Beginner motorcycles that don't LOOK like beginner motorcycles.
We've all been there, we love the look of the 600cc and 1000cc motorcycles but we realize we don't yet have the skills to pilot them. The smart ones will pic a smaller motorcycle and deal with the outdated looks of their beginner bikes, the not so smart ones may go out and buy that 600cc machine and see it crashed before their first month. Now you don't have to choose, because here are a few motorcycles that are low displacement, but still have racer inspired stylings that will get you all the looks at your local star bucks.
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
Kawasaki is very new rider friendly and they offer more beginner motorcycles than any other major manufacturer. Most of you are probably familiar with the Ninja 250 and the Ninja 500, they are good motorcycles but they do look a bit aged in comparison to their 600cc brothers. A motorcycle you may not have heard of is the smallest Vulcan in the family, the Vulcan 500 LTD.
It's a great looking motorcycle with a decent engine to boot. It's motor design was based on the bulletproof design of the Ninja 500, so you can expect clean and predictable power delivery with minimal maintenance issues. The design of the motorcycle gives it a low seat height and a wide and heavy 'cruiser' look that is hard to find in smaller displacement bikes. Usually it seems there is a lot of wiggle room between the frame and the motor, but the parallel twin engine fills up the space nicely. Definitely a great looking motorcycle.
Suzuki GS500F
Suzuki has long had a great beginner motorcycle called the GS500 or the GS500E, it was a naked sport bike and it looked great. It was actually my first motorcycle, so I have a special connection with it. The engineers at suzuki thought that it looked a bit dated (the design was from the 80's!!!) so they decided to upgrade a few mechanical components and throw a sweet looking fairing on it. I must say that it really improves the look of this little motorcycle even if it does add a little more weight and some things to get scratched. You wouldn't look out of place if you pulled up next to a group of GSXR 600's with this motorcycle, and I think thats the way they intended it.
Under the fairing the motorcycle is basically the same one that has made it a popular beginner bike for the last 2 decades. It's still a little cold blooded, but thats to be expected until they decide to outfit this bike with fuel injection. The extra fairing does add a little to the price, but it is well worth it to be able to hang with the big boys without looking out of place.
Suzuki SV650S
If you really don't want a beginner style motorcycle because you have some dirt bike experience, then look no farther than the Suzuki SV650. The great thing about this bike is the power delivery is very friendly for new riders, but still torquey enough to give the veterans their moneys worth. This means that there really is no telling if a rider on an SV650 is a experienced or not because it is very popular with both crowds. Also the larger SV1000 looks nearly identical to the 650, the only aesthetic difference being a small fairing below the engine.
Hyosung GT250R
Probably the best looking bike on this list, and also the one with the smallest displacement. The Hyosung GT 250R is powered by a V-twin, 249cc engine that makes it very very user friendly. You won't be popping any wheelies on this motorcycle, but you wouldn't be able to tell that by the looks. This is one of the cleanest and most modern looking motorcycles on the list, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite bikes.
Because the bike is relatively new to the American motorcycle scene, most people won't recognize what type of bike it is by sight. The only thing that gives away the displacement is a small "GT250R" sticker on the side fairing. If by chance you aren't comfortable on a 250cc, you should check out the GT125 that hyosung offers. It looks identical to the 250R yet they have toned down the CC's to an easy to use 125cc. You won't be doing triple digits with that bike, but it will help you learn the proper skills you need when you get a larger motorcycle.
Comments
Great article
Really good article, it's nice to see that there are bikes out there that are low-powered enough for beginners to learn on, but don't look like something stuck in a time warp! I'm a big fan of the GS500F, I think that thing looks really slick, almost as good as the GSXR 600! Sounds pretty mean too with an aftermarket pipe on it.
James
Does the F version still
Does the F version still take a long time to warm up like the E version of it? That was one thing I really didn't like about it... I wish they would fuel inject this thing!
Warm up
Got my first bike (2007 GS500f) this fall, I put 1000 miles on it in like 40 day before putting it away for the winter. I love this bike, but if it is below 55 degrees out, plan on a couple minutes to warm up. But still a great bike that wont break the bank!
well i am 17 now and in a
well i am 17 now and in a couple years i will be the proud owner of the suzuki gs500f
to me it looks a lot better than any other beginner bike and from what ive heard it is pretty awesome
Have you forgotten all the
Have you forgotten all the 125 ccm's? like Cagiva Mito 125, Honda NSR 125 and Aprilia 125 etc..?
I know some of them have more power than others, but generally they are good and fun bikes, and dont have too much power for a new rider - however one should be able to have alot riding a 125 ccm. And they all look really nice especially the aprillia - from a distance you cant tell its not one of their larger brothers. However their sounds isnt impressing at low speeds since its 2-strokes engines.
I just think one should note them as their doesnt cost that much, look great and their funfactor is almost at the top.
Another fantastic comment :)
Great suggestion! I will definitely review a few of these in the future :)
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Vision 250cc
Do you know anything about this motorcycle? Does it breakdown a lot? Cold to start in the am? Do you know of anyone that has ridden one, or owned one?
Thanks
Lia
do you have recommendation bikes until 125cc?
do you have recommendation bikes until 125cc?
i mean like honda cbr 125
something like this?
Aprillia
I wrote this article before I started researchign 125cc bikes. I still haven't gotten too deep into that territory, but I would recommend either the CBR125, the VTR125, and I believe aprillia makes a 125cc model as well, but I heard that it sounds morel ike a scooter than a motorcycle when its running. Besides that I've only heard good things about aprilia :)
Ben
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
I Have a Aprilia RS 125, its
I Have a Aprilia RS 125, its a super fun bike, will beat a gsxr 600 down a B road (UK Country Road) but on the straights they aint to brilliant, mine topped out at 115mph, which aint half bad for a 125
still have that Aprilia
still have that Aprilia 125??? im looking to buy one.
Do you think the 87 Yamaha
Do you think the 87 Yamaha FZR 400 is a good bike for beginners? ive been trying to search for information on its user-friendlyness (if thats a word :P )and so far i havent found much. it is 400cc so it couldnt be as much powerful than the kawasaki 500... ive been looking at the 87-89 models because i love the way they look.
so what are your thoughts?
ps if you have any websites that have good info on the 400 could you show me them? thx!
Old bike?
I'm not sure about that particular bike, since it is a 400cc I would probably want to recommend it by default. My only hesitation would be it is 2 decades old! When bikes get old rubber gaskets start to crack and metal starts to rust. I'm assuming you want it because it is within your price range and is a smaller displacement bike. Take it from someone who has owned bikes as old as 1984 and bikes as new as 2003. Get a newer bike!
You will have to pay more money for it, but it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. Basically I recommend anything around 1997 and newer.
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Kawasaki Versys
I have been reading about the Versys. It sounds like a very stable bike, it's 649cc. Bigger than what you recommend for a beginner, but sounds good to me. Look at the review on motorcycle-usa.com and if you don't mind let me know what you think. Thanks
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
Great site. I'm 42, never owned a bike, and am very methodical about checking things out. I have been looking for info for new riders for a while, and yours is among the best sources I've come across.
