Hi,

I joined the forum last week orso but don't actually have a bike yet

I currently have a 250cc scooter that I ride to work a few days a week (roughly 20 miles one way - have been doing this for about a year now). I always said I would never get a motorcycle because it's dangerous but you know how that goes. You start loving two wheels and you're sold.

Anyway, my commute hasn't changed but I get more freeway time now since I often work late (traffic is gone). The scooter is fine for short freeway hops at 50-60mph but that's about it. I also want something a little more reliable.

So, I've been eyeing motorcycles for a while and it looks like Honda CBR's are pretty easy to find around 2-2.5k. I found two F3's that I might be interested in (anything I buy would be inspected first).

Now, how suited is a bike like this for surface street driving (no stop go, just traffic lights). I will obviously have to deal with a clutch now and will I be stuck in 1st/2nd gear? I also like the fact that they don't weigh very much; I believe my scooter weighs 375 pounds, so I'm hoping the balance and ride feel isn't too different.

These are my main motivations for looking into these bikes:
* great gas mileage (+save some miles on my car)
* reliability
* nimble/small (e.g. traffic situations)
* and I also want to have a little fun in the process; I like sporty vehicles

Is this a very bad idea? Or will I be fine if I'm careful; I should add I am a very defensive driver (no accidents in 12 years - knocking on wood hard though).

Thanks for your input!! Sorry for the long post

 

honestly i think an F3 will be a lot more than what you need based on what you're saying.

a 500cc bike (GS500, EX500) will get considerably better mileage on the highway, be a little cheaper to insure, and have more torque around town. And the EX weighs like 430 soaking wet (15 lbs less than an F3)

should be plenty of those for just as cheap, if not cheaper.

 

Yeah lots more fun than a scooter. Rides a lot different. Still very reliable bike for 10+ years. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course and start out slow. I hate traffic lights. The stop and go may cause overheating on a hot day? Mine gets very close. Good luck and take your time, you can get a little nutty later.

 

Well, I know myself. Once I get used to it, I might want something faster. That's what happened with my car . I'd rather buy it once and right.

I do like the idea of more torque though. I'll check into your suggestions!

 

if you want a nice little bike, i suggest looking at the new 2008 ninja 250. They look bad ***, and sip gas. If honda sold a 250 here i nthe states i would recommend that, but they dont.

 

I'm in Socal. So what other low mileage options would there be in the $2-2.5k range? I don't want to be spending too much as I just bought a house.

 

Sounds like your looking for something more like a 250 ninja or a smaller enduro like my XT225. Both are small in weight and don't consume too much fuel. Last I checked, I think that my Ford Escort gets close to the same mpg as my F3...somewhere in the 30s. But my XT225 gets around 62mpg last I checked. Just a thought. If you need more info feel free to PM me or express it with the group.

 

Thanks for all the replies! Really appreciate it. That Suzuki GS500 looks like a really nice bike. A 250 might be bit small; I'm afraid I'll miss performance once I'm a seasoned rider.

 

There are 400 class enduros/supermotardsalso. Unfortunetlly honda doesn't offer one []

They are a lot more fun that you would think, and they are 100% functional.

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question but isn't an enduro a dirt bike? I think I'd like a sport bike better.