Papa Smurf
New member
like the makes and models. plz dont say the ninja 250.
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whats a good starter bike?
- Thread starter Papa Smurf
- Start date
There are alot of great bikes out there. First you have to consider what kind of riding the bike will be used for, then the price you want to pay. If you are looking for a starter street bike I think the Kawasaki EX500 is a good choice, plus there are alot of used ones out there. The Suzuki GS500 and SV650 are also pretty good choices.
If you are really new to riding I would start with a dual sport bike, like a Honda XR250L, a Suzuki DR350s, DRZ400, Kawasaki KLX250, etc. The new Yamaha 250 dualsport bike would be really nice too but it'll cost you some pennies.
Dual sport bikes are great to learn on because they perform fairly well offroad. It is much better to learn to ride in a field as opposed to the street for a number of reasons, but mainly because when you start learning to ride you ARE going to fall. Remember the addage: it's not a question of whether or not you will fall, it's WHEN you are going to fall.
Hope this information was somewhat helpful. Remember, keep the rubber side down.
Just one more thing, alot of people will tell you can start riding on the street and they are right to an extent. The one problem I have with that thinking is that in a crisis situation on the road you have to instictively know the limits of the machine and your abilities. You can't learn those limits unless you are pushing them. This means dumping the bike over, brake-sliding, power-slides, etc. That's why I think people should learn off road.
If you look at all the best roadracers, they all road dirtbikes as kids.
If you are really new to riding I would start with a dual sport bike, like a Honda XR250L, a Suzuki DR350s, DRZ400, Kawasaki KLX250, etc. The new Yamaha 250 dualsport bike would be really nice too but it'll cost you some pennies.
Dual sport bikes are great to learn on because they perform fairly well offroad. It is much better to learn to ride in a field as opposed to the street for a number of reasons, but mainly because when you start learning to ride you ARE going to fall. Remember the addage: it's not a question of whether or not you will fall, it's WHEN you are going to fall.
Hope this information was somewhat helpful. Remember, keep the rubber side down.
Just one more thing, alot of people will tell you can start riding on the street and they are right to an extent. The one problem I have with that thinking is that in a crisis situation on the road you have to instictively know the limits of the machine and your abilities. You can't learn those limits unless you are pushing them. This means dumping the bike over, brake-sliding, power-slides, etc. That's why I think people should learn off road.
If you look at all the best roadracers, they all road dirtbikes as kids.
golancer04
New member
I say if you took a motorcycle riding class like a MSF class and know the basics and were comfortable when taking that rider class, you could start on a 600cc sportbike or a 900cc cruiser.
First, most important, you have to feel comfortable sitting on the bike and feel you have control of keeping it upright. If you are small and weak you don't want a 1,000lb cruiser as your first bike.
If you don't want to start on a 600cc, then maybe the 500cc Ninja.
Better yet, if you think that you aren't ready for that 600cc supersport like a Kawasaki ZX6R or Suzuki GSXR 600, then look at a more standard sport bike like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R or the 650EN where you sit more upright. The Suzuki Gladius or Bandit or Yamaha YZF are other good ones. Though perhaps a bit pricey for a first time buyer, The Ducati Monster 696 is excellent. Or if you want a cruiser, anything around 900cc.
First, most important, you have to feel comfortable sitting on the bike and feel you have control of keeping it upright. If you are small and weak you don't want a 1,000lb cruiser as your first bike.
If you don't want to start on a 600cc, then maybe the 500cc Ninja.
Better yet, if you think that you aren't ready for that 600cc supersport like a Kawasaki ZX6R or Suzuki GSXR 600, then look at a more standard sport bike like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R or the 650EN where you sit more upright. The Suzuki Gladius or Bandit or Yamaha YZF are other good ones. Though perhaps a bit pricey for a first time buyer, The Ducati Monster 696 is excellent. Or if you want a cruiser, anything around 900cc.