I'm glad you recommend the Vulcan 500 LTD. I found it yesterday on the Kawasaki site and thought it looked like it might be the starter bike for me.
I'm wanting to get a motorcycle for commuting (and pleasure) but am not really interested in a sport-type bike, so the style (cruiser-ish) suits me.
Do you think the low seat makes for more visual impairments than other styles of bikes?
My other question is, how can you tell (without going and sitting on one) if the size of the bike will fit you?
I'm 6'1" and I have heard that some bikes are good for my size while others are not. Is there some rule of, "the seat sits XX" high, so it's good for those between the heights of XX and XX"?
Thanks again for all the information. I'm green, so I'll be around.
Mark
Forward pegs
Glad you like the site mark :)
I don't feel like the low seat height of this motorcycle would effect your vision at all. I've ridden tall bikes and short bikes, and the difference is really negligible.
Unfortunately there isn't really anyway to tell if the motorcycle is a good fit without sitting on it. I would recommend going to a dealer and just sitting it, and if it is comfortable then I would go look for a used bike on craigslist :) Also if the pegs crunch your legs up too much I believe you can get aftermarket forward mounted foot pegs so you are able to stretch out your legs more.
Good Luck :)
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Hey Ben, Went to some cycle
Hey Ben,
Went to some cycle shops today, and they started telling me that anything less than a 1000-1100 in a cruiser, would be underpowered for highways.
This came from more than one guy (self-proclaimed experts) I talked to, though they did agree that I didn't want anything more than 600cc in a sport bike.
Do you agree that since the cruisers are heavier, that 1000-1100cc's is okay for a careful beginner, or is this foolish? It seems like a whole lot of bike, but as I've said before, I'm very green.
Reading most of your site by now, I know that most of your experience is with sport bikes, but what do you think?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark
Don't listen to them!
Definitely don't listen to those guys! Yes a harley is not going to be nearly as fast as a sports bike of a similar cc, but 1000+ cc's is just rediculous for a new rider. I think there is even a post on this website about a new rider that started on some big harley and it was way too much bike for him so he ended up getting a smaller bike to learn on.
I believe that most cruiser style motorcycles have a V-twin engine, the same type of engine that is in a Suzuki sv650. That engine is one of the reasons I DO recommend the SV650 for new riders if they have some experience on a bike. It is not nearly as unforgiving as a 600cc sportbike, but it can definitely get you into trouble more easily than a 500cc motorcycle.
I actually had a chance to ride my friend rays SV1000 yesterday for the first time. It is also a V-twin, and I imagine it has about the same sort of power as a harley, although it does way a less. That thing is definitely not a beginners bike! It had tons of low end torque which was fun for me, but could definitely be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Basically the only reason that they were telling you anything less would be underpowered for the highway is because they are uninformed and they have an ego problem. They think that if you don't start on a 1000cc bike you must not be a man etc... Rediculous!
I believe I say in my review of the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 that it does quite well on the freeway. Is it going to have as much power to pass people as a 1100cc monster? No, but you will be able to pass cars easily because it has a better power to weight ration than any HD motorcycle.
Anyway, thats my 2 cents :)
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
1100 cc Cruisers
Don't forget to take into account that many of the workers at shops are paid on commission. Since a 1100cc bike is often far more expensive than a 250cc Rebel or the Kawasaki? 185cc that puts a lot more money in their pocket. A 250cc though really is going to not be highway worthy though. A larger bike is going to be heavy and hard to maneuver but will also be less prone to being blown around by drafts in and around large trucks. You'll just have to find a balance that you feel comfortable with. Take it slow and take shorter trips when starting out. Fatigue is far more of a problem on 2 wheels than in a 4 wheeled cage.
New 08 Ninja 250
Hey Ben just finished devouring the new Cycle World and they have a very short write up on thw 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R which has been redone for 2008 to look a whole heck of a lot more like it's big brother the ZX-6R even sporting the same Kawi green color. Quick check of the Kawasaki website lists the MSRP as $3,499.
Damn!
Damn! That sounds awesome, I will have to grab a copy of that magazine. I'm just waiting for some dealers in my area to get them in so I can go for a test ride on one :)
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
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Questions regarding various bike styles
Hi Ben - I stumbled across your site tonight and it has alot of really helpful info - Thanks for putting it out there for us 'newbies'. Also in the matter you present the info. Many sites experienced riders talk down to newbies and all of our silly newbie questions. But you sound like your truly trying to be of help.
I have a couple questions and just wanted a 2nd/3rd type opinion.
After riding 2up behind my husband for the last 6 months, I have decided that I no longer want to ride as passenger, but drive and be in control.
My husband took me to an empty shopping mall parking lot last weekend and taught me the "bare bone basics - clutch, break, throttle" and within about 5 minutes, I was circling the parking lot by myself on his Yamaha 1100 V-Star Silverado. I had so much fun (even though I stayed in 1st gear the whole time) he had a hard time convincing me to stop so he could have "his" bike back. I was laughing and smiling so much my face hurt :-)
Question 1 - I am fairly tall - 5'10 - and can easily flat foot his bike and handling the bike while going straight or even while at a dead stop was no problem, but while circling the parking lot (and probably because it was my first time ever driving a bike) his bike seemed very heavy in the curves and I was nervous to lean with the bike feeling like if I did it was going to fall over. After about 20 minutes I was getting better with the curves, but the bike still felt real heavy, and made me nervous. My husband states, that its a normal feeling to new drivers. He say's the bike only feel's heavy while turning because Im new and as I gain more experience, the weight won't bother me. His bike is roughly 700+lbs with saddlebags, full tank of gas & all. My thought, is the bike is too heavy for me and I would rather buy a lighter weight bike to build confidence on. What do you think? It only feels heavy because I have not yet mastered the curves/lean and it wont be a problem with more practice, or the bike is too heavy for a beginner?
Question 2 - After being forced to "give up control" of his bike and go back to being backseat passenger, we headed to a dealership that had Kawi, Triumph, Honda, HD, and some others I dont remember. I decided I liked the little Ninja 250, it felt small enough that when I sat on it, I felt I was in total control of the bike. The light weight worries me some that as a beginner, I may end up popping wheelies by accident (drop the clutch too fast or too much throttle from dead stop) - trust me that is something I do NOT want to do. Also, I've heard that the 250 is only truly happy when high rpm's. Does this mean at slow speeds while learning (10-35mph) it will not run as smooth?
I also sat on a Ninja 500r, 650r, Vulcan 500, Triumph Bonneville ? and Shadow VLX 650. I could flat foot all of the bikes (again Im 5'10) and they all seemed equally comfy as far as riding position. The Ninja 650 in my mind is more power then I want though, even though height wise it was probably the most comfortable. Right now, Im leaning toward the Ninja 500 - a little more weight & power then the 250, but not too much.
