Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I agree... if you plan to commute in LA, I would say that the 250 or even a 400 cc bike will have to run hard to keep up with the traffic. Given the general traffic mood I experienced for the four days I visited LA.... I dont think I want to get caught on the wrong end of that traffic.

Maybe you can look at a bike that can easily reach and hold 75+ mph at least. However, if you are set on never getting on the freeway (smart move in LA) a smaller displacement is good.

PS: crosswinds can be a beyotch on a small bike too.

Hey guitarjunkie!
I too am a Noobie who will be completing the BRC in September (9,10,11).
I'm also interested in a standard bike. although my reasons are a little different. I'm a mountainbiker and think the standard sitting position would closer resemble the position of my feet on the pedals of a mountain bike, and as a result be more comfortable for me. I'm 5'7" 165# 30" inseam

I have heard that the Kawasaki Ninja EX500 & Suzuki GS500E are excellent starters as is the Buel Blast (but I worry greatly about reliability here). I like the look of the naked standards like the Ducati dark 620 , Suzuki SV650 and Yamaha FZ6 but think I will wait and work my way up to those bikes.

I noticed some mentioning of the 250 ninja (Ex250) I think I'll do some looking at that also.

Actually a Coworker of mine has an '80's Ninja EX500 he said he would sell me for about $1000. I'm worried about how long it has sat and what the engine will be like if there is any gumming???

Thanks for the postings guys

I am personally going for the SV650 myself - being from another huge city with dangerous traffic (Houston) - more power than the 250 has to offer is, in my opinion, a safety requirement. Yes, the speed limit is 70mph - going that speed will make you the grill decorations of a Peterbuilt, something that will roll on quickly above 70mph to allow you to get out of your own way seems the logical choice to me. The 650 is enough to do that, some have said "well you can afford the 1000, so get that instead" - I dont' need that much power - enough is enough.

Anthony

yeah, i've been doing more more research and i'm starting to lean towards an sv650 as well....its one thing to get to 70-80, but if i need anymore roll-on after that, i want to have that option....plus i've ridden my friends sv before and the ergo's seemed to fit...insurance isn't too bad, especially since you can find these bikes a few years used for about 3000, no need for comprehensive that costs 3000 a year! (for a 24 year old punk anyway) ill keep you guys posted!

Kal,

LA freeway traffic is not your usual high speed commute. It can speed up to 80 mph, then slows drastically, then everyone's right back at 80 mph again. It does this constantly.

While riding the Honda 250, it would be fine running wide open and keeping up with traffic. The problem was the roll on acceleration required during the slowdown/speed up phases. Even with the throttle wide open, cars would start crawling up my tailpipe until the little Honda wound up.

Oddly enough, the owner of the EX250 complained of the same problem, but that turned out to be a matter of rider education. She was hesitant to wind the engine up into the powerband (10,000+ rpm) when she really needed to. To some people, those kinds of rpms make them feel like the motor will explode. Once I showed her where the motor was designed to make its horsepower, she was a lot happier with it. Ridden properly, I think the EX250 is about the bare minimum I'd need to commute on LA freeways regularly.

I'm leaning towards a 80's Honda nighthawk(650/700/750) right now.
standard riding position, reliable, enough power for highway and the price is right, my price range is ($1500-2000). the SV650's are a little pricey for me right now as a first bike. I want to not wory about putting a scratch on it.

If you are used to mountain bikes you might even look into a dual sport. A KLR 650 should keep up with traffic pretty good and then you have the option of playing in the dirt too, the ergos are pretty much the same as a standard just sits up a bit higher.

As for the nighthawk, this is also what im looking for. Power is around the same as the SV650, ergos are great, and its a little heavier than the SV so it should fare better in crosswinds, they also have shaft drive on the 80's models so less maintaince.

Where I live traffic is not the problem. Just need something that will get up the hills at 6000+ feet and at 75mph, there are a lot of highways and backroads here just not a lot of traffic. Wind is also an issue here and a little 250 would just not fare well on the super slab in wyoming, climbing a mountain pass when your bike is down on power from the altitude and having a semi breathing down your neck and a wicked crosswind to boot is not the best place to be riding a 250cc bike.