Another available option is a dual-sport thumper, something like an XR250, XR400, KLX, KTM or a DRZ400. With some street tires those things make fantastic street bikes, and you can take them off-road with nobbies. That will potentially make you an excellent rider because you'll know exactly how to control your bike under any conditions.

They will not be good freeway bikes though. Like I said, it's all a trade-off.

Stan

 

hey stan t... are all your i-club career posts in this thread?

 

just get the 600 super bike even though it is fast they dont have the power of the 1000's (or 750) you can go full out if you want without having to worrie about lifting the front off the ground and you realy dont have the tourqe to get the back end loose in a turn without realy trying. I started on a 2002 cbr 600 and one of my buddys just started on a 06yamm R6. you can get the style of bike you are going for and still not have to worrie to much. just keep it below 6k rpm and it is just a little sissy bike if you are freaked about it.

 

the 250 would be an awesome beginner bike, but also like others said, you'll get tired of the lack of power real quick, 600 is a lot of power but you can slowly learn on it. but as far as the new 600's go, they push the same power as older liter bikes w/ a lot less weight, i'd agree with goin for an older like 01 f4i, probably one of the weaker 600's, more forgiving on mistakes, and doesnt look too bad, plus i really suggest you get a used bike for your first because you WILL drop it, and if you do get tired or used to the power, then you can always off it and get a new bike.... but hey, what do i know, i started off on a brand new gsx-r 600 in 03, went up to the liters, and realized all that power is not necessary, im looking to get a new gsxr 600 soon, im faster and more comfortable on them... gluck bro

 

I would not recommend starting on a 600cc supersport. And for those of you who did, that's great for you, but it's an unnecessary risk.

Why a 2008 ninja 250?

It's a proven design, and in order to meet new euro emissions laws, kawasaki is redesigning it to meet new regulatory laws.

What does that mean? FUEL INJECTION!!!

I own a ninja 500, there is almost constant b*itching and moaning about the carburetors on the forums. With FI, you can use a cone filter, go full exhaust, turbo, whatever, it all adds power. Not to mention the improved reliability, power, and efficiency the bike will surely have from the factory.

And if you get bored? Revert to stock, sell it, and buy a 600cc crotch missile. 250's hold their value better than any other bike practically, and sell very quickly.

Your other options? EX500, the ninja 250's bigger brother, and the GS500. The EX looks outdated, but involves liquid cooling and is more powerful, while the GS500 is racier looking, but last I checked, slightly slower and air cooler, but lighter and less complex.

SV650, ninja 650r, zzr600, f4i are more powerful, more flexible bikes. Better designed suspension, but that all costs money. Your call.

race replicas, heavy cruisers and big harleys may not be a good idea, but to each his own.

Good luck deciding what to get, and no matter what, wear your gear and ride safe and sensibly! I've heard of people dying while parking their bikes, if you can believe that.

 

I didn't bother reading all of the post's, but skimmed the first half or so.

I am 18 years old, have ridden friends dirtbikes from time to time, and actually learned on a cbr600 f4 (which is now for sale BTW). My reasoning for getting it is I knew I would run out of power on something small like a 250.... I definitely never ran out of power on the 600. It's a nice feeling (something I have never felt with my suby, even with 270+ whp on a dyno that reads similar to a mustang). If you start on something semi-powerful (like a 600 sport bike), you just have to make sure you have self control. If you have no self control, **** getting anything big. Go with a 250. In a little while you will want something more though, but they are great to learn on (so I have heard). If you do not have self control, and get a big bike, you WILL hurt or kill yourself.
When I got my bike, all my friends were convinced that I was going to hurt myself on it. Although I haven't been riding long, I have gotten past the point where I am going to hurt myself due to my mistake. At this point, I'm pretty sure if I get hurt on a bike, it will have been someone in a car's fault who didn't see me or something (could argue my fault since I didn't make sure they saw me though). It is not uncommon for me to be scraping my shoe against the ground around turns I know in the hills because I am leaning so much (knees tucked in of course, cause I rock it in shorts and skate shoes (which I also use when I am at the track with my suby btw) and a leather jacket).

Basically, it matters if you have self control. If you do and are interested in a used 2000 CBR600 F4 for $3200 obo, let me know.

btw, drunk post, ignore anything dumb

 

the r6 is an awesome bike but there is no way i would recommend that bike to a beginner. it is a track weapon, not a beginner-friendly street bike.

some have recommended a sv650 and ninja 650r. both are great bikes and i recommend those as well.

definitely get used. it's only a matter of time until you drop it and the pain of dropping a new shiny bike is greater than a not-so-shiny used bike.

check out bayarearidersforum.com too.

