What's a good motorcycle for a beginner?

[Toonces]

So I'm thinking that a bike would be a good (and cheap) method of transportation around town plus being a lot of fun.

I've only ever rode as a passenger so I don't have any firsthand experience to base any judgements about a potential motorcycle.

So what would be a good, inexpensive, beginner's bike to use for everyday driving but not going to kill me if I miss a shift?:laugh:

 

[laurenlex]

Probably not this one

 

[ironcrotch]

Kawasaki Ninja 500, or 250 if you're a small dude.

 

[Toonces]

well, 6' and 160 so not *that* small

pretty much just look at Kawasaki's? They seem to run around $4000CND for a good condition bike...

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: ironcrotch
Kawasaki Ninja 500, or 250 if you're a small dude.

yeah i would get the 500 myself.

though i had a 250 when i was 17 that was great for in town riding

 

[DaTT]

Either a turbocharged Hyabusa (sp) or a Honda Elite.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: ironcrotch
Kawasaki Ninja 500, or 250 if you're a small dude.

yeah i would get the 500 myself.

though i had a 250 when i was 17 that was great for in town riding

I've thought about getting a 250R from time to time for puttering around town, insurance isn't too bad and it gets great gas mileage not to mention it's convenient for daily tasks

 

[Rogue]

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

 

[illusion88]

If you live where it rains alot it might be hard to buy a bike during the winter months. IT would suck balls if you crashed it because the road was slick.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: DaTT
Either a turbocharged Hyabusa (sp) or a Honda Elite.

:Q

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

You can get a used Honda Shadow pretty cheap. I don't recommend going less than a 600 if you get a cruiser. But you don't want to go too big for a first bike, What you do want is enought power to get out of the way and quick when (not if, but when) some a$$hole in a cage tries to run you off the road.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: DaTT
Either a turbocharged Hyabusa (sp) or a Honda Elite.

ohh honda elite. great machine! I wouldnt mind a Helix either. something like that would be good for the city. great gas miliage and not to bad power

 

[Toonces]

well I live in Southern Ontario (Canada) so there's a nice amount of snow for 4 months a year... thanks for the advice guys and gals - keep it coming, I'm looking into those Hondas and Hyabusas

 

[CombatChuk]

Check out a used Suzuki SV650...

Cheap to maintain, and cheap insurance...

 

[Nitemare]

Ducati 1000 DS

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
well I live in Southern Ontario (Canada) so there's a nice amount of snow for 4 months a year... thanks for the advice guys and gals - keep it coming, I'm looking into those Hondas and Hyabusas

You'll die on a Hyabusa! 1300CC rocket ship that will tear your balls off and feed them to you!

 

[CombatChuk]

Also a good one would be a Honda 599...

Stay away from the Hayabusa, especially if you don't want to pay $400 in insurance a month...

 

[cmp1223]

aprilia FTW

 

[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

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
well I live in Southern Ontario (Canada) so there's a nice amount of snow for 4 months a year... thanks for the advice guys and gals - keep it coming, I'm looking into those Hondas and Hyabusas

BTW, Honda Elite = scooter.

 

[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.

 

[freebee]

wrong thread.

 

[pbaker]

as long as it's not chrome and leather, you'll be alright.

 

[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.

 

[Toonces]

ok so those hyabusas are out - I'd like to live to see my 23rd birthday

another question - are some smaller engine bikes cheaper for insurance than larger engine bikes? Sport more expensive than Cruier?