It's official... I want a motorcycle.

[Jeff7181]

I've got my eye on the '08 Ninja 250R, but I might go with a used one while I learn. I've never ridden anything but a dirt bike before and I don't have any friends who ride, so I've got a few questions for those of you who do ride.

First, I'm sure any dealer will provide some basic riding tips and practice time on their lot. What if I buy from a private seller? How do I get seat time without riding on the roads illegally before I'm licensed?

Second, how long do tires usually last on a sport bike, assuming I'm having fun, but not turning laps at a track?

Third, I try to be sensitive to bikers and not follow closely or pull up 12 inches from their rear tire at a stop light... do you find most people on the road are that courteous?

 

[cKGunslinger]

1) MSF course
2) The Garage

The course is usually 2-3 days, lowers your insurance, dismisses the riding portion of your DMV test, teaches you the basics of riding, and only cost ~$190.

 

[jme5343]

3) www.ninja250.org

 

[waggy]

250 is a great starter bike. but you will get tired of that fast. so i would get a used one


and yes a MSF course is a very good idea and don't skimp on gear

 

[TonyG]

I will second the comment about getting tired of the 250 very quickly. Also, when you got to get motorcycle insurance, it will more than likely be worth your time to ask at your local bike dealers as to who they would recommend. Most of the big, common insurance companies are going to charge a lot more for bike insurance than smaller companies who mainly deal with bike insurance.
I personally use Dairyland County Mutual for my bike insurance, and pay $56/year for liability only, and I am 23, but do drive an older bike, 1983 Honda Nighthawk 650sc.

Also, take the MSF course.

 

[Cattlegod]

get a used f4i. will cost as much as a new 250R and you will not out grow it. FULL LEATHERS (saved me from an 80mph lowside).

Tires should last you on an f4i about 3-6k miles depending on your driving habits.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
get a used f4i. will cost as much as a new 250R and you will not out grow it. FULL LEATHERS (saved me from an 80mph lowside).

Tires should last you on an f4i about 3-6k miles depending on your driving habits.

well i would get a 250 (used) for a season before that. use the 250 as much as you can.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
1) MSF course
2) The Garage

The course is usually 2-3 days, lowers your insurance, dismisses the riding portion of your DMV test, teaches you the basics of riding, and only cost ~$190.

It only cost me $25, I believe my state (MI) subsidizes it and I think it was once a week for six weeks.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
1) MSF course
2) The Garage

The course is usually 2-3 days, lowers your insurance, dismisses the riding portion of your DMV test, teaches you the basics of riding, and only cost ~$190.

It only cost me $25, I believe my state (MI) subsidizes it and I think it was once a week for six weeks.

Doh... yeah, I guess the Garage would have been a better place to post this... anywho...

That's good to know, Squisher... I also live in Michigan... Canton.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
get a used f4i. will cost as much as a new 250R and you will not out grow it. FULL LEATHERS (saved me from an 80mph lowside).

Tires should last you on an f4i about 3-6k miles depending on your driving habits.

well i would get a 250 (used) for a season before that. use the 250 as much as you can.

That was my thinking... something that doesn't have enough power to get myself into trouble as I'm learning. Also, most of the reviews I've read of the 250R say it's a blast to drive. More fun to drive a slow bike fast than to drive a fast bike slow.

 

[BZeto]

MSF class rocks, take it for some seat time. I've heard that the 250 is a little underweight for freeway driving at high speeds if your commute involves it. Others say it's fine though, personally I would feel more comfortable on a bigger bike like the Ninja 650 or SV650.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Third, I try to be sensitive to bikers and not follow closely or pull up 12 inches from their rear tire at a stop light... do you find most people on the road are that courteous?

As a driver watching other people around bikes... it's what has kept me from taking the jump But it might be because of where I live... driving here in rush hour is hellish.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: BZeto
MSF class rocks, take it for some seat time. I've heard that the 250 is a little underweight for freeway driving at high speeds if your commute involves it. Others say it's fine though, personally I would feel more comfortable on a bigger bike like the Ninja 650 or SV650.

I'll probably stay off the freeways for a while... I can take city roads to work... 60 mph and under.

 

[Greenman]

Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

why not? a 250 will do the speed limit

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Greenman
Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

why not? a 250 will do the speed limit

125cc and up are legal on freeways around here. The 250R seems to top out around 100-115 mph depending on the rider from watching Youtube videos.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

It's probably a state law. California needs you to have 150cc or greater to be on the freeways. A 250cc will do you fine on the freeway.

I started with a two year old Suzuki SV650S. It's a 649cc, but only a 2 stroke engine so it'd top out at 75hp. I'm told it would do 115mph, but I never tried.

I rode that bike for only four months and then moved up to a one year old CBR600RR. I sold the old bike with an extra 2000 miles on it for a little more than I paid for it (I had done upgrades on the bike).


Bikes are a lot of fun, but be careful. Always assume that no one sees you because it often seems like they don't!

