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

[flynrider]

Aw C'mon. A real manly beginners bike should at least have a stick shift and a springer front end.

[stephen85858585]

AHAHAHAHAHA....so much cooler than those new Canadian tire motocross pedal bikes
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Hare Krishna - ISKCON Forum

[Kal]

I had a bike like that my Dad sourced from the American Airbase.

I couldn't get used to the lack of rear brake and kept locking the rear wheel up while pedaling. My Mum made him get rid of it after they witnessed me ride full speed into a wall. (Many seconds were last as I tried desperately to pull a brake that wasn't there)

One of only two things my parents backed down on in my childhood.

[klohiq]

I like how the Ninja 650 looks to some degree and it is more forgiving than the sv650. My only concern is that you can pick up a 1999 or 2000 sv650 for about half the price of the ninja 650. On top of that, spare parts are easy to find on ebay and through various enthusiast sites online.

For a first bike, I strongly reccomend something you can afford in cash. Even if you have under 1000 dollars, an old honda nighthawk is worth a look. As are some other standard-bikes from the 80s and early 90s that are under 700cc. If you can though, try to find a bike less than 10 years old and in okay shape that doesn't cost a whole lot. I found my sv650 for $2500. Some people will say that's too much for a first bike, but this is a bike where I can learn a lot from for years. A ninja 250 for most will quickly become old news if you ride with people with 600cc+ sportbikes...you won't be able to keep up in the straights on a curvy road. Its only saving grace is good cornering speed and flickability, both a which a new rider shouldn't be pushing the limits on.

I think the most important factors are:
light weight: under 450lb wet weight (pref. under 400lb if possible)
not too much power: definitely under 100hp (under 65hp is strongly reccomended)
forgiving controls: progressive brakes and throttle response that's crisp and linear, easy to manipulate clutch that engages before the lever is nearly fully released, light steering and predictable turn-in