A beginner motorcycle?

first bike was also a 89 Ninja 250 and yes it took me about a month until I grew tired of it as well. Grew up riding 3 wheelers and minibikes, so I was familiar with the ground a lot. Buddy had a FZ600 and let me ride it. First chance I got I sold the 250 and bought an 89 ZX-10R. It was used and abused but still ran like a demon. Guy who owned it before me ran Av-Gas through it. But only laid it down 2 times and was totally at fault both times for being dumbass. Not even really moving but dumped it in the middle of the road at turn signals in the grease stripe from cars dripping oil. It got totalled out when old fart pulled out in front of me at turn signal when I had right of way. I bailed out and didnt get hurt but bike had front wheel pushed into radiator. bye bye bike. we hardly knew ye. most of my bikes have been sports bikes and a couple of Harleys due to working at the plant, but usually just have to sell them like the one in my avatar just got sold Have you any experience at all Bangles? minibikes or anything with motor on it? bicycles don't count.

This thread is cool, I'm also looking at getting a begginers bike - I live in Brisbane Australia and i'm sick of parking. I've ridden dirt bikes and ag-bikes on the farm as i grew up, so i've had my fair share of bumps and bruses, hit a tree once, that hurt!

I was thinking a 250 (not sure what make) not going for speed just convience of transport.

honda magna 750 ..sports cruiser..best of both worlds...

I just bought my first bike yesterday. A Suzuki DRZ400SM in black. Awesome bike to learn on. Full street legal dirt bike that will own sports bikes on the twisties. Its way lighter than a sport bike and handles really well. Plus you can get one for cheap. You can switch back and forth between dirt and street in about 30-40 min. Supermoto bikes are getting huge in popularity.

hmmmmmmmm, 2 cents...... ok im 43 i started riding bikes at 16. my first was a used yamaha rx50k. had a 125 piston in it. ran great was fun to learn on, laid it down 2x. my next bike zx900 ninja(sold after 2 weeks (hit 140 on interstate figured i didnt need to rearrange my face if i crashed, next 2 bought at same time were yamaha sx650, and kz440 ltd. rode both off and on for years, (in the military, bikes are easier to haul) next was another kz440 ltd. then 400 heritage special, yes i have kept towards the smaller to midsize bikes (i know my limits) i love speed but have a lousy temper and when im pissed i hit it hard and a few times have come close to tearing it up. I now own a 1982 honda silverwing 550 gl. full dress. i plan to upgrade sometime but for now tooling around backroads and even riding better than 1000+ miles from my house to daytona, fl and back i love it. my advice is ride something cheap and easy to handle learn it inside and out. then upgrade. watch newspaper adds when your ready you can get a good deal then. wear your helmet and leathers i've had friends end up eating through a tube and pushing up daisies because they were careless. above all realize your limits. mine is my temper. i have a family and i dont want to leave them from being stupid. they all ride with me at times and i always stay safe. (period). I have ridden bigger and faster i love the speed and the feeling when going 100+ mph, but one rock is all it takes to end it. take riders courses (helps with insurance and your skills). above all stay safe.
just my 2 cents. and for the record, i'm 6'2'' 220 lbs.
yeah guess im just a pussy for not riding a mach 10 crotch rocket. but then i am what i eat....lol

first bike was a yahama 400xs. old bike so it was big and bulky. second was a suzuki 450 gs.

totally go with a 600. too small is bad. you need something that is a bit more durable on bumps etc. cuz your new at it the larger frame is more steady. you dont need something so squirly. maybe the yamaha fz600. you could find one cheap.

You might get a good deal on this'un

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the Harley 883 Sportster. It's an excellent starter bike, unless you're looking for speed. But since you said this would be your first bike, take some advice from someone that's been riding for 30 years: stay away from fast bikes until you get comfortable with the operation of a motorcycle. And while riding on the road, ride like you're invisible, because to a lot of drivers, you are.

hes only spending a thou so all the harley talk is out. he also said he wanted a sport bike. dont get a real small one. you can handle a 600. the small you will quickly outgrow. accelerating is as important as braking when dealing with traffic

just be sure you drive defensively always expect the other guy to act like an idiot

It appears the subject has been covered pretty thoroughly but I will put in my .02. If this is not just some spur of the moment thrill then seriously consider some extra space and HP for the future otherwise, as said by many, you will outgrow a smaller bike as your skills progress as well as your testicle size.

