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first bike

NINJA 250!

slice999x said:
im 17 and about to buy my first bike but im not sure what to get
im looking for a sportbike, probably used
and i only have about 2-3 grand to spend

does anybody have a suggestion of a good first bike that i should start looking for?

any help would be much appreciated
thanks
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I'd get the Ninja 500

I started w a 2005 Ninja 500R and have put on about 3K miles in a year. It's a GREAT starter bike and I still ride it. Thinking about upgrading now but you should consider one. I'm 6'1" so it's a little small but I've never felt cramped and give my girlfriend a ride to work on it almost every day. I spent $3400 when it had 1300 miles on it in 2006 but it was a pretty good deal - never dropped (and still isn't). I heard the Ninja 250 is also a good starter bike for sport bikes but you'll be able to handle the 500 no problem!
 
good stuff.

budbandit said:
This has been well hammered in other threads (that search feature is your friend) but in the price range you are looking at three very good, safe, sane choices would be Suzuki GS 500, Kawasaki EX 500 or EX 250. Remember to budget at least $200 for a helmet, $300 for a leather jacket and if you are going to be cheap about it at least get some stout boots (hiking/work boots with steel toe/shank) and some motocross armor to wear under jeans and some strong gloves.

An important consideration is the high probability of either dropping the bike, crashing or both. Although most guys seem to readily understand the need for a helmet (it's the law) and jacket (it's common sense) not so many realize that denim is like tissue paper when it goes up against pavement.

Do the MSF, practice in some parking lots, gradually work up to things and for the love of god don't even worry about dragging knee or looking cool, work on learning to ride smoothly and well and stay alive.
Click to expand...
Rig your self up first. It's stuff that you may never need, but you better have it on when you do need it! Count the cost brother.
 
I've seen new riders frequently advised to get bikes without fairings but I wonder if that's really the best choice.

Sure, replacing a cracked fairing is $$, but if I buy a used EX250R and it tips over, I'd be fine with tape or a patch or just ripping the stuff off for major damage.

I saw an argument against frame sliders that pointed out that putting impact energy into a point on the frame could do more bending damage. Crash bars might be a better option, though I guess that's fine for a v-strom, but detracts from a sportbike's looks.

It seems that having a fairing, even out of thin plastic, could protect the frame and engine a bit too.
 
morganw said:
I've seen new riders frequently advised to get bikes without fairings but I wonder if that's really the best choice.

Sure, replacing a cracked fairing is $$, but if I buy a used EX250R and it tips over, I'd be fine with tape or a patch or just ripping the stuff off for major damage.

I saw an argument against frame sliders that pointed out that putting impact energy into a point on the frame could do more bending damage. Crash bars might be a better option, though I guess that's fine for a v-strom, but detracts from a sportbike's looks.

It seems that having a fairing, even out of thin plastic, could protect the frame and engine a bit too.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you. The plastics won't save your bike, but it will absorb some of the energy at impact.

As for the frame sliders, I've heard that no-cut sliders are capable of damaging your bike in a somewhat significant to a significant crash; at low-speed crashes they hold up fine. As for the sliders that require cutting, I've heard more good than bad. But remember, the sliders are there to protect the frame, not your plastics!
 
Ninja 250

i got a Kawasaki Ninja 250 for my first bike about 3 months ago. it is a good little starter bike. im getting 52 MPG on it. it can go on the freeway and you can even do some wheelies on it.
check it out!

Vanzal15
 
My first bike was a 1983 Yamaha Vision 550cc, check the pic! One of the first generation sport bikes. I loved that machine! Unfortunatley, it loved the front end of a Ford LTD, and then it was over... I went without a street bike for several years, but filled my riding needs with dirt bikes and 3 & 4 wheel ATV's.
I also second the suggestion to gear up. It'll save your life, I know from experience!
 

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syd_hart said:
Hi

Noob here... as far as sports bikes go but have been riding a 500cc cruiser in India for the last 5 years (tho it never went over 80mph or so).

Am planning on getting a sports bike but rather than go straight for a liter bike am planning on a 600cc bike...so the ones I was looking at are the R6, Daytona 675 and the Honda 600RR.

So which among these is the best bike for someone new to sportsbikes - am def looking for thrills down the line but am willing to trade a bit of control for speed and power for the first few miles at least
Click to expand...

