MSF + Bike opinions

[DivideOverflow]

I just got through the riding portion of my MSF today and I just have some opinions to throw out incase anyone was thinking about these bikes.

Before I get started, I am 21 years old, 6'0 and about 220, and wear pants with 32" legs.

#1 The Honda Nighthawk is BY FAR the most uncomfortable bike ever. Not only is the seat extremely hard, but the pegs are directly beneath the seat, causing very very awkward angles on one's knees (ESPECIALLY if said person is 6'0 or over). Just minutes on the bike, and my hip started spasming due to the ungodly strain caused by using the footpegs, and trying to shift. The clutch is very stiff for a 250cc, and became uncomfortable very very quickly. I went through two of these bikes... the first one had a ton of miles, and wouldnt switch into neutral, and the second one was "brand new" with 500 miles on it. They both had unsufferable clutches and horridly uncomfortable seats.

#2 I switched to a Kawasaki Eliminator 125cc because I just couldnt stand the Nighthawk anymore. Now, the Eliminator is a smaller bike, but the footpegs are positioned more forward, and are MUCH more comfortable. The seat was also much more comfy.
Problems with this bike: Terribly slow (it is a 125, so it is expected). It also doesnt like shifting into second gear, it takes a REAL hard kick to put it into second...I accidently kicked it into neutral from first twice, and I was kicking pretty damned hard. Also, the rear break is positioned so you have to turn your right foot in towards the bike... not the easiest position, but easy enough to get used to. Also, the front break on this biek is VERY "grabby". It is not very progressive, and provides a lot of breaking power with barely any pull.

I enjoyed riding the Eliminator much more than the Nighthawk because it didnt make my muscles strain and cramp up... but I would easily recommend something stronger even to a beginner (unless said person is small and under 150lbs). It did have a very low seat height, and that made it very easy to ride.

There was also a rebel there, but it was TINY... like, midget tiny.

Now, onto my bike!! I went home and played on my new bike, just to see the difference, and it is amazing!
I have a 2004 Alphasport GV250, and it is SOO much nicer than the other beginning bikes Ive tried. It easily has the best power for a 250cc out of the nighthawk and the rebel... the seat comfort is a million times better than the nighthawk!! And the peg positioning is great for a bit taller people. However, the seat is still low (26 or 27 inches), so shorter people can ride it as well. None of the MSF bikes had tachs or a fuel gauge, my bike has both... and my breaks work progressively and predictably (not too grabby or too slow). Oh, and my clutch is super easy to pull and find the friction zone! I was able to ride around the parking lot on my first try, having no previous experience

One thing I did not touch on was vibration and engine smoothness... When I first got on the nighthawk, I thought there was something wrong with it... All the blood left my hands from the horrid vibration of the engine. Ugh.. I really cant stand that bike. My Alpha is amazingly smooth compared to the nighthawk, the rebel, and the eliminator, and the sound is MUCH better! My bike doesnt sound like it is about to explode when I get on it... I cant say the same for the aforementioned bikes.

I dont mean to come off like I am selling the Alphasport, but I did want to express my opinion in how it ranks with those others. Mostly because if I had tried riding those MSF bikes before I got my bike, I would have probably thought that I wouldn't like motorcycles!! They are horrible!

I wish they had Yamaha Viragos there... I hear they are better than the ones they are using.

One more day of the MSF! Then I have my license, and can enjoy my bike!!

If anyone has any questions about any of the MSF bikes, or my bike (I didnt really touch on the rebel that much because I drove it for about 2 minutes... ) Im more than happy to tell you what I think.

//sorry for the long post

[Scott58]

Interesting. I really like my Rebel. but i also hear the alphasport is one fine bike. I also have a 32" inseam, but am only 5'7 and 140 lbs. I'm going to get one (well maybe 2) large bikes for special purposes, but for general use I'll stay in the 250cc class. I also like the Ninga 250 that I got a chance to ride today. Very perky.

[DustyJacket]

The Riders Edge uses 492cc Buell Blasts.
They are low and I can't spread out on it, but it work OK for me, and teaches me to handle more power and weight.

I didn't want to learn on a 125 or 250, then have to learn all over on a 500.

[DivideOverflow]

I know a lot of people love their honda rebels. I didnt ride it except for maybe 2 minutes, so I cant really comment on it other than it seemed "fine. But it was very small. I felt a little cramped, and I felt huge sitting on it. The 5'2 guy on one looked perfect! They even had nice shiny rebels that were relatively new.

I hear good things about the Ninja 250. It is probably the fastest 250cc you can get for the price (the aprilla doesnt count... it costs a crapload).


I didnt see any Riders Edge testing sites around here. But being that I purchased a 250cc, I figure it wouldnt be bad learning on one. Plus, my Alpha is only 350 lbs dry. It looks a little heavier, but it controls very nicely with that lighter weight.

Maybe it is just me, but it looks like the pegs on the Buell are right under the seat like the Nighthawk. And looking at pictures, it looked like the same type of thin/hard seating. No thanks! Maybe it is because I have pretty big legs (I sprint and play volleyball, so I dont have anything resembling chicken legs like those skinny guys), but the seat construction for those "standard" bikes pushes my legs further off the sides, and it is very uncomfortable trying to keep your feet on the pegs.... (even the smaller guys mentioned chafing once or twice...)

If you arent comfortable on your bike, how can you pay attention to the road?

Who knows, I might move up to a bigger bike in a few years... but if the bike fits, and I am just using it for leisurely cruises, why not have a 250? My cruises will last longer at 60ish miles per gallon...haha.

[d2mini]

For the newbies here, the peg position on the nighthawk is normal for a "standard" bike. Cruisers like the eliminator and rebel have a "foot foward" position and sport bikes put the pegs to the back. So what divideoverflow found out is that it is a really good idea to sit on a lot of bikes to find out what you like and what you don't.
Personally, I love the standard position due to the fact that it really lets you change position and get the weight off your tailbone which is where a cruiser tends to position you. I can lean foward if I want, be relaxed and upright, or lean back slightly. Standards rock! But we're all built differently so make sure you choose the bike that is comfortable to YOU.
(I am 5'8' 155lbs also with a 32" pant leg)

And DivideOverFlow got lucky buying a bike BEFORE taking the MSF. I'd recommend doing the opposite normally.
Oh and I could be wrong but I thought the eliminators were 125's.
That's what I used in my class. 125 or 250, it was pretty anemic. I've been very happy with my 865 T100.

[DustyJacket]

The Buell Blast has mid-mount foot controls, and you sit up straight.

It weighs 360 pounds.

Except for a 1MPH crash, I had a ball riding it yesterday. My first time.
MSF is Thursday.

[DivideOverflow]

I did my research before I bought, so I knew I fit on it already, and that I wanted a cruiser.

Yes, the eliminators are 125ccs, they are pathetically weak.

Sit on a bike for a LONG time before you buy it... the Nighthawk didnt start bothering me until 15 minutes or so in.

Also, on the cruiser seating position thing, I can lean forward on my Alpha, but it has a nice sized tank, PLUS, if the seats are nice, your butt/tailbone should be fine (Nighthawk seats are the devil... I repeat).