Need info on buying a bike for my 19 y.o. son preferrably 250 cc less than $1, 000.00

[John Soliday]

The SV is a great bike and you really have to ride it pretty hard to be
scary fast, but they also make excellent roadrace bikes from what I've seen
as well.  I'm not sure you'll have any less chance of an accident on the 250
or the 650, they both go fast enough to hurt you.  The SV price sounds
almost too good to be true, as I've seen low miles Ninja 250's around here
for $2K.  Good luck and I'm glad you're going to be a trusting Dad.  I think
the MSF course will open his eyes about safety.

John (former MSF instructor)

-----Original Message-----
From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com] On
Behalf Of mrgilmore at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 11:18 AM
To: gpzlist at micapeak.com
Subject: Need info on buying a bike for my 19 y.o. son preferrably 250 cc
less than $1,000.00


Hey guys,

I am trying to locate a used starter bike for my 19 son.  He is trying to
get me to agree to his getting an SV 650 Suzuki for $1,000.00 right now.  I
am being told this a great price for the bike.  I really prefer he get a
Ninja 250 that's been dropped a few times but is in good working order
otherwise.  

He has zero experience riding.  I am going to be teaching him plenty and he
is enrolled in the motorcycle safety training course, which he says will
also get him his motorcycle status on his license and an insurance discount
when he successfully completes the course. Unlike me, who came up with
motorcycles since I was 12 and riding little minibikes, Honda 50 cc, Yammy
80cc, Honda 125 cc etc, on my way up in farmers fields etc, before I ever
got to street riding - he had been forbidden byhis mom to ride, period, but
in her last days, she agreed that now he's 18, it'd be ok.   

I am fearful to lose my only kid, but I do not want to forbid him either.
I'd actually really like for him to become a rider, and it looks like he's
on his way to doing it the right way.  

I am willing to drive a couple hundred miles to check out such a bike and
bring it home.  I live in Los Angeles CA area.  I'd be willing to go it on
trust with you guys in far flung areas of our country and ship it here, if
you thought a good bike is available outside our area.

Anyone got anything in mind or have seen something that might fit this need?

Ron Jordan
red '95 Altadena, CA