[missionsminded07]

I live in the SF Bay Area, and commute about 50 miles everyday for school and work. ive been lookig at getting a bike for a while now, and now i finally have the means to do it, and i have some questions.

I’m a big dude, about 6 feet and 275 lbs. would a 250 be too small for me? I do have to go onto the freeway for my commute.

I need some good gear, but relatively cheap as well. I’m hoping to spend no more that $750 for gear. that includes helmet jacket gloves and pants. I’m a college student and money’s pretty tight, thats why im getting a bike

any thoughts?

[eternal05]

First, a Ninja250 is not too small for you weight-wise, but may be a tad small for you height wise. The only way to know is to go to a Kawi dealer and sit on one. Be sure to have a buddy or a sales rep hold the bike upright for you so you can get both feet on the pegs and check the real riding position.

$750 is definitely enough for what you want. I’d suggest HJC as a helmet manufacturer. they make a lot of affordable helmet models. I would also suggest that you invest in a pair of riding boots. Statistically, injuries get less and less common as you go up the body, even if they get more severe (i.e. the most common injuries happen to feet and ankles, the least common to heads). A pair of boots can protect you from rolling your ankle, breaking your foot if you drop your bike, or losing your foot in a bad crash. I’d really try to make it work. The other gear you mention is a must as well.

Be sure to check these out:

How to survive with no car and only a motorcycle
Are motorcycles cheaper than cars?

Welcome to the site, and good luck beginning your motorcycle career. Be safe!

[JackTrade]

Assuming you want a sportbike, I’d say check out the Ninja 500. Given your size, that extra hp/torque could make all the difference, esp. for getting up to speed on the highway. Nearly as ridable as the 250, so decent for a beginner (maybe more so, as you don’t need to rev it as much to generate power).

Agree on HJC helmets (that’s what I have…see my avatar..it’s a CL-15). Good, if not great, quality, a reasonable amount of features, but both DOT and Snell rated. I paid a little more than $100 for mine.

I personally wear Fieldsheer gear otherwise, as I feel it offers a great value…quality protection at very reasonable prices (and w/o gigantic logos everywhere).

If you haven’t already, check out http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com for some great prices on gear. If you don’t mind wearing (gasp!) last season’s styles, they have rock bottom deals. I’ve bought a bunch of things from them, at great prices and terrific customer service.

[Eddiepowerfm]

I never drove a motorcycle until the MSF class, a 250 Rebel. I bought a Vulcan 500. It has the same engine as the Ninja 500. I am just 5’5″ and about 165 but it is a great bike for me as a beginner and I am in no hurry to move up since my bike is good at highway speeds.

Welcome and keep rockin.

[JackTrade]

Re Eddie’s comment…while I currently own a 500cc engined bike (a Buell P3 Blast), it’s a “cruiser 500cc”, so doesn’t have nearly the power of a 500cc twin as seen in sportbikes. My Blast is about as powerful as a Ninja 250.

I’m thinking of getting rid of the Blast soon and have been considering a 500cc twin (I dig the Suzuki GS500F) as a replacement…a way to get decent power in a still novice-friendly package. I’m already getting to the limits of the Blast (the footpegs and my boots are now both beveled down on the outside edges!), but I still like a 500’s combination of usable power that’s not overwhelming.

[missionsminded07]

Thanks for the input. I will be taking the MSF course soon and definitely learn the basics there. I used to ride dirtbikes around my uncles ranch many years ago, so i have some experience with bikes. One of my friends is also helping me through these decision making things (He’s been biking for about 5 years now and works at a dealership) so im not going to make any brash, stupid mistakes.

I’m going to look into the HJC helmets. from what i hear they’re pretty reliable, and thats what I am looking for. maybe looks and style in a few years, but not yet

[wbsprudels]

I went from the Blast to a Suzuki C50 back in March and have been very happy with my step up. I had both bikes for nearly 3 months and rarely rode the Blast in that time. Always fun to be thinking about the next ride!

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