Help me pick a bike

[-Curly-]

I have never rode a motorcycle before, but I want to buy one. Which bike would be the best beginner bike.
2005 Kawasaki Eliminator 125
2005 Yamaha Virago 250
2005 Honda Rebel
2005 Honda Nighthawk
Also where can you find gas mileage info at? It seems they don't post these numbers on any of there spec sheets.

[TheReaper]

I'm not really sure which of those listed would be the best but I will say to buy used instead of new if at all possible. [/i]

[Telesque]

I'm not really sure which of those listed would be the best but I will say to buy used instead of new if at all possible. [/i]

I've got to second this.

If it's your first bike, buy a used one.

Buying a brand new bike as your first ride is silly. Unless of course you're loaded like a dumptruck full of dirt.

I hear the Rebels are pretty nice bikes, though, if that helps.

[Gummiente]

I have never rode a motorcycle before, but I want to buy one.

Are you going to take a motorcycle safety course first? Not much point in buying a bike if you don't know how to ride it properly - and survive. But like the others have said, it's best to buy a used one as your first bike. If you buy a brand new 250 you're quite likely to outgrow it very quickly as your confidence and skill level increase with experience. You'll take a big hit on resale value if you have to sell a new, small bike within 6 months of buying it!

[IHateRacing]

Go used, for sure man. Since you've never rode a bike before, you're almost guaranteed to drop it at least once. I've rode dirtbikes all my life, and i dropped my first street bike twice while learning. And then twice more doing wheelies...

[blair]

I don't know about the Kawasaki, but the other three are generally recommended bikes for new riders. The MSF class I took had Nighthawks and Rebels on hand.

And buying used rules. When I dropped my Shadow, all it did was scratch up the old scratches made by whoever dropped it before they traded it in.

I think the MSF programs ought to get some sacrificial bikes and let people practice dropping them so they know how it feels when it starts to happen, and how to get them up afterward. It's about the only hole in the low-speed end of their curriculum.

[Telesque]

I don't know about the Kawasaki, but the other three are generally recommended bikes for new riders. The MSF class I took had Nighthawks and Rebels on hand.

And buying used rules. When I dropped my Shadow, all it did was scratch up the old scratches made by whoever dropped it before they traded it in.

I think the MSF programs ought to get some sacrificial bikes and let people practice dropping them so they know how it feels when it starts to happen, and how to get them up afterward. It's about the only hole in the low-speed end of their curriculum.

Hah! Not like it'd be too hard to find a bunch of junked up bikes that don't run.

I think the MSF guys should purchase the totally mangled 600 sportbikes that come into salvage yards and just sort of keep them on hand for the students to see. Paint 'Too much, too soon' on one like that picture that was posted of the tree that had all the M/C parts in.

[-Curly-]

I can't seem to find a cheap bike in my area. Everything seems to be around $5,000 bucks. Thats why I was thinking new for around 3000 - 3500.

[Aggroton]

come on your in Florida! there should be used motorcycles hanging from trees... try autolocater or some local sale rag...?

[Slap-Bassist531]

Hey buddy if you're having trouble looking for a bike in FL just look at www.cycletrader.com