Good first bike?

[emilyrw]

I'm a 16-year-old girl and I'm looking to get my first motorcycle. I don't want to spend a ton of money and would prefer something with some good used options.

So what's a good basic motorcycle to start on?
Keep in mind that I'm a girl, and I'm not that tall. (I've got a 30" inseam.)
Also, I live in Michigan where most roads are full of big SUVs and a lot of the roads I have to travel on are either freeways or big fast surface streets. I'd rather not get a tiny bike where I'll feel dwarfed/can't go more than 60 mph comfortably.

[ChemicalTaste]

Ninja 250. Period. I literally cannot think of a better alternative.

[Wrider]

Yeah, the Ninja 250 is a good beginner's bike, especially for smaller people like yourself. (Part time bouncer talking here, so most are small to me)
Definitely take the MSF class first though, they'll teach you to ride and accident avoidance techniques and such!
Wrider

[the_sandman_454]

I agree on the MSF class. You're lucky to be in Michigan, which helps subsidize the MSF course if you go through one of the colleges. I took the MSF at Delta college earlier this summer. They had a Ninja 250, and a variety of other things, although I didn't get to play with it, I rode one of the TW200 machines. If you're anywhere in the area, I'd definitely recommend going through them. It's only $25 to take the course, at least it was when I took it. I'm not sure if they have many openings this late in the year though.

[MZ33]

Also, if you aren't into sportbikes, the Suzuki S40 or the S50 might suit. But I'm nervous for someone so young to driving & traffic in general to get out there on 2 wheels. Experience counts for a lot, and there is no way to know that until you have some.

Do you perchance ride a bicycle in traffic much? I mean, on the road, as a vehicle--not up on the sidewalk or on a bikepath. If so, that will give you a lot of insight into what traffic on 2 wheels can be like.

MSF, MSF, MSF. Maybe even private instruction. This has nothing to do with you being female (so am I). It has to do with learning the best habits and having the best understanding of risk & risk management that you can.

[Lion_Lady]

I'm a 16-year-old girl and I'm looking to get my first motorcycle. I don't want to spend a ton of money and would prefer something with some good used options.

So what's a good basic motorcycle to start on?
Keep in mind that I'm a girl, and I'm not that tall. (I've got a 30" inseam.)
Also, I live in Michigan where most roads are full of big SUVs and a lot of the roads I have to travel on are either freeways or big fast surface streets. I'd rather not get a tiny bike where I'll feel dwarfed/can't go more than 60 mph comfortably.

Actually, I'm going to recommend that you spend at least a year driving in traffic before you get your motorcycle license. Car drivers do stupid stuff that can get you killed in a heartbeat on a motorcycle. If you're THAT set on riding, then get yourself a dirtbike and ride that for the time being.

P

[jonnythan]

I'm a 16-year-old girl and I'm looking to get my first motorcycle. I don't want to spend a ton of money and would prefer something with some good used options.

So what's a good basic motorcycle to start on?
Keep in mind that I'm a girl, and I'm not that tall. (I've got a 30" inseam.)
Also, I live in Michigan where most roads are full of big SUVs and a lot of the roads I have to travel on are either freeways or big fast surface streets. I'd rather not get a tiny bike where I'll feel dwarfed/can't go more than 60 mph comfortably.

Actually, I'm going to recommend that you spend at least a year driving in traffic before you get your motorcycle license. Car drivers do stupid stuff that can get you killed in a heartbeat on a motorcycle. If you're THAT set on riding, then get yourself a dirtbike and ride that for the time being.

P

Absolutely agreed.

Many people forget how hard it is learning to drive, and how many mistakes we make in cars when first starting out.

Driving and dealing with other vehicles and traffic laws is hard. Learning to ride a motorcycle effectively is hard.

You don't want to combine both of these and do them at the same time. Get a car and get a couple of years of road experience under your belt. You'll be very happy you did, and you'll be more likely not to become a statistic.

[Kal]

On the other hand learn to ride a bike and then if you decide to geta car licence you will be a better driver than the avaerage one...

[Kibagari]

On the other hand learn to ride a bike and then if you decide to geta car licence you will be a better driver than the avaerage one...

From what I know, it's basically impossible to have just a Motorcycle license in the U.S. In Massachusetts, you don't get a separate license, you get a Motorcycle endorsement, which is a capital M next to the D under what types of vehicles you're legally allowed to drive.

So I'd assume you can't get a separate license, let the driver's license expire, and keep the Motorcycle endorsement/license. Maybe Michigan is different, but over here you're either a driver/rider or a driver.