First Motorcycle Suggestions

[Ickdeep]

Hey guys,

Since its getting close to summer this year, I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle this year but there is soo many options. I have my motorcycle endorsement already and I've rode a few bikes but not super sports.So far I've narrowed it down that I want a super sport but I'm getting mixed reviews on getting a 250/300 or 600 as my first bike.

Whatcha guys think for a first bike 250 or 600? and Why?

Thanks,

[BUFFLARS12]

250s are too small...depends on your price range. I started on a suzuki gs500f... not a supersport but looks decent and has more power then a 250. Was very cheap and got me comfortable on the road...i then moved to kawasaki zx6r's...big difference. A lot harder to ride and less comfortable.
Another good option is a kawasaki ninja 650. Looks like a zx6r but isnt a supersport.

[rcracin]

You'll outgrow a 250 fast. Plus they sound obnoxious lol.

Get a 600. Whatever preference you have between bike brands if sport bike. If more casual, I've always liked ducati monsters. Rode one a for a summer and it was nice.

[varkdriver]

Without hesitation, a used, Suzuki SV650. Easy and fun to ride, plenty of power and something that you can live with a long time, but sell on if you want more.

Simply a GREAT bike. Get one with ABS. There are lots of them available on the used market.

[kunzjob]

I will second the SV650. I grew up riding dirt bikes and this was my first street bike. Yeah, I wanted a 600 super sport but I'm glad I started with the SV. Very easy to ride, confidence inspiring, super cheap to maintain. I rode mine 4 years and 45,000 miles and only changed oil with full synthetic once a year. Graduated to Kawi ZX6r, FJR 1300, BMW S1000rr... plenty of fun with all of them. Take some advanced riding classes, get to a TRACK for a trackday and it will help you immensely. Have fun, keep your head on a swivel, and keep the rubber side down my friend.

[overcoil]

first bike, Honda Grom or Suzuki DRZ if you can fit on it, Kawi Z125

The 300CB?CBR/Ninja are built not so great.

you can buy a 600 R6, CBR but you'll spend two years backing off on everything you do, and probably never be as proficient a rider as someone who started on the dirt.

A used bike that you can work on, drop, modify, toss in the garbage is the best first bike. Best to buy your way up through better and faster bikes then starting out new or 600SS.

It's like a lot of older Harley Riders, they hadn't ridden in 25 years get a 800+pound bike and they steer into a guardrail. The smaller and lighter and taller and wider spaced your handlebars you'll train more efficiently to counter steer. Every spring I see some kid who was cruising around on his new 600SS at 45mph for three weeks - drift off the road at 65mph when he finally thinks he's gotten used to the handling and throttle.

[ccdre]

One of the Yamaha FZ's. I've had the FZ6 personally but looking at current line up, the Naked FZ-07 looks pretty cool. I've had zero issues with my bike in 9 years of ownership and they are high revving, fun to ride machines!

[zx10guy]

I'd get a 250. You're going to want to upgrade eventually anyways which after you really get some seat time and sharpen your skills on the 250, you can get a bike you want without worrying about killing yourself on the bike or dropping it because of rookie mistakes. The 250 will allow you to get comfortable with throttle control and counter steering/leaning into corners. You'll not take a hit on insurance. After a few months of seat time on the 250, consider going to some sort of structured riding class with the money you've saved from buying a bigger bike and paying insurance. Despite the universal snubbing the 250s get, there's a cult following and they tend to have very good resale value. I was contemplating going backwards and getting a 250 or 500. But I already have two other bikes and got rid of a FZR400 track prepp'd bike a couple of years ago.

But if you think a 250 is too "small" of a bike for you, the SV650s as mentioned are also a great bike. The funny thing is depending on your weight, 250s can still get you up to just north of 80 MPH. So it's not like you're going to be a speed bump on the road. But it's always funny to see someone who jumps on a big displacement bike only use that horsepower in a straight line and can't corner worth a damn.

[1MOREMOD]

Liter bike was my first. Not too much, just gotta not whack the throttle too much until you are ready. 2 stroke makes them seem tame

[obert]

Get a 600. A 250 is to small and you will out grow it quick. My first bike was a gsxr 600. I had dirt bikes growing up but the 600 was my first street bike. Just took it easy and slow to get use to it and all was good.

[MLAW702]

i sold powersports for a few years and i can tell you if its your first bike a 250 with be the best fit . 600 will be a bike to grow into and once you learn the basics but i recommend working your way up for safety reasons and the learning curve. This is not something to just jump into 600 gsxrs and liter bikes are made for riders with extensive riding hours and skill.

[obert]

It just depends on the person. Both of my now ex girl friends started out on gsxr 600. Neither one had ever been on a bike but on the back of mine. Was there a learning curve..of course there was and they both could have been hurt. But they went through the school and used the 250's the school provided.

