N
NJ_Warrior
Guest
I want a bike to get my feet wet in. Nothing that powerful. Something with good handling. And should i buy it brand new or used
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
It's That Guy
New member
You can get your feet wet on any bike, just ride through puddles. 8^)
Actually this question is asked here a lot. Lots of us have different ideas.
I would say you want something small-to-medium. 250cc is big enough for anything except long rides at highway speeds. If you want to go more than a few exits on the freeway you want at least a 500. 600 or 650 is not too big for a first bike.
You don't want to run out and buy a shiny new bike. You're going to be hard on your first bike. You're going to abuse the clutch, and you might very well drop it once or twice before you get the hang of it. I'd say buy something 5-10 years old, maybe even with a few scuffs and bruises on it. After six months or a year you can sell this bike for about what you paid for it, and by then you'll have a better idea of what you really want.
You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground. This narrows the selection somewhat for short people. They publish seat heights, but the only way really to tell is to actually sit on the bike.
I would highly recommend the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). Half of all motorcycle accidents (and fatalities) happen to riders with less than 1 year of riding experience, so starting out your highest priority is safety, and the MSF will get you started with the right habits. They even supply the bike.
Cruisers (Honda Shadow, Harley Davidson, Yamaha Star, etc.) are statistically safer, probably because they support a relaxed, laid-back riding style. They're easier to manage too because of the lower seat and lower center of gravity. Sport bikes have more accidents because they are designed to push the limits. But this is a matter of preference. It depends on how you want to use the bike.
Good luck!
Actually this question is asked here a lot. Lots of us have different ideas.
I would say you want something small-to-medium. 250cc is big enough for anything except long rides at highway speeds. If you want to go more than a few exits on the freeway you want at least a 500. 600 or 650 is not too big for a first bike.
You don't want to run out and buy a shiny new bike. You're going to be hard on your first bike. You're going to abuse the clutch, and you might very well drop it once or twice before you get the hang of it. I'd say buy something 5-10 years old, maybe even with a few scuffs and bruises on it. After six months or a year you can sell this bike for about what you paid for it, and by then you'll have a better idea of what you really want.
You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground. This narrows the selection somewhat for short people. They publish seat heights, but the only way really to tell is to actually sit on the bike.
I would highly recommend the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). Half of all motorcycle accidents (and fatalities) happen to riders with less than 1 year of riding experience, so starting out your highest priority is safety, and the MSF will get you started with the right habits. They even supply the bike.
Cruisers (Honda Shadow, Harley Davidson, Yamaha Star, etc.) are statistically safer, probably because they support a relaxed, laid-back riding style. They're easier to manage too because of the lower seat and lower center of gravity. Sport bikes have more accidents because they are designed to push the limits. But this is a matter of preference. It depends on how you want to use the bike.
Good luck!
+1 on the ninja 250.
i wouldn't say it's very good for trackdays (you'll just get blasted on the straights by bikes with 6 times the power), but it's a great bike to learn on and scoot around town.
can hit 100, and does ok on the highway. I wouldn't take one on a long highway ride, but anything under 50 miles is doable.
buy used!!!! a LOT of beginners drop their bike. This is good for you - it means you should find a bike in great mechanical condition for $2k or less, and that you can probably sell it for what you paid a year from now (if you want to).
if you look hard enough, you can find 250's for $1000 or so. I'm actually looking for a cheap one to teach my wife on, and just have around for friends who want to learn, or when my brother flies into town.
i wouldn't say it's very good for trackdays (you'll just get blasted on the straights by bikes with 6 times the power), but it's a great bike to learn on and scoot around town.
can hit 100, and does ok on the highway. I wouldn't take one on a long highway ride, but anything under 50 miles is doable.
buy used!!!! a LOT of beginners drop their bike. This is good for you - it means you should find a bike in great mechanical condition for $2k or less, and that you can probably sell it for what you paid a year from now (if you want to).
if you look hard enough, you can find 250's for $1000 or so. I'm actually looking for a cheap one to teach my wife on, and just have around for friends who want to learn, or when my brother flies into town.
If you already know and understand how to drive a manual transmission, it helps learning a motorcycle because it's one less thing you have to focus on when learning. The common saying is that if you can drive a stick and ride a bicycle, learning a motorcycle will be easy. If you can practice discipline and restraint when riding, you may be fine. It's not all fun and games on a sport bike. Even if you ride perfect you need to know how to react when other cars and bikes and trucks don't drive so perfect. That comes from building new instincts and reflexes, and driving habits. While I definitely recommend the MSF class, the class doesn't usually teach all you need to know. Many, many riders go down every summer due to overconfidence gained by taking the class.
When I ride, I act like I’m invisible to other vehicles. On the highway, I assume that every car I pass or that passes me, doesn't see me and is looking to come into my lane. I'm ready for any move that car makes half a second before he makes it.
You have to learn aerodynamics. If you get to close behind a rig, the wind can trap you there. When you pass along side of a rig the wind will pull you closer to the truck at one point and push you away at another. You have to learn all this and have counter balance and movements programmed into your body reflexes. There is so much more to it. You need lots of practice.
The first time I ever touched a motorcycle, it was a 1997 Ninja ZX-6. I rode it around a parking lot for 5 minutes to find out how to shift, then rode 100 miles home on the interstate. I’ve been riding ever since with a clean riding history. (Thanks to God) So it is possible to start on something other than a 250. Not everybody drops their first bike. You don’t have to drop yours and you probably won’t if you just take it easy.
Some people say that 600CCs is suicide for a beginner rider. That is simply not true. They make 600CC bikes that are suitable for beginners. In fact they make more entry level 600 bikes than they do 600CC race bikes. In no way does a 600CC bike remotely compare to a formula 1 race car. That is an extremist comment you should disregard.
