What kind of motorcycle?

[sjvlad]

Ok, so in a month I will be taking my motorcycle training course and soon after that I would like to purchase a used one to zip to and from work/school on.

I like the look of crotch-rockets (Ninja, CBR, etc) but am wondering if I would be better off getting a cruiser type bike as my first one just so there is not as much plastic to scratch up if/when I lay it down.

Also, what size would people reccomend? I like the look of the Ninja 250 but wonder if I would too quickly outgrow it? If so, should I start in the 500-600cc range?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get a Harley...that's what I'm looking at. :thumbsup:

I figure a Sportster 883 is a good first bike.

 

[CombatChuk]

Suzuki GS500

EDIT: with pic

Text

 

[Kalvin00]

GS500, Ninja 250, Ninja 500

You're taking MSF. That's the first right step. Next, buy GOOD gear. That means you're ALWAYS wearing at least a helmet, leather jacket, and leather gloves. Leather pants/over the ankle boots are HIGHLY recommended.

I have a Ninja 250 at the moment. I love my little bike....but i'm ditching it in a month for a new zx-6r.

Edit: Also, head over to sportbikes.net and check out the forums. Read and soak up some knowledge. It will help you greatly when you first get on the bike.

 

[kag]

I second the GS500.

 

[djheater]

Damn, there's a site that talks about first bikes and compares the pros and cons of a bunch...

Brain... failing...

 

[djheater]

dp

can't remember it... thought it was something like beginnerbikes but that's not it...

 

[MikeMike]

SV650
GS500
Ninja 500
Ninja 250
hell, there really are a TON of bikes.

the SV650 typically however wins everything.

the new Ninja 650 is a good bike as well, but GL finding one used.

 

[Rumpltzer]

How big are you? Height and weight?

A Suzuki SV650 might be manageable depending on your size. It has the stance of a crotch rocket minus the plastic. The SV650S is the same thing with a windscreen and small fairing.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
How big are you? Height and weight?

A Suzuki SV650 might be manageable depending on your size. It has the stance of a crotch rocket minus the plastic. The SV650S is the same thing with a windscreen and small fairing.

no, the SV650 doesnt have a super sporty seating position.

the SV650S is a SV650, but with what you said, AND a sportier seating position, the handlebars are lower down. for a n00b, the SV650 is recommended and not the S

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get a Harley...that's what I'm looking at. :thumbsup:

I figure a Sportster 883 is a good first bike.

Noooooooo

 

[sjvlad]

I'm 6'0" about 150-160 lbs. Would it be better to get something like the Ninja 250R now, with the plan to switch up to like the 600 in a year? Or just go for a 500-650 now and drive it conservitely for a while?

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: sjvlad
I'm 6'0" about 150-160 lbs. Would it be better to get something like the Ninja 250R now, with the plan to switch up to like the 600 in a year? Or just go for a 500-650 now and drive it conservitely for a while?

You can get into a 500 without killing yourself. The GS500 and Ninja 500 are geared towards new riders so they're pretty tame. The SV650 is a good choice as well.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
GS500, Ninja 250, Ninja 500

You're taking MSF. That's the first right step. Next, buy GOOD gear. That means you're ALWAYS wearing at least a helmet, leather jacket, and leather gloves. Leather pants/over the ankle boots are HIGHLY recommended.

I have a Ninja 250 at the moment. I love my little bike....but i'm ditching it in a month for a new zx-6r.

Edit: Also, head over to sportbikes.net and check out the forums. Read and soak up some knowledge. It will help you greatly when you first get on the bike.

That said, if you're going to get the gs500, do yourself a favor and get a 2003 and older because those don't have the side fairings that'll break/crack/scratch.

The 250 is like the ultimate noob bike. If I remember correctly, the turn signals are mounted on some kinda spring so that when you crash, they get pushed in instead of breaking. I'd like to say don't get anything above 500 cc, but if you do, try to keep to an older one, say 95 and older.

Othe then that, get good gear. A helmet is important and its not just size, but shape. You gotta try em on in real life to see what actually fits you. Get full guantlet gloves, actual motorcycle boots (no icon stuff), and a perfed leather jacket too. For good gear that won't be a waste of money, you'll be spending 600+ if you're buying new.

200+ on a jacket
150+ on a helmet (I like scorpion as a cheap alternative to shoei, soumi and arai)
120 on boots
70 on gloves
60 on knee armor if you don't have enough money to buy actual motorcycle pants.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
How big are you? Height and weight?

