Ninja500R for my first bike

[Army PFC Jones]

Over the last few days Ive been reading over almost everything there is to know in the beginner's guide. Ive gone through most all the forums, saftey quizzes, and instructions. Now, I wanted to ask some questions for the experienced riders...

Im new to the sportbike scene and wanted to ask the question that most have you have all heard *What is the best beginner bike?* The only real experience I have on a bike is riding my Grandpa's Harley around his neighborhood, but i have had a lot of time on ATV's, jet-skis, etc.

I was leaning towards the Ninja500R for my first bike, for at least the first year or so, then upgrade to something bigger if im still alive. Im leaving for basic/AIT soon and wanted to start riding when i got back.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[TeamONEinc]

Best bet is you gotta go sit on all the bikes you are considering buying and see what feels most comfortable for you. Also, browse over the MSF website for the safety course information...you won't regret signing up for one.

[DivideOverflow]

Over the last few days Ive been reading over almost everything there is to know in the beginner's guide. Ive gone through most all the forums, saftey quizzes, and instructions. Now, I wanted to ask some questions for the experienced riders...

Im new to the sportbike scene and wanted to ask the question that most have you have all heard *What is the best beginner bike?* The only real experience I have on a bike is riding my Grandpa's Harley around his neighborhood, but i have had a lot of time on ATV's, jet-skis, etc.

I was leaning towards the Ninja500R for my first bike, for at least the first year or so, then upgrade to something bigger if im still alive. Im leaving for basic/AIT soon and wanted to start riding when i got back.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

That would be a good bike to start on if you are interested in sportbikes. Also, check out the suzuki GS500F. I would wait to get the bike until you get back, you don't want it sitting and not being ridden while you are gone... The carbs will gum up, the tires will rot if someone doesnt keep air in them and move the bike around, among other nasty things that come from inactivity... I just got a bike back on the road after the previous owner let it sit for 3 years, so I know how much of a pain it is.

[Army PFC Jones]

thanks for the feedback guys, Ill definitely keep that in mind when its time to get my first bike. My friend is also leaving for basic with me and is talking about getting a 1000 when he gets back. Ill have to show him this website to try and talk him out of it

[totalmotorcycle]

Army PFC Jones to the Total Motorcycle community!

You're smart in considering a beginner motorcycle to learn on. Your skills will increase a lot faster learning on a smaller cc bike than that of a big cc bike and feel more confident as well.

The Ninja 500R, GS500E or GS500F are excellent choices. You can find them used for not a lot of money and parts are common.

As TeamONEinc suggested a good motorcycle safety course will pay for itself down the road in saving your skin. So when you get back I recommend you consider taking one.

Glad you read the Beginners Guide to Motorcycling, its a great guide with lots of information for new riders in it, even experienced riders can learn from it as well. Your on the right track to become a very good and long lived rider.

Thanks for recommending the site as well, that's a great compliment!

Mike.

[BigChickenStrips]

if you just want a "fun sportish bike" and arent looking to ride too crazy, a ninja 250 is awesome to start on.

[bok]

the 250 and the 500 are nice bikes and get a pretty rousing endorsement from a lot of people around here (myself included).

there is a difference in the tank between the 250 and 500 so you may actually fit better on the 250 depending on height/weight.

people may try to tell you that the 250/500 will be too small to do a lot and that you will outgrow it quickly, but you may find that to be untrue. If you do "outgrow" it, it will be mostly because it teaches good skills at a more reasonable pace than bikes of bigger sizes.

good luck in basic and thanks for serving your country

[Army PFC Jones]

Once again, thanks for the advice. One of my friends said he started out with a Suzuki gsxr 600 and had no problems. This may be true for him, but I would probably be more comfortable with the smaller 500cc engine. I would hate to hurt myself and be discharged from the Army.

Ive never seen a 250 before but with my 6'3" 200lb build, i dont know if it could accomodate me.

