- This topic has 21 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 4 months ago by cubetraveller.
First motorcycle.
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December 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm #2414MRorangeParticipant
I know I know I have read everything that this site has to offer but I still feel that enything under 600cc’s is a bit small.
The problem that I have with a 250 ninja or the suzuki GS500 is that you don’t have enough power to get out of the way of some stupid driver that hates bikes.So is a 600cc imposible to start on? Or do I need to get run over by some hick in the deep South?
If it matters the bike is for me and my mom and we will have a passenger.
What I really want is for you to tell me the pros and cons of your bike.
Thank you so much.
December 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm #15293Clay DowlingParticipantMy first bike was a 750. Not ideal for a first bike, but can be managed.
First, no passengers. If this is your first bike, you don’t have the experience. When you’re riding you are very much part of that bike, everything about how you move and how you hold yourself affects the bike. By extension, that includes your passenger. Get comfortable on the bike, learn how to control it, once you’ve been on it for a while (normal suggestion I hear is one year), then you can carry a passenger.
Second, at anything less than highway speeds even a 250 has plenty of power to get up and move out of the way. You don’t need to worry about outrunning anybody. That’s the wrong solution. The right solution is to remove yourself from where the trouble is, and that’s usually going to be more about maneuverability than speed. When the SUV pulls out of the driveway without looking, speed won’t save you, but being able to stop quickly or swerve to a safe path will. Likewise, you can tuck into small protected spaces when you find yourself about to be run down by somebody coming from behind. I’ve been hit in both situations in my car, and in both cases a motorcycle would have gotten me out of them safely.
Know your power band, know how to use the friction zone, and know how to do your slow speed maneuvers. Those are the physical skills that will keep you alive.
I also strongly recommend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course. They spend two days teaching you about all of the low speed and evasive maneuvers, all things that will help you stay alive on the road. They’ll also tell you about some mental skills that, when applied, will do even more to keep you alive.
December 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm #15294Sangria7ParticipantThe Ninja 250 has enough power to get you out of situations. And if a car is trying to hit you, doesnt matter what bike you have, you are already at a disadvantage.
The real questions you should ask yourself is what you need the bike to do and what use? Commuting? Zipping around town? Recreation?
If this is your FIRST bike, like Clay said, get into the MSF. Though its the common norm to start on smaller bikes, its not impossible to start on a larger bike. I also recommend no passengers until you are fully aware of your capabilities. I myself started on a 250 but one month later moved to a 650 when I got comfortable. And I am very glad I did!!!
Almost sounds like you have your mind made up and you are trying to get affirmation through justification. Dont rush into anything that could cost you your life. Make an educated purchase. Research, assess your needs and skills, and most importantly get into MSF.
By the way how old are you (no offense – just sounded like youre younger)?
December 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm #15296Sangria7ParticipantLOL I have seen Rebel 250s hauling 300+lbs….on a highway.
BY no means we are telling you NOT to get anything bigger, we are just making sure you have fully researched your options. The first bike is always a “magical” feeling. Go to the MSF, feel the smaller bikes, then go to the dealer, and feel the larger bikes. From there, decide. Good Luck.
December 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm #15295MRorangeParticipantI am 18 ( And I don’t feel offended.) and I don’t plan to have any passangers until I enough experience (The question was based on power because I don’t see a 250 hauling 300lbs). I will be commuting, driving for receration, and zipping arround town. I will be driving in a large city. Thanks for all the imput
December 16, 2008 at 8:56 pm #15297MRorangeParticipantWhat does MSF stand for?
December 16, 2008 at 9:03 pm #15298Sangria7ParticipantMotorcycle Safety Foundation
“90% of all accidents involve people who are self-taught (not taken the MSF course).”
December 17, 2008 at 12:08 am #15300MunchParticipantIf your “zipping around ” inner city… A 600 sport is not really gaining you much of anything. That powering out of trouble just gets you to a different trouble at twice the speed. I live in the south so not really sure what your implications are there. No town in the south hates bikes…and I have been all over the place. Matter of fact The furthest north I have been ….atleast for more then 30 mins is D.C. .
