Looking at getting into Motorcycling

bluch · 05-04-2010, 08:23 PM

Hey Guys,

I am considering getting into motorcycling. I have NEVER ridden a motorbike before, but I just think it would be fun to try. I would definitely be taking a beginners training course if I did decide to get into it.

So my question for you guys in the motorcycle world is, What is a good starter bike? I am looking at brand new ones, or maybe a year or 2 old. Don't mind spending some cash. I want to have enough power to get going and stuff, but I don't need some crazy 1000 cc engine or anything. I was looking at the 2010 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R as a starter. 250 cc and the reviews have been saying it is pretty easy to handle.

Anyway, just looking for some thoughts on the subject.

Thanks.

ninety6 · 05-04-2010, 08:35 PM

you'll get bored with a 250 in 2 weeks. If you are responsible and have good coordination, i'd start on an at least a 500. Probably a 600. I learned on a 30 year old yamaha 650 (2 cylinder), My first was a 600 Yamaha FZR, and i upgraded to a GSX-R 750 a couple years later. The 4 cylinder sportbikes are quite a bit different than a twin.

I'd recommend a used bike first... maybe get a used 500, ride it for a year or so, and if you still like it, pick up a 600 or 750 when the time is right...

Glad to hear you are taking the beginner safety course, smart move.

Sir Nuke · 05-05-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninety6

you'll get bored with a 250 in 2 weeks. If you are responsible and have good coordination, i'd start on an at least a 500. Probably a 600. I learned on a 30 year old yamah 650 (2 cylinder), My first was a 600 Yamaha FZR, and i upgraded to a GSX-R 750 a couple years later. The 4 cylinder sportbikes are quite a bit different than a twin.

I'd recommend a used bike first... maybe get a used 500, ride it for a year or so, and if you still like it, pick up a 600 or 750 when the time is right...

Glad to hear you are taking the beginner safety course, smart move.

GOOD ADVICE....I have riden for 32 years, even been an instructor in my later years of riding and the fact that you are already thinking about taking a training course, THAT is the right thing to do, not to mention, most insurance companies will give you a discount if you do.

67 Convertible · 05-05-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninety6

you'll get bored with a 250 in 2 weeks. If you are responsible and have good coordination, i'd start on an at least a 500. Probably a 600. I learned on a 30 year old yamah 650 (2 cylinder), My first was a 600 Yamaha FZR, and i upgraded to a GSX-R 750 a couple years later. The 4 cylinder sportbikes are quite a bit different than a twin.

I'd recommend a used bike first... maybe get a used 500, ride it for a year or so, and if you still like it, pick up a 600 or 750 when the time is right...

Glad to hear you are taking the beginner safety course, smart move.

Yup, very good advice here. I've been riding for over 40 years. If you have never riden before, pick yourself up a decent USED smaller bike 400cc-600cc range. Keep that bike for your first season, get comfortable with it, take the riders course. If you decide you like riding, move yourself up to the bike you want next year.

The best advice I can give you is don't be a yahoo. Cagers will pull out in front of you and cut you off. They don't do it intentionally, they either don't see you or don't think you are going that fast. You have to aways be thinking 2-3 cars in front of you and have to constantly be thinking of a plan to avoid a situation should it occur. Good luck and be safe.

formuladan · 05-05-2010, 08:15 AM

I bought my first sport bike back in March of this year. Had never ridden one in my life. I went with the Suzuki GS500:

I liked the way it looked and thought a 500cc was a perfect fit for me.

It's been a great bike to learn on and was affordable brand-new. It's pretty forgiving and is comfortable to ride. Looking forward to a fun summer with it. May upgrade to a 750 or 1000cc bike in a year or two but the 500 is plenty of bike for me for now.

Always wear a helmet and be safe :-).

ninety6 · 05-05-2010, 08:17 AM

and FYI, CAGER = person in a car (aka cage). hahaha!

motorhead · 05-05-2010, 08:26 AM

If I were you I would get a Suzuki Hayabusa. It's a great starter bike for the novice.

