[jmayer]

Hola Amigos!

I am a brand new rider (just completed my MSF course last Sunday). I haven’t even received whatever it is they are sending me in the mail yet. I just know that I must take that to the DMV and take the written exam to get my license. The first time I was ever on a bike was for this course, so I’m very green. I don’t know anyone well enough to borrow their bikes to practice (like they would let a beginner toy around with it anyway). I figured if I want to continue practicing and not have the M1 endorsement just for funsies, I would have to purchase a motorcycle for myself (used of course, I have not learned NOTHING from these forums)!

The first bike I learned about was the Honda Nighthawk 250. And then the Honda Rebel 250, but the Nighthawk is slightly more rare and thus increases my interest for that reason alone. I have been reading a bunch of “what is the best beginner motorcycle?” topics and I usually hear about the same 5-6 cycles overall. But I always revert back to the Nighthawk/Rebel. Let me give you some of my stats first:

I am 24 (about to be 25 in a few weeks, HELLOOO lower insurance!) 6’1″, 180…so i’m fairly tall and lean. I have no idea what kind of bike I rode at the MSF, but I think it was some sort of Suzuki cruiser/standard.

Looking at me, I would probably fit into the crotch rocket crowd, but a) I don’t want to die and b) I just REALLY like the look of the basic, naked, standard motorcyles (especially the 1970’s standards).

I know this question has been repeated into oblivion, but based on my stats and the style I like, could I get some recommendations on a good used bike for me?

<$3,000
standard
used (maybe 1970’s…but I’m not good with fixing things so maybe this is not such a good idea)
250cc-450cc (i don’t want to fly)

I don’t know anyone who rides, so I’m relying on you guys (and girls…are there girls here?)

Thanks!

[JackTrade]

Congrats on getting your license and welcome.

Re what you wants/stats/experience, you’re almost exactly the same as me. I too love the old-school standard look.

Check out the Buell P3 Blast: 500cc, classic ’70s style sport-standard looks, a decent beginner bike that is super-easy to maintain and CHEAP used. That’s what I got, and 1000 miles later, I’d do it all over again if I had to. Plenty of power for a beginner, and they handle almost telepathically.

Only issues are it’ll be a little cramped for someone your height (but liveable, and no more than a 250 Ninja would be), and the bike is a little (hell, a lot) primitive compared to the competition (but you don’t keep these things forever…they’re just starters).

And I have to say, I too love the look of the 250 Nighthawks….retro and futuristic all at once. Wish Honda would make them in a 650 variant (and of course with disc brakes, not the drums the 250 has).

[jmayer]

Thanks Jack! That Buell in the picture kinda looks to me like a 50/50 cross of a standard and a sport bike.
Good for us indecisive types!

[owlie]

Honestly, if you are looking for something used, you are limited by what is available. That is going to net you primarily blasts, ninjas, and rebels.

My suggestion would be to go to all of the local dealerships and sit on their bikes to see what you like and then start watching the ads. That way when you see something you are already familiar with you can snap it up.

Also, the word on the street is that the best time to get a good deal on a used bike is around the holidays, into January.

[JackTrade]

Definite sit on as many as you can before you buy. Since you live in SOCal, I’m betting the “winter discount” strategy doesn’t work as well with dealers as it does for us on the other coast (I’m hoping to execute it myself this winter on a new bike), but the holidays are the holidays, so I’m sure there will be people looking to unload a bike quickly for end-of-the-year cash. That’s how I got my Buell. Sure, had to trailer it home in a snowstorm, but that built character.

Another one to consider is a Suzuki GS500. They’re a pretty common beginner bike, and the ones previous to 2004 (is that right, everyone?) didn’t have a fairing, so they’re traditional standards:

The post 2004 models are the same bike, just with a sportbike fairing….they’re standards that look like sportbikes.

[Bob Harley]

I pass MSF in April. Sit on as many bikes as you can, and keep your options open. You may find yourself looking at a bike that you didn’t think you’d like. I just finished my thoughts on hunting for a bike.

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum/3177/my-search-my-first-bike-part-1

I have the luxury of riding my wife’s Suzuki S40. It’s actually a nice bike. I want something sporty, but learning on this bike has been a good experience so far.

[davegs]

I was working at a drug rehab program in los angeles and met some guys who rode but ended up getting addicted and losing their bikes jobs nearly their lives. All they live for now is to get clean and start riding again.

[IBA270]

There a lot of good bikes out for starters. One of my favorites is the Nighthawk 750 by Honda. Some others have pointed out some great bikes as well, such as the GS500. I’d shy away from 250’s for several reasons, but the main reason is that for a person your size, you’ll need a bike that can move your mass a little more effectly. That’s why I like the Nighthawk; nice torque without being overly horsepower packed and peaky.

A word of caution on shopping cc’s; displacement doesn’t neccesarily tell the whole story on how powerful a motorcycle is. For instance, I’d NEVER reccomend to you to get on a 450 Motard, despite the fact that it’s “only” a 450. A 650 Ninja, SV650 Suzuki or M620 Ducati are all reasonable motorcycles for beginners with air/oil cooled motors with ~60 hp. On the other hand, the FZ6 or any faired water cooled multi-valved 600 would not be what I might reccomend as these have ~100hp and more and CAN BE a little more challenging to learn on.

$3K is a nice price point!

Ride safe!

Ironbutt 270

[Ixecapade]

Hi and welcome I got nothing for height issues (we dealt with short as the roomie is a solid 5’5″- I’m 5’8″ though so pretty average) but listen to all the good advice here! I’ll happily repeat sit on as many bikes as possible. Since your in SoCal you can probably wait just a tad longer seeing as they struggle more in the spring with ice/rain issues than in january…. but start looking and look and sit as many bikes as possible.

I am starting on a 600 CBR and its a big bike even though people say its ‘only’ a 600… its got ass and I have a tremendous amount of respect for it and even 2 months later I’m still very comitted and dedicated to my parking lot practice so I learn as much as possile about her and me… its not easy and most poeople won’t bother to spend the time doing that and especially here they won’t recommend a bike that bike at all for a first bike but I have super limited resources and I weight my options and I have a good friend who I ride with and we keep each other in check to make sure we ride as close to our skill level so thats what I went with but i can tell you a 600 sport is NOT easy to learn on so make sure you are COMPLETELY honest about what kind of person you are and if you are willing to do that.

And yes there are girls here- at least 4 that I’ve figured. bikes aren’t for boys only.

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