Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I checked out a bunch of 250's when I was thinking of getting one. I though the Virago was the best of the bunch. It had a v-twin and looked like a bigger bike than it was. Also I thought the Suzuki gz250 was pretty nice.

cmiles wrote:Hi.....this is my first post....I have been lurking for awhile and really have learned alot. I will be taking the msf course in a month and will get my first bike after that. I was going to get a 250 to start on. I am 5'8 and about 135 pounds. Does anyone have any advice on which model might be more reliable or forgiving for a beginner...hondas, suzukis, or are most bikes of that nature basically the same. thanks

Check out this page:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

Then take a look at mine too:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

I designed and built that page to help beginners like yourself learn some of the basics and some ideas behind good first bikes. Hope it helps.

cmiles wrote:Hi.....this is my first post....I have been lurking for awhile and really have learned alot. I will be taking the msf course in a month and will get my first bike after that. I was going to get a 250 to start on. I am 5'8 and about 135 pounds. Does anyone have any advice on which model might be more reliable or forgiving for a beginner...hondas, suzukis, or are most bikes of that nature basically the same. thanks

I just bought a ninja 250.. I love it.. and I am about 6ft. and 200lb... Perfect ... Though I wanted to get a ninja 500...used ones are hard to find.

A TIP: Start looking for your 250... if you have the money buy it if you see a good deal.. trust me .. I was looking for over a month for a bike.. ( ninja 250/500)

I havent done the MSF but I will soon.. I might take the other course with Motorcycle Trainign center ( in calif) becase theres a long wait ( like 2 months) for MSF.. but anywho most likely in 2-3weeks.. I will be done with the course and ready to ride with the big boys....Untill then I am only riding around my house where I know where all the bumps and potholes are....

I can vouch for the Rebel as being very reliable (purchased dec 04). I'm also 5'8" (with 32" inseam) but weigh about 15lbs more then you do. I have found the the rebel to be an excellant machine for beginner and experienced rider alike. I've ridden through 14 states and into canada on this bike and now have a bit over 17,000 miles on it. When I wear it out, i'll get another one. No question about it.

Scott58 wrote:I can vouch for the Rebel as being very reliable (purchased dec 04). I'm also 5'8" (with 32" inseam) but weigh about 15lbs more then you do. I have found the the rebel to be an excellant machine for beginner and experienced rider alike. I've ridden through 14 states and into canada on this bike and now have a bit over 17,000 miles on it. When I wear it out, i'll get another one. No question about it.

I'm 5'8", 135lb. Rebel is fine for me. I can hold my own on the interstate here. Steep grade hills or rather long inclines though are my only issue. I can hold my current speed and maybe lose a tad and that's going 80mph or so. (which is speeding here since it's 70mph max on the hwy). I don't have as many riders as Scott (who the quote is from above) but I am enjoying mine just as much. (Almost at 7,500mi on the bike)