Your best solution is learn maneuverability .Also make yourself more visible! Reflective gear, bright clothing/gear, modulating lights if need be. I ride combination Highway, city, and back roads. Only place I feel the most uncomfortable is in residential areas. To many not paying attention. I am a weird one on here as I am actually more comfortable on the highway….not to do with my skill but heck… everyone’s running the same way you are, so barring something out of the ordinary …. keep pace and your golden, watch your sides for the idiot that thinks multitasking is a natural talent though.. Back roads are fun, picturesque and down right peaceful.
Get MSF under your belt both for you and your mom. This is not a mountain bike your jumping on. Ride in the margins of your comfort…not your ego or pressure from others. If it feels to big….probly is. If its too cramped… could be a problem in slowed reaction times later should something arise… but these all are more to do with size and ergonomics..not engine size. Most bikes out there will do what you ask of them and likely more.
Be honest with what yor needs are…make sure that its gonna get covered then maybe look very conservatively of what you want it to do. Better to start smaller and learn then to jump to a big boy and end it. Not the time to use the theory “If hes gonna learn to swim just throw him off the boat “Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
December 17, 2008 at 3:49 am #15306boulevardboyParticipantApart from 2.5 years on a 50cc Vespa my first ‘real’ bike was a 650cc Suzuki Boulevard, so I can’t tell anyone to get anything smaller than that as a starter bike without being a hypocrite. What I would say though that there is a lot of difference between a 600cc cruiser style bike and a 600cc sports bike, and that difference as far as I ahve been told is what can get you into trouble on a sports bike – lighter, different balance and weight distribution etc. The MSF course is a must though, and so is the ‘no passengers’ rule for a long time. Don’t worry about the weight issue though as I could take a passenger on my 50cc scooter and still get 30 mph out of it, on the flat at least!!
Keep safe, and make sure that you try a lot of bikes before you buy.
December 17, 2008 at 4:02 am #15307SantaCruzRiderParticipantIn several years of riding, I’ve had a handful of run-ins with idiot drivers who were blind to motorcycles and a couple who seemed to think it was fun to play the bully. Specific situations may vary, but I can’t recall any time where more horsepower would have helped. Assuming you’re invisible and also being alert to suspicious-acting drivers are probably your best defenses. And quick use of a nearby exit is always preferable to turning a 60 mph car vs cycle altercation into a 100 mph match — especially with you packing a passenger.
December 17, 2008 at 4:31 am #15308dcJohnParticipantI just wanted to echo this. I also started on a 250 (Ninja) and quickly moved up to a 650 (Kawasaki Versys) less than two months later. Despite the fast move up to a bigger bike, I don’t at all regret starting on the 250. I gained confidence and pushed my riding skills up much, much faster starting on a smaller bike than I would have on the 650.
December 17, 2008 at 6:52 pm #15317Clay DowlingParticipantLook for a used bike. Craigslist and ebay were great for me. I wound up with a 750 Magna on the recommendation of a friend, because the power delivery was smooth and the engine very reliable. So far he’s been right.
One thing I noticed right away though is that this big bike is a lot less maneuverable than the little 125 that I took my MSF class on. There are definitely times when I’d like than maneuverability. And I’ve never had this bike over 90mph, which is within the range of most 250cc bikes.
December 17, 2008 at 8:01 pm #15318briderdtParticipant…if for no other reason than being able to do the testing requirements on the smaller bike. I know in Washington, the MSF class maneuvers are more challenging than the DOL test, but I’m still glad I was able to use the 250 Nighthawk in the MSF class rather than my SV650 at the DOL.
December 18, 2008 at 4:23 am #15323BuddParticipantIf you are in a situation where speed is the only way out, you are doing it wrong.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
December 18, 2008 at 7:43 am #15330BenParticipantI couldn’t agree with you more Budd.
I don’t think I’ve ever had to ‘speed’ out of a situation to get me out of danger. Usually I see the danger ahead of time and can adjust to it, or I just slow down instead. You can slow down MUCH faster than you can speed up, even on a 600cc+ bike.
Ben
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