What's a good motorcycle for a beginner?

[Toonces]

I'm leaning towards the Ninja 250 as was suggested by episodic and others... cheaper insurance and not as likely to kill myself as that Z750 Although the 750 looks amazing!

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Get whatever you want, and don't listen to the neigh-sayers.. I went out and got a '05 ZX-6R and I have loved every minute of it.. However if you are looking for recommendations, I would suggest either a Ninja 500 or a SV-650

I bet you ride it like a Ninja 500 too

 

[Mardeth]

Cant go wrong with that Ninja. Just take a course and dont go over 600cc and youll be fine...

 

[garkon]

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
You just need to get you a nice cruiser and forget the sportbikes altogether starting out.

One that has a good upright riding position and low center of gravity
One that you can flat-foot at a stop
One that doesn't feel intimidating when you pick it up
One that isn't underpowered (any 250 is underpowered for highway riding)
One that you won't be heartbroken and bankbroken about if you lay it down.

I just wanna bring atteniton to this great post.

 

[Zebo]

KX250 - I'd never get on the road with a motorcycle

 

[MBentz]

It doesnt matter what bike you get, you'll die just as easy. Get what you really want so you wont have buyer's remorse.

Although I wouldnt suggest something like a ZX-12, 'Busa and what not.

 

[xgsound]

Originally posted by: UNESC0

Originally posted by: hevnsnt

Originally posted by: UNESC0
I like the sport bike's small size, it makes it look easier to handle but I'm a complete noob with bikes so I really have no idea

Go take a MSF course, then start looking into bikes.

Yeah, one step at a time I guess... just was looking to ballpark some prices for a first motorcycle

This is real good advice. After some seat time and experience (you actually ride at a MSF course) you'll have a much better idea what you want. If it costs something where you are , pay it. Consider it a controlled rental. The #1 cause of death on a motorcycle is being a NOOB, and too often it's within 1 hour of purchase. Take the course first.


Jim

 

[TBone48]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
I'm leaning towards the Ninja 250 as was suggested by episodic and others... cheaper insurance and not as likely to kill myself as that Z750 Although the 750 looks amazing!

It is quite entertaining, although friends who have ridden hard-core sport bikes (Ninjas & GSXR's) do bust my balls about it being "slow".

 

[Hannover]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: dugweb

Originally posted by: Rogue
Don't get a sport bike, whatever you do. Get a cruiser or you'll never come to appreciate riding a motorcycle.

QFMFT!

I thought it was nice riding my suzuki 1400cc intruder... but my dad just got the Harley Davidson Ultra Classic, and :Q wow, just wow. Honestly you just think the turn and the bike does the rest. AMAZING handling for as big of a bike as it is

Plus, the hawgs are so much more pleasing on the eye (not to mention the ears ). Bullet bikes = meh

The 1400 is a nice bike. I love the classic style. Too bad Suzuki screwed up their line of bikes by dropping the name Intruder which has been around forever and has changed them all to Boulevards. What a crappy name.

I ride a Volusia myself, but want more power. Next summer, if I'm able to afford it, I'm going to try to track down a low mileage Valkyrie Interstate.

Another Volusia Owner here... (cough)
The Volusia / C50 is a great starter bike and you can pick up a used one pretty cheap. It handles well and it has enough power for interstate riding. I hope to upgrading to a Nomad after the first of the year.

If you're looking at sport bikes, the 250/500 ninjas are a blast. Be very careful when picking a first sport bike and don't trust the salespeople when they tell you that you can learn on a liter biker if you're 'easy on the throttle'. Start with something manageble and work your way up to a larger bike.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Hannover

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: dugweb

Originally posted by: Rogue
Don't get a sport bike, whatever you do. Get a cruiser or you'll never come to appreciate riding a motorcycle.

QFMFT!

I thought it was nice riding my suzuki 1400cc intruder... but my dad just got the Harley Davidson Ultra Classic, and :Q wow, just wow. Honestly you just think the turn and the bike does the rest. AMAZING handling for as big of a bike as it is

Plus, the hawgs are so much more pleasing on the eye (not to mention the ears ). Bullet bikes = meh

The 1400 is a nice bike. I love the classic style. Too bad Suzuki screwed up their line of bikes by dropping the name Intruder which has been around forever and has changed them all to Boulevards. What a crappy name.

I ride a Volusia myself, but want more power. Next summer, if I'm able to afford it, I'm going to try to track down a low mileage Valkyrie Interstate.

Another Volusia Owner here... (cough)
The Volusia / C50 is a great starter bike and you can pick up a used one pretty cheap. It handles well and it has enough power for interstate riding. I hope to upgrading to a Nomad after the first of the year.

If you're looking at sport bikes, the 250/500 ninjas are a blast. Be very careful when picking a first sport bike and don't trust the salespeople when they tell you that you can learn on a liter biker if you're 'easy on the throttle'. Start with something manageble and work your way up to a larger bike.

great advice here....

also I really like the Suzuki SV 650 series as well great beginner bike and the Vtwin is very forgiving.