- This topic has 14 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 2 months ago by Explorer.Niven.
Info on 350-500cc bikes.
-
AuthorPosts
-
February 24, 2009 at 11:21 pm #2557Explorer.NivenParticipant
Hi I’m obviously new to these forums, but it seems you got a lot of good stuff going on here so I thought I might stick around. I have gotten into motorcycles since my dad got one about 3 months ago (I’m 18) and am looking for what would be the best first bike for me.
I’m planning going to college about 50 miles away next year, but planning to visit about once every two weeks, this would be my main mode of transportation, even though I know how to drive a car.
I don’t want a really fast sport bike because they can’t carry any cargo, for going for the weekend to friends or family. A cruiser might do, but I don’t like the way some look with the handles so high (though that’s cool if that’s your thing, it’s what my dad has.)
I’ve heard constantly that you should not get a bike over 500cc for your first, however I’m 6 feet tall so the 250cc’s like the Nighthawk and Rebel are too small. I’d like the bike to be able to go on the freeway if I had to, so I was thinking anywhere from a 350cc-500cc standard bike to possibly a sport if it can carry gear, but those are just plain hard to find it seems.
Please suggest good first bikes for these circumstances, the more the better. I trust your guy’s judgment and have read all the “recommended reading.”
Thanks I appreciate your help.
February 24, 2009 at 11:49 pm #16692Jon D.ParticipantKawasaki KLX250SF, has a 33.9 inch seat height etc. ,the only downfall is I haven’t read where anyone enjoys long trips riding these. Your inseam is probably like mine at 36 inches give or take, so I understand the comfort/crowded issue. Back in my time we had the old Suzuki GS 450, Yamaha XS 400, and others to choose from. Pickens are a little slimmer now. If you could find one of these older bikes in good repair, it would make a great starter and fulfill your needs at this time. They are out there, just gotta look. Check out bike shops vs. dealers. I am sure others will have better insight than I on this one. Good luck,Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
February 25, 2009 at 3:52 am #16704briderdtParticipantI think that’s what it’s called. Dual sport, as the other poster suggested. Higher seat.
February 25, 2009 at 1:26 pm #16715MattParticipantI’m 6 foot, and I have a 32″ inseam.
Don’t discount the Ninja 250/500 or GS500. They are “standards”, throw a set of soft luggage ($100-$200 bucks for a set) over the back seat and you can hold stuff for a multi-day trip. They are also pretty darned comfortable on the highways.
I find the dual sports to be far less comfortable (norrow hard seat), and have a more limited range between fillups (2gal tanks vs 4 gal tank on the street bikes). They are equally capable of carrying gear (still need soft luggage, or spend $$$ on a hard luggage set – I’d recommend saving that investment for your second bike).
What consitutes freeway speeds to you?
Some of the 250cc dual sports are gears so they top out 65-70mph. I consider that fast enough for the freeways (around here no speed limit is higher than 60mph), but I know some people who consider 80mph to be the minimum for “freeway capable”.The DRZ-400 can do 80mph all day and is a great bike if you find it comfortable.
Unfortunately the 400cc class is pretty much dead in North America.
As always, sit on as many bikes as possible, find the ones that speak to you and make the compromises you feel best with (alas, all bikes are compromises, but that is part of what makes each oen special).
February 25, 2009 at 3:15 pm #16727Clay DowlingParticipantI’m six foot. I’m riding a Honda Magna. It has the exact same seat height as the Rebel, and the same seat position. Haven’t noticed a tendency to cramp up yet, and I have an hour commute. A friend is 6’2″ and rides a V-Star 250. He went to that from a 400, and likes the 250 a lot better.
Don’t believe the hype about 250s not working for tall people. They work fine.
