aceattorney

Hi everyone, I'm a new rider, and am happy to be able to be a part of this supportive and active community of fellow Rebel owners.

I recently received my learner's permit and completed my MSF class, so I should be getting my M1 license by the end of this week. In the meantime, I purchased a used, black 2009 Rebel with 1600 miles. It's currently still at the dealer, but an experienced rider friend will hopefully be riding it home tomorrow for me.

Shopping for gear has taken up most of my time these past few days as well. A pair of TCX X-Five boots and a Shoei RF-1000 helmet are going to be my next big purchases (any thoughts on these, btw?).

Now, it seems like from what I've been reading that I should not really anticipate any major mechanical or electrical failures with the Rebel, and even though the manufacturer's warranty on my bike is good through December 2010, I purchased a 2-year extended warranty from the dealer anyway for $325. The thing is, the warranty can be cancelled without any penalties within 30 days, and now I'm considering cancelling the extended warranty.

Do you folks have any suggestions with regard to the extended warranty? Should I go ahead and keep it, or do you think it probably will not be worth it?

Thanks very much, all!

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mad hatter

Welcome to the forum

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2001 Honda Rebel
jardine pipes
Twist the throttle, light the pipes and rip some rubber!

Buickguy

Welcome aboard!
Your choice of gear sound like you did some homework on it. Gear is kind of like "strawberry or vanilla?" It depends on what you like, more importantly what fits you.
Extended warranties are kind of like insurance. Generally you don't need them until you need them. The odds are in the insurance (warranty) company's favor, that much is certain. That said, it's really up to you.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

flitecontrol

Welcome to the forum. Ditto on what Buickguy said about equipment and extended warranty. Buy the equipment that you feel comfortable with and fits you, especially the helmet. For conspicuity, white and neon green/yellow are hard to beat. Given your location, you may want to invest in a set of mesh pants and jacket. They give you abrasion (read road rash) protection and lots of airflow when its warm. Go to the library and check out David Hough's (sp?) book, Proficient Motorcycling. Read it, read it again in a month or two, and then annually to keep your skills sharp. Also suggest you google The Hurt Report on motorcycle accidents. Read the information with the view point of "How can this information help me lower the odds of being in a motorcycle accident?"

Ride as if everyone in a cage (motorcycle term for car, truck, SUV, etc.) was a deranged lunatic out to get you. Not all of them are, but there are clueless folks talking and texting while driving that can ruin your day or your life. Progress from less well traveled roads to higher traffic areas only as you feel comfortable. Stay in your comfort zone, but always alert. If you get out of your zone, fix it asap. I recommend new riders travel alone at first to hone their skills. Riding behind an experienced rider can sometimes lull you into a false sense of security.

Finally, seek out those roads that give you that really good feeling when you have ridden them. Good luck!

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

Guba

Welcome, I see you already got a lot of good advice. As for the warranty, I personnaly wouldn't get it to start with. But ultimately the choice is yours and what you feel comfortable with. The engine is pretty darn reliable.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

igjosh

Welcome and ride safe.

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my rebel 85
http://www.hondarebelforum.com/pictu...&pictureid=461

aceattorney

Thanks fellas - a ton of great advice!

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JunkyardDog

Welcome, and congratulations on the Rebel. I think you are really going to love it. Glad you took the MSF course.

I am not familiar with those boots, but the Shoei RF-1000 is a $300 helmet. You can get the same protection from a $100 DOT full face helmet. I have an $89 DOT full face helmet, in solid white. Nothing wrong with the Shoei, it's a great helmet, just overpriced for the protection it provides. If you want it and can afford it, get it.

The warranty is another thing altogether. I have owned 45 motorcycles in my life, about 25 of them new. I never got the extended warranty, and never needed it, so obviously I saved a great deal of money. I don't know how the dealer was able to sell you an extended warranty on a used bike. If it is not a genuine Honda warranty, is is worth even less. Read the fine print, and you will be surprised at what these warranties don't cover. IMO, there is a 99% chance you will never get anything out of it, it is best to cancel it while you can. I know enough about Japanese bikes to know that new ones or nearly new ones that haven't been abused are stone reliable.


I am a professional auto mechanic, and therefore do all my own maintenance and repairs. The Rebel is a perfect do it yourself bike. There is not a single bit of maintenance on it that most owners cannot do themselves. Get yourself a manual, and do all your own maintenance. You will save a fortune over what the dealer charges, and you will know it is done right. I actually enjoy doing my own maintenance, but then vehicles (bikes, cars, and just about anything else) are my main hobby.


Also, as flitecontrol said, I highly recommend reading the Hurt Report. I have a paper copy that I got when it first came out in the early '80's, and it is one impressive piece of research. It was, and still is, the only motorcycle accident study of it's type and scope ever done. 30 years later, it is still completely accurate. There is a lot more traffic today, and incompetent drivers make up a much larger percentage of it. Then throw in millions of cell phone using drivers, which I equate with drunk drivers in the Hurt Report, and your chances of survival on the street are not nearly as good as they were 30 years ago. It's still possible, It just requires more skill, and a LOT more awareness of what is going on around you.


Do not expect car drivers to see you, most of them won't. I wear highly visible clothes for riding, and it helps, to some degree, but many drivers, and I use the term loosely, will still not see you. Jerry.

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aceattorney

Thanks Jerry - I've been rethinking the Shoei due to that high price (a local dealer has the price at $259, plus tax) and am looking at the HJC IS-16 for $137 from newenough.com.

I'm reading through a summary of the Hurt Report - definitely valuable info there. I'll have to check out the entire report.

Also, as for maintenance and repairs, I figure it'll be fun for my dad and I to tinker with the bike - he's an auto mechanic.

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Rebelita

Welcome! Great to have other newbies out there

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