Question 3 - My husband says that it would be alot easier to learn skills on a cruiser then sport styled bike. Personally I'm more partial to the sportbike looks. He's never owned a sportbike and says has no desire to ride one (which would be a bonus for me, him never riding it ha ha ha). Is there any truth in the fact that a cruiser would be easier to learn & build skills on, or is he just biased & trying to add a 2nd cruiser to his garage? He says he doesnt care what type bike I get, he's just happy I am getting one but that I should buy a cruiser first to build skills on, and then after a year or two, "if I still want too" then move over to a Ninja if thats what I want. I would rather just buy the Ninja 250/500 and be done with it. Any thoughts?
Advice for Justme68_86
Thanks for the compliments on the site! It is really my passion and I am glad that other people benefit from it. Now to answer your questions:
Answer for question one:
Damn that is a heavy bike! I think my bike is maybe 300-400 lbs, no wonder you think that v-star is hefty in the turns. I think your husband is correct, if you did get a heavy bike eventually you would get used to the weight and it would feel 'normal' to be heavy in the turns. I wouldn't recommend one that large for a beginner though, actually I wouldn't recommend a bike that big unless you can pick it up BY YOURSELF if it tips over. One of my favorite stories to tell is when I had my first bike, a Suzuki GS500, I was backing up and hit a curb which knocked the bike over. Well this curb was actually next to a bunch of bushes, so the bike fell on my leg and pinned me in the foliage! I was VERY thankful that my bike was so lightweight because there was no one around to help me pick it up. I had to use all of my muscle in that awkward position to lift the bike enough to get my leg out. Light bikes rock!
Answer for question two:
The ninja 250 is lightweight, but that is good thing for a beginner. The one disadvantage you will have is that the bike will have a tendancy to get blown around more in the wind, but it's really not that bad. You don't have to worry about it popping wheelies on you either, although the ninja 250 is able to do them, you have to rev the bike really high (I want to say 7,000 rpm or more?) and then drop the clutch. Granted you could pretty much do a wheelie (or flip) any bike by doing the same thing. The reason that people say that the ninja likes to run at the higher RPM's is because you don't feel a whole lot of power until you hit 7-10k, then you will feel the bike start to take off pretty quick. That means that when you are starting from standstill, it is VERY forgiving and won't launch you like a rocket like a 600cc+ motorcycle would.
Also on a side note, your husband is also right about cruisers being 'easier' to start on, that is because most cruisers have V-Twin engines instead of Inline Four engines. The V-twin engine delivers power in a very predictable, linear way, and it almost always has enough torque to get you out of tight spots. Inline four engines on the other hand need to be revved up really high before you start to feel their power. I don't have the specs in front of me right now, but I am 90% sure that the kawasaki ninja 500 is powered by a V-twin engine, I'm not sure about the ninja 250.
When you decide to get a bike just get the one that speaks to you the most. If you get on that ninja 250 and you feel super comfortable on it, then I would definitely get it. On the other hand if the ninja 500 is the one that grabs you then go for that one. Go with your gut! If that Ninja 650 seems like too much to handle then it probably is (actually, I wouldn't recommend the ninja 650 for a new rider unless they had a lot of dirt biking experience, or unless they were DEAD SET on getting at least a 600cc motorcycle).
You can't go wrong with the Ninja 250 or the 500, and if you really like the sportbike look then maybe wait for the 2008 ninja 250's to come out, they look fantastic!
Ok, ONE more thing before I end this rant :)
GEAR!!! Most cruiser guys, hell, most motorcycle riders in general do not where very much protective gear, but that is wrong. You will thank yourself a hundred times over when you crash and you aren't picking up pieces of skin off the pavement. Road rash sucks, and it leaves nasty scars that are not very sexy. Please, please, PLEASE research some gear to wear. I'd recommend at least a full face helmet, a nice motorcycle leather jacket (not fashion leather), leather gloves, and some nice boots. You really should get some motorcycle pants too, but I realize that can be a pain in the ass for a lot of people. I personally don't want the pain in my ass from road rash, thats why I always wear my moto pants :)
Good luck, ride safe, and let me know what you decide!
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
:)
Haha, just one more thing. If you get the ninja 250 don't let him ride it! Those things are a freaking blast and I have a feeling if he does he will want to ride it all the time :)
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
My thoughts exactly :-) He
My thoughts exactly :-) He "says" he has no interest in riding a Ninja, but I have a feeling he'll change his mind... I'll just have to keep reminding him........"remember you said......" haha I could see one of those bike locks coming in handy in that respect :) "honey, I want to buy a bike lock so I can lock my bike up at work so it wont get stolen....cough, cough...and so I can lock it up in the garage to keep you from riding it"
I'll keep you posted, thanks again for alot of great info & 2nd opinions
Sound
I'm about to get my first bike end of february and was initially dead set on a cbr600rr. After reading these forums and visiting my local hyosung dealer i'm looking favorably at the hyosung GT250R. Only thing I want to know is how this thing sounds. When I take off at the local traffic lights will I sound like an annoying 2 stroke fly or will the v-twin have a bit more grunt to it? and would it be possible to go for a richer deeper sounding exhaust? something closer to a 600/1000cc sound?
First off, wtf?
First off, wtf?
No body in a car is going to care about your sound. Sorry mang, doesn't work like that. I have had people tell me they love my bike so very much, they have never said anything about the sound of it. You know why? It's just another sound in the sea bud. To add to that, you won't even hear it that much anyways with your helmet on and not to mention the other 200 things running through your head when you ride.
But hey, if sound does it for you, then sure.... okay
I don't mean to sound harsh, but sound is a very bad thing to judge a bike. The worst bike in the world could sound great, it doesn't mean anything.
I do like how you dream though :D
~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick
umm mister family guy there
umm mister family guy there shows how much you know about bikes if you think sound doesnt matter because harley's are known for the sound so much that they have a patent on that sound other bikes can come close but they can never make it sound like a harley. you probably bought a bike for looks trying to show off to every one well i was raised going to abate rallies and sorry bud they do alot of their juding of a biike by the sound because the sound is the bore and stroke of the motor really if your gonna pose please do it well.
Harley "patent" on sound
Harley was not successful in their attempt to register their v-twin sound as a trademark, giving up on it in 2000. If you like a particular sound, go for it. Keep it under noise pollution levels; this helps the image of bikers and saves your hearing
1st Bike for Chicks?
Ben
Abit like your earlier question re lady riders from (Justme68_86) Id love a second opinion.
Im in Australia and looking at a 1st bike that i can get for $3,500 - $4000 (AUD) to build my experience and skills.
My partner has a lovely new Honda VFR800, which we bought in Jan 07 with the intention of me also riding it. After getting my licence, and practising around home a few times i quickly lost my confidence on the 800 (mostly due to its height - i cant get my feet flat - and its weight along with my lack of my slow riding skills. I consequently dropped it on two different occasions while slow riding, and my confidence is now really shot. BUT i cant stop wanting a bike!
So, we decided it was better to get a smaller bike for me to ride and learn on, for maybe 12 months or so.
