Bike Recommendations for a Newbie...

[TripleB]

I've had my motorcycle license for 5 years...took the MSF course. Unfortunately right after I got them (and I was about to buy a motorcycle) the transmission on my Subaru went out. Instead of buying the motorcycle I had to put my money into a new car. Now that the car will be paid off next June I'm back in the market for a motorcycle.

Can anyone recommend a high quality motorcycle for $6000 or under?

Can anyone offer some useful advice on purchasing a motorcycle?

Some of the ones I've looked at on the internet are:

Sporty:
* Kawasaki Ninja 250R ($2999)
* Suzuki GS500F ($5149)
* Kawasaki Ninja 500R ($5049)
Suzuki SV650 ($5949)

Cruisers:
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Ltd ($4899)
Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe ($5699)
* Honda Shadow VLX ($5399)
Yamaha VStar Custom ($5899)
Suzuki Boulevard S40 ($4399)

The front runners seem to be the ones with a *.

I've also looked at the following but really don't want to put too much money into a first bike: Honda-Shadow Aero/Shadow Spirit, Kawasaki-Vulcan 750/Ninja 650R, Suzuki-C50/S50/Katana 600/SV650S, Yamaha-FZ6/

This will be my first street bike. I had a Honda XR200 for several years in my 20s (now 38, 39 on June 7th) but eventually sold it when they developed the land I used to ride on.

I'm 6'2" tall and weigh around 200. I'll be mainly using the bike to ride to work (6 miles round trip), joy riding, going to the lake (about 20 miles), and running errands around town. At one time I thought I might like riding two up with my wife or daughter but I think I better make sure I'm 100% confident in my riding ability..which may take quite a while.

The Ninja 250R looks like a great option. Cheap, great on gas (70 mpg or so), fun to ride, sporty looking, easy to take care of, and did I mention cheap. I couldn't ride two up but it might be a good bike to learn the fundimentals of handling a motorcycle in the real world.

Anyway, I'm just looking for all opinions/help you can give this newbie.

Thanks.

TripleB

[bok]

first Welcome.

second any of those bikes you have listed would probably be good.

if you can get a ninja on the cheap grab it, they are great learner's bikes and always in demand so resale value is usually good.

it's also usually recommended that you ride for a year or so by yourself before you start riding two up, so either next year you get a new bike and trade the ninja off, or keep the ninja for a learner's bike for your significant other.

[Scoutmedic]

First of all.....


Second, Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is now downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk).

Third, Go to a variety of dealers and sit on all kinds of different motorcycles. Even if you don’t think you’d like the ride when you look at it. I was dead set on one riding style when I started and ended up buying a different type. You may surprise yourself as well.

Forth, Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There! I hope you enjoy this site! Be sure to...