A beginner motorcycle?

Hey,
I'm looking into buying a motorcycle (sport preferably, not naked, and definately not a cruiser), and from what I've read the Kawasaki Ninja 250 is apparently pretty good, as are a few others that I don't remember entirely at this moment.

However, instead of listening to the opinions of random people I don't know jack all about to help guide my search, I figured I'd listen to random people I know slightly more than jack all about.

So, if you don't mind the intrusion, what was your first bike? And what would you recomend for someone with a build similar to 5'10" (178cm) 180lbs (82kg)?

edit- I forgot to mention that the ninja seems a bit small (with a wheelbase of just over 4' (~125cm)) so perhaps a bike slighlty larger?

and I've got about 2,000USD, with a preferable price of 1,200 to 1,500USD which isnt very much, but for a bike destined to hit the ground a few times seems to be about right.

1996 Honda CBR 600 F3 was my first bike. I am 6'0" 185lbs and it did great IMO.

I think youre very limited by what you can spend, if what you want is a sport bike, your choices are limited. The Ninja 250 is a decnet bike, short wheel base = a nimble bike. Ride safe!

My first was the Kawasaki Ninja those things are made for beginners

My first street bike was a Yamaha 250 exciter, im over 6'1 so i looked like a complete jackass on it, but it was good for a learner..anything under or around a 550 should be pretty good for learning purposes, stay with the sportier idea because they tend to be light, heavy bikes are shit to learn on...oh and you can get some sportier bikes pretty cheap, people tend to get rid of them quick and cheap once they find out what the ground feels like.

i have a cruiser my self...but what you nead to do is find somthing that is going to fit you...not to high (best if you can sit on the bike and still be flat footed with both feet) now i have a old suzuki 750. it has just as much of a get up and go as anny sports bike (i know i'b beten a ninja) but u probly would whant something that you can handle as well as good wheelbase. but the mane thing is that if you put it on its side. can you pick it up by your self? thats one thing you nead to ask your self..and you will nead to know if its high mantmence or not...

my first bike was a Kawasaki Eliminator 250 Sport Edition.A great bike but not for beginners though!
It has a very hard steering wheel.

Honda CBR 600 is a good starter, you don´t want to get a 250 it´s too small after a month or so, start with an 600

Ditto on the recommendation that you don't start so small. Right after you get a 250 you'll be wanting a 500 and on and on. I rode mostly dirt and the first real bike was a 175 Penton. (I'm scared that no-one will recognize these names.) Next was a 250 Husquvarna and I wasn't really happy until I rode a 450 Maaco that kicked my butt.

A thought, maybe start with a used bike. I don't want to say "cheap" but inexpensive enough so that you can get the feel for it and them sell it and move up to a new one.

Perfect bike for you is a Suzuki SV650. I'm 5'11" and weight 170 and I used my SV on the street and the racetrack. I bought mine after riding 1000cc bikes for 10 years and still loved it. They're cheap too.

get that bike from TRON...it looked pretty neat

Well man, Im a firm believer that you should go big on your first bike!! My first crotch rocket and still to this day is a 98 Suzuki TL1000S. I LOVE IT!! The reason Id say go with a bigger CC engine is because you will grow out of a lower CC bike faster than you know. And if you a speed junkie like me, youll want more! I rode dirt bikes when I was younger, but thats it. My thoery on bike is "If you respect the bike, the bike will respect you!" You also have to take into concideration, there are 2 types of riders...there are the ones that have been down (crashed) and there are the ones that WILL go down. I crashed once, put me in the hospital, but i lived to ride another day! Ride hard man!! Good luck on picking a bike! Lates

my first street bike was a cbr 900rr... remember, you outgrow them real easy... it's better to get a bigger bike and grow into it, than to buy a bike to small and become bored with it... smaller bikes are also harder to resell when you become bored and want to get a bigger bike...just my 2 cents...

Depends what your riding back ground? my 1st bike was Honda MR50 when i was 3 and have raced MX most of my life so when i bought i street bike i got GSXR110 NOT GOOD FOR YOU! ..but if you have no bike exsperience id suggest you take a class they offer locally they let you use like Honda 250 rebel easy bike to ride. if you pass and get your endorsment try if you want crotch rocket type honda hurricane 600 or Kawasaki 600 mid to late 80's be easy tp get for your price range maybe even newer but better to buy in winter now is when ever one starts to see for moe money. any who good luck and you have alot of fun all i can say is eagle eye!! watch others around you and on and off ramps every one merges and never sees bikes!! and carry air horn and medal club!! ait horn to get attention and medal clud to hit woondows of cars cut you off!! (beer) P.S. if your new wear a helmet for year or so if you dont have helmet law! lol

Quote:

Originally posted by Vinnymac

Well man, Im a firm believer that you should go big on your first bike!!

Famous last words i know of at least 5 people personally said same thing and with in first year 3 are dead and 2 are paraplegic! so good luck and half of it isnt you ith THEM!! them the other people on the road and the areas you ride!!

i own nothing but a cpl harleys, my son has a dirt bike(cr250) and my daughter has a polaris 4-wheeler, my first bike ever when i was 15 to ride on the streets was a yamaha yt 250 endo, i think since you live in colorado, you do live in colorado? That you should look into a good used street/offroad bike maybe about a 600cc, but thats just my opinion

The SV 650 is a great first bike. I don't have one but have riddden my friends wife's and it is small and lght enough to be first streetbike and still has some juice. Cheap too.Lot's of guy's race them.Don't go buy a big bike for your first one . If you have little or no experience it aint good. My first street bike was a Kawasaki LTD 454. GOOD LUCK.

I agree with the SV 650. I started with a 500cc Ninja and it was a good starter bike, but I outgrew it in a few months. The 650 is a good all-around bike.

Quote:

Originally posted by DirtFloorPoor

my son has a dirt bike(cr250)

That's a great bike.