[yugen852]

Hi, everyone. I’ve posted a few things here already, but since I’m still very new to this, I want your proffessional “?” advices. I’m 5’10”, weight around 140 pounds (don’t know why ’cause I am very thin), and I like the sports bike look. The main reason I want my bike is for commuting. I could get a scooter, but I don’t really like them (sorry, eon). I have set my sights on the ninja 250, maybe a 2001+ model. But, I would like to hear suggestions on other bikes as well.

No hate-mail:
yugen852

[A]

I’m 5’10”, 140 lb. I ride a bicycle approx. 6-8 hours a week…

Besides the Ninja 250, there are plenty of options depending on whether of not you plan to take long trips (+2hr) on highways; if so, 600/650cc displacement might be more versatile.

Also depending on your budget, 2001-2005 Suzuki Bandit 600 would likely be the least expensive at around $3000. 99-02 Suzuki SV650 could be found around $3500. Older Suzuki GS500 are also good bikes for cheap if you can find them.

[eon]

Ha, no need to apologize to me. To be honest I never considered scooters myself. It was a new Ninja 250 I wanted but they were impossible to get last summer. The fact I live beside the scooter dealership had a lot to do with my decision. The thing was just sitting there. I could ride away with it that day or wait who knows how long for a Ninja.

I can’t really help you as I don’t know a whole lot about other sportbikes. I would say pay attention to the seating/handlebar positions. One of the sport bikes I part beside at work the handlebars are the same height as the seat. Great for the track but not great for seeing through city traffic or long rides I would think.

[yugen852]

We have a website over here that’s like craiglist, and I can find sport bikes for as low as 1,300 dollars, and good bikes. Cruiser bikes, 660cc+ and from recent year models for as low as 1,900!

yugen852

[JtownJJA]

My GS500F has worked out great for me. I had NO riding experience at all on motorcycles except for the MSF BRC. I had some bicycle experience, and I also drive a 5-speed manual transmission car, so the shifting gears part came easy to me. I had considered a Ninja 250, but thought a 500 would do better for me on the freeway on the way to work in Columbus. My first ride really didn’t seem all that different from the Honda Nighthawk that I had in the beginners course, except I finally didn’t have any problems finding neutral. I also live on a country road that is straight and flat, so I had a great place to do some practicing before I hit the city traffic. Of course, you have to choose what is right for you. Until you buy, sitting on them at the store is lots of fun.

[yugen852]

Thanks. I have considered getting a 500cc bike, at most, because of freeway riding. Its illegal to drive a 250 on them. But, it really isn’t necessary for all the roads are well connected and I can reach my destination fairly easy.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, guys.

yugen852

[SafetyFirst]

If you’re going the 600/650 route, remember this:

A 600cc I4 (GSX-R600, R6, Zx-6R) is much more powerful than a I2 650 (Ninja 650) or V2 (SV650S). For a beginner, too powerful.

[Amoryl]

really? where are you at? a ninja 250’ll do 90mph according to most, 70 at the min, which is about the top speed of a smart car…there really shouldn’t be anything keeping it from being freeway legal, heck there’s a decent number of people who’ve done the 1000mile in 24 hours Iron Butt challenge on a ninja 250.

[jmango95]

like jtown this is my first ride and i love it! unlike jtown i didnt choose the dark side. lol the 500 is a great bike and will get you where you need to go with a little more power than the 250. but i also pretty much stole my bike it only had 1600 miles on it and i got it for $1800! its all just fast, affordable, fun!!

[yugen852]

Well, sincerely, I haven’t read a law or something that says its illegal. I just heard the instructor in my bike class say it. He said that because the bike is lighter, if a trailer or one of those big ass trucks passes beside me, the turbulence could blow me upwards, or suck me under. I reeeeeeeeeeeally don’t want that to happen. I have read the many reports and tips on this website that a beginner should get a 250 bike, but if I can find a 500 sports bike, I will take it! It is a bit contradicting me saying that I would like a 500cc bike, since I have told some people here to get 250 bikes as a beginner. Its just that in my class I felt so comfortable riding, it was like a unknown talent. I even got to 4th gear riding controlled, for the first time on a bike.

A 250 would be nice, I don’t deny it, but a 500 would be more convenient in the long run.

Thanks everyone for your advice:
yugen852

[Author]

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