[aantionetti]

Hi BBM,

I have always wanted a motorcycle since i learned to drive (15 years ago). I enjoy driving stick shift- feeling the road and car respond and have always wanted to experience that on two wheels. Took MSF class last fall, got licensed and now am shopping for this spring! I live in Iowa City, IA and am looking for a good starter bike that i can drive back and forth to work and around town.

i am enjoying the site, great advice.

so far my short list is-

2006 ninja250
2009 suzuki TU250
2006 suzuki s40

hoping to work my way up to a sportster 883r someday

any and all advice welcome!!

thanks!
J.H.

[Munch]

The first spring break after your comfortable with the 250’s and ready to step up to a 883 head to Daytona at bike week and look for Elwood … tell him Munch sent ya. Though you may have to smack him in the back of the head so he looks at you and not the hottie strolling by him in the daisy dukes……
Other then that… practice, practice…. and more practice.

[owlie]

Welcome to the group.

Just be advised that the S40 is a slightly larger bike that the other two that you are looking at (it is a 650 rather than a 250). I bought an 09 S40 for my first bike, and it was quite the learning experience. I sat on it before I saw the TU250 and fell in love. I didn’t seriously consider any other bike afterward, but I do like the looks of the TU250.

Also, it troubles some people (I think it is amusing), but the S40 is well known for backfiring.

Best luck!
Owlie

[SantaCruzRider]

Based on your aspiration to get an 883r, I’d think that you would be happier with another bike that also has more of a standard riding position — so that that would be the Ninja or the TU.

The TU has a similar asthetic to the 883, barebones look with everything exposed, so that might be more appealing.

One thing to consider is whether your ride will involve much highway-speed driving or cold/rain riding. If so, the Ninja’s fairing and shield can be big bonuses.

Nothing against the S40, but it has a more foot forward position that you find on cruisers — very different from the 883r.

[aantionetti]

i am really interested in the TU250 or the ninja250. i will mostly be riding around town and to work (2 miles on a 2 lane highway).

any advice on the TU250? is it worth it for the EFI?

[CBBaron]

Liked the look and EFI of the TU250x. However it felt small to me but I am 6’2″ and 220lb. Also being a new model used bikes are hard to find and tend to be on the more expensive side.
The Ninja 250 feels like a bigger bike and there are usually a number of pre-08s available for cheap. It also has a little more power and cruises at freeway speeds easier than the TU.
However if I wasn’t so cramped on the TU250x I probably would have bought one over the Ninja.

Craig

[Author]

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