Confused and Lost boyfriend of potential bike owner
So here's the thing. I know nothing about bikes...at all.
My new girlfriend (i mean really new like 4 weeks of dating new) made a new years resolution to learn how to ride a bike. I didn't believe it when she told me about her interest in getting a bike...Since it's a new relationship I thought it was just a pipe dream...
Boy was I freak'n ass wrong. Last Sunday she invited me over to go check out some bikes at the local dealer. She was looking for orange and black bike preferably at around 4-5k; yeah pretty specific. We doubted we could find anything around that price range with with that color scheme, but lo' and behold we did.
The 2013 honda CBR250R Repsol Model priced at $4,699.
Here's some personal info about us. She has never ridden a sport bike. All she's done is some very light experience on off-road dirt bike. Her knowledge on bikes is pretty much non-existent, I'm even worst off. I'll be honest bikes scare the ******************** out of me. One of the reason why it does is because I lost a friend (we weren't really that close but we had similar close friends) in college in a motorcycle accident. He wore helmet and his jacket...he just hit the ground the wrong way. Since then I've never ridden on a bike as a passenger nor been around bikes. I wouldn't say i'm deathly afraid of them, but I sure worry about the well being of those who ride them. Is this fear out of ignorance it sure is and as the new beau I don't think I have the right to impose my feelings on this onto my new girlfriend. But I do worry about her.
The reason she wants a bike is pretty simple. She commutes far for her job around 140 miles round trip 5 days a week. It's a good job, but it's contractual (she's a computer animation artist, an animator, yeah i'm one lucky bastard) so she rather live in a place that gives her more options for future employment. So moving really isn't an option any time soon. This means she wants something that has good gas mileage and can allow her to weave through traffic. Aside from the coolness factor (the fact she always wanted to learn and own one) this is her only real reason to own one.
She's super serious about getting a bike and we have an appointment on this saturday to meet with finance and sale people to finalize a deal on this bike.
The question i have is...Is she making the right choice and is the bike she's getting good for beginners and what do we need to know before hand regarding finances of purchasing a bike from a dealer. What pitfalls should we look out for so that we dont' come out as chumps from this purchase. Are we getting a good deal on the price of the bike and is this bike any good?
Any advice for a bunch of noobs would be gladly appreciated.
BTW she's has good credit 700+, does not plan to put down a downpayment and looking to get monthly payments at around 150-200.
The reason she wants a bike is pretty simple. She commutes far for her job around 140 miles round trip 5 days a week. It's a good job, but it's contractual (she's a computer animation artist, an animator, yeah i'm one lucky bastard) so she rather live in a place that gives her more options for future employment. So moving really isn't an option any time soon. This means she wants something that has good gas mileage and can allow her to weave through traffic. Aside from the coolness factor (the fact she always wanted to learn and own one) this is her only real reason to own one.
She's super serious about getting a bike and we have an appointment on this saturday to meet with finance and sale people to finalize a deal on this bike.
The question i have is...Is she making the right choice and is the bike she's getting good for beginners and what do we need to know before hand regarding finances of purchasing a bike from a dealer. What pitfalls should we look out for so that we dont' come out as chumps from this purchase. Are we getting a good deal on the price of the bike and is this bike any good?
Any advice for a bunch of noobs would be gladly appreciated.
BTW she's has good credit 700+, does not plan to put down a downpayment and looking to get monthly payments at around 150-200.
Thanks in advance
1) Does she have a valid riding license? IF not first take an MSF course or any equivalent course on riding a bike and then when she's mastered it , she can pick up the bike.
2) Given your(or her) requirements the Repsol 2013 CBR 250R seems to fit the bill perfectly. Do not worry it isnt a supersport bike, its a beginner sport bike and most of us use it to commute like an average joe here.
3) Did she sit on the bike and get a feel of it? It is important she does that because if she's short and she cannot touch her feet on the ground when stopped, the bike could prove to be a wrong choice.
I'l post a PDI(Pre Delivery Inspection) list from a fellow member on another forum here in a while.. just busy with work right now il get back at you later
Last edited by Nithesh; 01-04-2013 at 05:05 AM.
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I do not own a CBR250r, however I got my licence about half a year ago, so I can relate to your position. Take my words as a beginner's advise, based on what I red, learnt and experienced.
As I see it, the CBR250r is not a true sports bike. It simply lacks the power for that. However it is styled similarly to one (aprart from the seating position, which is more upright, allowing for a more comfortable ride). As far as I know it is very agile and should do nicely in traffic. For cities you don't need any more power than what it provides and with the ABS system, it is one of the safest bikes around (make sure she gets the ABS version!).
That said, it is still risky. Riding in traffic can be terrifying, especially at the beginning. This largely depends on your area's driving culture though. I had some very scarry experiences in the first few days. It gets better as you learn the real rules of the road (not something they teach when you make the licence).
