Good points, CBR_Dave. I bought new the first time primarily because I knew so little about the used motorcycle market at the time. That's number six on your list but several other reasons apply as well.
Not to mention the fact that if I were to sell the bike in a year or so, I would not be losing much of the cost at all. There are people selling MY11 cbr250r's for only $500 less than new.
Another reason why I didnt buy used, for the bike I wanted, the saving wasnt worth it.
I don't get this? Try thinking outside your box . How about someone who:
1. has the money available
2. doesnt want to go through the trouble of finding a "used" bike which is in good condition, and
3. is going to be reliable, and
4. has not been thrashed, and
4. comes with a warranty
and
5. doesn't want to have to deal with random strangers, or
6. has not ever ridden a bike and so knows little about what to look for problem wise, and
7. is looking to buy new from a dealer they plan to continue a good relationship with for servicing and
8. future purchases, and
9 bundle a deal with riding gear..
10. all of the above
12. prefers brand new
11. is me
...the list goes on and on Goyble...geez.
I can respond to all of your points. A new rider should buy used because the chances of damaging the bike through dropping it or going down on it are fairly high. The chances of deciding you don't really like riding as much as you thought you would are fairly high. The chances of keeping a 250cc bike for more than a year or two are very low.
So while everyone has every right to buy and enjoy whatever they like, I've just given you the reasons why it makes more sense for a beginner to buy a used bike.
I can respond to all of your points. A new rider should buy used because the chances of damaging the bike through dropping it or going down on it are fairly high. The chances of deciding you don't really like riding as much as you thought you would are fairly high. The chances of keeping a 250cc bike for more than a year or two are very low.
So while everyone has every right to buy and enjoy whatever they like, I've just given you the reasons why it makes more sense for a beginner to buy a used bike.
I get it: more sense in your opinion , but that reply means nothing in terms of my reasons for me as they outweighed any of the reasons you proposed . I've wanted a bike for 20 years, so this wasn't a snap decision.
Dave
__________________
Eleven hours in a tin can?
God, there's got to be another way!
My first bike was a Kawa EX500; perfect starter's bike. The amount of hp, the powerband and the weight of the CBR500R are all manageable and perfect for a starter. Even a Ninja 650n or 650f is a good starters bike. Like some others said, it's not about displacement. I recon some of the smaller displacement KTM's are much harder bikes to ride with as a beginner.
I do however think that it's not wise to ride a new bike as a starter's bike; breaking in isn't hard, but riding a cheap second hand bike (like an EX) makes it easier for you to try boundaries (would you really want to fall with a brand new $6000 bike and is it going to effect you mentally? - it makes riding somewhat less enjoyable). Get smacked to the curbs first, then buy a new bike.
The topic of new v. used has been gone over and over. Dave gave a good list of "why on Earth..." Add me to the list of first timers on new bikes. Why?? We were looking for two good entry level bikes that were affordable, reliable, and fit us. The CBR was the right bike for us and there were NO used ones on the market at the time. Oh, and no drops. The fact is, that while more crashes do occur with newbie riders, the vast majority of new riders do not crash. Oh, and we have insurance if we ever do. If the 500 was out last year we'd probably have two of those or maybe one 500 and one 250, so (back to the topic) I suspect that the 500s will be good starter bikes.
_____________
Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they've led
Listen not to what's been said to you
The person who gets owned is the person who has never ridden a bike and buys a brand new $5000 250cc motorcycle and either drops it, decides he does'nt like riding motorcycles or sells it and buy a bigger bike losing 30-40% of his investment within 18 months.
I did'nt say there was a law that says new riders can't buy a brand new bike, I said there are many reasons why it makes little sense. If you are one of those new riders who bought a new 250cc bike and are happy you did two years later. Good for you.
. How about someone who:
Her CBR
My CBR
