Wanting to get a bike, where to start?

[Maverick2002]

I want to get a sport bike this summer. I've never ridden a bike for any extended period of time, so I might as well be new to it. I'm guessing I should get something cheap/not too fast off CL or something and spend a few months just learning how to ride it on the roads. Where should I start and what should I look for? What about getting licensed/insurance/getting gear?

 

[A5]

From what I know, most motorcycle dealers offer rider safety courses where they give lessons and provide some beater bikes for the noobs to drop when they're driving around some cones. For insurance, I think most auto providers offer motorcycle coverage as well - just call your current insurance company and ask about it.

 

[saratoga172]

Look up the MSF safety courses. Also you shouldn't start with a sport bike per se. You can get something sporty such as a GS500F or Ninja 500. that'll give you a little power so as not to get "bored", but not so much to get in trouble as quick. You could also look at a Ninja 250r... '08 or newer.

gs500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GS500
ninja 500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_500R
ninja 250r: http://www.indiaon2wheels.com/2009-ninja-250r-india-is-waiting/

You might even stretch in an sv650 as a first bike, just be aware its a bit more powerful than the other three I mentioned. If you're looking at an SV then you could look at the Ninja 650r.

I had an 09 250r and it was a hell of a fun bike. I got about 60-65 mpg wringing it out and it chirped along nicely on the highway. Definitely a top notch beginners bike.

 

[satyajitmenon]

I want to get a sport bike this summer. I've never ridden a bike for any extended period of time, so I might as well be new to it. I'm guessing I should get something cheap/not too fast off CL or something and spend a few months just learning how to ride it on the roads. Where should I start and what should I look for? What about getting licensed/insurance/getting gear?

What does that mean? You just rode a buddys bike down the street and back?

Anyway, MSF course is the first step. Will give you a better idea of how comfortable you will be on a bike.

If you're looking for something cheap to play around with, try an older Ninja 250 or 500.


Or you could join the Anandtech Turbo Hayabusa for n00bs club. See Jules for membership. :biggrin:

 

[roguerower]

TURBO BUSA FOR NOOBS!!!!

In all seriousness, go with a GS500 if you can find one. Great bike to learn on.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Msf course stat!

 

[Greenman]

Skip the MSF course, get a turbo busa, shorts, flip flops and a backpack. You won't live a week, but you'll have a great time.

 

[EightySix Four]

Hey ZV, can you make a "I'm a first time bike rider" thread and sticky it. I hate every spring/summer having the same shit over and over. A list of must do's like MSF, gear purchasing, etc. As well as a list of the best first time rider bikes and maybe copy and paste that thread on the other forum about why sports bikes are bad first bikes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hey ZV, can you make a "I'm a first time bike rider" thread and sticky it. I hate every spring/summer having the same shit over and over. A list of must do's like MSF, gear purchasing, etc. As well as a list of the best first time rider bikes and maybe copy and paste that thread on the other forum about why sports bikes are bad first bikes.

I refuse to even post in these threads anymore.

Oh fuck, I just posted in one...

 

[Turin39789]

I want to get a sport bike this summer. I've never ridden a bike for any extended period of time, so I might as well be new to it. I'm guessing I should get something cheap/not too fast off CL or something and spend a few months just learning how to ride it on the roads. Where should I start and what should I look for? What about getting licensed/insurance/getting gear?

Turbo Busa.

 

[EightySix Four]

And Maverick:

Go take your MSF before anything. Then look for a bike. Something between 250 and 500cc is going to be the best bet for a noob. Avoid sport bikes for awhile. Even for good drivers with self control sports bikes are too twitchy. Attempting to perform emergency maneuvers may get you into more trouble than you can deal with. Find a bike and get pricing on a 3-5 year old one in your area. Then find gear your size, get pricing. Check insurance costs.

After all that is done, buy your bike.

 

[twinrider1]

1. MSF Course
2. ATGATT = All The Gear All The Time. Helmet, Gloves, footwear that covers the ankles.
3. Find a local riding group. Ask the MSF instructor. He or she is probably in the group you want. They'll know the good roads, good restaurants, and be happy to help wrench.
4. EX500/Ninja 500. Best bike ever.

 

[Bootleg Betty]

You should get a cheap used bike as your first, since you'll surely have cheap used bike after your first year. And naked bikes are better for beginners because 1) they make you go slower, and 2) theres less to repair on crash.

