Motorcycle Buyer's Guide: Post up your suggestions/opinions for newbies!

[notsoaveragej0e]

I am thinking about getting a bike this summer, and would like some input. I've looked around some places and have some ideas of what a good starter bike is for different categories, but wouldn't mind some input from you guys. I don't know if I want a cruiser or a sport bike, since I will be riding it on the highway on occasion. I'm 6' and 180lbs in the summer, so I might need a little more than a 250cc. Anyways, Give me whatever advice and options you all find relevant! Also, I have no real preference on brand, and will probably go with something used. I have zero experience at this point riding motorcycles and would definitely be taking the class to learn.

Here is something I found informative from another site:

I'm going to say this right off (because I typed for 20 minutes and hit the ****ing back button... so now i gotta retype this ****)

ONLY BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LAY DOWN. If worse comes to worse and you lay the bike down... afford to buy what you can afford to lay down if you end up coming to that. God forbid it happens but its something crazy like 30% of motorcycle wrecks are to new riders and the accidents happen within like the first 6 months or something crazy like that of riding.

I have a 250 myself, and maybe someday I'll move up but the bike is just for riding on the backroads, having fun and enjoying myself. I wasn't looking to go out and do wheelies and pull stupid **** on the streets like I see some squids out there doing.

First off, you said your budget is within $5000. Here's a few things to consider, if you end up getting a bike over 500cc in that range it will be in poor condition and will probably need work... not to mention anything over 500cc for a beginner bike is probably not the best idea. I'm not saying that because I think you can't handle it (I know a few people who started out on BIG bikes...) but saying it because I hate seeing people become part of that 30% statistic. Once you get into riding you'll find out that you'll have a few close calls and you'll find out why a lot of motorcyclists will start telling you "Watch out for the cagers" because a lot of accidents are not the motorcyclists problem, they are usually because some idiot hits you and isn't looking for you.

So, enough with the lecture. If you're serious about riding I'm sure you are aware of the dangers.

Ok so lets go from biggest to smallest and i'll give you some info...

First off, biggest isn't always best. Remember that the bigger the bike gets, the heavier it gets obviously, and the heavier it gets the harder it is to handle it and it becomes less maneuverable.

Remember that no bike is a slow bike. I have a 1974 Enduro 175cc 2 stroke at home, its a small bike, probably around 200lbs and it'll take off faster than my ninja will off the line, thats the nature of a 2 stroke. So even smaller cc bikes will get up and go, so don't let someone tell you "Oh that 250 is slow" or "Oh man a 500? Dude you aren't even in the 600 range, thats slow!"

Kawasaki Ninja 500

-You can nab one USED for about $3500-4000 in GOOD condition if you find a good deal.
-They put about 55hp out of the engine, but put around a true 35-40hp to the wheels. Probably closer to 40.
-They weigh nearly 400lbs at around 380lbs.
-Insurance will be probably around $80 a month
-There is lots of aftermarket support for the bike and due to the bike being a 100+mph bike they took drag into consideration, therefore the fairing setup is a little more aerodynamic looking or as some people would put it "sexy".
-With this hp to weight ratio you can expect the bike to run in the 12.5-13.5 range for quarter mile for speed, they're pretty quick...

This bike is fairly well balanced, but has a little longer lean so if you're totally new to riding you may consider that, because this bike sucks ass for long rides. Your back will hurt, you will ache, you will whine and you will bitch. But if you can put up with it, it's a lot of fun.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

-LIGHT, the bike weighs 315lbs.
-Hp is rated at 35 per Kawasaki but I've seen the dyno charts and it's putting closer to 29hp to the wheel. Sounds like a little... but the little bugger runs in the mid 14s stock. Most new cars at $25,000 don't run that... Like I said no bike is a slow bike
-Room for modification, the bike is easily modified... K&N filters and pod filter support, numerous jet setups, muzzy makes a titanium and carbon fiber exhaust system that is WONDERFUL on these bikes and they are very easy to regear, you can easily put them in the mid 30hp range and have the bike at the low to mid 13s with mods... but the 500 obviously with mods is faster..
-FLICKABLE - This bike has a good lean on it, you lean a bit forward but the bike is well setup on the wheel base, this bike will lean until you scrape the pegs back and until you actually hit the side of the exhaust, people seem to think that because it's a 250 it won't lean... but this bike will beat a lot of bigger bikes in the corners despite it being "underpowered" compared to the big bikes. Trust me, once you hit the corners with this bike, you hit the 7000-9000rpm range, it comes ALIVE, wonderful wonderful bike.
-CHEAP on insurance, I'm 20, perfect record and managed this bike at $53 FULLY INSURED per month.

Honda CBR400

-Bike is quoted at 50hp, but it's probably around the mid 30 to the wheel range.
-Bike weighs in at about 350-360lbs if I remember right
-Not sure on the quarter but it's probably in the 13s with it's weight and power.
-Longer lean... you'll be leaning more forward on this bike compared to the 250 so this means just like the 500 your back is going to hate you on longer rides. But this also means it's a mean machine for cornering.
-LOTS OF support for mods, aftermarket support. I mean come on it's a CBR...
-You can probaby get insurance for around $70-80 a month.

