[eternal05]

Hey guys,

As promised in this other thread, I’m putting together a spec sheet for all of the recommended and borderline beginner bikes we tend to discuss. I want to make sure I get them all, so I’d like you guys to suggest ones I might have missed.

Here’s my list so far (I’ve only bothered with current models):

NOTE: LIST UPDATED AS SUGGESTIONS COME IN!

+ Kawasaki
– KLX 250S
– Ninja 250R
– Ninja 500R
– Ninja 650R
– Vulcan 500
– ER-6n
– Versys
– KLR650

+ Suzuki
– GZ250
– TU250X
– DZ-R400SM
– GS500F
– DR650SE
– GSX650F
– Boulevard S40
– SV650
– V-Strom 650
– Gladius

+ Honda
– Rebel
– XR650L
– CRF230L

+ Yamaha
– TW200
– WR250X/R
– V-Star 250
– V-Star Custom/Classic/Silverado
– FZ6R
– XJ6 / Diversion

+ Buell
– Blast

+ Hyosung
– GV250
– GT250R
– GT650R

+ Aprilia
– RS125
– Pegaso 650

+ Ducati
– Monster 696

+ Triumph
– Bonneville
– Scrambler
– Thruxton

Again, I know some of these are pushing it, but we get A LOT of questions about them.

Any others you guys would suggest?

[briderdt]

…you might as well include the Hyosung 650’s as well. Similar V-twin 650’s.

[eon]

You might want to put this on sliding scale of some sort. Otherwise it looks like the Ducati 696 is as friendly as Honda Rebel (how did the Ducati get in there anywany? did we really recommend that as a beginner bike?)

[eternal05]

No, the Ducati is not a recommended beginner bike, but then again, neither is the SV really. I wanted to get the specs for all of the bikes we (or I) typically get asked about, then lay them all out next to each other. The specs will speak for themselves. It will also be much easier to be like, “no you freakin’ squid, the Monster is NOT a good beginner bike, and here’s why…”

[LanceD]

Going by the “brightline” you mentioned in the other thread “power/weight ratio”… and me being a Triumph fan:

Speedmaster (cruiser):
HP: 61
Torque: 55
P/W ratio: 0.12

America (cruiser):
HP: 54
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.11

Bonneville (New Bonneville, Bonnie SE, T100) (standard — classic):
HP: 67
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.15

Scrambler (standard / light dual purpose):
HP: 59
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.13

Thruxton (cafe):
HP: 69
Torque: 52
P/W ratio: 0.15

[Dagger]

Yamaha V-Star 650

[eternal05]

You’re right. I completely missed the “Star” portion of the Yamaha site, so add in:

V-Star 250
V-Star Custom/Classic/Silverado (all 650cc)

[eternal05]

They’re all borderline on account of torque (more than an R6) and a bit because of weight. There are a couple of others, however, that are very similar stat-wise, so I’ll keep them in the comparison.

[eternal05]

Added.

[TempleU]

Yamaha xj600s

[eternal05]

It’s being taken up again (so far only in Europe as far as I can tell) under the model line “XJ6.” I’ll add it in for the hell of it.

[bigguybbr]

I know the XJ6-Diversion is just a naked Fz6R with a banana seat and ABS, same specs.

Also don’t forget the Yami Tw200. Great beginner bike that lots of people will jump on durring the BRC

[Kellisanth]

For some folks…

For me, that was a bit too high to try and mount…. 😮

But it sure looked fun for those tall folks who rode them.

[bigguybbr]

For some folks… For me, it was the only thing big enough for me to ride!!!

[eternal05]

See list above.

[Author]

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