- This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by Clay Dowling.
34 and Determined to finally ride on two wheels!
-
AuthorPosts
-
January 26, 2009 at 4:19 am #2495JakeInFlaParticipant
Having done years of online research, comparisons, read reviews, talked to veterans, I always ended up putting owning and riding a bike on the back burner to bills and other ventures. I’m ready to ride and preparing to find the best “first bike” for me, taking into account safety, responsibility, and aesthetics. Not necessarily in that order, hence the conundrum wrapped in an enigma.
I’ve recently re-entered the search for an affordable, attractive first ride, paying attention to a newbie’s learning curve, and ensuring I don’t feel like a “bear on a circus bike”. At 5″10″, 250 pounds, I find myself, like most new riders, waivering between a safer, logical low CC learner bike and the 600CC sport touring versions. I’ve ruled out any Super Sport models, as a blip of the throttle would likely end me, painfully I might add.
I’ve got the search narrowed down to a 2006 Yamaha YZF 600R recently posted by a local bike shop for sale and a newly aquired trade in 08 Ninja 250R.
I’ve read all four parts of the fantastic review on the 250 here, and it is this damn review that has my one sided mind back to neutral, unsure of which way to go. I’m signing up for the MSF course here in Fort Lauderdale soon, but my goal is to purchase the bike first to get a feel for her on the side roads, and then hit the course with some basic muscle memory. Is there such a thing as a temporary endorsement on your license for learning purposes btw?
The Yamaha 600R I found. Price: $4999.00 (Heavier bike, more high end power)
The 08 Ninja 250R I found – Price $3699.00 (More affordable, better learning curve)
After reading the reviews, and pondering the learning curve, I’m leaning towards the Ninja. Hot looking bike, very forgiving for a noob like me, and given it will not be my primary transportation, the fun factor minus the worry of riding an overpowering, scary bike in daily rush hour traffic may make the learning transition a safer and more enjoyable one. So it’s back to square one on which bike to buy. Sigh…
My only reservation on the 250 is its size, my weight, the highway romps seeming to be next to impossible on the Ninja 250R. Given South Florida traffic and the chaotic, distracted, speed demon drivers can be frustratingly unpredictable, perhaps a higher power band at the top end is prudent? Or maybe not. I honestly don’t know which way to go. Other than that, I enjoyed the articles on this site, and appreciate the information.
Thoughts?
Thanks much,
~J.
January 26, 2009 at 6:23 am #16018eonParticipantI would say go with the Ninja (oh I so wanted one of them 6 months ago). For all the reasons you mentioned plus
– you will get most (if not all) of your money back if you decide to upgrade later
– with this economy the price of those 600R’s is not going up anytime soonI don’t know much (ok, anything) about the 600R so cannot comment on how beginner friendly that is but I think you are making a mistake about riding before your course. At least your reasons for it. The course is designed for beginners. I had never sat on a bike before the course and I passed. By teaching yourself beforehand you run the risk of
a) crashing your bike
b) learning yourself bad habitsI honestly think you would do more harm than good by learning beforehand. Plenty of time to build up those muscle habits afterward.
January 27, 2009 at 2:38 am #16046kirkParticipantTake the course first. I too had no expierence on a bike. I figured I could learn on my own but that took me down the path of infernal pain. Suffice it to say I crashed twice before enrolling in the MSF course. I’ve been riding for about two years and loving every minute of it.
Go with the Yamaha. You and I are about the same size. I’m 5’11” and 224. My first bike was the Suzuki GS500F. Great bike, comfortable, affordable, and perfect for tooling about. The Yamaha seems similer to what I had and it was a great beginers bike. Good luck to youJanuary 27, 2009 at 3:42 am #16049JakeInFlaParticipantTruly appreciate all the advice guys. I’ll be signing up and taking the MSF course prior to coming home with a ride. Odds are I’ll shoot for the Ninja. Good looking and forgiving, and from the reviews I’ve read here and elsewhere added to the Youtube videos I’m hooked on, LOL, I’ll be enjoying the ride and then some.
Thanks again guys.
~J.
March 20, 2009 at 2:19 pm #17184scottrngrParticipantMaybe you won’t “outgrow” the Ninja, but after your first year, you will get the itch for something bigger, and for freeway riding, you will probably want the bigger bike. I don’t have a sportbike, but a cruiser, and after 1 season, am looking to move up. Also, if you have buddies who ride, you’ll want to be able to keep up with them on longer trips etc. When I took the MSF course, I said I had a 250, and the instructor said I’d want a bigger bike pretty soon. I said, no I just want to ride to work to save gas and that’s it. Turns out he was right. I guess that’s why he was the teacher.
March 20, 2009 at 3:19 pm #17188Clay DowlingParticipantScottrngr is clearly a mortician trying to drive up business. A 600cc inline 4 sport bike is definitely not for the new rider.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.