First Bike vs New Car

[Grey Thumper]

I have not seen this yet, but is it good to learn on a dirt bike first? The only bike I have to learn on right now is a 650c but plenty of dirt bikes to choose from.

Take the MSF or some equivalent class. Too many bad habits that can be picked up by learning on your own. Controlled environment, professional instructors, a gradual and systematic learning pace, and you learn on (and drop) their bikes, not your own. What's not to like?

[dean owens]

the best bike to learn on is the one that you ride at the Basic Riders Course.

few things to chime in...

bikes don't offer an up front savings but they do save over time. and he said he was going to get a car or a bike. so he's going to be spending some up front money either way. so i think in this case that a bike would be better for the wallet.

next, i understand wanting to get the perfect bike. but keep in mind this will be your first bike and you will be learning on it. you will drop it. i tried to relay this info to my brother-in-law when he bought his first bike a month and a half ago. he bought a cbr600. too much bike for a first time rider. just loading his bike into his truck he dropped it a few weeks ago. took it to have it fixed. he's been without his bike for 3 weeks now and the total costs are $4,100.00. i have a feeling his insurance is going to go up.

it's your first bike. just get a bike. a good learners bike. once you're comfortable you can get the bike that you really want.

while you're looking - check out a suzuki gs500f. they are a good starter bike that gets good mpg (not as good as the ninja 250) and has the sport bike look.

hope that helps some. oh, and get signed up for a BRC. here's the cali info...
http://www.ca-msp.org/

[Nalian]

If you can handle scratches on a new bike from when you drop it (it's possible you won't, but statistics are against you) then go ahead and get a new bike.

You should take an MSF course and plan on spending a fair amount of $ on gear as well. Helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, boots - the whole she-bang. Once you've taken the class, you should go sit on a lot of bikes. You should stay away from the race replicas, and keep your head on straight for being safe and not getting a bike that will get away from you too easily - remember first bike not last bike.

Motorcycling is only worth the risk and money if you plan on having fun in addition to commuting every day.

[Titan2782]

i agree with everything you guys are telling me. I am the exception noob in the terms of my thought proccess behind the whole thing. I want to ride for the fun, I dont want a big bike. I want a nice looking bike that will be nice to me. As someone already said (and lots of personal experience) a low power bike can smoke almost any street car, so if that was my motivation, the smaller bike would still be a good choice for me.

I will not be learning on my own, I have my brother-in-law's and my father-in-law to teach me. They all know how to ride. I will be taking that course as suggested, I would rather kill the school's bikes instead of my own

I am not worried about scrathes though. I see them as, "Look, I learned something" badges!!

Thanks a lot for all the info. I'm very excited to get started. I'm planning on getting the bike around christmas. I still have to buy two new cars first so that gives me enough time to learn before getting mine.

[RhadamYgg]

thanks for the info guys. I have decided to go with a ninja 250 for now i like the look. I live in cali so pretty much every day is a good day for riding. Gas is current $4.45 at Arco (cheapest). I do plan on getting a bike even if not for commuting. Since it's only $3500 MSRP, I'm going to buy new. I can fix just about anything myself and if I cant, I have a family full of mechanics who have nice tools If I can find a used 2008 then maybe. I dont want a bigger bike ATM.

I've been reading the stickies and I will be doing a lot more reading over the next few months.

I have not seen this yet, but is it good to learn on a dirt bike first? The only bike I have to learn on right now is a 650c but plenty of dirt bikes to choose from.

Statistically, people who started on dirt bikes have a lower occurrence of accidents, but you really already have that. Practicing, on any bike, I'm sure is a good thing.

RhadamYgg

[Grey Thumper]

I will not be learning on my own, I have my brother-in-law's and my father-in-law to teach me.

Strongly resisting the temptation here to make some stupid in-law joke

Anyway, glad you get along with yours.

[BusaEater]

Don't get the 250R.

Get the Ninja500R. It's still a good beginner bike and will suit your size better. Should be more comfortable to ride on considering your height and weight.

Be safe, have fun.

[RhadamYgg]

I will not be learning on my own, I have my brother-in-law's and my father-in-law to teach me.

Strongly resisting the temptation here to make some stupid in-law joke

Anyway, glad you get along with yours.

Statistically, the folks who learn from friends/family are more likely to get in to accidents than two other groups:
People who learn through a course
People who learn on their own! (of all things that don't make sense)

So, it is good that you have people willing to teach you, but you should take a course and not ride until you have taken it. It sucks - the waiting, but for me at least - it made a lot of difference in my riding and mental attitude toward riding.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

Don't get the 250R.

Get the Ninja500R. It's still a good beginner bike and will suit your size better. Should be more comfortable to ride on considering your height and weight.

Be safe, have fun.

I like the 500 too. I might have got one too (and it would have been easier to purchase than the current 250), but at that time - before I got my license before I took the MSF course - I felt that it was a little too big for me.

It shares many similarities to the 250, but you won't know until you sit on it if it is comfortable for you.

RhadamYgg

[Titan2782]

I plan on taking the course, there is one right by my house. I really like the look of the 250r, I dont care for the look of the 500R, are there any other "better suited for my weight/height" bikes that have similar looks of the 2008 250r?