Generally speaking, a 600 is a beginner’s sport bike. If it’s under 599CCs, it’s not really considered a true sport bike. The internet is the only place I’ve heard of anybody starting on anything other than 600 beside people who grew up riding dirt bikes. The Ninja 250R is a scooter with cute plastics. I’ve been to many, many track days, bike nights, meet-ups, and general bike cruises, and still haven’t seen one or even witnessed a conversation about them. They get no recognition in the sport bike community that actually rides. I don't hate the Ninja 250R but it isn't the absolute universal best choice for a first bike the way others would suggest. IMHO, the Yamaha FZ6R is the best entry-level sport bike. The newer Suzuki GS500F is a nice bike. I usually recommend this bike to the people who have been scared about getting a 600. It's got the power to scoot you around town and push you along the highway if you so choose. It doesn't look too bad either.
People recommend smaller CC bikes for beginners because most newbies are into it for the speed and flashiness of it and often underestimate the seriousness of riding safe. The temptation to tap into that power is usually too great to overcome. If you know you can and will respect the bike and get at least a thousand miles of practice before hitting the highway, and before group rides, then maybe you can start on a 600cc bike. Otherwise, help yourself out and start small.
It is also wisely suggested that your first bike be a used one. You may not drop it but the clutch, brakes, and tires take a beating in the learning stages. You don’t want to go tearing up a new bike.
Toned down sportbikes:
1. YZF600R (not the R6)
2. ZZR600 (not the ZX-6)
3. FZ6R
4. Suzuki GS500F / GSX650
5. GSX600 Katana (laughing stock of sportbikes) A.K.A. Can-O-Tuna
6. Daytona Triumph 600
Regular sportbikes:
1. GSX/R 600
2. YZF R6
3. ZX-6R
4. CBR 600RR
Sport Hybrids:
SV650
Ninja 650
FZ600
GSX650
When I ride, I act like I’m invisible to other vehicles. On the highway, I assume that every car I pass or that passes me, doesn't see me and is looking to come into my lane. I'm ready for any move that car makes half a second before he makes it.
You have to learn aerodynamics. If you get to close behind a rig, the wind can trap you there. When you pass along side of a rig the wind will pull you closer to the truck at one point and push you away at another. You have to learn all this and have counter balance and movements programmed into your body reflexes. There is so much more to it. You need lots of practice.
The first time I ever touched a motorcycle, it was a 1997 Ninja ZX-6. I rode it around a parking lot for 5 minutes to find out how to shift, then rode 100 miles home on the interstate. I’ve been riding ever since with a clean riding history. (Thanks to God) So it is possible to start on something other than a 250. Not everybody drops their first bike. You don’t have to drop yours and you probably won’t if you just take it easy.
Some people say that 600CCs is suicide for a beginner rider. That is simply not true. They make 600CC bikes that are suitable for beginners. In fact they make more entry level 600 bikes than they do 600CC race bikes. In no way does a 600CC bike remotely compare to a formula 1 race car. That is an extremist comment you should disregard.
Generally speaking, a 600 is a beginner’s sport bike. If it’s under 599CCs, it’s not really considered a true sport bike. The internet is the only place I’ve heard of anybody starting on anything other than 600 beside people who grew up riding dirt bikes. The Ninja 250R is a scooter with cute plastics. I’ve been to many, many track days, bike nights, meet-ups, and general bike cruises, and still haven’t seen one or even witnessed a conversation about them. They get no recognition in the sport bike community that actually rides. I don't hate the Ninja 250R but it isn't the absolute universal best choice for a first bike the way others would suggest. IMHO, the Yamaha FZ6R is the best entry-level sport bike. The newer Suzuki GS500F is a nice bike. I usually recommend this bike to the people who have been scared about getting a 600. It's got the power to scoot you around town and push you along the highway if you so choose. It doesn't look too bad either.
People recommend smaller CC bikes for beginners because most newbies are into it for the speed and flashiness of it and often underestimate the seriousness of riding safe. The temptation to tap into that power is usually too great to overcome. If you know you can and will respect the bike and get at least a thousand miles of practice before hitting the highway, and before group rides, then maybe you can start on a 600cc bike. Otherwise, help yourself out and start small.
It is also wisely suggested that your first bike be a used one. You may not drop it but the clutch, brakes, and tires take a beating in the learning stages. You don’t want to go tearing up a new bike.
Toned down sportbikes:
1. YZF600R (not the R6)
2. ZZR600 (not the ZX-6)
3. FZ6R
4. Suzuki GS500F / GSX650
5. GSX600 Katana (laughing stock of sportbikes) A.K.A. Can-O-Tuna
6. Daytona Triumph 600
Regular sportbikes:
1. GSX/R 600
2. YZF R6
3. ZX-6R
4. CBR 600RR
Sport Hybrids:
SV650
Ninja 650
FZ600
GSX650
Magz™ AMCNAS leader
New member
A Kawi ninja 250r is a purpose built "learner" sport bike. It handles incredibly, and is very fast for a 250 (it'll outrun most large displacement stock harleys to 100 or so).
it's an excellent bike for track days if you decide to keep it, and it holds it's value incredibly well as long as you don't thrash it too bad.
it's an excellent bike for track days if you decide to keep it, and it holds it's value incredibly well as long as you don't thrash it too bad.
Magz™ AMCNAS leader
New member
A Kawi ninja 250r is a purpose built "learner" sport bike. It handles incredibly, and is very fast for a 250 (it'll outrun most large displacement stock harleys to 100 or so).
it's an excellent bike for track days if you decide to keep it, and it holds it's value incredibly well as long as you don't thrash it too bad.
it's an excellent bike for track days if you decide to keep it, and it holds it's value incredibly well as long as you don't thrash it too bad.