Need a first bike (not sport bike)

[ziggystardust]

read that article/ steps plenty of times. thanx

[jmillheiser]

I think the rebel will suit you nicely to learn on, or a nighthawk. If you dont get that '04 rebel look at some older bikes in the 250-500cc range.

I ride a CX500 which is a 500cc honda standard from the early 80s. Its dirt cheap on insurance, has enough power to do 80mph on the highway all day long, and handles well enough to hold its own on a canyon road, its also rock solid reliable and has never given me any trouble. Pretty good deal for a bike that I paid $500 for.

250-500cc UJMs are definately suitable to a new rider though I would not put a shorter rider on a 500cc UJM a they tend to be pretty heavy and wear their weight high.

The Buell blast is another decent choice to learn on, only drawbacks are it will be cramped if you are tall and it vibrates a lot. Its about the sportiest beginner friendly standard you can get, it has great handling and really good brakes

[ziggystardust]

yeah i was looking at the buell blast as well, I am pretty short, 5-6, so ride height is a concern, and the ninja fit me/ was comfotable, so the rebel should be fine, since its even lower.

[Jamers!]

i see the word "permit" there...not a full license?

point of intrest, insurance goes way down, WAY down with a lisence



JWF

[ziggystardust]

yeah, but I was confused on California's law for an m1 license, because it says you must have a permit for 6 months, as well as drivers ed and training completed. So is this permit that I must have for 6 months my m1 permit? or my ca provisional driving permit. If this is the case, then I am better off waiting till july 10, and just getting my m1 license (after taking msf) since July 10 will be the 6 month for me with my driving permit.

[BigChickenStrips]

i hate that so much... the ninja 250 is NOT a sport bike. its a standard bike with full farings... i know all of you know this, but the insurance companys never got the message. it drives me crazy.

you might call around and get quotes on kawasaki EX250 and if they ask what kind of bike it is say "250cc standard bike" i dont know if that would work or not.

ahhh... to be young, a guy, and want to ride. im 21 and i totally feel you, $700+ a year on my 06 ninja 250R.

god luck and ride safe.

**check out DragonHawks webpage above... GREAT info there.

[dieziege]

Ninja 250 has two problems from an insurance perspective. 1) the fairings are expensive. 2) it'll go 100MPH and people pretty regularly take offramps and the like WAY too fast on them. Crunch.