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Good Beginner Naked/Standard Bikes

If the looks don't turn you off, and you're taller than 5' 10", a used DRZ400SM would be a great choice.

Doesn't mind being dropped, you shouldn't get "bored" of it and one of the few "small" displacement bikes out there with fully adjustable suspension.

Cheap as heck to insure and maintain, great mpg no matter what you do with the throttle.
 
Roadstergal said:
If you liked the Nighthawk, look at the GS500E, or GS500F or EX650 and yank the fairings (you can get either of the latter for pretty cheap if you're patient and look on CL).

The 250 Nighthawk has crap fueling and drum brakes. It was pretty basic tech back in '82.

Does your budget include full gear and insurance?
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I disagree with the bold part. The brakes on the other hand, I agree with you. Crap.
 
HappyHighwayman said:
It looks like hammered shit naked :)
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Well....

TG%2520031712%2520%2520009.jpg


TG%2520031712%2520%2520008.jpg


hammered....yes. :teeth

For $1500.... deal.
 
SummerLove said:
Monster 620, GS500E, SV650n, ER-6n, Bandit 400 (gonna be old though) it's late so I'm probably forgetting something.
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OP didn't say what style bike they like. Standard? Cruiser? Sport bike?

I don't find the Monster 620/695 to be very newbie friendly. Crap turning radius, expensive maintenance, pretty lumpy torque output, and easily damaged tank.

Bandit 400 or HawkGT 650 are 20+ years old. Old bikes are NOT newbie friendly. Old electrics and old rubber. Great for a mechanic. Crap for a new rider, and typically expensive (~$3K) in good condition. $3K gets you a bike 10-15 years newer.

Add EX500/Ninja500 to the list. Better than the GS500: EX500 has a great windscreen, better performing water cooled motor, better suspension. Wifey had one and loved it.

Newbie's should avoid a full fairing bike as the first bike. Unnecessary expense that's likely to get scratched or cracked.
 
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+1 on DRZ400 or WR250 or KTM Duke 2 (first gen), or even KTM 690SM (first gen if you can find one - definetly in your price range)
Sumermotos are great as a first bike, no worries about droping, plenty of usable power with no surprises, light, forgiving and most importantly more fun then anything else out there. They will also teach you a lot. If I were you I would spend time looking for a first gen KTM 690 SM (searchtempest.com is your friend) fuel injection, light, if you drop it a few times it wouldnt be a big deal for this bike. Very forgiving in the corners, so much fun that you wouldnt have to upgrade or ever outgrow this bike.
 
If you want a naked standard take a look at a Suzuki TU250. It was the first new vehicle I've ever bought and the total out the door was 4g. A true standard, it looks like a Triumph Bonneville someone shrank in the wash.

A very good bike to start with as you find out what your capabilities are. Some might tell you it's under powered or that you'll get tired of it fast. That just means you can re-sell it to the next noob. I rode mine from Wash DC to Duluth MN and back.

At an average 70mpg it's a great commuter/city bike. No matter what other bikes I own over the years I'll never give this one up.

Fuel stats http://www.fuelly.com/driver/lam/tu250x
 
Wow I only expected a few posts but that really says something about the community with this many replying to the thread. I appreciate all the excellent feedback everyone!

I wanted a 250cc Honda Nighthawk but from what I understand they don't make new ones anymore and yes I was looking for a displacement of 250cc-500cc. I know how to operate a bike but I'm not power hungry yet. My price range was a bit high because I wanted a variety of bikes listed regardless of cost.

I'm interested in a new(ish) bike similar to what auntiebling said, something to just ride, get used to and not worry too much about maintenance. Also thanks lam@barf for the Suzuki TU250 mention, I really like how that bike looks (edit: dang, just saw that it wasn't CA legal). That said, I've taken all of your suggestions and compiled a list which I will research over the next couple weeks.

Thanks again everyone!
 
Roadstergal said:
^ Not CA legal. As mentioned in the other thread.
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I just found out. :shocker I'm so sorry, I never would have mentioned it if I knew. I know how disappointing it is to find what you like and not be able to have it. There just aren't very many standards out there to pick from. An awful lot of people seem to think a sports bike that without that extreme forward lean is a standard.
 
Kenister said:
Wow I only expected a few posts but that really says something about the community with this many replying to the thread. I appreciate all the excellent feedback everyone!

I wanted a 250cc Honda Nighthawk but from what I understand they don't make new ones anymore and yes I was looking for a displacement of 250cc-500cc. I know how to operate a bike but I'm not power hungry yet. My price range was a bit high because I wanted a variety of bikes listed regardless of cost.

I'm interested in a new(ish) bike similar to what auntiebling said, something to just ride, get used to and not worry too much about maintenance. Also thanks lam@barf for the Suzuki TU250 mention, I really like how that bike looks (edit: dang, just saw that it wasn't CA legal). That said, I've taken all of your suggestions and compiled a list which I will research over the next couple weeks.

Thanks again everyone!
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Motojava.com has a lot of Nighthawk 250s go through their shop. A friendly call to one of the guys down there might turn one up that is almost ready for sale.
 
lam@barf said:
There just aren't very many standards out there to pick from.
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There are, really - there's almost an embarassment of choice, compared to when I was starting out (#getoffmylawn). The middleweight standard options are pretty extensive, and that's awesome. I'm of the opinion that there is no better streetbike than a middleweight standard.

It does suck that Suzuki didn't bring the TU to CA. It's an FI 250 with hipster looks - between BARF and SF, it'd sell like hotcakes! :laughing
 
Suzuki GS500F! Nice bike, maybe still bit too much for a newb but you can always be mature with throttle. I personally like how it looks, it's comfortable, and very very cheap.
 
there are new Nighthawks. I sat on a new Honda Nighthawk in the Moto Cafe in Sunnyvale a few weeks ago, may be it is a Nighthawk 450. Can't remember.
 
Hank Wong said:
there are new Nighthawks. I sat on a new Honda Nighthawk in the Moto Cafe in Sunnyvale a few weeks ago, may be it is a Nighthawk 450. Can't remember.
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Honda does not make any new Nighthawk models. The 450 has been made for more than 20 years.

There are probably a few leftover new 2010 Nighthawk 250s somewhere in the country.
 
I should also mention:

Sit on all of the bikes that you have any interest in, if possible. Check out what kind of accessories you can buy (top case/rack etc). Check MPG and service intervals/costs. What do you want to do with the bike (commute, recreationally ride)?

I would avoid anything older than about 20 years for a first bike.
 
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