ULTIMATE BEGINNERS BIKE.....or so it seems

[younggun]

[Ninja Geoff]

Best beginer bike? No. A good one? Yes. Best thing to start on is a dirtbike, 250cc 4 stroke TOPS (XR200R or TTR-225 being a better choice). THEN step up to street. Then it's the Ninja 250 (as far as sport bikes go).

[Bachstrad37]

I personally think it's a fine first bike.

Yeah, there's better, easier bike to start on. The good/bad beginner bike is completely subjective. You can argue about it til the cows come home. Fit and comfort is what I'd strongly have you evaluate. Also, understanding the risk involved as the hp gets higher and higher needs to be understood, too. Like Zoo earlier stated, the powerband is really important. Some bike just takes off at a certain RPM range, while other bikes the power is linear - meaning the gain in power is consistent with the RPM gain. The bikes that have a more linear band, is much more predictable; therefore, easier and more forgiving to learn on.

The 650R is such a bike if you're looking to start yourself on the sportbike class. There are lesser hp. bikes that you can start. Others have already mentioned some.

[Kal]

Honda CG125 is the best first bike ever!

[gitarjunky]

I started on an SV650 (similar to the 650R) and I think its a great beginner bike. The linear powerband as Zoo mentioned I think is the most important part. I've never had an "accidental wheelie", from hitting a bump or just getting on it too hard, I've never wheelied at all. Its plenty quick low in the powerband, for putting around town...and it really wants to go after 7 grand, but if you're responsible and really want to concentrate on the fundamentals of riding, I think you'll be more than fine on a 600cc VTwin.

[bok]

i think the 650R isn't a bad beginner bike...just not the "best" for a couple reasons.

Sticker price - since it's a newer model you won't find many used ones, and if you do they'll still be pricey
HP/torque - at the high end for beginners really
Age - since it's so new it may be difficult getting a shop manual/luggage/aftermarket parts/etc.

Most of the bikes we recommend as "best" beginner bikes usually are under 5 grand, have low HP/Torque, and are well established with easy to find parts

It gets beaten to death here, but the 250Ninja is really a great beginner bike. the price for a used one or a new one is usually good, it has lower HP than say the 650R, and it's been around for ages so parts are easy to come by and it isn't terribly tough to do general maintenence yourself.

that all being said, i think you need to figure out what you really want out of a bike:

This is a posting for my buddy, as I`m not into these style of bikes, but he wants to get into motorcyclesa and he`s been loking at the suzuki Katana 600 for a first bike.

I want a powerful and good looking bike for a beginner bike. Which would u guys suggest a honda shadow or a suzuki boulevard, and which models would u guys suggest, i want something with atleast 750cc

you claim to not like sport/standards and then a month later you are proclaiming the 650R the best beginner bike?

Seems what you want are power and speed no matter what the package is. Those are wonderful things if you can control them, and any bike can put down enough speed to get you into trouble real quick. Whatever you end up buying, try and keep it all under control.[/quote]

[Ninja Geoff]

Age - since it's so new it may be difficult getting a shop manual/luggage/aftermarket parts/etc.

omg you have NOOOO idea. And the worst part is, all this "poo poo" is available in europe, but not here. The only broad range of brands is when it comes to exhaust. Even then it doesn't come close to some of the RR bikes out there. Hell, i had to track down the guy who made the undertail kit for my bike.

[isnowbrd]

Best beginner sport bike? Ninja 250 hands down. There are thousands of used ones for cheap that run great. It's extremely forgiving. Liability insurance should be around $10 a month or less. Best of all, after one year of riding you can sell if for almost the same price you bought it for.

Best second sport bike? Ninja 650 if you ask me. I'm almost tempted to trade in my inline four for the big parallel twin...almost.

[ZooTech]

Honda CG125 is the best first bike ever!

Those are the ones with the pedals and banana seat, right?

[Kal]

Ouch - don't be mean... :p