Is she making the right choice about riding a motorcycle to work? If she saves a lot of time in contrast to using a car then maybe. However keep in mind that riding in rain or the hottest days of summer is not much fun. Nor is freezing in the winter. Depends on where you live of course.
Is she making the right choice about this specific bike? If the commute is mostly on a highway, she may be better of with a slightly bigger cc bike. 250s are perfect for the cities and the bits between them.
I chose to use a motorcycle for commuting because it saves me 30-45 minutes on my 23km commute. That is at least one hour every day. It is also very fun and clears my mind after a long day at work. It is a type of recreation for me.
the 250R is a great first bike, if she's tall enough. If she's tippee-toeing it, she may want to consider the cruiser cousin: the Rebel 250. Much lower seat, and she could beat the crap out of it. One thing I've learned over the years is that almost all beginners drop their bikes (and a lot of experienced riders too...). If the bike is too high, the first time she comes to an awkward stop and puts her foot in gravel or even on a loose rock, she may not be tall enough to compensate and recover in time.
If she IS tall enough, the 250r's a blast!!! I recently sold my VFR and bought a '12. I freakin' love it! The lightest bike I've ever owned and I'll be keeping it for a while. cheers and ride safe.
The big question I see missing from your post is how's she going to learn to ride the thing? A motorcycle is NOT a bicycle with an engine, and without good rider training, she could wind up seriously dead or severely injured.
Tell her to TAKE THE COURSE! I'm assuming you're in the US, so I'm suggesting the MSF beginner's course. I'm sure there are other options elsewhere in the world. But this is important; if you care about her, you will want her to be a good rider and the MSF (or equiv.) is the way to start her down that path . . . .
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Tell her to TAKE THE COURSE! I'm assuming you're in the US, so I'm suggesting the MSF beginner's course. I'm sure there are other options elsewhere in the world. But this is important; if you care about her, you will want her to be a good rider and the MSF (or equiv.) is the way to start her down that path . . . .
To his point: good call. definitely take the course! I took it when I started and we got 16 hours of riding in on a closed course. What I took away most from it was emergency braking. My braking reactions are now second-nature because of it.
The Repsol is an awesome choice! Lol 140 miles on a bike daily could be tiring not to mention in the rain also. And for beginning riders I can't stress enough read! Read! Read! YouTube videos work wonders to learn using a bike. A big parking lot and be patient even if you have to practice at 3am when no one is around! And yes the MSF is mandatory it betters your skills and lower your insurance win win. Your ultimate goal should be to never drop your bike! Knowledge is power and I'm proof! I never rode before December 19 and on the 27th i got my learner permit at this point i had over 200 miles on the repsol I will admit the first week if riding i stall about 30 time before i realize you hold the clutch until the bike is moving..... even in traffic lol so just be patient and it will come! And guarantee the first time she will be like this was a bad idea! just motivate her and keeping practicing... "Ride safe" and keep your luck charm close to the heart!
Additionally, I would say not to park it outside at her work. If there is not secure inside storage it could be stolen easily. Buy the best chain lock possible and chain it to something solid. That will at least stop someone from just throwing it into a van. (Theft insurance is a good thing.)
Second, I would suggest some good rain gear. Waterproof jacket, gloves and boots at the least. Revzilla.com is a good place for good deals and reviews of the gear.
(By the way, a 250 in the rain should ride fine. I rode a 400cc bike, in pouring rain on a highway at 70 mph and side streets at 45-50 mph just fine.)
Then what the other posters said....have her take a course first.
The reason she wants a bike is pretty simple. She commutes far for her job around 140 miles round trip 5 days a week. It's a good job, but it's contractual (she's a computer animation artist, an animator, yeah i'm one lucky bastard) so she rather live in a place that gives her more options for future employment. So moving really isn't an option any time soon. This means she wants something that has good gas mileage and can allow her to weave through traffic. Aside from the coolness factor (the fact she always wanted to learn and own one) this is her only real reason to own one.
Definitely take the course (both of you), before hitting the road as there are too many bad drivers out on the road (and a motorcycle always loses).
The one thing in your post that concerns me is the concept of 'weaving through traffic' -- yes motorcycles can out-maneuver a car, but as new riders the LAST thing you should be thinking about doing is trying to cut through traffic. Also keep in mind that the CBR250R isn't the fastest bike in the world, which is good for beginners, but bad if you try to cut someone off at freeway speeds, and they decide to accelerate and block you (again, bike always loses in an accident).
I'm not trying to be overly negative -- I'm just trying to make sure both of you are safe out there, especially as you have no previous experience on road bikes. Hopefully you both have a blast, and enjoy riding as much as I do (2012 was my first season, and I can't wait for spring to come and the snow to melt here).
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Last edited by Conundrum; 01-04-2013 at 10:55 AM.
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Confused and Lost boyfriend of potential bike owner
