Anyone start out with a 250cc "starter" bike?

[Trey22]

No real previous riding experience other than mini bikes and scooters (20 yrs ago).

Taking my MSF course week after next, and having trouble deciding on a starter bike. I know it'll be a cruiser type bike, but can't decide on how much power I need. I'm sure I'll have a better idea after the course, since I read they use 250cc for the training. But, I thought I'd get others opinions.

I'm getting a bike mostly for fun, but might as well use it for my city-street 8-mile roundtrip commute. Other than that, will probably do very little freeway driving.

I am looking at buying used if possible, and Craigslist has tons of bikes up per day.

 

[MiataNC]

If you are sure you want a cruiser, look at 650cc and 750cc bikes. If you are considering a HD, the 883 is a nice machine that holds its value well despite being overpriced for what you get (in my opinion).

Smaller cruisers are NOTHING like 600cc+ standard and sport bikes. They make far less power (peak horsepower), and the power they do make (low end torque) is much more manageable. As a new rider avoid the 1200cc and up cruisers.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

i have an 08 250 ninja. first bike i've owned. it's a blast to ride. it accelerates faster than most cars and it handles like a champ. it's real fun to take it into twisty back roads and do a bunch of s-turns. i got it in march i think? it gets ~60mpg. won't go any faster than 110-115. you can pick up a used pre 08 model for cheap. full coverage for my bike is ~260 a year. it's perfect for splitting lanes. i'd change the seat out if you plan to do long rides. i did a ~250 mile trip a couple weeks ago and my right cheak was sore. corbin makes an aftermarket seat.

you'd definitely need to start out with a higher cc cruiser though. for all the reasons miata mentioned.

 

[Trey22]

I like HD's, but like you said MiataNC, overpriced. I realize I can get a lot more bike for the $. I like the Yamaha V Star series... I'll look some up on CL, and see if I can buy a used one outright, instead of having to finance a new one.

I searched and read a bunch of bikes for beginners sites, and it while they recommend 250cc's, I think a minimum of 500cc's is best if I ever do decide to freeway ride. That's a possibility since my parents live 30 miles away.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Trey22
I like HD's, but like you said MiataNC, overpriced. I realize I can get a lot more bike for the $. I like the Yamaha V Star series... I'll look some up on CL, and see if I can buy a used one outright, instead of having to finance a new one.

I searched and read a bunch of bikes for beginners sites, and it while they recommend 250cc's, I think a minimum of 500cc's is best if I ever do decide to freeway ride. That's a possibility since my parents live 30 miles away.

If your going to be riding on the freeway I'd recommend something with a windscreen. Although, you can buy aftermarket windscreens for cheap for pretty much any bike.

Yeah, freeway riding you definitely want a heavier bike too. It will suffer in the twisties a bit though.

 

[AmigaMan]

I had a vstar 650 and it just was way too underpowered, especially when trying to merge into traffic on I40. I would say anything less than 650 is too little. Get an el-cheapo used 650/750/883 and then upgrade in a year or so when you've gotten more experience.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
I had a vstar 650 and it just was way too underpowered, especially when trying to merge into traffic on I40. I would say anything less than 650 is too little. Get an el-cheapo used 650/750/883 and then upgrade in a year or so when you've gotten more experience.

That's because it is. It doesn't help that it weighs 540lbs wet either. I think that bike puts out about 40hp whereas my Suzuki SV650 puts out 75hp and weighs 370lbs. Trust me, I have no problem accelerating to merge with traffic. My little SV will easily dust most street legal cars with no trouble at all.

But yeah, a small displacement cruiser isn't going to make a good drag bike.

 

[cKGunslinger]

I told my mom I was looking at a 250cc starter bike and she scolded me. 500cc, minimum, she says. Shadow 600 is a good starter bike, SV650 is even better and will last you longer. Neighbor just bought a 97' 800cc for ~$2800 as his first bike. I think it's a Yahama, but I'm not sure.

I'm still looking for a good deal on a Kawa 500 Vulcan LTD.

 

[Greenman]

250 is way to small, that's a kids bike. The HD 883 is ok, but just ok, I'd go to a 1200 for an extra $1.5k.

 

[dsity]

duuuude get a 250cc... see how it is. The ninja is perfect because it's resale value is superb. Once you ridden for a while you can decide if you want to upgrade. I would rather drop a 1.5k bike than a 3-4k bike.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: dsity
duuuude get a 250cc... see how it is. The ninja is perfect because it's resale value is superb. Once you ridden for a while you can decide if you want to upgrade. I would rather drop a 1.5k bike than a 3-4k bike.

The Ninja is not a cruising bike.

I am curious why you want a cruiser if you are not planning on going on the freeway, and only have an 8 mile RT commute. The fuel savings of a lower displacement sport bike are a pretty good trade off for comfort.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: dsity
duuuude get a 250cc... see how it is. The ninja is perfect because it's resale value is superb. Once you ridden for a while you can decide if you want to upgrade. I would rather drop a 1.5k bike than a 3-4k bike.

Good advice. A 650 cc bike can be a handfull for a novice rider.