Thinking about a bike

[dranger21]

With warmer weather coming I'm thinking about buying a bike. I have never ridden before so I want something cheap and easy to learn on since I'm a broke college student. Basically just something to ride around town in the summer. I was thinking about a dual purpose street/trail but I've heard they are really uncomfortable to ride for any period of time so I'm really up for anything. Anyone here have any suggestions on what a good starter bike would be?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Are you talking a bicycle bike, or motorcycle bike?

 

[Sunk]

I'm thinking he means motorcycle.... I started on an 80's Honda Nighthawk. I picked it up non running for cheap and rode the crap out of it for 4,000 miles before I bought the bike I have now. Most places use Nighthawks or similar for safety course, and they're pretty easy to handle. I'd definitely get something older (cheap) so you don't feel bad if you mess it up.

I'd get something around 250-500cc, preferrably a 2 cylinder.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Look for a used Kawasaki Ninja 250. They are great starter bikes, and you can find 2007 models for about $2,000, which is very reasonable. Very reliable too.

 

[ZMan]

I'd say a Ninja 250 is going to be your best bet, and your best starting bike. You could also look into a Rebel 250.

Check out this thread: http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=522054 Its the ultimate beginners bike guide.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah, the Rebel 250 is also a very good starter bike. However, depending on how tall you are, it could get uncomfortable. I'm 6'2", and it gets uncomfortable fast. But if you are a bit shorter, it wouldn't be too bad.

 

[GreatWhite]

lol 250cc?

come on gentlemen, my mom rides 650cc and shes 5'0"

 

[4x4fun]

lol 250cc?

come on gentlemen, my mom rides 650cc and shes 5'0"

its not the height or the fact shes a women. im 6'0'' 200lbs and i started on a ninja 250. and i do say start with a 250. a bike has alot of HP you miss a shift and drop down a gear or two on a 250 its revs and kinda gets squrrley on you. do that on a 600 and up that's a wheely. and not something you want to do on your second day on a bike. you have to learn how to "ride" then learn how to control the HP. and a 250 is cheap. and it will be your olny bike or first of many. i stopped riding cause i was tried of the other retards on the road trying to kill me all the time. but youll will drive your car better after you learn to ride a bike. i put 600 miles on my bike first bike and i never left my nabor hood. i just did slow riding (which is harder then going fast) turning starting on a hill ect. then took it out on the road. and if you tell some one "its your first bike and you got a 250 to learn to ride it saftly before you get a high HP bike" youll never get your balls busted for having a 250.

 

[LearjetMinako]

My first and current motorcycle is a 2006 Kawasaki KLX250s dualsport. It has been a prettier good ride. I can take it off-roading and drive it legally on the streets. It has enough power to cruise at 55mph or 65~70mph wide open. I picked mine up with 1,800miles on it for $3,600. After two years of riding, it has 6,000miles now. And if you are of the brave explorer, you can bore up the KLX to a 300, 331, 340, and 350.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Im looking for my first bike as well and I am looking at a Harley Davidson 883 sporster. I have ridden dirt bikes and a small honda motorcycle that my grandpa had in his barn so im not a complete new rider, but I am looking for something that I can ride for several years on.

 

[aaron47]

i learned on a 200 honda twin star,i owned honda cm/cb 400's.my first bike i owned ,that was legal to drive on the road was a '79 xs eleven specail.

 

[dranger21]

Yeah, the Rebel 250 is also a very good starter bike. However, depending on how tall you are, it could get uncomfortable. I'm 6'2", and it gets uncomfortable fast. But if you are a bit shorter, it wouldn't be too bad.

Well I'm 6'5" about 220 lbs. I might get a few laughs and a few cramps on a 250.

 

[Jason]

I would go for the 500 ninja. It's still not going to get away from you powerwise, it's good enough to ride for a few years before boredom sets in, and they can be bought and sold for the same price if you take care of it. The SV650 is also a great choice.

 

[Jason]

Well I'm 6'5" about 220 lbs. I might get a few laughs and a few cramps on a 250.

Not as many laughs as you'll get if you get on it too hard and spin the rear out in a corner.

 

[ZMan]

Well I'm 6'5" about 220 lbs. I might get a few laughs and a few cramps on a 250.

This is crucial info. Definitely should have been given in the first post, heh. Either way, I would definitely start out with a twin. Like Jason said, an SV650 or EX500 would be a good choice for someone your size. Unless you're more of a cruiser kind of guy.