Now my man says i should get a naked bike (largely i think to reduce repair costs if i drop it again), is VERY against me getting anything to sports (i like to go fast) but thinks a 250 is a bit small for me (Im 5"7), and that id be better suited on a 400-600. We have friends who also say i should get 600, but most of those naked bikes i find a little heavy (again a confidence thing) or are too expensive for just a short term learner bike.
I have a feeling you may just suggest the Suzuki GS500E, but they are more like $6,500 so are way more than i wanted to spend. Im wondering if there any other bikes that you think may be worth a look, and your opinion on the naked bikes for beginners? I was reading about the Hyosung GT250, and like the idea of it b/c its naked (and looks so much like a Ducati) - but really want to make a sensible and informed decision.
Any comments/ thoughts would be appreciated!
Cheers.
Chicka bike
Hey Breesa,
Well I guess my first question would be what type of riding you plan on doing? If its mainly surface streets and twisty roads than I would suggest the Ninja250. It is really a more than capable bike, and the 2008 version of it looks better than the ninja 600! You should be able to get a used one for even cheaper, although I think a brand new one would be within your budget.
I am flabbergasted when people recommend a 600cc bike for a new rider, much less a vfr800! I've been riding for quite a while and I am still a long ways away from riding my 600 to its full potential. I guess basically what I'm saying is are you going to get a bike that you want, or a bike that other people want? In the end it is you that is going to ride it, and I'm sure no matter which bike you get you will love it to death.
You read my mind when you said that I would suggest a gs500, I guess I didn't realize they were so expensive. Are you definitely planning on buying brand new? In california I've seen gs500's that are 4 or 5 years old going for around $2000 (USD) which is only what... like $2500 AUD? I'm not sure what the market for used motorcycles is there, but I would really suggest you get a used bike to start with because like you've found out, you are most likely going to drop it.
Another advantage of the ninja250 is it will be a whole hell of a light lighter than the vfr was, and therefore your chances of dropping it at low speeds are dramatically reduced. If you are really worried about it maybe go for the ninja500, that has a sort of half fairing thing going on which might be a nice compromise between a fully faired bike. I'm not sure if they are within your budget though.
Lastly I'll mention a bike that I know is probably too expensive, but is a good bike none the less. Its the suzuki sv650 and I would really only recommend that to you if the peer pressure got to you so much that you 'had' to have at least a 600cc bike. The sv650 is naked, although the newer versions come with a little half fairing. It is great, and I think it only puts out like... 50hp? I can't remember, but I would say it would only be a little more powerful than a ninja500.
Honestly I would stay away from hyosungs for now, they are great looking bikes but people have really been getting mixed reviews when it comes to reliability. Check out the tons of comments that my article on the gt250 got:
http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/hyosung-gt250r-review
Anyway, I hope all of that helped, let me know if you need anything else.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Hi Ben Thanks for the quick
Hi Ben
Thanks for the quick response.
I was planning on a 2nd hand bike, not new (that way it wont matter if a bang it up in the learning process).
When i got my licence i rode a BWM 650 naked, and it was a great bike, really light and low seat height - if i could afford it i would buy one of them - but they're like $12,000 plus.
Re your question, Im planning to do road riding for fun (not to commute to work): I love the winding hills and mountain rides.
I just had a quick look - there are some 2-4yr old ZZR's around for around $5,000 so I will look into these a bit more.
Thanks again!
zzr
I am partial to the ZZR's :) The are great bikes, and if you can handle a bmw650 then you could probably handle the ZZR, although it may hinder your learning a bit. Let us know what you decide!
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
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Kawasaki W650
I'm a very new rider (took a rider intro course, have motorcycle license, but only rode a 125cc for a short time many years ago (OK, 8 years ago). So I'm starting over, including taking the rider course again.
A friend wants to get me onto a 2001 Kawasaki W650 that he found for a good price. But I think the 430 lbs (dry) and the big enging and wide handlebars are too much (The handlebars leave me feeling a bit spread out. )
Any thoughts?
I live a LONG ways for any city with a gazillion miles of twisty, lightly-traveled and very hilly single-lane roads (OK, about 60 to 100 miles) before I get to civilization or a freeway.
How about the Buell Blast?
Would the Ninja 250 be adequate for this kind of trip--more than 100 miles, hills (BIG hills) etc.?
I'm 5'6. Feet are flat on the deck when I straddle the w650, so seat height up to about 30 inches fits OK. The Buell feels good, but there's some things on websites about its reliability, and I don't need to be sitting on the roadside for an hour before the first car cones along. (Did I mention that there's no (NO!!) cell phone service out here for the first 60 miles of travel in ANY direction?)
THANKS for your thoughts!
Buell
hmmm!! Thats quite the challenge you have there (especial with no cell service!).
Regarding your friends suggestion of a kawasaki w650 I would say if it doesn't feel right, then don't get it! If you are too spread out you won't feel in control of the bike and that could lead to mistakes that you don't want to happen in a place with no cell phone service.
For your type of riding I wouldn't recommend the ninja250 although i'm sure it could handle it, it just might be more work than you want. As a second choice the ninja 500 is a great bike with power to spare to get you up those hills and whatnot. Also the bike seems ideal for someone with a smaller frame like yourself, I would try just sitting on one and see how it feels, you will probably fall in love right away!
Although if you live in the boonies have you considered a dual sport at all? Maybe check out the DRZ 400 SM:
http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/suzuki-drz-400-sm-review
It is a great bike and a lot of fun in mountainy twisties. But if you don't like the look of that sort of bike then that one is off the table.
I haven't reviewed a Buell Blast yet but I have also heard that they are a mixed bag when it comes to reliability. I would say go for it if you really love the bike, but I would get the thing checked out by a mechanic before you do any serious riding. Or better yet, maybe get yourself a book on the buell blast that way you can do all the wrenching yourself. That way if you become stranded you won't be completely helpless.
If you like the buell blast you might also want to consider the suzuki sv650, they are the 'honda civic' of the bike world and are very reliable. They will get you up hills easily with that vtwin engine, but they aren't so powerful that they are going to leave you on the pavement while your bike is flying away from you.
Sit on a bunch of bikes and just get the one that 'speaks' to you.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
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Buell and Dual
Ben:
Thanks VERY much for the counsel!
Was thinking of a new Blast, but with that reliability thing going, maybe not a good idea as it could be tough to find a new home when I move up to a bigger hog. (Just kidding...)
The SV650 might fit the bill--not too heavy. Hadn't thought of the DRZ, but it might be a good fit--we do have a lot of gravel roads out here with just as much up and down and twisties as the pavement. I'll go sit on the DRZ (High center of gravity?) and Ninja500 as well as the SRV 500-IF I can ever find dealers that actually STOCK "little" bikes....I'm way less worried about "look" as I am about Fit, and just finding a good, but not over-powered match.
Thanks again!
Glad I could Help!
I'm glad I could help! The Suzuki sv650 actually might have a higher center of gravity than the DRZ if I remember correctly. One thing that I would definitely suggest is to buy used for you first bike, and take someone who knows mechanics when you go to buy it. You will end up saving thousands of dollars compared to buying new, plus you won't have to worry about breaking in the bike which can be a real pain in the ass for the ninja250. Good luck!