This is the first site Ive been to that I havent got flamed for being a no0b.
Thanks guys

[bok]

i'm 6'0" and around 240ish and the 250 still hauls me around and can get up to speed real fast

This is the first site Ive been to that I havent got flamed for being a no0b

well darn it n00b drop and give me twenty for being a n00b and drawing attention to it

[macktruckturner]

Private,

As a soldier - you do not have a choice in the matter when it comes to the MSF course. If you ride, you will have on your person the following:

a valid driver's license with motorcycle endorsement

card of completion by DA approved motorcycle safety course (MSF, and at present only one State's course - I will get w/ the Brigade Safety Officer tomorrow to tell you exactly which one, I know it isn't Alabama though.)

Full fingered gloves

A DOT approved helmet, and eye protection. Shatter resistent lenses are required for said eye protection on all open face helmets. The face sheild of full face helmets must be down any time the motorcycle is in motion.

Long pants.

Long sleeves (while you are free to ride in your ACU top, what they're really looking for here is a protective jacket specifically for motorcycling - they == Department of Defense, fyi.)

Shoes that cover the ankle.

And last, but certainly not least - a reflective vest. (I recommend the Icon Mil-Spec vest, it makes holding your ID and other papers easy, and doesn't look at ridiculous as a PT/roadguard vest which tend to fly off anyway).

Now, the reason I started with that information is that, given your IET status - it's quite likely no one has even bothered to mention that to you. A benefit you'll find from the above requirements, and trust me they are required, is that as such the Army will pay for your MSF course. In fact, when you get to your first duty station there is a good chance that on a weekly basis there is a MSF course run on post by the Post Safety Office. Your first line supervisor, if he's doing his job, will know more - and if not your 1SG definitely will. Another bit worth noting is that if you do crash, and are found to have not been wearing all the required gear - you may find yourself facing UCMJ action, as well as paying for your medical treatment out of pocket - not a good thing.

As for the 1000cc bike, forget that notion - and tell your friend that should he choose that path, and crash he's liable to face UCMJ action if found to be doing anything not strictly with in the bounds of the law and all military regulations regarding motorcycles.

When you get to your unit, there are likely to be many other soldiers with the latest and greatest in the sportbike world. Everyone with more than two years in the Army at this point has probably been deployed for at least one of them. When we get back from Iraq - we buy stuff. Frequently motorcycles. FYI, motorcycles are leading the way in the accidental death of soldiers off duty - so you will have safety briefs, among other things.For a real world example - my Company lost a great NCO just two weeks ago, he slammed into the side of a Ford pickup on his brand new CBR600RR he bought when we redeployed from OIF3. He may not have made all the best choices that day, but the unit (and his family) are all feeling the impact of his loss.

Anyway, do not feel pressured to buy a GSXR, CBR, or anything else you don't think is a good idea. There's a good chance you'll catch some flack for buying less - but I garuntee the soldier giving you a hard time can't ride for squat, and has probably laid his brand new CBR down 5 times in the last month. The ones that can ride, and love motorcycling for the sake of motorcycling - they won't say a word about what you ride, they'll just ask if you want to ride.
Now, what I suggest to you - assuming you're regular Army - is the following. Get processed into your unit, find out about the MSF course and get signed up for the Beginner's course - you won't need a motorcycle of your own, as they'll have them there for you to ride. When you pass your MSF course, shop around for a used bike that suits you - the Suzuki GS500E (or F if you can find one used), Suzuki SV650 (naked or S model, used - if you feel you are responsible enough to ride within your limits, and be smooth with the throttle), Kawasaki EX250/EX500 or 650R (same tidbit as with the SV) are all great, inexpensive motorcycles to learn on - or even keep forever as a daily rider/commuter bike. Ride that around for 10,000 miles.

You'll learn a lot in that time, and probably be coming up on a deployment. While you're in the box, save your money - and if you are itching for a new bike, buy one. Walk in, cash in hand, and buy what you want. If you're lucky (as I was), the dealer you buy from might just be retired Army and cut you one heck of a deal

Ride Safe. Sledgehammer, Rock of the Marne.

SPC Anthony J. Martinez
United States Army - Infantry

ps - feel free to PM or IM me with any questions you have, either about the Army, or about riding.