Considering 250cc for my first bike, but some friends say...

[RhadamYgg]

I started with a Rebel; it was a blast, I learned a lot and it just made me want more. But at 5'8" with a 32" inseam, it started to feel small really fast. It was definitely worth it for the little over a year I rode it, but that last half of that I was really wanting something a little bigger.

The Spouse Thingy started out on a VLX; he's very happy with it and doesn't think he needs to move up at all. If he ever gets another bike, it'll be because something shiny catches his eye and not because he thinks he's outgrown it. It's fine for a beginner: not too overpowering, not too heavy...and you'll probably keep it longer than a 250.

Now, if you're in Northern CA and want a Rebel, I have one sitting all lonely in my garage...

How much for shipping???

hehe - I'm in NJ.

RhadamYgg

[CmHall9]

If you’re looking to buy or sale a bike try looking in craigslist.

It's free and there’s a motorcycle section.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html

[RhadamYgg]

If you’re looking to buy or sale a bike try looking in craigslist.

It's free and there’s a motorcycle section.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html

A lot of interesting stuff on there. Very tempting.

RhadamYgg

[yoman793]

i probably did it wrong, but my first bike is the one i have now. 91 honda nighthawk 750. it was the bike i always liked and researched. the bike has never intimidated me. they do make a 250 version of the NH but i just couldnt see riding such a little bike. (im 215 6'3). my advise is just stay away from the crotch rockets and do alot alot alot of reading and research on how to ride, what to expect, and all about your prospective motorcycle. because knowing is half the battle

GI JOE

good luck with the purchase, let us know what you get.

[NewGuy]

. . . 5'11" and I weigh 155lbs.

. . . So, my questions are:
1) What do you all think about the 250cc bike being underpowered safety argument my friends make? One recommended a Honda Shadow VLX instead of the Rebel.

2) Even if I'm not into sporty bikes, would the Ninja 250 be a good bike for me to start on because it handles well and isn't too expensive, etc?

Well I'm not into sport bikes either, but if you're going to get a cruiser or standard I'd say stay away from the 250cc bikes. There are plenty of good beginner bikes that are in the 500cc to 800cc range, that will also be good for you after you have a couple hundred miles on the bike and have "outgrown" a 250cc bike, especially at your height. Unless you've got very short legs for your height most of the tiny cruisers and standards will be a little uncomfortable for you.

However, I'd wait until AFTER you take the MSF course to do any serious shopping. After riding a bike for a couple days, which will likely be a 250cc bike of some sort, you may notice things about those tiny bikes that will annoy you. I know I sure did.

Some of what you decide to do will be determined by what is comfortable to you, in size, power, and price. For example I might have ended up with a slightly larger bike if I had more money, but I got a Yamaha V-star 650 because it was comfortable and the initial costs and insurance costs were much lower than some of the larger bikes I was interested in buying.

Keep in mind there are some good deals to be found on the used market for some of the smaller bikes. Some riders quickly decide that "starter" bike wasn't enough for them, and upgrade to larger bikes, or many new riders decide getting into riding was a bad idea, and want to get rid of their new ride.

[NewGuy]

One other thing since you mentioned the VLX. Keep in mind they only have a four speed transmission. I was interested in the VLX, but I wasn't willing to put up with only having a four speed out there, when almost every other bike out there has a five or six speed tranny.

[AsherPalm]

One other thing since you mentioned the VLX. Keep in mind they only have a four speed transmission. I was interested in the VLX, but I wasn't willing to put up with only having a four speed out there, when almost every other bike out there has a five or six speed tranny.

Thanks NewGuy. I think you're probably right about a 250cc cruiser being too small for me, but we'll see after the MSF course, like you said.

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with a bike that only has a four speed transmission?

[jstark47]

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with a bike that only has a four speed transmission?

There's nothing "wrong" with it, just "less right" than bikes with more available gear ratios. On a four speed box, if first gear is the normal ratio for getting a bike rolling, and top gear is the normal ratio for cruising, the other two gears in the middle are going to be further apart in ratio than on a six speed box. You want your road speed to match road conditions, and you ideally you want engine speed to be in the "power band" - where the engine has some extra in reserve should you need to accelerate out of a jam. With more gear ratios, you have a better chance of keeping the engine in the power band for any given road speed.

[TorontoBoy]

...Skel3tor1 - who is on this forum somewhere has some excellent videos showing the rebel in action - and it doesn't appear to be underpowered for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFWfh8t3cZc - based on that video - and some others of his on youtube that made me decide that I don't need anything stronger than a rebel - to learn on anyway...

That's a nice video, and very instructive. It's certainly not underpowered under ideal conditions, but remember that it is WOT at 80mph/130kph with nothing left. For my riding and riding style it seems ideal. A steep grade or a strong headwind can quickly cut your speed, so dropping a gear might be required. As well, note the sound of the engine, revving a little high. This might put some people off for longer distances. It sounds somewhat like a sewing machine at high speed.

[JC Viper]

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forums for a few days now, reading the stickies, etc, and I've got to say that you all seem like a great bunch of folks. =-) Hopefully you won't mind helping me with a few questions.

I've never ridden a motorcycle before but I've decided I want to learn. I'm enrolled to take my local MSF course here in New York City in three weeks. In the mean time, I'm doing research on what a sensible first bike would be for me (a total beginner). Almost everything I'm reading says to go with something around 250cc. However, I have two biker pals that say a 250cc might be too low for me to start with.

Here's more details. I'm a very responsible 27 year old, 5'11" and I weigh 155lbs. I live in NYC but the thought of learning to ride in NYC really scares me (traffic/drivers are crazy here) so I'm thinking of keeping a bike in a garage someplace out of the city where traffic is lighter and I can learn to ride with more open space around me. Bike-wise, something like a Rebel appeals to me, I think, but I've also read that the Ninja 250 makes a great beginner bike, even if I don't think I'm a sport bike kinda guy.

Two of my biker friends think that a 250cc bike might be dangerously underpowered. What they've said to me is that a 250cc bike might not have the oomph to let me accelerate quickly to get out of a problem situation if I need to. They think I'm responsible enough that the extra power of a bigger 500-600cc bike won't be a danger to me, but that's just not what I've read over and over again online.

So, my questions are:
1) What do you all think about the 250cc bike being underpowered safety argument my friends make? One recommended a Honda Shadow VLX instead of the Rebel.

2) Even if I'm not into sporty bikes, would the Ninja 250 be a good bike for me to start on because it handles well and isn't too expensive, etc?

Thanks for reading.

I live in Queens and started out on my own Suzuki GZ 250 fresh out of riding school. 250cc bikes are enough to get by on the roads and highway but some people, like me, will outgrow 250cc cruisers easily and can get cramped.

Many people in NYC ride 200cc Vespas with no problems. If you are nervous why don't you make the trip to the MSF approved riding schools here or go to the place I went to which is Super Mario's Driving School in Flushing. The guy is a little nuts but he gets you riding in traffic and you'll be used to it.

A 250cc Ninja is a good starter bike, if you are into cruisers get a Vulcan 500 which is better than a VLX engine wise but I don't know how you'll fit on it. Just to be clear anything with Ninja on it will fetch some kinda premium insurance here in our town.