Ben
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Ninja 500 V-Twin? Wha?
"I am 90% sure that the kawasaki ninja 500 is powered by a V-twin engine"
The Ninja 500 is a parallel twin, not a v-twin like you said above.
Ninja 250 engine
The baby Ninja is also a parallel twin.
Honda Shadow 600
Good site but let me put my two cents in.
Haven't not ridden a motorcycle for 15 years, and wanting to get back into riding I recently purchased a 2005 Honda Shadow 600. I love this bike. It is so easy to ride and comfortable. I am constantly getting good comments on it, especially from the ladies.
NEW TO THE SCENE
Hey Ben,
First off, I'd like to say that your site is great! I'm 5'6" and really new in the motorcycle scene. I've always been skeptic about getting a bike because everyone tells me that its way too dangerous, but I've always dreamed of cruising in the wind without a care in the world. Very recently I've decided that I am going to just do it and get myself a bike. I though, "heck, I'm only turning 20 in April, I might as well live my life now when I'm young!" I've been doing some research and came accross your site. I'm hooked! There's so much to learn and I can't get enough of it! Anyways, I read your reviews and you seem very enthused about the ninja 250 and hyosung GT250r. After been on this site I'm starting to learn towards the 250cc bikes but I'm still a little worried about the dangers. For a guy like me, 5'6" 140lbs, what bike would fit me best? I want a 500cc or 600cc but they seem too big for me to handle and the 250cc bikes seem like they are dangerous to ride on the free ways with large trucks everywhere here in seattle (not to mention the rain). Is there such thing as a median? maybe a 350cc? haha. The new 2008 ninja 250 looks really nice but I don't know much about it. Also, do you have any information on insurance and financing? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your hard work!
-Q
Great Site INDEED! Im also
Great Site INDEED! Im also turning 20 this year. 500 isn't too much to handle. I thought so at first also when i was lookin around. Great for local and pretty good for highway. Insurance bout 300 or so. Im selling my ninja 500 for 3000. Anyone can email me at edward_lee1234@yahoo.com for more info. I also used this site when i was first buying a bike. My friends told me 600 this and that but this site convinced me to buy a smaller bike. Im glad i did cause the 500 is a lot more forgiving than those super powered bikes. Oh and Ben thanks for the great articles.
Awesome!
I love hearing stories like yours, it what keeps me going! Good luck on the sale, and I'm glad you learned a lot on that 500!
Ben
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Hi Ben First off, great
Hi Ben
First off, great site, very informative for new guys.
I'm looking for a first bike, but I have a couple of questions/issues. I'm 25 years old, don't have my license yet and have no experience whatsoever with motorcycles, not counting a couple of trips on an old scooter that usually ended in the bushes because the steering wheel decided to detach itself from the rest of the thing at which point hilarity ensues. Also I'm 6'5" and 180lb, I have a feeling this somewhat limits my choices in terms of bikes, at least it does with sports cars. The only thing I ever read in reviews is that "bike X can also accomodate smaller drivers" but rarely if ever anything about tall drivers. I prefer a naked bike for now and eventually I'd like to end up owning a sports bike. I live in Belgium, which is a country about the size of your backyard, so even if they might be more suited for tall guys long-distance cruisers or tourers don't have to offer me as much. And neither would a dual sport because I'd have to look really hard to find some semblance of dirt or gravel around here and the highest hill within 50 miles is a speedbump. Next up is the fact that due to our regulations here I'm already allowed to drive any bike with max. 125cc and a performance cap at about 15hp despite not having any training or experience.
And now for the actual questions. Would you suggest I buy a 125cc bike for a while and practice on my own, then go for my license and buy me something faster (500 - 600cc)? Or just take the plunge and immediately go for my license (and receive proper training) and buy a 500cc bike? Small note, in order to get my proper license it's required by law to have a bike with over 50hp (strange, I know). Are there even 125cc bikes that would fit me? I tried sitting on a Honda CBR125 once and I look downright silly on it. And what 500 and 600cc bikes would you suggest that are suitable for a tall guy like me?
Thanks in advance.
Same guy different issue
Hello Mr.Ben,
No one wants to buy my 500r. BooHooooo. Is it safe to buy a bike without looking at it? Because i found a good deal on a zx 6r. ( looks kinda like urs) But the guy said i have to purchase it with this company called "American Shipping Company." Do you know anything about this company? Is it safe? Thank you!!!!!
Wrong Information
Im sorry. That wasn't the company's name. It was ship american. http://www.ship-american.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!
ship american?
I have no idea. I would be wary of any person who wants you to go through a third party in order to buy something, especially if it is a 'great deal'. I personally buy all of my motorcycles used off of craigslist.com
Ben
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Trauma
I think you mean craigslist.org.
ok, im as green as you get when it comes to riding. I am looking in to getting my first bike and after reading ALOT about begginer bikes lately im having a tough time choosing between the baby ninja and the suzuki gs500f.
Is the 500 too much? How much more torque does it really have over the 250r? I am scared of getting a bike having seen about 5 crashes at low speeds and them ending up in horrible injury. Nothing scares me more then that first take off.
Does anyone know if the same bikes are being sold in Israel? I live in NY at the moment and i am planning on moving back home to israel. I was wondering if anyone has a site that sells these bikes there.
I plan on buying a full set of protection gear head to toe :), How much protection does it really give? Road rash looks and sounds extremely painfull, but im more worried about broken bones. Does good gear protect you from broken bones?
I plan on starting to learn in small city areas b4 hitting the highways.
At around age 16 was the first time i sat on a bike. it was a 50cc aprilia and i remember the first time trieng to move from a dead stop and thank god my friend managed to grab me b4 i fell. it scared me for a while and now after 8 years having more feel for a motorized machine i feel comfortable enough to try again.
So, after my lil tiny itsy bitsy trauma on that 50cc im hesitating on getting a bigger bike. That gs500f is a beautiful machine. I fell in love at first sight! Do any of you think it wil be too much for me to handle in a small city?
thank you for ANY advice you can give me. Any building critisism well help and all the people who plan on being nasty in reply:
Get a life! not everyone was born to start off as a pro!
Would you stick your hand in
Would you stick your hand in a box marked snakes without looking first?
People like screwing people like I like screwing woman.
~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick
~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick
Any suggestions?
I'm going to be learning to ride and getting my first bike here pretty soon, and I'm wondering if anyone can give me any suggestions on a good bike to start on. I've checked out the ones that Ben brought up, but I'm about 6'5" - 195 lbs, and can't fit on any of them. I have very long legs, and I'm just too cramped on almost all bikes I've sat on. The only bike I found that I can fit on relatively comfortably under 1000cc's is a Yamaha FZ6. I love the FZ6, however, if anyone can recommend a larger bike that's maybe a 500 or so, I would much rather go the safer route at first. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
Kenneth
sv
Have you tried sitting on the suzuki SV650? That seems to be a pretty tall bike, probably on par with the fz6 but with a more forgiving engine.
