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annette
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#1 Unread post by annette »

Hi from Columbus, Ohio.. just got my temp permit and signed up for a MSF class (not until Sept!)

Trying to figure out what a good choice of a first bike would be for me. Also looking at scooters...Piaggio looks nice!
Annette

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ANDS!
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#2 Unread post by ANDS! »

Get a Ninja 250 on the cheap (there are more than a few in your area it looks like). Nothing stops you from practicing on it until you take your class.

blues2cruise
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#3 Unread post by blues2cruise »

:welcome:

I'm sure you will find our community very informative. There are "stickies" at the beginning if the beginner biker forum.....take a look through for bike ideas.

There are plenty of bikes a newbie can learn and ride on. Aside from the aforementioned Ninja 250, there are 250 Rebels and 250 Viragos and 650 V-Stars....

What style of riding do you have in mind?
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#4 Unread post by NightNurse »

5'3 on a ninja 250? Are the seats on those able to be lowered?

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#5 Unread post by annette »

blues2cruise wrote::welcome:

I'm sure you will find our community very informative. There are "stickies" at the beginning if the beginner biker forum.....take a look through for bike ideas.

There are plenty of bikes a newbie can learn and ride on. Aside from the aforementioned Ninja 250, there are 250 Rebels and 250 Viragos and 650 V-Stars....

What style of riding do you have in mind?
Since I'm just starting out, I want to basically ride to work and around town. As I feel more confident, definitely expressway/weekend rides etc. Problem is I have never been on a motorcycle (besides being a passenger) and I don't really know how to operate one. I am signed up for a basic riding class, which isn't until early Sept. I would love to find a cheap bike to practice on in the meantime I have checked out all of the bikes mentioned for beginner riders. I plan on going out this week and sitting on some to hopefully find a good fit. I'm 5'3", 110 lb and fairly strong for my small size. Also looking at scooters (Piaggio or the like)
Annette

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ANDS!
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#6 Unread post by ANDS! »

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/ ... 250-review
Anonymous wrote:This bike is simply fantastic. It's the first bike that I've owned and the reason I got it was because I heard it gets really good gas milage and also that it was good for shorter riders (i'm 5'3''!!!). Well this bike fits me PERFECT, it was a great bike to learn on, and probably in another 6 months or so I'm going to move up to the Kawasaki ZX-6r or maybe the ZZR. I highly recommend this motorcycle if you are just learning to ride.
Laughs at last couple lines.

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#7 Unread post by Loonette »

Welcome aboard, fellow Ohioan!

You might have to sit on a lot of bikes until you find the perfect fit. But it's out there. I'm also 5'3" - I've never been on any of the Ninjas, but I do know that the FZ6 I used to ride was uncomfortably tall for me. But I do think that the Ninja is a bit lower than others. Good luck and keep us posted.

Cheers,
Loonette
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Aamalthea
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Re: New to this

#8 Unread post by Aamalthea »

annette wrote:Hi from Columbus, Ohio.. just got my temp permit and signed up for a MSF class (not until Sept!)

Trying to figure out what a good choice of a first bike would be for me. Also looking at scooters...Piaggio looks nice!
Annette
Woohoo! Another Columbus rider :D

You lucky, you got into the MSF???? HOW??! :laughing:

Do you know what type of bike you want? Like cruiser, standard, sport, etc? Have you had the chance to sit on any?
FOR PONY!!:horse:

Wants to own:
Honda Shadow VLX
:goldwing:

~Once I accepted the fact that I'm always going to be a strange person, my life has been a hell of a lot more fun.~

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#9 Unread post by flynrider »

annette wrote: Problem is I have never been on a motorcycle (besides being a passenger) and I don't really know how to operate one. I am signed up for a basic riding class, which isn't until early Sept. I would love to find a cheap bike to practice on in the meantime
If you don't know anything about riding a motorcycle, I wouldn't recommend trying to figure it out on your own before the class.

A friend of mine tried that a few months back on her new Rebel 250 (just 2 weeks before the class). She has healed pretty well, but the bike is a writeoff. Her plan was to practice in a parking lot in prepartation for the class. The bike got away from her.
Bikin' John
'93 Honda CB750 Nighthawk

annette
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#10 Unread post by annette »

I appreciate all of this great advise. I agree....I don't think it's a good idea to figure out how to ride on my own. It's not like trying to learn how to drive a stick (car) in a parking lot.

Tried to get into a riding class tonight as a walk in, but my lottery number wasn't called. Worth the try anyway. Maybe next week will be better!

I am planning on getting out and sitting on a few bikes on Thurs. A friend of mine who rides is suggesting the Suzuki SV 650. I am going to check this one out. Would like to find a used one. Checked Craigs List in Columbus, but no luck.

Can't wait to get out and start riding!!!
Annette

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