At least thats what they told me.

 

[halik]

gixxer 1L +

 

[crackerjacks]

+1 for the Turbo Busa. Anything less you'll outgrow in a month and be bored by the 4th of July.

 

[Christobevii3]

I started and still have a kawasaki versys. The insurance on it was less than practically anything that wasn't a cruiser. It is the same as the ninja 650 but sans the sport bike premium of insurance.

 

[Bootleg Betty]

So how's the sitting on Ninja 500? Is it very sporty or more normal?

 

[satyajitmenon]

So how's the sitting on Ninja 500? Is it very sporty or more normal?

Check here

http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[linje]

Look up the MSF safety courses. Also you shouldn't start with a sport bike per se. You can get something sporty such as a GS500F or Ninja 500. that'll give you a little power so as not to get "bored", but not so much to get in trouble as quick. You could also look at a Ninja 250r... '08 or newer.

gs500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GS500
ninja 500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_500R
ninja 250r: http://www.indiaon2wheels.com/2009-ninja-250r-india-is-waiting/

You might even stretch in an sv650 as a first bike, just be aware its a bit more powerful than the other three I mentioned. If you're looking at an SV then you could look at the Ninja 650r.

I had an 09 250r and it was a hell of a fun bike. I got about 60-65 mpg wringing it out and it chirped along nicely on the highway. Definitely a top notch beginners bike.

I owned a 2001 gs 500.
plenty of speed and power,for a new rider.
built like a tank.

 

[Budmantom]

I started and still have a kawasaki versys. The insurance on it was less than practically anything that wasn't a cruiser. It is the same as the ninja 650 but sans the sport bike premium of insurance.

The Versys looks like a fun bike.

 

[consolibyte]

Look up the MSF safety courses. Also you shouldn't start with a sport bike per se. You can get something sporty such as a GS500F or Ninja 500. that'll give you a little power so as not to get "bored", but not so much to get in trouble as quick. You could also look at a Ninja 250r... '08 or newer.

gs500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GS500
ninja 500: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_500R
ninja 250r: http://www.indiaon2wheels.com/2009-ninja-250r-india-is-waiting/

This ^^^.

The older Ninja 250Rs are great too, and can be found for *dirt* cheap. Fun and reliable and great for a beginner. Sometimes I wish I'd never sold mine... but, alas, there's so many other fun bikes out there to own/ride.

There is a great Ninja 250R forum with *tons* of information here:
http://forums.ninja250.org/

Their wiki is also fantastic:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/New_Riders

WEAR YOUR GEAR! Get a *good* helmet and a *good* jacket and gloves with armor in them *at the very least*.

 

[T2urtle]

i love my gs500f. thing is dead sexy. looks like the big boys yet cheap as hell on cost and insurance.

One thing i couldn't do was older ninja. They just look really dated to me. These newer CBR250 or ninja250 look a LOT better. Price tag of $4k new maybe $3500 used.

I can tell you i got my gs500 for less then that and i see many for less as well. Its your first bike, never a sense in getting new because most drop it least once. I did mines on the 2nd day i owned it.

 

[Bootleg Betty]

Check here

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Great! Apparently I can actually reach the ground on many bikes and stuff.

Now ER-5 or Ninja 500? Decisions decisions.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Don't make the same mistake I did. I bought an SV650 as my second bike, my first bike was a CB750 so, clearly a downgrade...because bigger is always better amirite? I've been riding this bike for 3+ years and it's fucking awful. 0-60mph in 4 seconds, 11 second 1/4 mile, 45 mpg, ability to destroy nearly every car on the road.

Just go for the turbo hayabusa because all your friends will call you a i love you if you aren't riding at least a 600cc supersport.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Don't make the same mistake I did. I bought an SV650 as my second bike, my first bike was a CB750 so, clearly a downgrade...because bigger is always better amirite? I've been riding this bike for 3+ years and it's fucking awful. 0-60mph in 4 seconds, 11 second 1/4 mile, 45 mpg, ability to destroy nearly every car on the road.

Just go for the turbo hayabusa because all your friends will call you a i love you if you aren't riding at least a 600cc supersport.

your ideas intrigue me and i wish to subscribe to your newsletter. how may i join the "turbo hayabusa for noobs" club?