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SV650
I'm not completely sure, but I think I did. If I recall correctly it still seemed a little tight for me. Not only that, but I prefer the more upright seating position of the FZ6, instead of the more aggressive forward leaning posture on most other sport bikes. There are also a few more features that I prefer on the FZ6 to the SV650. However, I'll look at it again to be sure, thanks for the suggestion!
Kenneth
GS500F
I am a beginner. I am 6'3" tall and 240 lbs. This bike is very comfortible and easy to drive. It also looks very nice. I would highly recommend.
Help?
Hey, I love this site, it's been so helpful.
I'd hate to add another similar post but here it goes. I'm not a very tall person 5'6"-5'7" and weigh around 170. I'm pretty sure I'll be ok with whichever bike. I have no experience at all on bikes but I did sign up for the class (its not til september :( ) and I want to get something that will not kill me. I've been looking at the Ninja 250s and I want to buy used just in case I end up dropping the bike...but I dont like the look of the bikes (just the 2008).. I'm going to look into the G250T a bit more since it looks fantastic. Would a G550F be just as forgiving as a 250? It looks sporty and I really like it.
The GS550F (is that the same
The GS550F (is that the same as the GS500F?) is going to be more powerful than the 2008 ninja 250, but it is manageable if you are careful. I started on a 2002 GS500, it was a great first bike for me.
Ben
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Sorry
Sorry I meant the G500F, thanks I think I really like the look of that bike and it seems it is sort of a beginner bike.
Ninja 500r
Every link I click on makes me like this site even more. Most everywhere I go has either ego driven opinions or the "I spilled my bike doing 5mph, don't buy one they're death traps" crowd. Infact, funny thing, I whipped out a catalog down at work for Kawasaki and the first thing said was "oh, you're going to get a bike and crash it like me?", *ugh*. This site has a positive tone to it and seems more interested in helping rather than shaming or scaring.
I'll be getting my first bike soon, and have all but decided on the Ninja 500r. I was wondering just how much of an advantage their positive neutral finder is for people who are learning over a non-Kawasaki motorcycle without this? Just how much easier does it make the learning of stops & starts?
Big man, Little Woman
My Girlfriend and I are both considering getting motorcycles this season, however we both have some issues related to size to contend with when selecting our bikes.
I am 5'10" 280#, so my weight will be a factor. I am fairly inexperienced though licensed, I took and passed the MSF course in 2002, but have not ridden since. I am retaking the course in a few weeks for a refresher
She is 4'11" 180# (26.5" inseam) so her height and leg length could be problematic. She has never ridden but is also taking the MSF course in a few weeks.
Most people I have spoken with have recommended a 600-750cc bike for me, saying that a 250 will not be able to deal with my weight. I had been considering a Rebel 250 until I heard this as I do intend on highway riding eventually. I have since been looking for maybe a Kawasaki Vulcan 600 or similar.
My Girlfriend has sat on the Rebel and found that (in sneakers) she could not flat foot it, however when sitting on an older Yamaha Virago 250 she could.
Will her 250 be able to go 65 on the highway without too much struggle?
Given my weight and her height, what bikes would you recommend? Keeping in mind I prefer naked/standard or cruisers and she would prefer a sportbike were there one low enough, else a cruiser or standard/naked.
Thanks so much for any input!
The seat height on the
The seat height on the Yamaha Virago 250 is 27". If you want to check for bikes your girlfriend will be able to stand flat footed with just scan the manufacturer's website for it. Pick the bike you want to check and look at it's specs link. Most or all should have the bikes seat height listed. Will save you from having to go out and physically have her sit on every bike to see if she'll fit it, seat height wise (but then again shopping for bikes is fun). All from the comfort of home!
nice site
hey nice site.... keep up the good job BEN
I am from India, and here in India we have 100cc to 225cc single cylinder commuter bikes available (as of the moment).
I, like many others in this country can only dream of what it feels like to ride a multicylinder bike.
Recently there has been reports of many companies seriously considering bringing high capacity bikes in India (above 250cc)
The point is - after riding a 13bhp single cylinder 150cc machine with the smallest imaginable disk brakes (240mm single caliper), rear drum brakes and 100mm tyres at the rear, for the last 7 years, would it be a good idea to jump on to a 600cc multicylinder bike like the bandit or the sv (which i am hoping suzuki would bring to India within the next 1 year). Or should i try out something like the 250 ninja (I am in love with the sv.... )
Since you guys would know the diff. between 125cc , 250cc and 600+cc... pls tell me if many years of riding around on an underpowered motorcycle (neverthless a motorcycle) would be good enough qualification to graduate to a sv.... or would it be wiser to go up the ladder slowly..
India
I think that you could definitely handle the sv650. I have known riders with no experience get the SV as their first bike, so since you have 7 years of experience I bet you will love it. As long as you have respect for the bike and the power it has then you should be fine.
One thing that I would recommend is wearing the proper gear. California has a helmet law so everyone riding a motorcycle has to wear one, I'm not sure if India has the same thing. If not, I would recommend buying some motorcycle gear when you get the sv650. Full face helmet, jacket and gloves at least. While a 125cc bike might not get you to 100mph (160kph) the SV will no problem, and crashing at that speed with no gear would be very, very bad.
:)
Ben
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Helmets
Nice to hear that from you ben.... meanwhile...the wait for "proper" motorcycles continue.....
Yup even we have such laws here... but hardly anyone wears even a helmet...
and yup... a crash at even 60kmph (38 mph) can be lethal as i found out... thrice... :(
(thankfylly i had a helmet; jacket - not the riding type; and gloves).. looking forward to get a riding boots and mesh jacket.....
Sadly only a few people understand the concept of biking... many see powerfull bikes as a fashion accessory and ride around the cities (on R1's and hayabusas - no less) without even a helmet..... pity.
but things are changing.... for the better.....
ciao
fashion
Haha, its the same way around here, it seems like people treat motorcycles like the latest cool jeans or something. I used to think more that way, but now I feel a lot differently about motorcycles. My motorcycle is getting a lot uglier, but a lot more functional with some of the addons I made like the Givi Toprack. Hehe :) Not so much a fashion accessory anymore!
Ben
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What bike should I get.
I am a new rider thats taking the bike safety course. I was leaning towards the new ninja 250r cuz I have no clue what I am doing. My friends told me to wait and take the class because they use 250's. And then they said get a bigger bike because I will get bored with the 250 they said get a zzr 600 or a 636. I am using it just for commuting to work and for pleasure but possibly using it for some 2-4 hour road trips sometimes muti-state trips but those will be few and far between. Whats you take on this. And yes I am trying NOT to KILL MYSELF!!
add on to above( What bike should I get)
I am also on a limited budget and My girlfriend wants to ride on the bike aswell she is like 105lbs. do u think the 250 will work out?
Thinking about a bike
So i'm considering buying a bike cuz they seem like fun and it'd be a lot easier on the wallet, if i did get one i would use it for freeway a lot, I'm worried a 250 would be reving to high, should I go up to like a 400 or 500cc instead? Any other good sites for buying a used bike, i;m looking for one kinda cheap
Think I bought the wrong first bike... change in mind
Hello from Cornwall England and congratulations on your great site.