We did go to some empty WEARHOUSE's and they rode around them for a while. Then it was on to side roads at low speeds and then on to the highways.

[RABAUKE]

HAYABUSA, if you can't run with the big dog then stay on the Porsche.

[Ric in RVA]

SV650...great bike. Friendly, competent. Makes a great track day bike. You will learn how to actually ride.

[c1pher]

I agree with some of the sentiment here. I would only go with a 250-400 if you are racing in that class or merely looking for something that doesn't burn a lot of gas.

A 600-750cc bike has a good bit of power and can become your regular fun riding machine without necessarily needing to resort to liter bike power. Plus insurance is typically less under 1,000cc.

The other recommendation I'd have is buy something used. That way you're not sinking a bunch of money on a bike while you learn what you like and don't like about riding. Use that first bike to learn about riding but also what your style is. You may want a naked, a touring, adventure or sport bike. Each of these are quite different and cater to different riders.

Many people buy new and then never ride because it's either not for them or they got the wrong bike. So you will easily find 1-2 year old motorcycles barely used at a tidy discount. Good luck and be safe!

[///mawana]

I have heard the recommendation to buy used but to a new rider, I would never recommend that unless it's a bike he/she knows full well its history.

If you can swing a new one, I would start there.

[Maniac0908]

Zx6r.....youll love it. And you can put it in low power mode for while your learning. I started on a 250 becuase i was told its the best beginners bike, but i grew out of it a week later and it sounded like a lawnmower. Get a 600 with power modes like the zx6r

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

SV650...great bike. Friendly, competent. Makes a great track day bike. You will learn how to actually ride.

I whole heartedly agree with the SV650 recommendation. It is slightly more upright than a sportbike which will be helpful when getting accustomed to riding in traffic and in parking lots. However it is lighter than a cruiser. It has a built proof v-twin motor with a very linear torque curve. If you get a 600 sportbike, you will need to ring its neck for the torque to come on, and when it hits, it can be quite unnerving to a new rider. With a 250, you'll be dangerously low on torque. The SV has more rake and trail (think caster) compared to a sportbike. This makes it more stable and less likely to develope a tank slapper. The SV's turn in is less dramatic than a sportbike, but this will help you develope good counter-steering habits. That being said, don't go crazy trying to dip it into a corner or you will tuck the front wheel. Just remember that you should never seek out the "feeling" of grip on a bike. This is where shit goes wrong. And the final reason for the SV... You can easily resell it ito the next beginning when you're ready to move up to something bigger.

BTW, when I began riding an SV650 (+/-15 years ago) I always felt the sportbike crowd looked down on me for not having an inline 4. I worked my way up and have ridden a liter bike now for +10 years. I have mad respect for novice riders making sensible choices and learning good habits. The only riders I look down on are squids on sportbikes they can't handle. Best case scenario they scare the shit out of themselves and stop riding, but more often they end up getting hurt, or worse.

[Meeni]

a KLR 650 go in the dirt and learn to slide

[wntrsnowg]

Like others have mentioned, I would rec getting a 300cc-class bike as a first. 250's dont have enough power, but the 300's are in a sweet spot. I had a Kawasaki Ninja 300 as my first bike and then moved on to a Yamaha FZ-07 and then a FZ-09 and would occasionally ride a friend's Triumph Daytona 675. Now that I no longer ride and all my gear is gone, I still fondly remember the ninja 300 over all other bikes. I think that says a lot about the experience that bike gives a rider. It was so light, flickable, great range on one tank of gas, fun, and the suspension and power and everything was very well balanced.
I still toss around getting back into the bike scene, and if I did I would get a lightly used Yamaha R3 (321cc) off craigslist. They even offer it with ABS, a rarity on the entry-level bikes and a big bonus for a new rider.

A used Susuki SV650 ain't bad either but its heavier, more torque, faster, not as balanced of a package IMO. There are pros and cons but cant go wrong with either, just decide which is better for you.

I didn't read all other comments 100% here but just in case it hasn't been mentioned already...
Buy good gear and wear it every time you ride! Plan on spending at least $600 on gear ($300 helmet, $100 gloves, $200 jacket, good boots, good thick jeans)

[M BE4ST]

Never buy used ur just getting someone else's problem. If ur looking at a sports bike and ur average height or at least 5ft don't waste ur money on anything less then a 600. I'd personally start on a Yamaha r6 if I was just starting off now but in reality you couldn't go wrong as long as u stick to an r bike, they look the best and will let u grow into them. If u enjoy riding you will grow out of the 600 within a couple of years. Stick with a jap bike for now as they are cheap to repair and easy to work on urself. My girlfriend has a Yamaha r3 and it doesn't get up 100 mph with me on it, if that helps ur choice at all. Good luck with ur choice.

[Diver]

Get a Hog.