I am from India too and rode an Enfield for 15+ years. I considered myself a complete newbie when I started riding in US 2 years ago. I used to ride a rebel and loved it as it matched the Enfield and with its extreme low height. I rode at Australia and various Asian countries and will tell you riding in US is very different. You need to constantly think about your left's right's and special consideration on the lead times. I moved from rebel as it was very light for me. Moved to a Kawasaki ZR7 and it felt the perfect weight ratio for me. 74 BHP on the dyno i clocked 130mph several times on it. Did a track day too. Did H9,H35,Skyline several times on it. Yes, it is not superlight and does not have great manouverability like the Gixxers or CBR's or R6's but a great all-round bike. I still have it and as my only ride after my Gixxer got stolen :cry

However, if you are just starting riding definitely do not start with a Gixxer or CBR or R6. Strict NO to 1Litres. It will bite youo :teeth.

Since you rode Enfields look at the ZR7 / SV650 / Ninjas [older model]. Ride in confi for an year or so and then jump to a super sportsbike.

I just stated my experience and my 2 cents. Advise to all new riders. I still consider myself new as riding is an art and am only 17 years old in it
 
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SV650 V.S. HONDA HAWK

another first bike question. im getting my first bike soon and want something i can put on the track once and a while but also get on the backroads, around town and possibly further. I was wondering whether an SV or a hawk was better. thanks
 
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Hornet_720 said:
another first bike question. im getting my first bike soon and want something i can put on the track once and a while but also get on the backroads, around town and possibly further. I was wondering whether an SV or a hawk was better. thanks
Click to expand...

SV absolutely. Hawk was a great bike in its day and they still command high prices for their age and ability, but an SV650 is everything you'll want and need. It has modern suspension, fuel injection (unless you get a used earlier model), most people put GSXR front ends on them to race but the stock is fine for the street. The Formula 650 twins, Formula IV, and now 650 Production classes are the largest growing classes in the AFM, second only to the 600 Production/Superbike classes. Once you're done with the bike you could easily sell it as a race bike regardless of what you may have done and what condition it's in.... :thumbup

I wish I had one, but I spent my money on a 2005 GSXR 750 which I then crashed in practice last race of 2007... :p:ride:p woulda coulda shoulda
 
Please, may I be a heathen here? Or at least show my age?

IMO, the ideal first bike is either a Yamaha 650 - one of the old uprights, or if you're tall enough to handle it, a Honda CX500 twin. Enough power to get you on the highway, Reliable enough to where you won't have many problems (and easy enough to work on wthat when you do, you learn how to fix them, adding to your edumacation!), super stable, and cheap enough so when you whap it into something (and yes, you will scrape the sides and do other stuff) it's either easy to fix or cheap enough to where you won't be crying you killed your wallet when you have to let it slide away from you and into that light pole.

Sure, they're old (which means you can find them on craigslist pretty easy). But they're also cheap, and it'll be less of an outlay for a "learners" bike. Also, instead of being crouched over a bike and being forced to look up, etc, you're already upright, and is easier to find your balance when green.

I used to recommend the old CB450 twin (and have taught a bunch of people how to ride on one), as they were light, could be set up to haul, they almost never broke, and when they did an idjit could rebuild them on the road, but parts (hell, the bikes) are getting pretty few and far between.
 
Don't forget to consider insurance always less for 600 cc or smaller. I'm addicted to Honda Hornets the upright posture is great for commuting but enough get up and go to be a fun weekend bike.
Don't leave out the Nighthawk as a great starting place. They've had a long production run, used, new, after-market parts are available everywhere and they can be had for a reasonable price.
 
My friend wants to start riding. He is taking the MSF in about a month and is thinking about a Kawi 650R. Would they be good as starter bikes?
 
new to forums

hey every one my name is romel rom for short and I just bought my first bike last week a 1990 gsxr 750. Can any one tell me what should I do to the bike engine wise to make sure that its not going to crap out on me I was thinking about a full tune up. Any help would be nice thanks and see yall on the road
 
Hi All

I'm a new rider in US & just bought a zx 6r as my first bike. Have been riding back in India for quite some time, but realized riding in US is altogether a different ball game.

Just wanted to say Hi! to everyone.

Happy riding.
 
Just moved to the bay area and looking for newbies to ride with to get familiar with good rides. I live in Mountain view and usually take a mid-week day off to ride. Most people are working though and I can't find peeps to run with. Let me know!
 
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