Buying first bike, new or used?

I'm 17, almost 18. Looking to buy my first motorcycle. I'll be buying my first motorcycle, but I have ridden dirt bikes before, so I'm not a complete beginner.

When I turn 18, I plan on buying my first motorcycle, the question is, should I get a yamaha v star 250 (used beginner choice), or a 2017 honda rebel 300 abs new? I can get the yamaha for around $2200, and the honda for about $3700. I want a bike that will last me for 5 years when I buy it, probably with lots of riding done on it. (senior year of highschool and 4 years of college). I see people say that they are outgrowing the rebel too quickly and want a bigger bike, but I'm paying for my own insurance, so I don't want that to go up with a bigger bike, and I'd rather have a less powerful bike so I'm not tempted to speed as much.

So, with the price of gear and the MSF training course, what do you think I should do? I think the yamaha is a nice bike, but I'm not sure about buying used, as I don't know what it's been through and if it will last me 5 years. I do prefer the Honda more though, as it looks better, is new, slightly more powerful, and has abs brakes, which I think will really help since ill most likely be riding in all conditions.

So should I buy the yamaha with $2200, buy the honda with $2200 as a downpayment and loan the rest off, or wait a bit longer and pay the $3700 in full?

The "best" bike for you is the one that will fit you correctly!

that means that when you are astride the saddle, both feet should be flat on the ground, and you should be able to reach the controls on the bars w/o stretching… Too many guys ( and some gals ) buy a bike because it's cool or some other stupid thing, then find out they can't safely and properly ride it

You will outgrow it. So don't spend too much because you will want to move up a size… Which could be another used bike.

I think it would depend more on what kind of condition its in than wether its new or used

Rider whatever is comfortable for you but please take a Rider's Edge training class offer by Harley Davidson. It will help you survive the crazy people driving around in cars that are not watching out for you.

My recommendation is buy a used bike from a dealer with a warranty (it won't be five years but neither will it be on a new bike). As soon as the wheel rolls off the dealer forecourt a new bike begins to lose value at a faster rate than a secondhand bike - depreciation can be quite harsh on different models (look into it). You will want to keep your bike in decent condition, it will be key to your next bike purchase as a trade in/cash sum.

If you can afford it, get the Honda and pay cash. ABS is a boon for new riders. But the Yam is gonna be OK too and will last five years with regular servicing.

Get a used one. There are plenty of used 250-500 cc bikes available at up to half the cost of a new one.

Buy a USED one. As you learn to ride, the odds are about 90% that you WILL drop the bike at least once. Save the NEW bike for your second time around.

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