[Noobacycle]

Hey Katina……… I don’t think there is anyone here who hasn’t dropped their first bike. The funny thing is is that you’ll drop it when you least expect it. Like I did my Versys.

If you wan’t to stop being scared shitless, you just have to ride more. You’ve got to build that muscle memory. Ever notice that the first few minutes of riding are the worst? And after a half hour or so, when you relax, you enjoy it more and are more confident? Its all muscle memory. You just got to make it second nature.

I’m Jealous. You have a brand new Ninja 250. I wish I would have bought one instead of my Versys. Now that I have the R6s, I still wouldn’t mind having a Ninja 250 around. Kind of hard to come by and they hold their value well.

Cheers and happy riding.

[Noobacycle]

Now lets see a “best of” list of motorcycles people actually ride……

There are a few exceptions there, but most of them you’d be hard pressed to ever see on the road.

[Noobacycle]

I grew up green with envy watching the young kids with dirt bikes tear up the trails and fields. They taught me some of the basics of riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I had parents who felt dirt bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs were worse than the anti-christ so I was unable to obtain one, even with my own money. This was back in the 80’s and up until the mid 90’s. Now, all those trails and fields are developed and if you do find some place to ride, chances are you are trespassing and don’t even know it.

Dirt riding experience does help. But nothing beats real world experience in the streets. Dirt riding and street riding are kinda like apples and oranges. Different hazards, different bikes, different environments.

But I do look back at those kids that had the dirt bikes. They had brand new/like new bikes/quads that were purchased with their parent’s money. I got tired of hearing about their “powerband” and which bike they wanted their parents to buy them next. They were less than grateful for what they had and were spoiled little brats.

[Noobacycle]

I would most certainly point you in the direction of a Ninja 500. They usually can be found used. Either the Ninja 250 or 500 would do. The Ninja 250 looks much nicer though since the styling has been redone. Whenever you are ready to trade up, These smaller bikes hold their resale value well since lots of newer riders are looking for the same thing.

Best of luck……..

[Noobacycle]

Back when I was 19 and worked a minimum wage and was a student, one of my buddies let me ride his blaster (quad) and I never wanted to get off of it after that. Not being able to afford something like that, I was craving that same feeling and started purchasing small, old, beaten up rat bikes, dirt bikes and the like. I had a 1977 enduro bike that had a warn clutch, but ran well. It cost me $150 at the time and I pretty much rode it on trails. Protective gear was a luxury at the time and I didn’t have a helmet. I ended up colliding head on with one of my buddies while he rode a YZ-80 and I came out of the crash with not a scratch. It was a low speed collision that nearly totaled both bikes.

After that, I got my motorcycle permit and took a private motorcycle lesson. The private lesson taught me a lot and I enjoyed learning. There was no MSF course at the time and I was only 20 years of age back then and 50 lbs lighter (1994). The whole road test with a motorcycle scenario was very intimidating for me and inconvenient. Both of my parents didn’t support my interest in motorcycles so it wasn’t easy. I looked for other ways enjoy this hobby and eventually purchased a 1984 Honda V65 saber for $500 which turned out to be too tall and big for me. A very scary bike that needed lots of cosmetic work (tach/speedo didn’t work). I didn’t get to ride it much due to the fact that it was in need of more work than it was purchased for. I did manage to trade it for a 1978 Honda Hawk 400cc bike that I loved. That bike was perfect for me and I unfortunately had to get rid of it due the fact that I was joining the Army in November of 95′.

13 years have passed and the passion was dead since then. I have a decent job now and found out about the MSF course and eventually got back into motorcycling. I got my motorcycle license in late September 08′ and my Kawasaki Versys in October. I just got all new gear and I’m looking forward to spring.

[Noobacycle]

If you are unsure about the learning curve in the motorcycle training course, I suggest that you look into a private lesson with a dedicated instructor first. Thats what I did and I don’t regret it one bit. You’ll have one on one training with someone who’ll instruct you at your own pace. When it comes time to take the MSF course, you’ll have an advantage over everyone (almost everyone) and the course won’t seem so intimidating.

Being that you are a beefy dude, might I suggest that you don’t pass up a Ninja 500r or even a 650r.

[Noobacycle]

There are simply more and more bikers on the road today and our numbers are increasing. More riders equals more fatalities and chances for fatalities sadly. Rising gas prices have contributed to more bikes on the road which also means more inexperienced, young riders as well. In cold weather states you can even look to a select few to try and extend their riding season by a few weeks. More bikes on the road indeed.

[Noobacycle]

The bike looks nice, but having a bike with an automatic transmission is an abomination to all motorcycling. If I wanted something on two wheels with an auto, I’d get a scooter. I enjoy the shifting part of riding immensely.

What Honda really needs to do is update the rebel and nighthawk a bit and bring them into the 21st century. Also, having a Ninja 250 competitor wouldn’t hurt.

[Noobacycle]

600 cc being too much for a first bike really only refers to an inline-4 due to the hyper sensitive throttle response.

84 miles driven in one day on my Versys. The bike has more than enough power and I’ve never even passed the 6000 rpm mark yet.

[Noobacycle]

^^^ thanks ^^^

[Noobacycle]

Ok, I’m in there!

[Noobacycle]

I’m curious about this too. I always see a $500 freight surcharge stacked onto the cost of a bike. I really wonder if it is commonplace to negotiate out of it and just pay sticker for the bike?

[Noobacycle]

^^^ That was me ^^^

[Noobacycle]

I’m not set on either a cruiser or a sport bike. The ninja 250 looks sweet and I wouldn’t mind getting one of those. At my dealer there is a Honda nighthawk 250 and a Suzuki S40 brand new. They both look like nice beginner bikes.

If I’m adventurous with price and dig a little deeper, I like the suzuki sv650. That bike looks like the only beginner bike capable of keeping me up with traffic on an interstate. Too bad I don’t see too much of the naked version anymore and all I see is the faired version. I’d prefer the naked version of the sv650 but I guess riding the faired model can’t be that bad. I’ve never been on a sport bike before.

[Noobacycle]

Go for it. Squeeze it in for November. It is better to get it done with since it will take weeks to get your waiver anyways. The MSF course in my area is extending their course dates deep into November due to huge demand.

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