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I know this is a never ending debate, but…
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November 6, 2008 at 9:31 pm #2327supermedicParticipant
has anybody actually gotten a 500cc as their first bike and regretted not getting a 250 instead? I’m new to the forums and I’ve read about 20 pages of them, and all the guides and reviews, and I know that most people are going to recommend a 250, but I haven’t seen anybody ask this question and I’m really curious if anybody has had that experience. I sat on a ninja 250 at the dealership the other day and it just felt small. I’m not even a big guy (5’10, 140) I just can’t imagine being on that bike going 70mph on the freeway, though I know it’s capable.
November 7, 2008 at 12:18 am #14652megaspazParticipantThat’s funny… I’ve known and ridden with quite a few people that rode their ninja 250s 75+MPH easily on the highway. I think you’re reality distortion field needs recalibration.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…November 7, 2008 at 12:37 am #14653supermedicParticipantno recalibration necessary friend, that’s why I added the last 5 words of the post. I know it will go a lot faster than 70, I was just trying to imagine going that fast on a bike that felt small even just sitting on it in a showroom. I wasn’t trying to knock it, I don’t even know how to ride bud
November 7, 2008 at 1:00 am #14654LokiParticipantI started on a 500 and i can cruise at 70 80 or 90 easy. Im glad i got a 500.
November 7, 2008 at 1:24 am #14656Sangria7ParticipantTwo schools of thought that is in forever debate.
I switched from a 250cc to a 650cc in 6 weeks. Some people started on a 500cc like one of my friends.
I am going to default to personal comfort and preference. If you go through the MSF and thoroughly think that the smaller bikes are too easy, then the bigger bike MIGHT be good for you. However, if you had any problems with the MSF on the smaller bikes, I dont recommend going on a large displacement.
In the end, only you will know what feels right – but make sure you are honest with yourself about your basic skills.
November 7, 2008 at 3:05 pm #14668CandiceParticipantI was completely against myself getting anything bigger than a 250 when I was looking for my first bike this summer. I couldn’t find a 250, got fed up, bought a 650 and I am SOOOOOO GLAD that I got a 650. It’s a beginner 650 cruiser style, it is perfect for me, I’m very happy.
November 7, 2008 at 4:41 pm #14672PhilParticipantsame here with my honda shadow 750 !
November 7, 2008 at 4:47 pm #14673Blasphemy4kidzParticipantI started on a 600cc Super Sport…I’m doing just fine. Though I really don’t recommend doing what I did, I’m just trying to point out that it’s not impossible to learn on a Super Sport.
Try going for a Ninja 650r. Great beginner bike that offers the power of a sport motorcycle.
November 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm #14674PhilParticipantprepare to be flamed
November 7, 2008 at 6:06 pm #14678megaspazParticipantAnd why would there be flames for that post?
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around, I want it caught and shot now…November 7, 2008 at 8:32 pm #14689supermedicParticipantyeah part of the problem is that If I got a 250 I would want the post-2007 ninja, and those are pretty hard to find right now as I’ve discovered the past few weeks (the one I sat on was a 2001 I think), not to mention most dealers/sellers want more than what an older used gs500f would cost. I don’t know though, I’m gonna take MSF and see how it goes, I’m no macho man, if I really think I’d be better off on a 250 then I wont hesitate to get one. I didn’t really consider any 650’s, I’ve heard people say they’re alright for beginners and others have said they’re definitely NOT beginner bikes. I tend to believe those who say it’s all about your comfort level, I guess we’ll see when I’m able to do more than just sit and drool on them! Thanks everyone.
November 8, 2008 at 5:27 am #14696BuddParticipantThe 250 will do those speeds comfortably. I ride mine 75-80 whenever traffic breaks loose. I don’t regret getting a 250 and I haven’t felt the need to “move up” as of yet. I have been curious about riding other bikes and wouldn’t mind riding several others.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
November 8, 2008 at 5:40 pm #14703rayngefinderParticipantClose to my story too, except I wanted a SV 650 and could_not_get_one. There were no new ones at local dealerships and every decent used one was high priced and snapped up before I could get there. These bikes are very popular right now! I ended up on my dream bike, the bike which I had planned would be my second bike after the SV650, a Bonneville.
I had done a bunch of research, including talking with several motorcyclists (I’m lucky that I work with some very competent and restrained/mature motorcyclists). I got the full range of recommendations and got some great information on bike styles, fit, engine types, torque, horse power, etc. As a result of all that research, I knew what I wanted and didn’t want. I discounted a 250 early on for several reasons, but primarily because I wanted a bike that FIT me ergonomically and temperamentally (the highest rated 250, the Ninja, did not!), and I wanted a freeway-capable commuter bike that can *safely and easily* cruise at 65-70 and have the hp and ability to go above that if necessary. The latter put me into the 500 cc and higher category. I wanted a naked standard, a twin, and a seat height that fit my 32~33 in. inseam. As you can see, when you know what you want, the options begin to narrow quickly.
I’ve had the Bonnie for about a month now, and I’m very happy, no regrets. It’s a great beginner bike, really smooth and easy power curve, decent weight (450 lbs), and great ergonomics. Not the bike for everyone, but do your research and assess yourself honestly and you’ll end up on the bike that’s right for you.
November 11, 2008 at 12:31 am #14751dcJohnParticipantI loved my Ninja 250, and it certainly could get up to 75-80 without much fuss and keep buzzing right along at that speed. However, having moved up to the 650 Versys, I have a new perspective on what it means to be comfortably going at that speed.
Yes, my Ninja could get to 75-80, but along my 40 minutes (80 round trip) commute up and down I95, 75mph is often the cruising speed of traffic. The 250 got to that speed just fine, but there wasn’t much umph left if I wanted to pull forward quickly out of a messy situation, and the light weight of the bike–which was great in all sorts of other scenarios–didn’t play well with big rigs flying by.
In contrast, when I first got on my Versys and drove home from the dealership, I got up to 75mph without even really noticing the speed. (On the Ninja, I certainly noticed if I was above 70mph). And while the long commute on the interstate was do-able on the Ninja, it’s a lot more comfortable with the Versys.
Now, if I wasn’t spending a significant amount of time using the bike to commute on the interstate, I’d have been happy as can be staying on the Ninja 250 for a long time. Moreover, I’m very glad I spent my first 1000 miles learning on the Ninja before moving up to the Versys, since the torquey power and height of the bike would have made the learning curve go a lot slower.
November 11, 2008 at 8:27 am #14755supermedicParticipantThat’s kind of what I figured would be the only real problem with the 250. A bigger bike seems like it would be more difficult slow speed, but more preferable on the freeway. I don’t know, I’m still leaning towards a gs500f, but maybe I’ll get to the msf course and wheelie over one of the instructors faces on accident or something, who knows. I doubt it though, I’m a pretty quick learner, everything else I’ve learned how to ride/drive the person teaching me had to tell me to slow down after about five minutes. Even on the fork lift haha
forklifts are relatively safe though (for the one driving at least!) compared to motorcycles, so I’ll be taking it nice and slow
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