- This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 8 months ago by CBBaron.
500 or 250
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 8, 2010 at 5:57 pm #4093Spiffy P. McgeeParticipant
Which size would you generally recommend for a beginner?
August 8, 2010 at 6:25 pm #27994AParticipantDepending on the rider’s stature; environment & traffic pattern of the beginner rider’s location, more importantly, what does the rider want?
August 8, 2010 at 7:53 pm #27991Spiffy P. McgeeParticipantI want a bike that’ll get me to and from college. This doesn’t entail any highway riding, but it does include some time on a large ugly busy road. I’m wondering which would be better to learn on. I’ve read here that smaller bikes are easier to learn on and that they encourage mastery of riding skills more so than larger bikes. I suppose I’d like to know how different learning on a 500 would be as opposed to a 250.
August 9, 2010 at 12:24 am #27997CBBaronParticipantI am guessing you are referring to the Ninja 250R and 500R. Those two bikes are recommended here probably more than any other.
I don’t have any experience with the 500R but ride an ’06 250R. The 500 is somewhat heavier and considerably more powerful but does not seem to be much larger.
If you were confident and comfortable with the motorcycles by the end of your safety course then I would not think there would be any problem with the 500R. If you were of smaller stature and/or did not have much confidence with the bikes in the safety course then the 250R would be more forgiving and inspire more confidence.
Either bike is very capable on the highway. I have done many highway and other busy roads with my Ninja 250R and not felt that I needed more power. I would say acceleration is atleast as good with the bike as a with a good car. It won’t out run sports cars or other vehicles with premium engines but does a good job with normal traffic.
Ofcourse the Ninja 250 has more power than most 250cc machines. Rebels, GZ250 and similar machines are great for learning on and are capable of miles but I would not feel comfortable on busy freeways with them.
Also remember your first bike will probably not be your last. If you buy a small used bike you can usually sell it for little loss if you decide you need something different. My Ninja was only $1600 last year so even if it didn’t work for me I felt it was a small investment for the chance to ride.Craig
August 9, 2010 at 12:56 am #27998Spiffy P. McgeeParticipantIs the Ninja 250 hands down the best starter bike out there?
August 9, 2010 at 1:33 am #27999AParticipantIMO, if you’re over 6’4″ or 230 lb., Ninja 250 would probably be too small for you.
August 9, 2010 at 2:25 am #28000madjak30ParticipantI think the best starter bike is a dual sport…light, easy handling, good sight lines, torque lower in rpms, go anywhere, have a blast doing it…but they are not for everyone (tend to have a high seat)…the Ninja is probably the best “sporty” starter bike (if you aren’t “super sized”…like me, although I know a couple of heavy guys that ride them and think they are great for every size)…Honda Rebel and other 250cc cruisers are popular starters (I think 250cc is pretty small for a cruiser unless you are only riding on city streets, 650cc is probably a better size for a starter on a cruiser to give you access to the hiway)
It all depends on how you are going to use the bike, the style that you like and what size catagory you fit into…
The lighter the bike, the easier it is to learn the skills needed…but if you are going to be hitting the hiway, you will want something with some weight to it…
Good Luck!!
August 9, 2010 at 3:01 pm #28006CBBaronParticipantThere is no “best” starter bike. It depends on many factors.
The Ninja is a good starter because it is still light weight and reasonably powered making it easy to learn, but also provides better performance than other 250cc bikes to provide more margin on freeways and keeps interest longer for some. However small standards and dual-sports are probably easier to learn on and easier to ride. Small cruisers will have the lowest seat heights if you have a short inseam. And the Ninja can be cramped for very tall riders (weight is not really an issue, though suspension upgrades are a good suggestion for the more gravity challenged ). Plus the nice plastic on the Ninja is easily damaged in a drop, and quite expensive to replace.
So if you are tall, a DRZ-400SM or WR250X would be great choice. Short riders may be better suited with a Rebel or GZ250 for a first bike. The TU250X with fuel injection, light weight and standard riding position is probably the best choice for many.
Craig
August 11, 2010 at 6:52 am #28024carloscorreaParticipantMy search has narrowed to 4 picks!
the Kawasaki KLX 250 SF
Yamaha WR250X
Suzuki DR-Z400 SM
Suzuki GS500FWhich one would you pick?
Based on the previous circumstances? (beginner, 30 miles daily on highway)August 11, 2010 at 11:03 am #28026Jeff in KentuckyParticipantAll 4 are good bikes. The 500cc Suzuki looks more like a sportbike, but the air cooled engine is a negative for some. The Suzuki DR-Z400 SM is more comfortable on the highway than the 250s, but the 250s are lighter and better on city streets.
Read everything you can find about them. Get a sales person to hold each of these bikes up for you, so you can put both feet on the footpegs, and sit on them for about 20 minutes each. After a while, one will seem a better fit for you than the others.
August 11, 2010 at 12:36 pm #28027CBBaronParticipantMy choice would be the WR250X.
It is the only fuel injected bike. Has nearly the same power as the DRZ but a wider range 6-speed transmission which is helpful on the highway. It is very light and seems to have the best suspension of the list. If it matters this bike should also get better gas mileage than the bikes with larger engines. This is the bike currently at the top of my list for when I decide to buy a new bike.However all this comes with the highest MSRP (about the same as the DRZ) and it is a recent model introduction (’08) so the used market is limited.
You are likely to find some good used deals on the GS500F and the feel of the bike will be very different. Go to a few dealers and sit on the bikes. Get a friend or sales guy to hold them up so you can get both feet on the pegs. This might sway you one way or the other.
I think any of those listed are a good choice.
Craig
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.