My first suggestion is to look at getting an older 600 F2 or F3. These bikes are small in displacement but can be fun in the twisties and you can ride 2-up on them. Also Honda make a god quality bike so unless it was obviously thrashed you should be able to find one with some effort that is in your price range and doesn't have the guts ridden out of it.

After that I would look at the 750's. Be careful when look at 750's as they are not toys and can put a serious hurt on you if you don't know what you have between your legs.

Take a local MSF course. Especially, since I am assuming you have never ridden on the street nor the dirt. There are tons of things to learn that need to be second nature you you will never learn until you are put in a situation where you need to know it. Usually those situations don't allow you to contemplate your decision before an old lady in her Lincoln VIII hangs a left in front of you.

Buy GOOD gear, especially the helmet. A good helmet, such as an Arai will run you 300 - 400. Boots, leather w/Kevlar gloves and a good riding jacket such as a leather Joe Rocket will keep your skin attached. I speak with experience in this particular area and I have the pictures to prove it.

As for me.....I have been riding motorcycles, moto-x, flat track and street for 36 years now. My current ride is a 92 Yamaha Vmax which is basically a poor man's dragster, but very fast!! 155+

As for finding said bike.....try C.L. in the Colorado area. Look at your local colleges as they will have some on the f/s boards, also and this is 100% true, look for dudes who are newly married or having kids. They sell bikes all the time as the wife firmly has those guys balls locked away in the shoe closet.

a 600 CAN kill you...a 1000 WANTS to kill you

Quote:

Originally posted by maquereautin

a 600 CAN kill you...a 1000 WANTS to kill you

heck walking can kill ya...

Quote:

Originally posted by mal

hes only spending a thou so all the harley talk is out. he also said he wanted a sport bike. dont get a real small one. you can handle a 600. the small you will quickly outgrow. accelerating is as important as braking when dealing with traffic

just be sure you drive defensively always expect the other guy to act like an idiot

not entriely true. There are always reposessed Harleys for sale at state auctions dirt cheap. But if a sport bike is the goal, TAKE A MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE!!! Hell, take one anyway.


please.

Quote:

Originally posted by SyPTo

[reply=maquereautin]
a 600 CAN kill you...a 1000 WANTS to kill you

heck walking can kill ya...
[/reply]

true, but most people can't walk or run 0-60 in 4 seconds and do 160+.

i would go with a ninja 250. you can find a used one fairly easy and cheap. i would rather get good on a crappy bike than to lay down my brand new 600 or 1k because i didn't know what i was doing.

Quote:

Originally posted by Vinnymac

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

That's completely irresponsible advice.

I rode dirt for a very long time in my youth and a little over a year ago switched to street. I am 24, 5'7 170lbs and have a 2001 Honda CBR F4i. Its an amazing bike and still nice to look at after all these years. I would say a 600 class sport bike is the way to go as they are forgiving for their power and are not likely to be grown out of any time soon. Some would say go big with a 1000 but having seen experienced people not adjust fully, I maintain my suggestion with the 600s. Honda's CBR series are exceptional in quality as expected, Yamaha's (my favorite) are NOT for beginners as they require more fixes (especially the new ones), Suzuki are also great as they are reliable and fun to tinker with. Kawasaki are decent but would be my last choice simply because one has to be last. a 250 will get you looked at strangely if you unusually tall or fat also. 600 are worth the money and will entertain you to no end. Personally, i plan on upgrading to a Suzuki GSXR 750 next year since they are lighter like a 600, and thus are faster like a 1000 with the extra 150ccs and less weight. below is a picture of my bike. Personally, i love the F4i (newer banana seated ones suck though) i had no issues hanging with any other 600, including my roommates '03 CBR600RR