What's a good motorcycle for a beginner?

[Steve]

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[effee]

Aprilla 125

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
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?

Do you want a sport bike? A sport cruiser? Or a cruiser?

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
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...

I am 6' and 200# and started on a Ninja 250. It'd be fine for you.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
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?

The bigger you go, the higher the insurance.
Sport is way more than a cruiser

e.g:
My 3rd bike = Ninja ZX9R (900cc). Insurance was ~ 450.00/6 mo.
My bike now = Harley FXDWG (1450cc). Insurance is ~ 290.00/6 mo.

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: UNESC0
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?

Sports, especially for a rookie bitch like yourself are attrocious for insurance in most cases, unless you go with some back alley insurance company.

I highly recommend looking at something along the lines of a Yamaha V-Star 650 as a starter bike. They are cheap and have a lot of parts on the market to make it your own with. It will also accelerate fast enough to scare yourself a time or two, but also fast enough to get you through that intersection where the moron in the car isn't paying attention.

I'll put it to you this way, my wife rides a Kawasaki Vulcan 800 and it's her second bike. She started with a Kawasaki Eliminator 125, but I made her trade it in because it was just too underpowered. She handles her 800 just fine and she's probably quite a bit smaller than you.

 

[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

 

[Toonces]

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

 

[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.

 

[Toonces]

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

 

[Triumph]

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

Don't start that crap. I don't care what you say, you started on the wrong bike. Just because you haven't wrecked YET, does NOT make it a good decision.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: sm8000
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UNESC0, I strongly suggest you read these threads through.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

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.

He's 110% right about that, take the MSF course whatever you decide to get and take it often. I go to it every other year for the experienced rider course just to refresh. I always learn something new and it helps keep my bad habits in check (like shifting into neutral at a stop light).

On another note, he's a 650 v-star. I've seen them mentioned alot and I also think they're great starter bikes. Thought you might want to see one.

PIC

 

[Toonces]

sm800 - I'm in the process right now.. thanks for finding those my searching skills on ATOT reflect my experience

JoLLyRoGer - That's a beautiful bike. I don't have any biases against either type, I guess they just look a bit more intimidating than a sportbike. But insurance would be lower I assume?

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Do they sell commuter motorcycles in North America? Similar to what you'd find in Asia...the bikes have no sporting intentions..they are merely forms of efficient transportation..they may have a 150-250cc motor and are pretty bare bones with no fancy body panelling.

I'd love to get a bike like that in the beginning...just so I learn how to ride correctly...and then move up to a 600cc sport bike.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do they sell commuter motorcycles in North America? Similar to what you'd find in Asia...the bikes have no sporting intentions..they are merely forms of efficient transportation..they may have a 150-250cc motor and are pretty bare bones with no fancy body panelling.

I'd love to get a bike like that in the beginning...just so I learn how to ride correctly...and then move up to a 600cc sport bike.

What, like mopeds? Scooters?

 

[AbAbber2k]

Buell Blast.

 

[Soccerman06]

moped?

 

An older bike in the 650 range (I started on a 79 yamaha 650 special) or a Ninja 250. Either way take a course.

 

[The Stigenator]

I will give you the Suzuki GS500F.. great starter bike.. that's all you need!

Or teh Ninja 250R. Go for a light weight bike, and somethign not too powerful. I like the GS500F over the Ninja 500R but then i own a GS500 (2001). Stop by www.gstwin.com and its forum at www.gstwins.com/forum

take teh MSF or the canadian equivalent of it..

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
I will give you the Suzuki GS500F.. great starter bike.. that's all you need!

Yup... Those early '90s Bandits are pretty sweet.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do they sell commuter motorcycles in North America? Similar to what you'd find in Asia...the bikes have no sporting intentions..they are merely forms of efficient transportation..they may have a 150-250cc motor and are pretty bare bones with no fancy body panelling.

I'd love to get a bike like that in the beginning...just so I learn how to ride correctly...and then move up to a 600cc sport bike.

What, like mopeds? Scooters?

No actual motorcycles. Something that looks like this: http://auto.indiamart.com/motorcycles/h...hondacd100ss/gifs/herohondacd100ss.gif

The mopeds that I know about are powered by 60cc motors

 

[yumychinesefood]

you can always try my mom

 

[episodic]

Ninja 250's are kicka excellent beginner bikes.

 

[TBone48]

I took the MSF Beginner RiderCourse 2 months ago. It was a great way to learn how to ride CORRECTLY. Then I went and bought a new bike(against the advice of just about everyone). I wanted something that wasn't a cruiser, not a sportbike, more of an old style "standard". I came up with the Suzuki SV-650, Triumph Speed Four, Honda 599, or Kawasaki Z750. See the link in my signature for the winner.