Russo · 05-05-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

If I were you I would get a Suzuki Hayabusa. It's a great starter bike for the novice.

i agree with this, my first bike was a 07 busa and although it was heavy, it was extremely comfortable... not to mention the clutch was easy to use and it had plenty of power stock... i suggest buying a >5,000 mile 06-07 model...

fixxxer525 · 05-05-2010, 09:04 AM

If you have a friend that owns a 600cc and will let you pratice and learn on it. I let my friend use my 600 before you purchased his first motorcycle. From there it all depends if its going to used everyday, track day or what not. You cannot unleash the full power of a liter bike on the streets. I mean you can but you can wreck or get tons of speeding tickets. As long as you master the basics you can upgrade to bigger cc's.

Shifty 6 · 05-05-2010, 09:11 AM

If you are looking new the Kawi 650R is a good bike. It gets rave reviews. I would agree on the 500-650 cc size. If you have ANY size to you at all the 250 will be a bit soft. However, to be clear it is not about speed right now. I started on a 750 and regret not having started smaller to learn more about motorcycling. You should be able to find a used (1-2 years old) one for practically nothing. A lot of people go out and get a bike because they want to learn....get bored or scared or man this is a pain when I go anywhere on it. They sell a year or 2 later, with 1,000 miles on it.

hypurone · 05-05-2010, 09:40 AM

Take a certified course (MSF) as it will allow you to bypass the riding portion of the M1 test. save you $ on insurance and teach you a lot.

BUY THE BEST GEAR YOU CAN GET!! There are 2 types of riders out there, those who have been down and those who will be. THE GEAR WILL SAVE YOUR ASS (and the rest of you as well

)

I would def buy something used to learn on and if you like it and are adept at it, you can move up without a huge loss. The sport genre of bikes are very quick handling, with powerful brakes etc and can get away from you easier than say a naked or cruiser style of bike. Might want to think about those options (W650 or Rebel etc)

When you ride out in the real world, ride as if everyone is out to kill you. Concentrate on what you are doing ALL THE TIME and what everyone else is doing around you. Daydreaming about how awesome it is to be out riding etc is the number one distraction and cause of crashes! Try to stay in open space with an escape route etc etc

BUY THE BEST GEAR YOU CAN GET!! Oh wait, I already said that!

Hope you like it, I do!!

CFD · 05-05-2010, 02:12 PM

Everyone seems to rag on jap cars yet you all seem to like rice-burners when it comes to bikes. You could go american and start out with something like this

67 Convertible · 05-05-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFD

Everyone seems to rag on jap cars yet you all seem to like rice-burners when it comes to bikes. You could go american and start out with something like this

I dunno about that. I ride an HD Electraglide. (Old mans bike for an old man)
LOL your bike in the pic might be a little primative and heavy for a newbie.....

Where's the clutch, throttle and front brake? Must be a work in progress.....cool bike!

hypurone · 05-05-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 Convertible

I dunno about that. I ride an HD Electraglide.
LOL your bike in the pic micght be a little primative and heavy for a newbie.....

Not to mention it is gonna handle like it's got a flat tire. I rode the Vrod Muscle and was flabbergasted at how badly it handled anything but a straight line. Not something a newbie should be dealing with while learning IMO... YMMV

05-04-2010, 08:23 PM	#1
bluch OH CANADA! Drives: 2011 RAM 1500 LARAMIE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 3,930 View My Garage	Looking at getting into Motorcycling Hey Guys, I am considering getting into motorcycling. I have NEVER ridden a motorbike before, but I just think it would be fun to try. I would definitely be taking a beginners training course if I did decide to get into it. So my question for you guys in the motorcycle world is, What is a good starter bike? I am looking at brand new ones, or maybe a year or 2 old. Don't mind spending some cash. I want to have enough power to get going and stuff, but I don't need some crazy 1000 cc engine or anything. I was looking at the 2010 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R as a starter. 250 cc and the reviews have been saying it is pretty easy to handle. Anyway, just looking for some thoughts on the subject. Thanks. __________________ Had to trade in the Camaro for a truck :(, but hopefully I can join the Camaro family again one day Last edited by bluch; 05-13-2010 at 10:53 PM.