So those bikes new and used are within your range....

Personally I'm the type of person that enjoys small cars... why? They are more responsive. You go to autocross and watch the cars that handle great and it's usually the small cars, they outhandle the big boys... however you get a big car with a throaty v8 and take the little guy on a straight away and you'll eat him alive. not a difficult concept. Well... bikes are usually the same way. The bigger bikes tend to be heavy because the bigger engines weigh so much, and they are difficult to corner. A BEGINNING rider will have more difficulty learning on a bigger bike because throttle control is so essential and given your first emergency situation in riding you'll have a difficult time swirving out of the way or stopping... Get a small bike and it still will get up and go and if put up against a bigger bike in the corners proves to be much more maneuverable in the twisties despite being a lag behind on the straighaways.

So really... if you're new to riding I'd recommend one of these 3 bikes. I'm not going to bitch or put you in the squid bin because all you're asking is what someone recommends, not which bike will do the best wheelies, if that were the case I'd not help you ...

The CBR400 (if you can find one) is perfectly inbetween on all of these 3 bikes... its the perfect balance of them all. But if you're using the bike more for commuting, mileage and still being a sport bike get the 250 because they average about 60mpg, you can ride forever and then some. If you don't care about mileage and feel like you want the bigger bike and still get some handling, get the 500 but mileage will suffer.

The reason I talked about aftermarket support is because with any bike you will eventually have a bit more eagerness to mod it, work on it and do a bit more to it as time passes.

Now I said I'm on a Ninja 250R, so if you really feel you want to go that direction there are a few cool things you can do for this bike if you want it to look like a bigger bike and squeeze more power out of it.

1. Remove the centerstand for weight.
2. Do a fender elimination for weight (which means removing the rear mount for the cover which keeps "mud" away from you (who rides their ninja in the mud and rain anyway?) and it'll also give a sportier look.
3. Remove toolkit under seat for weight.
4. K&N Pod filters
5. Muzzy carbon fiber exhaust
6. Rejet or rejet kit
7. Remove chain cover and sprocket cover for weight (you'll have to watch the sprocket and the chain like a hawk and keep them more maintained)

This will get you to about 290lbs and will put you up at about 35hp. Do the math, thats about the power a CBR400 or 500 puts down on a dyno or close to it and it's a lot less weight by far So if you DO get bored you can spend about $600 and have a much faster bike. I'm working on removable brackets that will allow the centerstand to be put back on and taken off as a "snap" bracket so the centerstand isn't permanently removed but that's still a work in progress.

But seriously, any of those 3 bikes will be wonderful for a beginner.
I went with the 250 because it's my first street bike and I could afford it NEW off the lot, no miles and keep it maintained and break it in MY way whereas with a used bike you don't know what kind of break in it has had.

Now the maintenance on a 250 is also very simple and so is a 500, your oil change is simple as taking a socket and taking out 2 bolts on teh bottom, pulling out the filter, putting the new one in and bolting it back up. No removing fairing, no removing extra crap in the way, no worries... chain lube is easy, and hell even the valve adjustments on the internals of the engine are easy, took me and a friend less than 2 hours. The 500 is very similar...

Hope that helps, if you want more info just IM me.

(EDIT) BTW - how can you hate having this in your garage for your first bike?
http://koihoshi.boombaprojects.com/images/bikegang2.JPG

[2002GT]

Sportbike - Ninja 250R or Ninja 500R or GSF500.

Take the MSF class and do it the right way. Don't let some squid tell you how to start out on a 600 GSXR or something.

Read here: http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/new-rider-forums/

[Falke401]

+1 on taking the msf class. I learned a lot of very good info that probably saved my life more than one time.

On what size motor, to me this is a very personal question that you have to ask yourself. If you know you can stay out of the throtte you will be just fine on any 600cc bike. I would not do a 1000cc bike just because there is just a lot less room for error becuase of the power.

You have a cool head = 600cc or whatever
Beginner Lead foot = 250 ninja

For people that say 600cc's are slow, they are full of crap. I ran 10.60's on my stock 600cc yamaha r6. I just had a front strap and a slip on exhaust.
I learned on my r6 and never had any problems. Just ride within your limits and you will be fine.

[notsoaveragej0e]

I absolutely plan on riding very conservatively, since it's almost a guarantee that I will eventually go down or get hit- its just a matter of how hard and how soon, and I want to minimize my risk as much as possible.

I'm leaning towards a 600cc, only because I can keep it a lot longer and not get bored with it. Plus, they generally look cooler.

[ramair4thesoul]

Get A Buell

[Falke401]

Originally Posted by ramair4thesoul

Get A Buell

I really hope you are kidding on this one. Buel = teh gay in the world of motorcycles. They have good ideas, but horrible execution.

[Malaclypse]

I'm looking for a bike as well. That was a good read, however I'm of the mindset that I don't want to outgrow whatever bike I get too quickly.

