[Squatsandmilk]

Hi.
I’m 18 years old and I’m looking for a good beginner bike. I’ve always loved the open road and driving. Both of my parents are motorcycle riders. My mom REFUSED to let me ride one, much less own one. After after constantly nagging her, she finally caved in. My dad has been showing me how everything work, basically getting me familiar on them. I’m “learning” on a 1999 Savage 650. I’m in love with the new ’08 250R, but seems there is a high demand for them and hard to find. But lately, both the Hyosung GT250R and the GV250/Aquila have caught my attention. But after reading around, there is a bit of a reliability issue with the GT250R. True?

So, please, help the new guy out.

[megaspaz]

From everything I’ve read, reliability’s an issue with the hyosung. Maybe they’re better now, I can’t say for sure. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the other bike you’re looking at either. Although the pre-08 ninja’s aren’t all that good looking, they are solid beginner bikes. I’d suggest giving them a go if you’re goal is to learn and improve your riding skills. When you’re ready to upgrade, you can also go for the uber-cool factor then. Welcome to the community. (-:

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[ShannonG]

Buy a Suzuki GS500f and you can be my new best friend Just don’t look at the pictures on the Suzuki website because their photographer should be shot. Can I get a hellya, spaz?

[megaspaz]

Hellya to the suzuki pics being oh-so-underwhelming…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[WeaponZero]

Avoid Hyosung. Not saying they’re bad, but they’ve gotten horrible reviews overseas where they’ve been available for years, and there’s no aftermarket. Also, finding a Hyosung repair center would be difficult.

The Suzuki GS500 and Kawasaki Ninja 500R are considered to be the end all be all of beginner bikes, but one thing I was told by people who recommended them to me is that you WILL want to upgrade to a bigger/better bike in less than a year. For that reason I chose the Suzuki SV650, which is a bike that is still beginner oriented, but can grow with me and has enough power and high tech components to ensure that no matter how good I get the bike will always be able to handle more than I can ever ask of it, acceleration or handling-wise.

[ShannonG]

I plan on keeping my GS500 pretty much forever, and I admit I had a pipe dream about moving up to a racier bike when I bought it. it is just right, and theres eleventy bajillion aftermarket upgrades for it.

[CBennett]

Man, I REALLY want a GS 500 E but i cant find one anywhere(localy) so I think I may also end up with a Ninja being as im also looking for something for a new rider thats CHEAP

[ShannonG]

Where are you? They are not an uncommon bike.

[Author]

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