What kinda bike to get? Cruiser or Sport?

[Martin]

So I got my license over the weekend by taking a course. This was the first time I rode a bike and the course used Yamaha's entry level cruiser (Virago 250cc).

I want to get a cheap starter bike, so I'm basically looking at entry level cruisers (Honda, suzuki and yamaha all have 250cc cruisers for around the same price) and the Kawasaki Ninja 250. Trouble is, I haven't ridden a sports bike, and I really don't know which one I'd like better.

Apart from just going out riding every now and then, I also want to use this to commute to work, since I work downtown and parking and traffic would not be problems. My commute will go from 45 minutes to 20 minutes

Anyway, what kinda bikes to you guys have? Why did you choose one over the other?

 

[MiataNC]

250CC - The only choice worth considering is the Ninja 250. Absolute best bang for the buck.

It may look sporty, but the riding position is very upright. It's what you would call "standard". Not aggressive like a sport bike, or feet in front of you like a cruiser.

 

[lghost]

+1 for the Ninja 250, much more practical for a commute than a cruiser.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Crusier - had a friend with a Ninja 250

Said it was uncomfrtable for rides more than 20-minutes. Crusier is much more upright and comfortable.

I would also avoid bikes in the 250 range as you will outgrow it fast and end up buying again relatively soon.

Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650

 

[ksheets]

Im pretty sure Im gonna look at an SV650 sometime next year when the car is payed off

 

[halik]

Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Crusier - had a friend with a Ninja 250

Said it was uncomfrtable for rides more than 20-minutes. Crusier is much more upright and comfortable.

I would also avoid bikes in the 250 range as you will outgrow it fast and end up buying again relatively soon.

Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650

+1

 

[Trey22]

Using the Virago 250cc during your course didn't make you want to go with one?

I'm taking my MSF course in two weeks, and was looking at a cruiser as my first starter bike. The Virago was on the short list. Maybe I'll have a better idea once I go through the course, as they usually have 250cc bikes to learn on anyway. Might find I'll need something a little bigger, like a 500cc.

 

[mooseracing]

Muscle cruiser....Vmax, Warrior, or older versions like a XS11 or even a Magna.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650

I've owned both (2004 SV650 and 2001 Bandit 600).

The SV650 is by far the better bike. It feels much lighter and the power delivery of the little 90* twin is magical. The SV is the only bike I regret selling. I currently own a DL650 V-Strom which has the same motor (different tuning) as the SV650, but is better suited for long distance travel.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: halik
Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

Really? I'm not going to be taking the highway, its about 10km along 4-6 lane city streets for the most part.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: halik
Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

This from the guy who just bought a Yamaha R6.

 

[Foxery]

halik: Take your doom and gloom crap somewhere else.

OP: Could you be more specific about your requirements?
e.g. Absolute max gas mileage (thus a very small engine) vs. the ability to ride on highways from time to time (650+ CC)
e.g. Get me to work now (whatever's cheap) vs. comfortable for potential longer rides (cruisers)
e.g. I don't care what I look like (sport bike) vs. I want to look respectable (cruisers)

If your answers lean towards the left, Ninja. If you lean towards the right, and you felt comfortable on the Virago 250, check out its larger brother, the V-Star 650. (Link)

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: halik
Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

This from the guy who just bought a Yamaha R6.

Same guy that has owned a and been riding since 10 years old. Commuting on a motorcycle during rush hour traffic is how I get used parts for the r6.

Motorcycles are absolutely fantastic past time, but hardly something you ought to consider for your daily commute. If your town is anything like detroit metro (highway or not), rush hour will get you sooner or later.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: halik
Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

This from the guy who just bought a Yamaha R6.

Same guy that has owned a gixxer, cbr f4i, cbr f3 and been riding since 10 years old. Commuting on a motorcycle during rush hour traffic is how I get used parts for the r6.

Motorcycles are absolutely fantastic past time, but hardly something you ought to consider for your daily commute. If your town is anything like detroit metro (highway or not), rush hour will get you sooner or later.

Yup. Rush hour in Atlanta is a nightmare in a car. I wouldn't even dream of trying daily commute on a bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: halik
Commuting on a motorcycle is by far the best way to donate your kidneys. You're trading off time saved for possibility of getting creamed. Dumb, dumb idea imo.

This from the guy who just bought a Yamaha R6.

Same guy that has owned a gixxer, cbr f4i, cbr f3 and been riding since 10 years old. Commuting on a motorcycle during rush hour traffic is how I get used parts for the r6.

Motorcycles are absolutely fantastic past time, but hardly something you ought to consider for your daily commute. If your town is anything like detroit metro (highway or not), rush hour will get you sooner or later.

It's not bad at all here. My commute is totally doable by bike.

Would I commute from where I live to downtown San Diego by motorcycle? No way. But there's also no way you can make a blanket statement like that with any hope of being accurate so why don't you just keep your comments to the areas you are familiar with.