in US is more dangerous. But i am thinking of giving it a shot. Anyways, i have some questions and as i was going through this forum i cleared lot of them...the remaining one's are 1. Which is better GZ250/REBEL250/VULCAN500 2. Do i need to get learners permit before attending MTC (Motorcycle training course) 3. Is it costly to maintain a bike, i mean all the oil changes and maintainence things Please give me your suggestions Drive Safe.... __________________ Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-03-2008, 10:55 AM	#3
desi_555 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	Thank you Easy Rider. I used drive 2 stoke Yamaha 100 (lot of power back then) during college days and Kawasaki Boxer 100CC when i visit india...I liked the looks of GZ better than other bikes. Having my class on May 10,11 in Texas. Can't wait to get on the bike...Also, any suggestions where i can get a Helmet ( also what kind).... Thanks.... Drive Safe.... __________________ Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-03-2008, 05:35 PM	#5
LilNinja77 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: southeast VA Posts: 171	Speaking unbiased (as I don't have any of the bikes you mentioned), it's all going to depend on what you want. The Vulcan 500 is by far the most powerful, but considering how cheaply used ones can be found you may be suprised to find one in the same price range of a GZ or Rebel. The Ninja 500 motor that's in the Vulcan is known for great fuel economy (particularly for its' displacement), and unlike on the GZ and Rebel you won't even have to think about having enough power for any given situation. Don't mistake what I'm saying as bashing on the GZ (or any other small-displacement bike for that matter), I'm just speaking realistically. If you live in a place that won't requre lots of speeds over the 65 mph range then that's not even an issue anyway, so truly just pick the one that A---you like the best, and B---fits you the best. As for the expenses, yes there a quite a lot of things to take your money.....but there are also things you can do to minimize the damage to your wallet. One of the biggest places many people spend money is on maintenance work done at a dealer/mechanic, and those people will charge you every penny they can; so it's always a great idea to try and learn how to do these things yourself. I do every bit of maintenance on my Ninja 250, and find it fun and educating, saving money is just an extra bonus. To put it in perspective, a typical 500 mile maintenance fee at a dealer can run anywhere from $100-$300 at the shops near me. They keep your bike for several days, and you pretty much have no way of telling what's been done to your bike unless you are familiar enough with your bike that you can hear the difference in valve clearance (and most people don't have that experience when dealing with a new bike). I can do the same maintenance in a couple hours and spend less $$$ than I do for lunch at McDonalds.....seriously. I just recently disassembled the rear end to do a swingarm lube and shock linkage lube, only thing it cost me was the $6 for some high-speed bearing grease.......you don't want to know what the dealer would've charged. But don't be afraid to invest money in the areas that really deserve it: Tires, brakes, riding gear, rider training. Don't ever skimp on quality when it comes to these things, because all 4 are extremely important to your safety. Hope you have fun on whichever bike you choose, ride smart and ride to be seen. Ride safe __________________ Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum ~By a route obscure and lonely, haunted by ill angels only~ Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-03-2008, 08:00 PM	#6
desi_555 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	wow thats pretty cool....nice write up....thank you LilNinja77. :2tup: Also, thanks Rudeboy :2tup: . I will keep what ever is said in mind while making my final decision.... First i will finish the training next weekend and then visit some delaer ships to check out the bikes.... one question though....if i am buying a used bike from some private party....is there anyway to have the bike checked up at any repair shop before i give money???? Usually we do the same for cars right...so just wondering if bike mechanics do offer such services.... Thanks.... Drive Safe....... __________________ Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid
	0

05-03-2008, 10:43 PM	#7
Rudeboy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orangeville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 21	buying a used bike to be quite honest, If you have a limited knowledge of motorcycles, then you should try to buy a bike from a used bike dealer. It may cost a bit more at first but could save you 100's to 1000's of dollars in the long run. some people sell bikes because they outgrow them, and some people sell bike because they broke them. the problem is both bikes and people will look the same. at least when buying from a dealer there may be some recourse if there is a problem. A smart seller would NEVER let a person take a bike for a test ride. A smart buyer would Never buy a bike without a test ride. I have known, in the past, more than one of my friends to buy a bike used that was not worth buying. this has left them and me with a well based fear of buying used bike private. Chances are you will not be able to take the bike for a test ride, but if the seller will not let a mechanic inspect the bike at your expense then you should walk away from the deal and go to a reputable dealer. __________________ Dave Rood 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic 2003 Suzuki Marauder GZ 250 Orangeville, Ontario.
	0

05-04-2008, 12:29 AM	#8
desi_555 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	totally agree Rudeboy, i totally agree with your write up. Execellent suggestions for a newbie like me. :2tup: I will keep these in mind when i start looking for bikes.... Is the motorcycle license renewed once a year or once 10 yrs like car license?? Also, we call the sound of bike as ROAR. What is it like on GZ250?? Can we change or improve it once buying it? __________________ Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid
	0

05-04-2008, 08:17 AM	#9
Rudeboy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orangeville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 21	renewal depends on the state you live in. generally every ten i think in ontario canada its every 5 as far as modifying the bike read as many of the threads in the GZ BIKE MODS forum http://www.gz250bike.com/viewforum.php?f=9 and in the HOW TO's forum http://www.gz250bike.com/viewforum.php?f=8 and read the two write ups by Dupo http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php?t=19 and http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php? ... light=loud __________________ Dave Rood 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic 2003 Suzuki Marauder GZ 250 Orangeville, Ontario.
	0

05-04-2008, 11:42 AM	#10
desi_555 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	awesome thanks.... __________________ Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid
	0