On a side note...I learned on a kawi vulkan 500 and I even took that pile over 100 and got it leaned enough to bang pegs.


Personally I've been thinking of building a custom bike...hard tail. harley power plant. Drag bars...etc. Or picking up an enduro...like a KTM or some other 4 stroke enduro. Be great for commutes for me.

 

TOTALLY great advice, forgot to mention that. This is one driving factor that had me lose the Ninja and look for naked bikes (ie, the 919 is much cheaper to insure yet uses the CBR-900RR engine tuned for more midrange/less peaky power).

LOL at the sneakers on the bike. My pops rides around in rubba slippahs a tanktop and shorts. Nutty. Longer rides he goes for the boots/leathers etc but with the bagger he gets his groceries on the bike. I have never ridden w/out my boots, gloves, and at the very least jeans on - I mean sheesh.

 

Note that a hardtail would not be good for commutes or really anything for that matter. Just not worth it IMHO.

 

Ninja 250 is an interesting bike, you did mention it and I have ridden one for a while. It isn't super powerful at all, but is very light, stops decent and revvs to the moon. Honestly, a used one of those for under 2K would be hard to pass in my opinion. They've been out for like 50 years now also, and haven't changed much -- they are good as-is. I'll tell you a secret about being fast on one of those -- just don't use the brakes :-)

You can learn alot riding one of those. True, it does not have alot of power to get you out of a bad situation. You won't have any issues selling it either because they are always wanted by beginners, shorter people, women riders and racers.

I'd say, used Ninja 250, or used Suzuki SV650 for a steeper learning curve but more power. http://www.cycletrader.com/ is your friend. Thing is though, if I were your age, a shiny R1 would be impossible to resist.. but, you have to realize that you'd be getting in waaaay over your head.

Stan

 

bah.....I used to commute in my civic and that sucker had 16k/12k springs for a short while...might as well have been rigid..haaa.

my commute is all back roads if I choose to do it that way and hopefully soon will be under 10 miles.

I was thinking something like this...it's my buddies...
http://deadendmagazine.com/may07_page171-172.html

 

There is no WAY I would recommend your first bike be anything like a 600 sport bike. SV650 is more civilized...Ninja EX500...

 

dont get a 250. you are way too big for one. pick up something you wouldn't mind dropping once or twice. I would do an older f4i (01ish), r6 (99+), gsx-r600 (01ish), or even a modest full fairing sv650s if you don't want to go over the top. i wouldn't pick up anything newer than 04 for your first bike.

 

Triumph Daytona 675.. good beginner and Street bike

 

just a get a busa 1300

 

Yeahbut.. It had springs. I dunno, I used to do the labour day ride around the Big Island (usually on an '81 Sturgis) and seeing those dudes on the hardy's bouncing around like that on smooth roads just made me freak out wondering what happens when you hit a big bump in a turn and bounce your rear wheel off the road. Or hit a wet road stripe. Or.. Or..

Or in the case of that bike in the pic (which looks like an awesome custom) get your foot stuck in the primary belt. Haaa... That would be no fun!

 

I'll tell you this from experience: it's alot more fun to push a cheap under-powered good handling rat bike to it's limits then to get intimidated and loose confidence riding a 600cc+ superbike.

If you want to be fast, start slow and gradually get faster/more experienced and gain confidence. If you want to go fast now, you will crash very soon, loose confidence and money (if you survive).

If you do get a superbike for it's looks and potential, please take it easy and don't try to follow anyone when riding in the twisties. You can easily get into a situation you won't be able to handle.

Also, when you go on rides with other people, remember that newbies always go first. That way they can go at their own pace. Anyone who rides with you and wants you to follow them do not know what they are doing, walk away.

This is serious stuff, don't underplay it.

P.S.: fastest bike I've ridden was a modified '86 GXSR 1100. The thing was a blast! I knew what I was doing at that point and could handle it. Thing is though.. in 2nd, you are going 80. Where the hell are you gonna be able to push that thing?

Stan

 

im definitely not the type that wants to push a 600cc bike any time soon. im very intimidated by that power range and plan on being super respectful of it. i dont want to flip or drop ever, thats the goal, but i dont want to be bored. i agree with whoever said its more fun to push a rat bike to its limits than hang on for dear life on an r1, i definitely dont plan on gettin on something i dont know how to control. as of now, i just kinda want to get on a bike that i can take from place to place, no twisties yet. just basic riding. if a 250 is what will do that for me i guess thats where i should go. but i assume ill be able to ride a bike or two before i buy one, after i get the license. as for now, i just want to know where im heading as far as the equipment and bike are concerned. thanks for the info and care guys, this is real good stuff.

 

Haa...yeah on El Diablo my buddy hit a huge bump that apparently the veterans know about....he's not a rookie rider...just hadn't done diablo before....and he hit that sucker and it knocked his tool bag and a bunch of other crap all over the road. He had to stop and rerap everything.

Honestly....it's a bike for looks and I'm just stuborn enough to tough it out for half an hour a day...and not every day. I'm aware it's gonna suck..haa. Probably end up building a shovel if I ever do it. Need to finish my caddy first.

 

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. But.. when you get on a bike, everything turns backwards. You cannot avoid to twist the damn throttle, at least I can't.. it's all a trade-off.

Anyways. Look for "Twist of the Wrist" books by Keith Code, and read them. That's a good start. Read the "Squid test" I posted above, also. Most people you'll see out there are SQUIIIIDS

Stan

 

like I said, you should really look into the 650 Ninja. If you can get over its looks, it's a good beginner's bike for something in the 600 cc range. Just read the numerous reviews on it and they say the exact same thing. It's not the fastest 600 cc bike out there and it's not meant to be. It's all about rider comfort and ergonomics rather than speed and looks. Plus not to mention it handles real well.

When u take the MSF course they'll provide u with a kawaski eliminator (125 cc) or honda nighthawk ( 250 cc). Try the nighthawk and see if it has any power and then decide whether 250 cc's are enough for you or whether you'll outgrow it.