Hope this helps...

http://www.joe250.com/motorcycles/ride/ride.htm

Joe

 

I'd steer clear of the 250s, unless you get one real cheap. You WILL get bored with it very fast. If the speed is the problem, learn some self control. Know in your head that if you *** off you WILL hurt yourself. The new age bikes aren't just faster, they handle better, stop better, more forgiving to newbies as well.

If you're considering a bike look into something like this http://www.superbikeschool.com/schedule/ you don't even need a bike, they provide the bike, the leathers, and the helmet, you bring yourself and an open mind.

Riding hard isn't the same as riding fast. Push yourself, but not the limits of your surroundings.

Oh and get some good gear. No need to cheap out on your leathers and helmet, it may save your life...it did mine. I went down a long time ago right behind Mount Diablo on Marsh Creek after hitting a patch of dirt, I was pushing 100 racing a bimota tesi 1d and hit a curb. I had erbo leathers with helimot boots and gloves with a shoei lid. The curb relocated my knee, not much could be done there. My Lid was shattered but my head was fine, and I had 3 skid marks on my leathers that left burns on my skin......Can you imagine what it would have been like with a skull cap and no leathers? I'd be road pizza.

Don't take it to the track, you'll never want to ride on the street again

 

Read the Kieth Code or you will crash and possibly die. Many of these books talk about controlling the natural reflexes (and controlling them) that will probably get you killed on a bike.

I would definitely recommend getting a bike like you mentioned, because every new rider eventually crashes. If a brand-new CBR or YZF even falls over in a parking lot, there goes over $1k. Also, GET INSURANCE QUOTES BEFORE YOU BUY A BIKE.

STUPID MORONS WHO Bought AND TOTALed NEW 600cc and up bikes have ruined the insurance rates for everyone.

 

I second that. At least wear a padded ballistic nylon (like first gear kilimanjaro or other) oversuit on top of jeans. I low-sided on highway 9 on a yzf600r at ~75mph and only came out with a bruised hip.

 

the difference between 250's/older 600cc's and newer 600/1000cc's is the power. The top speed is neglible. The reason the older bikes are more suited for newbies is the power doesn't make the bike all twitchy. With the newer bikes, you have to be smoother with the throttle due to the power. The older bikes are more forgiving.

Any bike will go fast enough to kill/injure you. top speed can be achieved even on 250's.

*edit* also be wary of certain non-leather pants, i don't recall which ones, but there were some that durning a slide, the material would heat up and fuse with your skin......

 

You can get friction burn even in leathers, but at least you don't grind your body down to the meat. I "crash tested" the first gear pants and always wore jeans under them. I was lucky, sliding about 30 feet, and part of it was in gravel. I slid for part of it on the soles of my shoes and on my gloves... and wore a hole in one of the gloves, too.

Without additional gear, I think jeans are only good for about 20 or so feet, then the road eats your flesh, and then your bones leave streaks and marrow all over the street. One you stop the blood gets all over the place.

 

I second the comments about a 250cc getting boring, but also want to add that - with the larger engines come better brakes and of course more power to get out of people's ways. I have been riding regularly since age 15 till about 2 years ago when I sold my last bike (ZX6, before that YZF-600R). The Bay Area or really any other metro area is straight up freaky and you MUST ride like everyone is trying to kill you because.. Well.. They are for the most part. You think other drivers don't pay attention in cars!! You are for the most part - not there - on a bike.

I tend to not recommend people to choke down lack of restraint/experience with less HP. Instead, I would recommend you LEARN TO RIDE SAFELY, learn excellent vehicle control, and get something with an engine that will be practical for you. I know a guy here at work who got a 250R and totalled it within 2 weeks being dumb. As someone else mentioned, a 250 is still enough power to do some damage.

Check out Rider's Choice in Sunnyvale, and be sure to offer them realistic prices. They have a great selection of older used bikes. I think a CBR-F4i would make a good first bike, but one of the best choices IMHO would be an older KawaYamaZukiOnda (doesn't really matter) w/ a 600-750cc engine. Cheap, easy to learn on, somewhat gravity resistant, and when you feel you are ready - get something a little nicer. By that time you should have the basics down, and will be less likely to eat it - and you can sell off the cheapie to the next guy who wants to learn.

IMHO you need to get the vehicle dynamics DOWN to the point where you don't have to think to shift, take off, whatever before you are really safe. Bikes are built so that the controls are usually very intuitive, and easy to be comfortable with.

Good luck - be safe, and watch out for all the cars!!

-Jacob

 

I bought a ninja 250 for my first bike. Insurance is dirt cheap. i got about 500 for a year. My friend got 100 for a year with comprehensive.

 

Folks have prolly already said it but you're going to grow out of the 250cc really quick. Starting with 600cc is good...gives you lots of room to grow. Buy a used bike, there's tons of people selling theirs. Chances are the bike might drop, someone will knock it over, and god forbid, you might dump... I've got an f2. She's old but has served me well and is cleeeean.

good luck and be safe

 

Last comments:

1) Don't crash in front of anyone or they will run you over and pop you like a zit.

2) Get an insurance quote before you buy the bike... rates go up astronomically on 600cc and up bikes

 

Wow a hot topic,
I've been doing some searching on the internet for opinions and reviews. Some reviewers have said that the "250cc will get boring fast" idea is bogus and that a 250r is a great beginner as well as all-around bike if you're not a road warrior or speed freak (which I'm not, just want a daily driver that I can learn on and enjoy as I gain experience). As well, some have said that people buy the R6 to "pose," I don't know if that is true but two seperate reviewers said that about that bike, no offense meant.

Thank you all for the input. I went to Mission Motorcycles yesterday and checked out the bikes, really excited about the kawasaki. It's relatively cheap and I really want something light and easy to maneuver, 500cc is the other option but I could care less about the extra power which supposedly is negigible for all but the very experienced.

 

my problem with a 250 is not power but top speed. Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but top speed cant be more than 80mph, right? the bike will be revved up really high on the freeway. My 600 is at 7k cruising at 80 and with my D&D pipe, its hella annoying and loud.

Also, i wouldnt get a brand new bike for your first. it would break my heart if i dropped a brand new bike. But when i crashed my Bandit 600S, i just picked it up, dusted it off, and rode home. No big deal, but then again a Bandit isnt the best bike around.

Basically, i think the 500R is better start. An even better start would be an older 600 like an CBR F2 or F3 or a mid-90s GSXR 600. they have managable power with good brakes and suspension. And the best thing to do before riding on the street is take a safety and skills course through CHP, MSF, or another motorcycle organization. if you go to the DMV, they will give you the necessary phone number. best of all, if you pass the course, you dont have to take a riding test at the DMV and you will have many more skills need to ride safely.

just my $.02
-david

 

Agreed, MSF is a must!

Oh, and Bandits are sweet little bikes!
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Forget the 250. It's a good starter, but go for a Yamaha YZF-600R or Suzuki SV650-S. It's good you want to start small. Once you get all the basics down and are comfortable with riding, then upgrade. Like the others said, buy a used bike and don't skimp on gear. Keep the rubber side down. Good luck.

 

the sv650 is nice, has good lowend tq for everyday around town riding and pretty good ergos.


Hella,

I was commenting on a certain type of mesh pants to avaoid, it had some kind of silicone in them for strength, but when a normal slide would happen, it would melt and fuse to your skin. I agree, pants are a must, i was just letting him know to look out for these kinds to avoid.