I passed my bike test 3 years ago and bought a bike straight away a 1998 Yamaha xvs650 Dragstar: I Believe its badged in the states as the V Star. I loked the look and being only 5'6" tall the height seemed to make it a good choice. Work commitments have since taking my test given me little chance to ride, so i would still think of myself as an inexperienced rider. Circumstances have now changed and I want to get back on a bike again. I've kept the Dragstar maintained and started regularly over the time I've owned it but I do feel I lack confidence in riding it. Forward controls don't really suit me. it has a very wide tuning circle and as such I'm now considering changing it. I've looked at a Kawasaki ZR 750 Zephyr: 1998 model and love its retro looks.. and I can do a straight swap. The seat height is comfortable and the weight is distinctly low down. Its not a bike with sports performance, but I'm just concerned after reading tips on this and other sites that its too big for a novice rider. I took lessons on a GS500 and a Kawa ER5 (rider school bikes) and never rode between lessons as i never owned a bike: not sure how they compare to the 750. My plan would be to take a 1 day refresher training course to address any skill needs. Is my plan a good one?
Thanks in advance
Wayne
Kawasaki 125
Last time I went to the Kawasaki dealership, they had a nice-looking 125 bike also. I am wondering about the insurance on these sporty ones you have featured here. I had a hard time finding a company that didn't charge me "crotch rocket" insurance rates for my Buell Blast. I finally got a decent rate, but it is still twice what I'd be paying for a Honda Rebel or Yamaha Virago.
YZF600R Thundercat
Had to post this just to see what you think.
I bought a Yamaha 1998 yzf600r thundercat as my first bike having had limited experience on dirtbikes.
Took an MSf course on the bike and took it really easy for the first 2 months (never went WOT until then). I eventually sold the bike after a good year with it, but not because i grew out of it.
Here's my thing:
If youre looking for a starter-ish bike (familiar with manual tranny, clutch/ throttle controls of a bike) and are MATURE in how you treat it i can honestly say that i highly recommend this bike. It's a bit heavier so it settles down nicely on the highway, and cornering is downright beautiful on this ride. It's relatively inexpensive to get used, and - what probably affected me most - is the mature and amazing online forum community that will help you with any and everything you need. (yzf600r.com)
Interested to see what you think, but for someone with basic moto knowledge who'se mature enough to take it really slow off the bat, i think this is a great bike that allows you to grow into it and you wont ever grow out of it (for most ppls needs)
Still on my L's!!
Hey there, so glad I found a site where I could ask random questions about beginner bikes.. :D Such a great idea!!
Anyway, I'm from Australia and I got my L plates about 2 months ago, bought a bike for me and my partner to share (2003 Yamaha Virago 250) after braving the local streets slowly, I finally managed to start riding to work every day (about 45 min drive through peak hour traffic), now I'm finding myself itching to get another bike (so we won't fight over the bike heehee) but I want something slightly bigger than the Virago, but it has to be a 250CC - as that's the maximum we're allowed to ride here while on our L plates and P plates (looking at about 15 months all up on a 250CC).
I really love the cruisers, what bike would you recommend getting which is slightly bigger than the Virago (size wise, not engine wise obviously). I'm 5'6 and I weigh about 55 kgs (121 lbs).
I like the look of the Suzuki Intruder and also the Kawasaki Eliminator, but haven't had the opportunity to ride either of them to know how they handle, just after something which is still light weight and easy to control and ride around on :)
Cheers
Leanne
Oh and to add..
I do love our little Virago 250, so anyone who is considering getting one, especially women, I'd say definately! It's a great little bike! I just want one of my own ;)
New Rider
So I wish I found your site about a month earlier I bought a 1200 Harley Nightster 2008 its been the shop for 3 weeks and 700 in repairs after dumping it at about 30 during a panic stop as a kids ball bounced in to the street I grabbed a hand full of throttle with the brake and then dumped the clutch and took off the skin on my left hand because I was not conferable in my gloves so I didn't where them I know the bike is too big for me and I am still going to learn to ride I have a coarse set up next week there providing 250 cc training bikes
I live south of Seattle and I am looking for some good summer riding schools a week or 2 week coarse where you can really get to know your bike.
Any ideas?
Hyosung GV250 cruiser?
I'd love to see a review of Hyosung's Aquila 250cc cruiser. I'm able to get a new one of those out the door for less than Honda Rebel, and I think they look a lot better.
I've looked online and most of the reviews are several years old, including some where the cruisers were still Alphasports.
Cordially,
BronzeDragon
Pittsburgh, PA
After my Safty class
I had a really grate experience at ever green safety council New Rider school. I took the 2 day class I would recommend the 3 day though. The 2 day was a bit rushed but, the did take enough time to improve my skills and confidence. That being said after com pleating the school. They do bring you down to earth quickly by letting you know the passing your license test with them means you are now able to ride on a closed course under supervision. They said it beater and it did humble me I went out the fallowing Wednesday and I successfully worked though traffic to some side road's. I still had some trouble spots at some stop signs but most drivers were patient and those that were not a I pulled over for. What I'm saying here is take a safety school if your in the Seattle area go with ever green safety council. They made it fun to learn most of there training bikes are 250cc. Better to fall on there's than yours unfortunately for me I went down on mine before I took the cores. Good luck to all of the riders out there.
Find a riding buddy to help you learn even after you take a class. I lucked out and one of my neighbors also had the same model bike as me. He was looking for an excuse to go out and ride. We just got back from a 35mi ride. We hit all the check marks of a good learners ride. Every thing from simple back road's to rode construction to Hwy speeds.
Which Bike
I went to 2 different dealers for a motorcycle it almost sounded as if they talked in code. I have never riden one but will b taken a class next week. The options given to me were the suzuki GS500F, GSX650F, AND KAWASAKI ZZR600, AND 650R WHICH DO I CHOOSE FOR A NEW RIDER SUCH AS MYSELF. I DID SIT ON THE KAWASAKI ZZR600 AND IT WAS COMFORTABLE
If you're a complete newb,
If you're a complete newb, keep the gs500f and the 650r on your list. Forget about the gsx650f and the zzr600. Feel free to add the sv650 on your list though... and the ninja 250r as well. ^_^
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Hyosung GT 250R for a noob
I think the Hyosung GT 250R would be great for a complete newbie because it's lighter and less powerful which will minimize the risk from being inexperienced. I like the Ninja 250 too but it's more expensive and the looks of the Hyosung are better.
Choosing motorcycle insurance rates
Semi-Newbie Bike
Hello, Thanks for all this info.
I am wondering what would be the best bike for a first road/sport bike for someone who has ridden dirt bikes for years, raced them, and is well versed in manual bike controls. I also drive a manual car (like that matters haha, but I hear people try to use it as experience :) ). I know all the warnings about first timers buying 600 supersports and making dumb decisions, and hurting themselves or others.
Unfortunately, I love them! I have wanted a sportbike since I was 14 (I'm 21 now) and now I am about to move to Berkeley so I am looking at bikes YET again.
