Beginner Questions, (Total Beginner), Bike/Riding/Everything Help Please?

[Johnny]

I have been looking at the forums quite a bit, and I have a few questions...

Let me start off by saying, I do not have never ridden or owned a bike before so that is why I said TOTAL beginner...

Bike Questions:
After reading around I decided/think that the Ninja 250 would probably be the best bike to buy for my first bike. I have a few questions about that as well.

I'm about 6'0 195lbs, would this bike be a good fit for my size?
- Also, can you have a passenger sit relatively easy on this bike?

I have also read that buying a used Ninja 250 (about 1-2 years old) is the best idea, and so I decided I would go with that, and own it for 1-2 years and then sell it like many have recommended. BUT I'm looking to pay around 2000k - 2.5k for the bike. I am wondering where a good place is to look for used motorcycles, as well as what I should be looking at specifically in the bike, as in, what types of miles does the average bike use per year (how do the miles affect the bike wear/tear wise), What specific problems should I look for that would warn me from buying a used bike?

- If you have any other suggestions for a new bike let me know.

Again this would be my first bike, and I am wondering how much cost of the gear/training for the bike would be. And how the training is done, as I don't really know anyone with a bike.

So I live in Michigan, I am 18 Years of Age, and Have my Operators License. And by looking at the laws/regulations, I need to:
1. Pass a written test (basically just familiarizing myself with manual)
2. Receive a TIP (Temp. Instruction Permit) - this I believe allows me to ride with someone over 18 that has a license while I am learning how to ride. Seen as though I have never ridden before is there some kind of training class I can take before this? I would like to try out my skills on a bike before I actually buy one.
3. Complete a skills test...this I guess just has to do with basic operation and a bike inspection.
- Major problems here, I dont have a bike yet, also don't know anyone really that has a bike that I can ride with, is the a good website to go to where I can find people? Also before I actually go on the road I would like to learn basics what do you guys suggest?

Costs:
Bike: Approx: $2000-2500
Training and License: I believe this is around $100-150?
Gear: ??? (How much for decent gear/rain gear) - Michigan Requires Helmet)
Insurance on both bike and rider - ???? - this is a MAJOR question, what is a average or what does yours cost approx? Yearly/or Monthly

That's what I've come up with so far, If you can answer anything that would be GREAT! If you have any other suggestions or see anything that I missed please feel free to comment!

- Hopefully I can join the ranks this Summer!

 

[cooperm2435]

-I think you will be ok size wise

-sports bikes do tend to have small seats for passengers, you could take people out on short runs however i wouldn't recommend going touring on it.

-Most but not all new riders to tend to thrash there bike around and often drop there bike and get a few scraps. So buying second hand is defiantly a good idea. However it is better buying from a dealer that way you know it has been well maintained.
You want to find something 5k miles and under for a 1 year old bike 10k or under for 2 year.
Also check the Tyre' tread, the last thing you wanna do is buy a new bike and find that the tyre need replacing or you get fined by the police.
Make sure the chain and sprockets are in good condition i.e they are clean and no rust and have been given a good coat of chain wax/oil.

-As for suggestions I think what you are after is a good enough starter bike, as its a sports bike insurance can be a little higher.

With your training I'm a little unsure about it works in the USA , in the uk we do something called a CBT (compulsory basic training) you have to do this before you are allowed to go on the road. Then you can book your test.
I imagine you'll have to do something similar, where you will learn the basics i.e changing gear, lane postion, indicating and general control.

hope that helped although I don't know whether knowing what we do in uk helped, but I suppose its a start.

 

[S Z]

The Ninja 250 produces peak power between 10,000-14,000 RPM. It was designed for high RPM Power. It may be small but insurance will show it is still a sport bike. The angle of the front fork makes it prone to high speed wobble and unforgiving to the begginer. Size wise you are in the right range for a begginer. Look for a Yamaha 250, Honda Rebel or suzuki's 250. They were all designed for the begginer. They put the power at a lower RPM making starts much easier, yet still have enough power to run 70 MPH. High RPM bikes also do not start as reliably. It does no good to have more power when the tempurature drops in Michigan and you can't even get your ride started. The begginers bikes like the yamaha 250 will start easier and be easier and more forgiving on the highway. They will last for years and help you build the skills for that dream bike. I weigh 250 lbs and own a honda Rebel. I can travel fast enough to break all the speed limits. I own two other bikes as well. The cost is hands down cheaper when compared to a car. You can keep your first bike when you get number 2 and 3. You may end up like me and keep that first bike. I keep mine because it gets 90 MPG, fun to ride, and starts the first time every time. You can find cheap rain gear at the outdoor/camping section at Wal Mart. I got mine for $20.00. It was made to go on over all other clothes and makes a good wind block when not raining.