February 25, 2009 at 10:03 pm #16732Explorer.NivenParticipantYeah I’m a 32-34 inch inseam (depending on the company) and as of now am 150 pounds (trying to gain a little weight.) I’ve heard that 250s will get pushed around if it’s windy and that they really have to work hard to stay at a steady 60-65mph for a half hour is that true? In that case I don’t think I would want to put on 25 pounds of extra gear. I’ve been looking at the nighthawk and love the way it looks but I thought it just was too small.
As of now I’m looking mostly at the Ninja 250/500, GS500, Kawasaki KLX250SF and Honda Nighthawk. Do you guys think they could do the job? It sounds like a 250 might work, I just don’t want it to be screaming with pain at 65mph.
PS. Thanks for the quick replies
February 25, 2009 at 10:18 pm #16733MattParticipant150 pounds is nothing to a 250. They will push my 190 pound carcass at 65+ mph all day without issue.
Even big bikes are pushed around by wind. I’ve found that a lot of the comfort of a bigger bike in wind comes with experience rather than weight. As you get better you relax and let the bike move under you.
I’ve had some bloody windy days on the ZZR-250, and it handled them fine.
Sit on a bike for awhile before dismissing it as too small. If it is comfortable, it isn’t too small, simple as that.
February 26, 2009 at 4:13 am #16742AmorylParticipantas far as the cruisers handlebars go, most of them aren’t THAT high up, usually it’s aftermarket deallies making them so silly (the ones where you ride around like a toddler trying to get onto the dining room table) and most of the entry “cruisers” will have a more realistic hight of handlebars. I’ve not managed to sit on one yet, but the Hyosung GV250 is said to look more like a big bike, than the rebel or nighthawk.
if you can find it there’s always the 500cc vulcan, i’ve heard good things about it.
February 26, 2009 at 5:27 am #16745SantaCruzRiderParticipantDual sports are nice bikes. I like those in the 400-650 range. They are great in town and powerful enough for short jaunts at highway speed (the bigger ones will go ALL day). It’s true that some have small gas tanks, but most can be swapped out pretty cheaply for ones that hold 4+ gallons.
So folks find the seats narrow, but because you’re straddling the bike in a standard position, they usually give you plenty of support and room to move around a bit. In contrast, cruiser seats need to be broader and bigger because they put your feet up and there’s more weight carried on your tail.
BTW: Cruiser ergos are all over the map, from ape hangers bars to standard and almost sport lean upper body with feet forward. Try ’em all and see what feels good.February 26, 2009 at 6:49 am #16746Explorer.NivenParticipantThat’s good to know because a 250cc is cheaper and easier to maintain. Glad to hear it can stay steady at a high speed. I starting to think the nighthawk is the way to go. Has anyone here ridden one? I just keep hearing from other people that they are too small for freeways, but it sounds like that’s not true now.
February 26, 2009 at 3:55 pm #16749Clay DowlingParticipantA friend is still riding his 1983 Nighthawk and doesn’t have any problems on the 100 miles of highway he rides every day. It’s a 400, but that’s still pretty small. It was originally his dad’s bike, now it’s his, so they obviously hold up really well.
February 27, 2009 at 6:10 am #16762Explorer.NivenParticipantSo it looks like a Nighthawk 250 might be the way to go, that’s good because they look awesome and is easy to handle from what I’ve heard. I’m just glad to know it wont kill itself at 65mph for a few hours with a little gear on. But then again, I hear you outgrow them really quickly so maybe a Suzuki GS 500. In any case thanks guys I appreciate the advice.
February 27, 2009 at 4:04 pm #16777Clay DowlingParticipantWhen you get your ride, send pics.
February 28, 2009 at 3:40 am #16784PhilUpParticipantI am 5’11, 180 lbs, and the ninja 250 pushes me around no problem.
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/New_Riders
This is a very informative ninja 250 site. Should answer any concerns you might have on the 250’s capabilities.
March 1, 2009 at 6:17 am #16819Explorer.NivenParticipantOh yeah I’ll send pictures, it’ll be a little while though. Thanks for the info on the Ninja 250 PhilUp, I’m starting to consider it, it looks great.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.