High_Side wrote: I do feel that the 250s that most here blindly recommend need to be limited to smaller riders who don't plan on doing much time on the highway. I don't have a problem with the Ninja 650 personally either if you have the body strength, coordination and size for it as well.
My , although I guess I will have to admit it , yes, I am a smaller rider, however that 250 has been excellent on the highway and in nasty highway crosswinds, no probs getting it to jump to 140 kph for passing. No experience on the GS500. If you go to one of NinjaGeoff's or Nalian's other frequented websites (sorry Mike!) ninja650 dot com there is lots of good into on the 650 there and I've noticed a lot of new riders went from a 250 to the 650. There also of course a whole lot of people on there that started on the 650
Ya right, there are only 2 kinds of bikes: It's a Ninja... look that one's a Harley... oh there's a Ninja... Harley...Ninja...
TKDean wrote:
Ahhhhh. Man, is choosing your first bike always this hard. I keep going back and forth, GS500 no Ninja 650 no GS500 no Ninja 650.
Why not just get an old, used bike for about $1000? Ride it around for a while, then from there you can move on to just about anything you want (within reason).
You said you've never even been a passenger on a bike. You might not even like riding motorcycles at all
Anyway, on the topic of the 650R. I took mine out today all day. Rode about 200 miles. It rides like an absolute dream on the freeway. My last bike was very unfun on the freeway, now I almost crave the freeway over anything else.
But I still don't see how people can recommend this bike to a complete newbie. It's got some really good power behind it.
KarateChick wrote:
My , although I guess I will have to admit it , yes, I am a smaller rider, however that 250 has been excellent on the highway and in nasty highway crosswinds, no probs getting it to jump to 140 kph for passing.
Your 250 Ninja has simlar H.P. and size to our old VTR 250. While Jen had it up to 170km/hr at one point you really had to be careful picking your places to pass. She thought that she felt very comfortable on it until she got a bigger bike and couldn't believe how much more secure that she felt once on the 800 (her riding improved 100%). My personal experience from the last longer ride I took on it (to Edmonton of all places ) in a hellish wind it was downright scary (with 205 lbs of rider). The decision was made that day to get something a little more substantial.
Our experience was that the 250 was o.k. to start on, but not that great on the highway. In Jens' case, she didn't know this until she tried something a little more subatantial.
Now if it wasn't for the cost, I believe that a bike like the Monster 695 would be a great starter bike.
I was pretty set on the gs 500 but then another option came to me. I'm no big fan of the naked bike design so i automatically discarded the sv650s, ducati monster 620, and the buell blast. However i recently saw a sv 650 with a full body fairing that looked so nice. Also I've heard that these are good starter bikes. Does any one Know if they make Full body fairings for the Monster 620 or the Buel blast? Is it possible to attach clip ons on these bikes?
Id also like to some opinions and performance specs if possible on these bikes. One thing that conserns me is that the buell is a single cylynder bike.
Why not just get an old, used bike for about $1000? Ride it around for a while, then from there you can move on to just about anything you want (within reason).
Ill probably end up keeping my first bike for a year or two. To master my riding skill. So i want something nice and some what sporty.
I wish id started riding when i was 15 1/2 like my buddy but my mom wouldn't let me. And by the time i turned 18 i already had a pretty nice sports car. So i kinda decide to stay with the car. Now im 21 and regretting not starting riding sooner.
Anyway, on the topic of the 650R. I took mine out today all day. Rode about 200 miles. It rides like an absolute dream on the freeway. My last bike was very unfun on the freeway, now I almost crave the freeway over anything else.
TKDean wrote:I was pretty set on the gs 500 but then another option came to me. I'm no big fan of the naked bike design so i automatically discarded the sv650s, ducati monster 620, and the buell blast. However i recently saw a sv 650 with a full body fairing that looked so nice. Also I've heard that these are good starter bikes. Does any one Know if they make Full body fairings for the Monster 620 or the Buel blast? Is it possible to attach clip ons on these bikes?
Id also like to some opinions and performance specs if possible on these bikes. One thing that conserns me is that the buell is a single cylynder bike.
Thanks For all the great advice so far.
The sv650 and ducati monster are in the same area as the 650r - grey area bikes that can probably be doable depending on the person riding them.
The blast is a good beginner bike if you fit well on it. CNF2002 has been riding one for quite a while and likes it, although he hasn't been around lately. The only real complains I've heard about it have been fit related.
I'd say get what you want, don't ask anyone to pick it for you. Thats what I did,and I'm very happy. I know the bike I have is insanely fast, does that mean I have to ride it like a moron? I would say not. I'm sure If I hade bought this bike when I was 18 or 20, I would probably not be sitting here right now. But , being 37, married with child, I tend to think about things before I do them and what could happen. With that said, if your not a mad man,and cant keep off the throttle get something with small hp. I bought the bike I did because I don't like to "buy up" to what I want. I think It's a waste of money. I buy what I want the first time, instead of buying what I don't 4 times..lol Just BE SAFE,wear your crainium protector, and false epidermis and have fun. The actual going fast isn't the fun part anyway...it's the getting there
Luck often favors the one who doesn't count it in their plans
I just gat back to riding myself and I can tell you that my 650r so far is the perfect bike for me. It has enough low end torque to be easy to ride and the power really comes out about 4-6K range. It is easy to handle and the braking an handling are excellent. Personally I think it is an excellent starter bike. I am a rather large guy 6' and 250 lbs and it pulls me around well and is comfortable to ride.
2006 Ninja 650R Silver
2003 Audi A6
2004 Dodge Durango
, although I guess I will have to admit it 
, yes, I am a smaller rider, however that 250 has been excellent on the highway and in nasty highway crosswinds, no probs getting it to jump to 140 kph for passing. No experience on the GS500. If you go to one of NinjaGeoff's or Nalian's other frequented websites (sorry Mike!) ninja650 dot com there is lots of good into on the 650 there and I've noticed a lot of new riders went from a 250 to the 650. There also of course a whole lot of people on there that started on the 650
there are only 2 kinds of bikes: It's a Ninja... look that one's a Harley... oh there's a Ninja... Harley...Ninja...
) in a hellish wind it was downright scary (with 205 lbs of rider). The decision was made that day to get something a little more substantial.
So i want something nice and some what sporty.
