From: lestat@wixer.cactus.org (Lyle J. Mackey)
Subject: Re: REQUEST: short fella has a question or two...
Organization: Real/Time Communications
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 18:55:40 GMT

In article <1992Nov11.064952.19751@wam.umd.edu> andyboyl@wam.umd.edu (Andrew 'OPIE' Boyle) writes:
>
>Here are my questions:
>
>1- I am pretty short, 5'4", with a 29" inseam (which I guess is important
>  if I want to keep my you-know-whats). I weigh about 135. This may 
>   sound like a stupid question, but am I to short to handle a bike
>   safely?  What brand bikes, less than 600cc and without crazy insurance
>   costs, would fit best?

You mentioned wanting a sport bike.. the EX500 has a and Ninja 250 both have
reasonable seat heights, but if it's THAT major a concern to you, you really
might oughta look at a cruiser-style bike, simple because they generally have
MUCH lower seats. (and if that's not a run-on sentence...).  Your best bet is
to just go look at bikes and sit on ones that interest you.  It's not
NECESSARY that you be able to put both feet on the ground, but it doesn't hurt
for a first bike (it inspires confidence to be able to put both feet down, ya
see).

>2- I will definitely buy used (can't afford new).  What should I look for 
>   in a used bike that would show excessive wear?  Buy from a dealer or
>   from For Sale ads?  Which is cheapest?

I'm not gonna give advice on what to look for beyond checking the tires,
look for leaks in hoses (learned this the hard way, had a nasty gas leak
on my EX when I got it) that I didn't notice until I got it home), feel the
brakes, that sorta stuff.  It's generally cheaper to buy from the want ads,
but you'll get better after-the-sale support from a dealer (and no, I don't
mean a warranty, but if you have any questions, a dealer is more likely to
answer 'em for you if you've spent money there).

>4- How far does the average, well cared for bike, go before it dies? It sounds
>   stupid, but all of the bikes I have seen in the paper for sale all have
>   5,000 or less miles on them.

The average, well cared for bike will go until it dies.  It varies from model
to model. I've heard of Goldwings going 100k plus, and FJ1200's going 100k plus,
and I've heard of Goldwings dying after 20k and FJ1200's dying after 20k.
Figures for slightly more hyper sport bikes are less. Your mileage may vary.
Just for reference, my EX500 has 15,000 on it and is still going strong, though
it needs a valve adjustment right now in the worst way.

>6- What is the difference between a 250cc and a 500cc bike? Does the 500cc
>   have twice as much power?

Quite simply, no.  The difference is large, but it's not double. The design
of the engine has far more to do with the differences than the displacement.

>7- I would like the bike to have the space and power for a passenger.  What
>    special features should I look for?

Take your expected-to-be-most-common passenger with you and have her
(assumption) sit on the back with her feet up on the passenger pegs. This won't
answer the question of power, but it WILL answer the question of space.  It'll
also give you an idea of how dramatically adding 120+ pounds to the back of a
bike changes the feel, even if you don't ride it.

>8- Where can one obtain a reference book for used bike prices?  

NADA makes a blue book for motorcycles just like they do for cars.  Check your
local library or bookstore.

>11- Can you get a good bike for less than $2000 to $2500?

Yes.  At least here in Texas you can.  I paid $2300 for my EX500., and have seen
them in similiar shape for less.  I don't know about prices in the northeast.
Again, YMMV.

Good luck. It's fun. I've only been at it a couple of years, but lord, so far,
what a long, strange trip it's been... (with apologies to Jerry)

-- 
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/ Lyle J \ lestat@wixer.cactus.org /  Team Doofus  \ DoD / Nobody else WANTS \
\ Mackey /     Social Engineer     \ '89 Kaw EX500 / 587 \  my  opinions...  /
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