 

one of my options for sure. The new larger 4 strokes have plenty of gidyup for freeway riding and the do great around town. Not to mention they're a taller bike that you sit tall on....much safer in traffic.



oh....and I didn't really mean to say that the R6 is a great starter bike...just that it's one of the bikes he listed and they're sick. Like I said in that first post. My buddy is a power bike ***** and he's happy very happy with his R6. It's definately a track bike.

 

"only a matter of time before you drop it..." Great reasoning for frame sliders I guess but is this really true? For those that ride, have you all crashed at least once? I am a super-cautious rider, but the only thing I ever did was tip over my first bike in the garage after a 250 mile ride when I put my foot down and there was sand on the floor (my pops had been aligning a car). I rode consistently every day from age 15 till about 20, and then off and on for the next 5 years or so here in the Bay Area. Maybe I was just too scared to crash? On the other hand a friend (experienced rider) asked to take my Ninja around the block in Sunnyvale and crashed it within 2 miles. My brother crashed my 750 Virago but then again he rode like a retard (no gear, wheelies, donuts, etc). My dad's been riding since the 60's and has crashed once due to rubble/gravel in a turn but that was before I was born. I guess my time is coming which means I should not be looking at bikes again haha..

Either way my personal opinion for the best starter bike ever is a '91 or so Honda 750 Nighthawk. Yes it's a 750 but it is nothing like a 750 streetbike and maybe has the power of the Kawa EX500. Great bike, cheap, easy to ride and you won't feel bad if/when you tip it over. My pops grilled me on riding when I had my permit and made me do figure 8s, ride around a cone setup he made in a lot, etc before I was allowed to ride out myself. I rode with him where he would watch me ride till he thought I was safe.

 

I jumped on a honda shadow after not being on a bike in like 5-6 years...easiest damn bike to ride. Much like what I learned on...the vulcan.

those cruiser style bike or touring style are good bikes to learn on. Course I really learned on a torquey little 80cc yamaha...haaa. that sucker bucked me a few times.

 

i test road the new ninja 250 awsome beginner platform fells more like a 500 power wise and not very top heavy highly recomend

 

The easiest bike to ride I have ever owned was a 1982 GL1100 GoldWing. It was also the heaviest and the weight was a little intimidating at first. Very forgiving and a little boring. My favorite was a 1987 CBR 600 Hurricane, owned it for 14 years. My current bike is a 2000 R1100RT.

I don't recommend a sub 3 second 0-60mph bike for a beginner. Too fast for a novice in my opinion. Also something with a more upright seating position gives a better view around you. When a friend who rode a Ducati 900SS rode my BMW he commented on how you could see the scenery and not just the front tire.

Make sure you understand how a motorcycle steers. It's called counter-steering. At any thing over about 5mph you turn the bars LEFT to turn RIGHT; the bars RIGHT to turn LEFT. A common accident scenario for new riders is turning into something you are trying to avoid.

 

I always tripped out on that....at how if you push up with your right hand you go right. You'd think you'd go left..haaa.

 

this is my opinion about buying a bike. First take the MSF class and get the hang of riding. They provide 250cc bikes in the course so you can kinda get a feel of what a 250 bike feels like. When i first started out learning how to ride i was pretty set on getting a ninja 250cc. (Im 5'2 and 110lbs btw) After i got the feel of it i did more research by reading, forums and asking my most experience biker friends. I learned that regardless of what they say only you can decide what you can handle and is fitful for you. After i got my license i felt that i would be able to handle a bigger bike. I started looking into the 600cc range and EVERYONE, i mean EVERYONE said it was too much of a bike for me. I ended up picking up a 2001 Honda f4i and i've learned just fine on it. As long as you know your limit and start of easy. If you know you're the type of person that would go throttle happy then i suggest a smaller bike. If you feel responsible and comfortable enough then a 600 is okay but if you dont feel too comfortable with riding then go with a smaller bike or not riding at all. You can always buy a 250 and sell it once you grow out of it cause they still hold pretty good value. But considering your size and weight, i think you'd be able to handle a bigger bike.

 

Get a colorful bike so you will be seen, its not the CC's that kill you, its people in cars. As long as your ego isnt behind the throttle (unlike 80% of "riders" out there) youll be fine.

you can always mess with the flywheel weight to make it more drivable, its not like you have to give it full throttle everywhere. but yeah a 600 would be ideal i think. 1000cc is overkill i think.

really? never noticed that the few times ive ridden a streetbike. i only ride on the dirt.