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

The Ninja 250 is probably the only bike in that CC range that I would bother trying with.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've got my eye on the '08 Ninja 250R, but I might go with a used one while I learn. I've never ridden anything but a dirt bike before and I don't have any friends who ride, so I've got a few questions for those of you who do ride.

First, I'm sure any dealer will provide some basic riding tips and practice time on their lot. What if I buy from a private seller? How do I get seat time without riding on the roads illegally before I'm licensed?

Second, how long do tires usually last on a sport bike, assuming I'm having fun, but not turning laps at a track?

Third, I try to be sensitive to bikers and not follow closely or pull up 12 inches from their rear tire at a stop light... do you find most people on the road are that courteous?

I wouldn't assume that.

The only way you'll get seat time on a private party sale is if you have a license or they think you have a license and never actually ask to see it.

Tires last between 5k-10k miles on a bike at best.

Most people are fairly courteous...at least around here...and when they actually see you. People don't always see motorcycles so I would just assume that you are invisible and ride with that mentality all the time because, for the most part, it's true.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to take the MSF course at your local college, get your license and then buy a bike. Next I would recommend that you invest in some decent gear, motorcycle jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves, and wear it every time you ride.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've got my eye on the '08 Ninja 250R, but I might go with a used one while I learn. I've never ridden anything but a dirt bike before and I don't have any friends who ride, so I've got a few questions for those of you who do ride.

First, I'm sure any dealer will provide some basic riding tips and practice time on their lot. What if I buy from a private seller? How do I get seat time without riding on the roads illegally before I'm licensed?

Second, how long do tires usually last on a sport bike, assuming I'm having fun, but not turning laps at a track?

Third, I try to be sensitive to bikers and not follow closely or pull up 12 inches from their rear tire at a stop light... do you find most people on the road are that courteous?

I wouldn't assume that.

The only way you'll get seat time on a private party sale is if you have a license or they think you have a license and never actually ask to see it.

Tires last between 5k-10k miles on a bike at best.

Most people are fairly courteous...at least around here...and when they actually see you. People don't always see motorcycles so I would just assume that you are invisible and ride with that mentality all the time because, for the most part, it's true.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to take the MSF course at your local college, get your license and then buy a bike. Next I would recommend that you invest in some decent gear, motorcycle jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves, and wear it every time you ride.

They provide a bike at MSF courses?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

Originally posted by: Greenman
Can you even drive a 250 on the freeway?

It's probably a state law. California needs you to have 150cc or greater to be on the freeways. A 250cc will do you fine on the freeway.

I started with a two year old Suzuki SV650S. It's a 649cc, but only a 2 stroke engine so it'd top out at 75hp. I'm told it would do 115mph, but I never tried.

I rode that bike for only four months and then moved up to a one year old CBR600RR. I sold the old bike with an extra 2000 miles on it for a little more than I paid for it (I had done upgrades on the bike).

Bikes are a lot of fun, but be careful. Always assume that no one sees you because it often seems like they don't!

Actually, the SV650 is a 4 stroke engine. It does make about 75hp but that's good for 0-60 rips in about 4 seconds flat which is faster than almost any car you're likely to run up against on the street. Plus it's a lightweight bike at about 370lbs so it carves corners with ease. It will top out at 130mph but it is such a fun, quick bike around town and in the twisties that even an experienced rider could own this bike for years and never get tired of it.

I bought an '08 SV650 a few months ago as a second bike and I love it. Can't see myself tiring of it anytime soon.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've got my eye on the '08 Ninja 250R, but I might go with a used one while I learn. I've never ridden anything but a dirt bike before and I don't have any friends who ride, so I've got a few questions for those of you who do ride.

First, I'm sure any dealer will provide some basic riding tips and practice time on their lot. What if I buy from a private seller? How do I get seat time without riding on the roads illegally before I'm licensed?

Second, how long do tires usually last on a sport bike, assuming I'm having fun, but not turning laps at a track?

Third, I try to be sensitive to bikers and not follow closely or pull up 12 inches from their rear tire at a stop light... do you find most people on the road are that courteous?

I wouldn't assume that.

The only way you'll get seat time on a private party sale is if you have a license or they think you have a license and never actually ask to see it.

Tires last between 5k-10k miles on a bike at best.

Most people are fairly courteous...at least around here...and when they actually see you. People don't always see motorcycles so I would just assume that you are invisible and ride with that mentality all the time because, for the most part, it's true.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to take the MSF course at your local college, get your license and then buy a bike. Next I would recommend that you invest in some decent gear, motorcycle jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves, and wear it every time you ride.

They provide a bike at MSF courses?

Yes, they do. It's a small 125cc Honda that's beat to hell typically but it doesn't matter. The dynamics are the same and a small light bike is perfect for a n00b.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
They provide a bike at MSF courses?

Yep, check out Wayne County Community College for info. If I remember correct it's all the "community colleges."

I did mine at the Taylor campus on Northline near Allen Rd.

 

[Jeff7181]

Awesome... I was thinking I had to have a bike or be able to borrow one from someone who does.

 

[Duddy]

I guy in my town got chopped in two the other week when his bike side swiped a car and he flew at 50MPH into a power line pole.