You can buy bad new bikes as well.

When you buy a used bike sometimes things don't work out perfectly. It happens. It doesn't mean it is bad advice to buy a used bike.

What did you buy? Post a link to the thread with ALL of the information/problems with the bike.

You are being a whole bunch confrontational so don't be surprised when a few people get pissed and return the pleasantries. You get what you bring, and right now you're attacking the very people who could probably help you.

 

Dflat57, I did exactly what you wanted to do... I bought a new F4i right out of MSF, why?? because I could. Was it the right choice? for me it was. I ride it more like a cruiser and less like a sportbike. I like it because it is relatively small enough and light, it fits in my garage in front of my vette and it is shiny and pointy. But make no mistake, this bike is terrifingly fast. A f**king Ferrari can't pull wheelies, a Ferrari won't highside from brake mismanagement, a Ferrari won't lowside on gravel, any mook with two feet can drive a Ferrari to 9/10th. Trust me, fast cars I have owned and driven, nothing can match a sportbike for acceleration and no car requires the skill to turn or stop like a sportbike does.

But I can honestly say, if your goal is to be a great rider on a sportbike, start small. You will not learn a bunch of bad habits like I have. Then again, you won't see me at track days and I am 44 years old so my next bike will be something like a a Guzzi Griso, Chopper, or VRod or something equally dopey.

Just because you bought something used that broke, don't think it was the wrong thing to buy. Once you get it fixed you will feel better. And when you crash it, hopefully only at slow speeds, you be happy you didn't screw up $1800 in fairings.

 

Good summary by Bluefox,

As a new rider, the advice here has been fantastic. If someone gives me advice that I don't
think is right, I research it, and either find another solution, or smack myself for not getting it
the first time around.

The suggestions here are invaluable, and if we only had magazines and dealerships to listen to I hate to think where we'd all be.

The advice of starting on a small bike is a good one, clearly suggesting that someone start on a big bike is not good advice either. In my opinion, a smaller bike allows you to learn the on road things a little more easily, getting your foot down, checking mirrors and blind spots regularly, not fixating on things etc etc. Putting all those MSF things into practice does take time, and doing it all at the same time as wrestling with a 150 HP beast is not smart.

I like the advice, and to all you posters that answer questions regularly, Thanks - most of us appreciate it.

 

I won't pile on. Dude, I understand why you're upset. I'd be bumming too if I had a bike that wasn't running, and I couldn't figure out why. But for every bad experience like yours, there are plenty of good experiences like mine. I've bought two used F3s. One stranded me a couple times till I flushed the tank and replaced the fuel filter, and the other has been totally problem free. Maybe the guy you bought fromknew the bike hadproblems, so he's the guy you should be blaming.

Maybe for newbs who don't have a lot of confidence in their ability to evaluate a used bike, it would make sense to pay a little extra and buy used from a dealer or mechanic, so if there are problems you can go back and have it taken care of.

Anyway, I hope you getyour bike fixedsoon, and get out there riding.

 

Of course, if you put a new bike down the first day you ride it and scrape up all four pieces of plastic on one side, you just paid for all of the repairs your used by will need, and them some, especially if you buy new OEM plastic. To put it in perspective, I replaced my flat black lowers on my silver 1000RR with glossy from the black. I got a pretty good deal on them, but it was still over $600 for them new. While I did sell mine and it paid for a lot of that, if I had wrecked it, down on the side, and replaced the upper, mid, lower, and tail, I imagine I would be out nearly $1,000. How much do you think your repair bill will be? There are certainly pluses to buying new, but buying a bike you know does not run already is asking for surprises. Each to his own, and good luck with your repairs. Always, RSD!

 

I bought a brand new bike myself for my 1st but I don't think that telling newbs to try used first is bad, just not applicable in my particular situation.

I can understand that you're ticked because the bike doesn't run, but is it really a brilliant idea to dump blame on a group of anonymous fourm posters? That's like continuously blaming cops for writing you speeding tickets = basically sticking your head in the sand about your own mistakes.

 

I kinda agree with you on telling a person to start off small. I think if your gonna want to purchase a bike of any size do so and learn. You have to be patient and careful on any size you learn on. If you want a 600 or a 1000 then do it your an adult.
However i disagree on not gettin a used bike. They are obviously cheaper than new ones. If a bike needs alot of TLC then you learn more about it and won't forget what you learn. Everyone should know how to do some kind of work on their own bike.
Yes its frustrating when you cant ride your bike. But in the end when your on it ridin you can say "yep i repaired it" and you will feel a little more proud of what you have. If you just buy a new bike and never turn a single wrench on it then you don't have that bond with your bike that i personally feel everyone should have.
Sorry if i have made any enemies with my reply. No ill intentions meant.

 

+1

 

i am assuming that he is a young guy considering he is new to the bike scene and his inabilityto take advice. i am wondering why noone has brought up the cost of insurance yet. i financed my first street bike (mistake) 2001 gsxr 600. insurance company cracked me almost $5000 a year for full coverage. i am now riding a 2002 954rr which i am paying less that $200 a year for insurance. if you wreck the thing, sure they will pay to fix it but then you have a brand new P.O.S. that nobody will want to buy!! nobody will pay what you think the bike may be worth if they know it was wrecked. and RRbound he is not willing to fix the bike himself (which tells you something right there) he is taking it to a dealership to have them fix it. and crying about how much it is gonna cost! and the whole thing about "its gonna cost $100 to tow it to the dealer" "what if the tow guy drops the bike" EVER HEARD OF A PICKUP TRUCK? even if you dont have access to one you can rent one for like $20bucks a day. [sm=rant.gif]

 

LMAO!!
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Anway, wow...someone has some anger in him. I can see where you are coming from though, I'd be angry also. But I'm a new rider andI started on a 250cc for the MSF, bought a USED 03 600F4i...got a good deal on it...and been riding for 6 months, with no problems. Why did I get a used one? Because if I dropped it,which most do, I wouldn't be kicking myself in the **** as muchif it were new. Live andlearn. Next one will be new though...maybe.