I...AM...NOT...BUYING...A...NEW...BIKE...
I am buying used from a dealer... there is a ****ing difference.
I can afford the financing payments, I can afford the insurance, gas and my bills while still putting money aside for ****, dropping money in my RRSP and eating out every day if I want to. That financing will be paid off in a year, year and a half tops.
I'm not some 18 year old fresh out of diapers, I'm 34, I have a comprehensive budget software that tells me what I can and can't afford, trust me when I say it does a better job than you can; I programmed it my goddamn self.
As for gear, you say buy cheap gear, everyone else says don't skimp out on gear unless you want to get hurt and go leather I'm inclined to trust someone who believes in being safer rather than cheaper.
I am seriously getting annoyed at you folk, the question wasn't should I finance or not; the question was Now or After the training course; since the bike I wanted has been sold and I have to wait until they get another 250 that point is moot, I will be waiting until after the training.
Thread over.
Had you provided more information in the first place you might have gotten the benefit of a lot of experience here. But you may not like this but you came across like a teen getting into riding.
Financing a used bike makes sense as long as you recognize the additional insurance cost.
Spending big money on new gear is in my mind a waste of money. Your call
An off road course would likely do more toward your safety
There is a ton of very good gear on Kiji that come from people that spent big then didn't ride much.
Depends on how much work you want to do to save some money.
There should be any number of dealers willing to finance a 250 or 300 Ninja and if you do think you will keep it for a while then newer is better.
Given your age there may be a number of longer life machines that will not impact insurance much and may give you a 5 year run.
The difference in weight and handling on up to 500 is not significant assuming you are not height or strength challenged.
It also depends on the direction you want to do with riding...
Some of the upright riding position models are much nicer for commuting and learning. The new Honda CB500x for instance is a superb starter bike for someone your age and may even be a long term ride for you.
I'll bet you can get the same monthly cost on that and it's $2700 extra well spent in my view.
http://motorcycle.honda.ca/sport/cb500x
Ninja's tho are easy to flip and the dealer might even play ball and move you up when the time comes saving some tax cost.
It's a good community ...make use of it....the more info - the better the advice and you WILL get differences of opinion....don't burn your bridges
