YAMotorcycleT

[Rookie]

I am taking my motorcycle class on the 4th of Nov and will be looking to purchase a bike shortly there after.

I can get a 250 new for about 3,000. Ride it for a year or so, develop good riding skills and then sell it and upgrade.

Or I could buy a 600cc now and learn on it...

What say you experienced riders of AT?

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

My first street bike was a Ninja 500. Outgrew it within 6 months. After that I got a ZX6R and later a ZX9R (which was just scary fast).

After zipping up the Interstate at about 170 and realizing just how easily I could die... I came to my senses and traded up.

And I've never looked back since


Seriously, cruisers are the way to go if you just want to enjoy a cool fall afternoon on your bike.

Sport bikes are good for tear-a$$ing up the side of the mountain 20 min. at a time and eventually getting yourself killed. Other than that, they're worthless IMO...

JR..

 

[desy]

Just get the bigger one
Don't drive it like an arse

 

[Hannover]

Get the 250, learn on it and then sell it.
They hold their value very well and I'd be suprised if you lose more than a couple hundred on it.

 

[Rookie]

Sweet bike Jolly. I have a Harley dealer up the road.

That's another reason why I wanted to go with the 250. It would get me on a sport bike inexpensively. Get me some experience on a bike. AND see if a sportbike is my "style" or if I would be more the cruiser type

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ninja 250 you will outgrow in 2-3months, maybe sooner.

If your gonna use the bike as a commuter then get a crusier. You can get a Harley 883 out the door for like $6000 + TTL and used they are a bit less.

Rebel 250 is another good beginner bike but you will outgrow it fast, at least it's comfy.

 

[LeiZaK]

How old are you? How much do you weigh?

 

[Rallispec]

I've got a Ninja 250, i bought it last year thinking the exact same thing as you, Ride it for a year to gain experience, and then sell it and upgrade to something nicer.

however, i've ended up enjoying my 250 so much, and have been so satisified with it, that i'll probably hold on to it another year or two before selling it.


Feel free to ask me if you have any questions about the 250.

 

[alexeikgb]

Obviously u need a Hyabusa....j/k
It depends on you, if you never have ridden a motorcylce maybe go with the 250 but like ppl said you WILL get bored with it.
I'd go with a 600, had couple friends start with that, no problems. I learned on a Ninja 750, but it was pretty cheap
and i didnt do stupid stuff on it.

Also like LeiZak said if u're a big guy, u should go with the 600, cuz a 250 will be like a moped.

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: alexeikgb
Obviously u need a Hyabusa....j/k
It depends on you, if you never have ridden a motorcylce maybe go with the 250 but like ppl said you WILL get bored with it.
I'd go with a 600, had couple friends start with that, no problems. I learned on a Ninja 750, but it was pretty cheap
and i didnt do stupid stuff on it.

people who say you will get bored of a 250 have never riden a 250.

As long as you're not a huge guy, the bike is plenty fast and capable at highway speeds. Plus, due to the fact that the bike is SO light, it can take turns amazingly well. Especially if you upgrade the tires on it.

It can still go 0-60 in under 5 seconds, thats faster than 99% of the cars out on the road.


check out ninja250.net

 

[alexeikgb]

Originally posted by: Rallispec

Originally posted by: alexeikgb
Obviously u need a Hyabusa....j/k
It depends on you, if you never have ridden a motorcylce maybe go with the 250 but like ppl said you WILL get bored with it.
I'd go with a 600, had couple friends start with that, no problems. I learned on a Ninja 750, but it was pretty cheap
and i didnt do stupid stuff on it.

people who say you will get bored of a 250 have never riden a 250.

As long as you're not a huge guy, the bike is plenty fast and capable at highway speeds. Plus, due to the fact that the bike is SO light, it can take turns amazingly well. Especially if you upgrade the tires on it.

It can still got 0-60 in under 5 seconds, thats faster than 99% of the cars out on the road.


check out ninja250.net

I edited my post... I weigh 235lb so I doubt I can do 0-60 <5 on a 250cc.

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: alexeikgb

Originally posted by: Rallispec

Originally posted by: alexeikgb
Obviously u need a Hyabusa....j/k
It depends on you, if you never have ridden a motorcylce maybe go with the 250 but like ppl said you WILL get bored with it.
I'd go with a 600, had couple friends start with that, no problems. I learned on a Ninja 750, but it was pretty cheap
and i didnt do stupid stuff on it.

people who say you will get bored of a 250 have never riden a 250.

As long as you're not a huge guy, the bike is plenty fast and capable at highway speeds. Plus, due to the fact that the bike is SO light, it can take turns amazingly well. Especially if you upgrade the tires on it.

It can still got 0-60 in under 5 seconds, thats faster than 99% of the cars out on the road.


check out ninja250.net

I edited my post... I weigh 235lb so I doubt I can do 0-60 <5 on a 250cc.

true, And I fully agree that this bike is not for everyone. But for myself, at 140lbs - it's more than enough to get me around.

 

[RiDE]

How do you outgrow bikes? What are you people doing? Just wide open throttle on freeways or what?

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: RiDE
How do you outgrow bikes? What are you people doing? Just wide open throttle on freeways or what?

Speed, man it is a rush!

 

[imported_nautique]

Get the bigger 600. I started out with a smaller bike and out grew it really fast. Just take it easy on the bigger bike until you get comfortable with it. Just don't be stupid crazy.

 

[Hammerhead]

Get the Ninja........................................ZX-10 R

 

[Triumph]

Where are all of these motorcycling idiots coming from? There's so many reasons not to get a 600 as a beginner that you'd have to be an idiot not to listen. But then again, there are many idiots in this country.

http://www.sportbikes.com/wwwthreads/sh...Cat/0/Number/844994/an/0/page/0#844994

 

[Rookie]

I DO weigh about 220... would the 250 still be a decent starter bike? (I'm 28 years old for ye who asked)

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: Rookie
I DO weigh about 220... would the 250 still be a decent starter bike? (I'm 28 years old for ye who asked)

you might be better off looking at a 500, or an SV650.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

If you're gonna take it easy and your just wanting experience then I'd start out with something like a used Honda Shadow VLX (600cc) or a Yamaha V-star (650). Both can be had used for bargain basement prices and neither one will be overwhelming. Hands down they make great beginner bikes that you won't mind keeping around for a while. (60+ MPG doesn't hurt either)

Most importantly, for someone of your size, you'll appreciate the extra power of a 600 over the smaller 250's. Trust me, you WANT something that can get you out of the way in a hurry incase you need it to.

That said, the mechanics of these cruiser-style bikes, such as the center of gravity, trail geometry, upright riding position, and overall handling (by that I mean smooth, not twichy) is much better for a beginner who is still developing their riding technique.

Sport bikes can be a handful if you're not careful and I don't recommend them for any beginner. (Just like your high school didn't furnish you a Corvette or a Mustang GT for drivers ed did they?)

At the very least, before you buy, take a beginner MSF course and see if riding is for you. They'll teach you the mechanics of riding in a safe and controlled environment and they'll even provide the bike (no risk of wrecking your own).

It's just my opinion. Take it or leave it.
JR..

 

[Whisper]

If you're going sporty, I'd say the Ninja 500R or SV650, as someone else recommended. Otherwise, go with a cruiser. It's possible to learn on a 600, sure, but I wouldn't recommend it. Hell, not even professionals jump right into the 600cc class; they start out around 250 tops, for the most part.

Get a smaller bike, work on your mechanics so that most of the basic riding "stuff" comes second-nature, and then think about trading up. Better safe than sorry.