[japac1]

Hey guys! Just completed the BRC, and got my license endorsement, now I am bike shopping. I really like the V Star 250. A relative who’s been riding for years thought that the torque on the 250’s may make it harder to learn and that I should be looking for 600-750 cc’s. After reading on this, and other, sites, that’s contradictory advice. What are your thoughts? I do like the Buell Blast, but really I just want a cheap, used starter bike to practice, and I do like the way the Star 250 looks…Thanks

[briderdt]

Especially if you buy used and ride it for 6 months, you’ll probably find that you can resell it for what you paid (depending on time of year). If you were to buy now, then resell in 6 months (still early in the “riding season”), you might even be money ahead. But get out there and sit on a lot of bikes to see what feels most natural to you. For me, it was a sporty. For my wife, it was cruiser all the way.

[megaspaz]

I guess I’ll have to be the source of reason here… Go for the gusto and get a busa…

Actually, like suggested above, sit on as many bikes as possible to see what’s most comfortable for you. The 600cc thing here refers mostly to new generation inline 4 sports bikes. There’s a few 650cc sports bikes that you can do fine with, but since it looks like you’re looking for more standard/cruiser style, I’ll leave to those that ride those style of bikes. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re comfortable with the bike you buy and that it makes you want to ride it.

[Munch]

My questions would be where you plan to ride and what you need the bike to be capable of. I would not be too much concerned with the Torque on a 250 in a cruiser type, its there without a doubt but unless you just completely lose all of your learning skillz its gonna be a non issue.
After all I have read and even taking the MSF course on a Buell Blast… I wouldn’t recommend it. For me 5’10” 165 lbs it was cramped. I felt like a little kid with his arms tucked in trying to avoid touching something gross. Not to mention that the Blast is plagued with recall after recall.
If you run sports bikes I definitely recommend under 600 cc’s. Most sport bike types that I have seen and read about are built more for quickness and nimbleness. Cruiser types…250’s are great starters but will leave you wanting more in a short manner of time. 500’s are a good compromise for starting and having enough to progress with for a while. If you are absolute beginner…..sit on everything you can, then leave the showroom before making a decision and be honest about your skill,s expectations, and needs. Staring at the shiny thing in front of you is not good for helping that process :^) .
I started on the Kawi Vulcan 500. Its short in length, low center of gravity, and relatively light. If I didn’t have significant others wanting to ride with me so much I would have kept her. She is very forgiving but has enough umph to keep the risks real. Very stable and capable at highway speeds and you have minimum worries with getting pushed by the wind. Parking lots and slow travel….she can weave and bob with the best of em. Think of it as a 250 X2 lol.
Really though you need to assess what you need and what you HONESTLY know. Then sit on the contenders and try and get the FEEL of whats comfortable to you.

[japac1]

Thanks for all of your input. I know I need to start shopping around….

[Ben]

I agree with munch. Good luck!

[Clay Dowling]

He started on a Yamaha 400 that he took off of somebody’s hands to get it off their property. A little rebuilding and it helped him get used to riding again after a hiatus to get married and have kids.

He then bought a v-star 250, which he uses for his daily commuter, and he loves it. It isn’t the fastest bike in the world, but it’s ideal for the riding he does. He rides from his house in the country to the city every day, and around the city most of the day. A small nimble bike is perfectly suited to that kind of riding, and he doesn’t mind the fuel economy either.

Size really isn’t an issue. He’s 6’2″ and doesn’t have a problem on it. This sized bike isn’t made for all day road trips, but he says he can sit it for an hour before he starts to get uncomfortable. That’s all I can do on my Magna, so that’s not too bad.

[Author]

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