 

[dingram1]

"Costs:
Bike: Approx: $2000-2500
Training and License: I believe this is around $100-150?
Gear: ??? (How much for decent gear/rain gear) - Michigan Requires Helmet)
Insurance on both bike and rider - ???? - this is a MAJOR question, what is a average or what does yours cost approx? Yearly/or Monthly"

Friends you'll make riding? Priceless!

The one answer said nobody wears chaps on a street bike? I do. I wear leather and boots, as do MANY of the people in this forum. You'll get many answers as to the bike you should buy. Ninja seems to be the most agreed on as versus the 250 "cruiser" class bike. I suggest you keep the line of thought you have and forget a passenger for the first year or so you ride. As soon as you have enough experience you should look for a task specific bike. If you plan to commute to school or a job, the gear you need and the type bike are completely different than if you just want to do wheelies and stoppies. Get a bike with enough power to get out of trouble. Insurance is dependent on your driving record and age, as well as the type bike and miles driven daily. When you feel you have the knowledge to ride a larger bike you need to get one that you'll be happy with for a few years. I suggest always wearing safety gear no matter what kind of riding you do and if you find an experienced licensed biker to ride with, don't be suckered into doing stupid things. Ride within the scope of your abilities. You have many years ahead to enjoy the biking experience so enjoy it.

Always watch the other guy and never assume the guy in the car saw you.

 

[beachbum]

Dude, I think you're totally over=analyzing this thing. Riding a bike is like a very zen thing, man. Get a bike, make sure it's safe, throw yer leg over that thing and ride, man, ride.

 

[redneckskater7684]

The bike should be okay in size for you, also for a beginner bike should be relatively easy as its a 250 so not to much power but don't let that fool you as it did me 250 Ninjas have plenty of get up and go
Also it should be able to handle as passenger as I drove my girlfriend around on mine when I had it ( I sold it and got a Suzuki Hayabusa).
-Also you can usually find a Ninja in every motorcycle classified type place in that range I bought mine from my uncle for 2250 with around 3500 miles on it. You shouldn't have a problem finding a bike in this range and in a used bike you want to check and be sure that it wasn't laid down or wrecked, and if it has been and supposedly repaired get them to verify it with paperwork although usually it's nothing major unless the fairing gets cracked and engine damage occurs even though it seems like it'd happen all the time it actually doesn't always necessarily have an effect on the bike but please make sure you get a mechanic to check it out first or you could probably do it yourself just don't be afraid to question the seller an honest seller will answer any question gladly, also as far as mileage goes you can usually find one with around 5000 and 5000 isn't a high or a low number of miles it's broken in but has also had some riding try to look for a bike with under 7500 miles just because the bikes under that mileage have longer lives ahead of them not that a bike with 7500 miles can't outlive newer bikes as I'm sure they have and as far as looking for them look at local motor-sports dealers and on places like Ebay and Craigslist in your area for them and look around before you make a definite decision.
-The gear isn't necessary unless you feel you need it other than the helmet and motorcycle helmets run around $100-150 and you just want to make sure your riding jeans and possibly long sleeves as your starting out just in case, and to start out for practice and that kind of thing just take a few laps around a parking lot set up with some cones to practice maneuvers and turning, as well as weight transfer,and so you know the motorcycle test usually includes motorcycle safety, skill and knowledge so be prepared in those areas. And for the gear if you wanted to go ahead and get gear a motorcycle jacket like a joe rocket jacket for example usually run about $150-200 pants on a sport bike usually just include jeans as nobody on a street bike wears chaps or anything. Not entirely sure on how much training costs I'll assume your right as I'm in NC
- And for finding people to ride with there are usually biking clubs and that kind of thing in every city/town you just gotta keep your eye out you might even try a classified ad that says your just looking for someone to ride with as your learning.
Hope that helps