A Suzuki SV650 might be manageable depending on your size. It has the stance of a crotch rocket minus the plastic. The SV650S is the same thing with a windscreen and small fairing.

no, the SV650 doesnt have a super sporty seating position.

the SV650S is a SV650, but with what you said, AND a sportier seating position, the handlebars are lower down. for a n00b, the SV650 is recommended and not the S

Yes, fine, whatever. To a zero-th order, the SV650 and SV650S are the same bike. If one has to become technical about it, you can read about the difference and see a diagram here.

BTW, this thread's topic has been covered extensively on ATOT (not that anyone seems to mind talking about it). Most recently it was covered in two of MIKEMIKE's threads:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1889015
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1891012


What motorcycle did you end up buying MIKEMIKE?

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
60 on knee armor if you don't have enough money to buy actual motorcycle pants.

Knee armor?! He's not gonna be dragging knee right from the start

 

[cKGunslinger]

What's the cheapest cruiser bike a little fella (5'7" - 140lbs) could handle? Something like a Honda Rebel 250?

 

[ValValline]

FYI the 2003-2006 SV650S has the same riding position as a GSXR600/750. Of all the bikes listed it's the most "racey" with regards to body position.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
How big are you? Height and weight?

A Suzuki SV650 might be manageable depending on your size. It has the stance of a crotch rocket minus the plastic. The SV650S is the same thing with a windscreen and small fairing.

no, the SV650 doesnt have a super sporty seating position.

the SV650S is a SV650, but with what you said, AND a sportier seating position, the handlebars are lower down. for a n00b, the SV650 is recommended and not the S

Yes, fine, whatever. To a zero-th order, the SV650 and SV650S are the same bike. If one has to become technical about it, you can read about the difference and see a diagram here.

BTW, this thread's topic has been covered extensively on ATOT (not that anyone seems to mind talking about it). Most recently it was covered in two of MIKEMIKE's threads:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1889015
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1891012


What motorcycle did you end up buying MIKEMIKE?

havent yet.

im gunna wait till this winter to pick one up for much cheaper, and then use it all next year, i would rather save up more money as well and get the bike for cheaper.

but i am not sure, if i come across a great deal on a Duc, im gunna get it.
but i dont like the look of the SV650, so im still trying to figure out what i do like and dont like.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
What's the cheapest cruiser bike a little fella (5'7" - 140lbs) could handle? Something like a Honda Rebel 250?

Shadow 750

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
What's the cheapest cruiser bike a little fella (5'7" - 140lbs) could handle? Something like a Honda Rebel 250?

Shadow 750

Yeah, that's on my list as well.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
How big are you? Height and weight?

A Suzuki SV650 might be manageable depending on your size. It has the stance of a crotch rocket minus the plastic. The SV650S is the same thing with a windscreen and small fairing.

no, the SV650 doesnt have a super sporty seating position.

the SV650S is a SV650, but with what you said, AND a sportier seating position, the handlebars are lower down. for a n00b, the SV650 is recommended and not the S

Yes, fine, whatever. To a zero-th order, the SV650 and SV650S are the same bike. If one has to become technical about it, you can read about the difference and see a diagram here.

BTW, this thread's topic has been covered extensively on ATOT (not that anyone seems to mind talking about it). Most recently it was covered in two of MIKEMIKE's threads:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1889015
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1891012


What motorcycle did you end up buying MIKEMIKE?

Yea, I think the differences are minute overall, but a big enough difference to call attention to when recommending for a first bike. Aside from the fairing, it has clipons and the rearsets are further back. Personally, I'm more comfortable on my yzf600r and r6 (2003-2005, R6s for 2006) then on the sv650s.

 

[Thorny]

I get 70MPG with my Ninja 250R, but it's not comfy for very long distances. Its lacking on power, but I bought it for my wife who seems to dislike high speeds. I like that its light driving through town though, handles like a dream.

BTW the wife hasn't gotten on it yet, and it's been 3 months, wanna buy it

 

[ballmode]

Ninja 500 or 650

Honda Hornet (599)

Suzuki SV650

 

[sjvlad]

Originally posted by: Thorny
I get 70MPG with my Ninja 250R, but it's not comfy for very long distances. Its lacking on power, but I bought it for my wife who seems to dislike high speeds. I like that its light driving through town though, handles like a dream.

BTW the wife hasn't gotten on it yet, and it's been 3 months, wanna buy it

How much are you selling it for?