I love the CBR600RR, and all the other 600's as well. Everyone I talk to says not for beginners etc, but that is usually meant for people with very little to no motorcycle experience. I have looked at the SV650S, the Ninja 250, and the GS500F bikes and the only one that is close in what I want in a bike, looks wise, is the SV. It may sound lame but these bike are an artistic statement, and part of what you pay for is how badass they look, for which I love supersports. :) I also love bikes like the HD VRSCA, Buell bikes, etc. (basically bikes that have a road look to them that are still BA)
SO, with my dirtbike background, moderate racing background in go carts, cars and dirtbikes, and having done 140 in plenty of cars, do you think I could handle a CBR600RR? (I know the experience are different...) I obviously would respect the hell out of it and take it very very slowly to learn it. I am worried that if i got a weaker bike I would just be disappointed and end up buying one anyway.
Any suggestions?? I really can't decide. I have a healthy fear of buying too powerful a bike, but I love them too much to ignore them :)
Well the CBR600RR is tuned
Well the CBR600RR is tuned more for track riding than street riding. The SV650S is tuned for street. Depends on what you want to do. Tuning either for the opposite isn't a big deal though, but the SV650S is a much more forgiving bike than a CBR600RR. If you want the complete sports bike look, take a peek at the 2008 sv650sf which replaces the sv650s from 2007 and earlier. It now come with the complete fairing set...
Pics of my 2007 sv650s after getting the lower fairings, racing sliders, a two bros. slip on. A 2008 sv650sf would basically look like this, minus the slip on exhaust can.
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v291/224/88/681678776/n68...
And pics after changing the windscreen and eliminating the fender/mudflap.
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v291/224/88/681678776/n68...
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v291/224/88/681678776/n68...
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v291/224/88/681678776/n68...
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v291/224/88/681678776/n68...
But I'm pretty biased for the sv650 line of bikes... ^_^
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Well....
It is no CBR600RR.. ;) but that is a very nice lookin bike. The SV does seem to be the best compromise. How is it on fuel? Part of the plus in bikes is the great gas mileage, but the high strung bikes get the worst gas mileage.
I will explore the SV's some more, they look good with half or full fairings..
how would you tune a CBR for the street? suspension changes?
Can't complain about the
Can't complain about the fuel. I get 50 - 55 mpg, or roughly 200 miles to a full tank.
Suspension change is one way. Another is the stock tires. IIRC, the CBR's come stock with sport street (mebbe even sport race) tires, the SVs come with sport touring tires. I recently had to get new tires due to a nail and ended up with a sport street tire. The stock sport touring tires on the sv650 lines suck, imo. Really happy so far with these: http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotpower
Much better grip and they warm up faster than other tires and the stock tires. The sv650 is known for coming with soft suspension so a lot of people end up dropping in gsx-r forks and suspension for a less forgiving but more racing feel ride.
Edit: also remember, they're 2 different bikes. The CBRs have a lot of horsepower and umpff. The sv650 won't do 0 - 60 in under 3 seconds, yada yada yada...
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Good to know
That is good to keep in mind. So basically you can, sort of, soften a CBR or harden an SV to get that balance. Good to know.
The only thing that makes me hesitant about the SV is that for a new 650SF model it is 7,000. For a few grand more is the CBR.... Either way, I want to buy a Used bike irregardless. Less concern about dropping, and cheaper overall. So my only option is a SV650S or a CBR600RR that is a couple years old. IDK what prices run on a couple years old SV... If they are enough cheaper than an CBR then that might sway me...
Ultimately, I am looking for a commuter and fun bike. So more forgiving, cheaper, and better MPG are all plusses for the SV. Do you know much about street fighter bikes (idk if that's their proper name). Bikes along the lines of a Buell Lightening, an urban type bike that has a higher handle bar set up, etc.? Any bikes you would suggest like that?
oh and side not, the suzuki B King looks nuts!! so awesome, but a stupidly huge engine.
thanks for all your advice!
My understanding of street
My understanding of street fighter bikes is that they're unfaired and have a more upright sitting position. I don't know much about them really though as I've always loved the way crotch rockets looked, so that's all i ever researched up on.
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Streetfighter SV650
I have a 2000 SV650. My first bike. I've done some work to it to make it my own... I consider it to be a "streetfighter". Here are some pics:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v399/DirtClodimus/SV650/With%20Mods/
I think the naked sport bike look is a love/hate sort of thing. I originally was not nuts on the look... then, the more I looked at them, I grew to love them and ended up buying one.
As for the SV650 in general, I couldn't be happier. It's been a great bike to learn on, although, still powerful enough to ride for a very long time into your riding career... if not forever. The CBR600RR's are obviously great bikes... but I would say not for beginners. That is a lot of power for an unexperienced rider on the street. If you like the idea of a streetfighter and like Hondas, they make the CBR599, which a buddy of mine has. Great bike as well.
And of course, gear up... regardless of what bike you get. You can always replace your bike, but your body is a different story. ATGATT ftw :)
Looking to buy first bike
Hey, I am a complete newbie to the motorcycle world, and am getting amped about taking my beginners training in about a month or so. I have been doing some quite extensive research as far as what to get when I get my permit and license. I think I have read enough articles to understand that a 250cc is the smartest way to go for me, regardless of what my friends and coworkers say. After researching for countless days trying to find the right bike as my first, I have narrowed my search down to the following, and I am open to any and all opinions and suggestions on these bikes.
Alpha Sports CV250 Aquila
Johnny Pag Raptor 300
Vento V-thunder 250
Roketa MC-51 250
Kymco Venox 250
Thanks for any insight you may have and please....be kind -)
Sorry, I know nothing about
Sorry, I know nothing about these bikes. Hopefully, someone does though. What kind of riding you planning on doing and what class of bike are you leaning towards?
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
---
AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
First bike
Mainly recreational, weekend rides sort of thing. I am leaning towards a Cruiser as I understand they are the best to learn on.
Roxx
Roxx
New rider - what should I buy
Hi.
I have been thinking of getting into a bike for quite some time now. I have ridden mopeds and scooters and have ridden as a passenger many times on a 'regular" bike. I am planning on taking the rider's course and getting my bike license before actually making a purchase.
I have been to my local Harley dealer and have sat on the Sportsters (found them a bit too small for me) and on the Softail as well (felt good but was not completely comfortable with it - beginner rider, I guess). I have also looked at the Yamaha Raider and love how it looks.
what bike would you recommend? I don't want to spend money on a bike that I will outgrow in a few months.
SV650sf
2008 Suzuki SV650sf (abs)
Does anyone know anything about this bike, personal experience or word of mouth? Would it be a good bike for a semi-beginner or too much?
Royal Enfield
Hi-
I am a middle age guy who hasn't ridden since I had a little Yamaha in HS. I like retro and I like to tinker with machinery. Would a Royal Enfield 500 Bullet be a good commuter bike for me? I saw one the other day and the look and sound really caught my attention. My other thought was one of the 250 cruisers from Japan.
Thanks and I really like your site.
Jim