I know this forum is for subarus, but I know there are some members on here that are knowledgeable of bikes and I have a couple questions. I'm a complete noob to bikes at the moment, in fact, I don't even know to ride one at the moment. But I am looking to get a bike in the near future and need some advice for what would be a good beginners bike? My friends have been telling me that the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, is a great beginners if not THE BEST, beginners bike. I was just wondering what are some other great options without spending over 5k OTD. I just want a fun bike for a newbie like me to ride on the weekends this summer. Probably not planning to mod the hell out of it either. Something quick, handles great, reliable, and won't put a fat dent in my wallet. THANKS!

 

Ninja 250 for sure.

 

That's the exact bike I practiced on =]

 

Ninja 500 and SV650 are also good. If you want something full faired a Ninja 650, CBR600 F2/F3, FZR 400/600, or YZF600 would probably also be ok, but you take more risk with damaging it if/when you drop it.

 

zx12r

 

Ninja 250

but if you're looking for something quick, the 250 isn't right for you. Still, since u don't know anything about how to ride a motorcycle, I would stick with a 250 and not kill yourself with a more powerful bike.

oh and take the MSF riders course as well

 

I'd go with a turbo Hayabusa. Pretty much the only way to learn.

 

That was my second choice

 

jus make sure you get full cov or do everything in your power to keep it protected

 

Yeah, the 250R seems most ideal for me at this moment. And to help learn to ride, I'm planning on enrolling in a 3day motorcycle school. I'm not sure what the MSF, care to explain?

 

ninja 250 ftw.

 

I did consider buying a used bike, but i'm afraid it may be unreliable. I would assume bikes go through more abuse, wear/tear than automobiles. Also, I never quite understood how people dropped their bikes. Is it that heavy and hard to balance it? Even at a standstill at a red light?

 

MSF is Motorcycle Safety Foundation. http://www.msf-usa.org/
Their rider course is 3 days, 1st day classroom instruction with multiple choice test, 2nd day practice on bikes. 3rd day riding test. If u pass the multiple choice and the riding test, u get a certificate which u can use to waive the riding test at the DMV. Afterwards, All u need to get your M1 license is to take the mulitple choice test at DMV.

 

well since you own a Subaru, youd probably enjoy taking your bike off road.

Get a Dual Sport, you cant ride on dirt enough, too many people go straight to the street (and make up the majority of motorcycle accidents)

Plus Dualsports are more comfortable to ride on, besides the skinnier seat.

handling, they will come very close if not better than most streetbikes on a tight 50mph- road once you put semi slicks on them.



also streetbikes of equal displacement are usually 100 lbs heavier which means slower and worse mpg.

so a 150cc dirtbike could probably beat a 250cc ninja.
a 400cc dirtbike can beat a 500cc Buell Blast etc.

 

if u take the MSF course, they'll let u ride in a kawasaki eliminator (125cc, smaller bike for shorter people), or a Honda Nighthawk (250cc, bigger taller bike for taller people). Sometimes they may have a different but similarly powered bike.

When u sit on it and let it sway to one side, it's really heavy. Sometimes if you're not paying attention, u can let it fall just by sitting on it and swaying to one side. Think of it as a 300 lb bicycle that you're trying to push.

btw when u ride for the first time, you're going to be sore the next day.


Edit: forgot to mention, all their bikes have the side mirrors taken off, because there's always somebody that drops the bike in every course.