That being the case I've been looking at 600s. I'm of similar build, 6'1" and 170. Having sat and stood up many bikes I'd have to say the CBR 600 F4i is probably the most comfortable bike I've ever picked up/sat on. Its on the heavier side, but it actually feels really light in a riding position. Unfortunately the last year for the F4i was 2006 so they're harder to come by and people don't seem to be selling them. A salesman at the local dealer reccomended I check out the GSX 600 F or something like that. Have yet to do so.

I'll admit that I haven't actually ridden on the streets so the safety course is first priority. But I believe the F4i is the lightest bike I've picked up since I've been looking. The 600RR is almost the same thing except a little more track oriented.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Also, what gear to you guys wear on a regular basis?


BTW, thanks for that link Nick, it's very helpful.

[ramair4thesoul]

Gay? Whatever. They are the best handling street bikes you can buy and great for first time riders because they are so easy to keep up. You must not really know anything about them. I have seen so many motorcycle guys walk straight by complete custom yamahas and habusas(? spelling) to look at our Buell. The firebolt and the new 1100 are nice to look at and great to ride. They are ranked right up there with Ducati, which would be another bad ass choice. However, Buells and Ducatis do cost more than most Jap bikes. Good ideas, bad execution? I think fuel in the frame for balance and oil in the arm, again for balance is a great idea with excellent execution. They aren't about just going fast. However the new 1100 is a busa killer. Every sport bike magazine I have seen on the shelf for the last several months have had articles about how great they are. You must on a Jap bike.

[2002GT]

Originally Posted by notsoaveragej0e

Also, what gear to you guys wear on a regular basis?


BTW, thanks for that link Nick, it's very helpful.

Anytime.

As far as gear, I'm a squid . I wear tennis shoes, jeans and depending on the weather a mesh type jacket (Road Gear) with pads, AlpineStar gloves and ALWAYS my helmet. Down here in the summer, when its like 100*+, I just wear a helmet and jeans. I know its wrong, but oh well.

My 600cc is plenty of fast for me, plus I live in the city, so there isn't any need for something faster. Some 600cc bikes to stay away from as a first bike would be the GSX-R and Honda 600RR.

Since, you will most likely go down, I would definately get a used 1st bike. Bikes seems to hold their value somewhat well.

My first bike (2004 Ninja 250R) I bought for $1500, rode for 4 months (4,000 miles) and sold for $2100. I am 6'1 and 215 and it wasn't that boring. It was still a quick bike.

[GrandAmGT1996]

I learned how to ride on my R6...as long as you can respect the power of the bike, its no different then starting out with a 250 or whatever in my opinion.

As far as what gear, I ALWAYS wear my helmet, and if the weather is cold and not 90*, I have a team yamaha leather jacket that I wear. Other then that, I just usually wear jeans, sneakers, t-shirt. I guess I'm a squid too

[ramair4thesoul]

Your insurance should be cheaper if you take the class. Here you also don't have to take the road course to get your liscense if you take the class. The price of insurance will depend on the kind off bike you buy also. We pay 68.00 every six months for ours.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Well after reading around on that site some more, I really want to wear the right gear, especially since my family will HATE me for even having a bike. The only problem is in the summer I dress in business casual, so wearing full gear everyday and getting sweaty and gross is sort of a turn off for me. I'm thinking now that I will ride it primarily on the weekends and after work so I can wear full gear, just because I really am not going to take any risks, especially since I'm starting out.


PS- by "full gear" I'm talking about pants and a jacket (one piece), back brace, and probably in leather.

[GrandAmGT1996]

You say that now, but i'd honestly be surprised if you stick to it. It gets HOT during the summer, and the last thing you want to do is be uncomfortable. Also, if you dont get full coverage on the bike, its basically next to nothing for insurance...I pay $14 a month.

[nascarnate326]

Id look into the 2008 Ninja 250R. Im going to be getting on later this year. They are plenty fast and they look great. Only 3500 brand new as well. If you go for a 600, I would look at the R6 or 600RR. I really want a new 600RR but the price difference is too great. 250R will do everything I need.

[2002GT]

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

Id look into the 2008 Ninja 250R. Im going to be getting on later this year. They are plenty fast and they look great. Only 3500 brand new as well. If you go for a 600, I would look at the R6 or 600RR. I really want a new 600RR but the price difference is too great. 250R will do everything I need.

The new 250R is stick. Kawi did wonders by upgrading.

...but don't listen to his advice of getting a 600RR or R6 for a first bike.

[Ajaxus]

be smart, stay with 4-wheels....

[nascarnate326]

Originally Posted by 2002GT

The new 250R is stick. Kawi did wonders by upgrading.

...but don't listen to his advice of getting a 600RR or R6 for a first bike.

As long as he respects the bike and isnt a douche he would be fine.

[GrandAmGT1996]

^I agree, my R6 is my first bike. I love it.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

Id look into the 2008 Ninja 250R. Im going to be getting on later this year. They are plenty fast and they look great. Only 3500 brand new as well. If you go for a 600, I would look at the R6 or 600RR. I really want a new 600RR but the price difference is too great. 250R will do everything I need.

Dang, those 08's really do look great. The 07's look like crap though