05-04-2010, 08:35 PM	#2
ninety6 2xSOM Drives: 2002 Camaro SS \| 2002 Camaro V6 vrt Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 284	you'll get bored with a 250 in 2 weeks. If you are responsible and have good coordination, i'd start on an at least a 500. Probably a 600. I learned on a 30 year old yamaha 650 (2 cylinder), My first was a 600 Yamaha FZR, and i upgraded to a GSX-R 750 a couple years later. The 4 cylinder sportbikes are quite a bit different than a twin. I'd recommend a used bike first... maybe get a used 500, ride it for a year or so, and if you still like it, pick up a 600 or 750 when the time is right... Glad to hear you are taking the beginner safety course, smart move. Last edited by ninety6; 05-05-2010 at 09:41 AM.

05-05-2010, 08:15 AM	#5
formuladan Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 155	I bought my first sport bike back in March of this year. Had never ridden one in my life. I went with the Suzuki GS500: I liked the way it looked and thought a 500cc was a perfect fit for me. It's been a great bike to learn on and was affordable brand-new. It's pretty forgiving and is comfortable to ride. Looking forward to a fun summer with it. May upgrade to a 750 or 1000cc bike in a year or two but the 500 is plenty of bike for me for now. Always wear a helmet and be safe :-). __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS - Silver/Black Auto/RS/Sunroof/20" Polished Rims

05-05-2010, 09:40 AM	#11
hypurone I'm not totally useless.. Drives: ... Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ... Posts: 2,008 View My Garage	Take a certified course (MSF) as it will allow you to bypass the riding portion of the M1 test. save you $ on insurance and teach you a lot. BUY THE BEST GEAR YOU CAN GET!! There are 2 types of riders out there, those who have been down and those who will be. THE GEAR WILL SAVE YOUR ASS (and the rest of you as well ) I would def buy something used to learn on and if you like it and are adept at it, you can move up without a huge loss. The sport genre of bikes are very quick handling, with powerful brakes etc and can get away from you easier than say a naked or cruiser style of bike. Might want to think about those options (W650 or Rebel etc) When you ride out in the real world, ride as if everyone is out to kill you. Concentrate on what you are doing ALL THE TIME and what everyone else is doing around you. Daydreaming about how awesome it is to be out riding etc is the number one distraction and cause of crashes! Try to stay in open space with an escape route etc etc BUY THE BEST GEAR YOU CAN GET!! Oh wait, I already said that! Hope you like it, I do!! __________________ "You were really flyin' when I passed you back there!" - Born on 10/05/09 MyCamaroBuildInfo

05-05-2010, 02:12 PM	#12
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	Everyone seems to rag on jap cars yet you all seem to like rice-burners when it comes to bikes. You could go american and start out with something like this Attached Images

05-05-2010, 08:17 AM	#6
ninety6 2xSOM Drives: 2002 Camaro SS \| 2002 Camaro V6 vrt Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 284	and FYI, CAGER = person in a car (aka cage). hahaha!

05-05-2010, 08:26 AM	#7
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	If I were you I would get a Suzuki Hayabusa. It's a great starter bike for the novice.

05-05-2010, 09:04 AM	#9
fixxxer525 Account Suspended Drives: 01S10,01CBR600,05Ducati, 10 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 377	If you have a friend that owns a 600cc and will let you pratice and learn on it. I let my friend use my 600 before you purchased his first motorcycle. From there it all depends if its going to used everyday, track day or what not. You cannot unleash the full power of a liter bike on the streets. I mean you can but you can wreck or get tons of speeding tickets. As long as you master the basics you can upgrade to bigger cc's.

05-05-2010, 09:11 AM	#10
Shifty 6 Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 679	If you are looking new the Kawi 650R is a good bike. It gets rave reviews. I would agree on the 500-650 cc size. If you have ANY size to you at all the 250 will be a bit soft. However, to be clear it is not about speed right now. I started on a 750 and regret not having started smaller to learn more about motorcycling. You should be able to find a used (1-2 years old) one for practically nothing. A lot of people go out and get a bike because they want to learn....get bored or scared or man this is a pain when I go anywhere on it. They sell a year or 2 later, with 1,000 miles on it.