Bike Recommendation Help

[p4tz]

I'm sure this gets posted all of the time, but I am overwhelmed by the amount of choices for selecting a first time bike. I read the beginner sticky at the top of the page and searched through all of the recommended bikes. After looking at them, I would like to start on a standard bike of some kind. The only ones listed on the sticky are:

Honda Nighthawk 250
Honda Nighthawk 450 (somewhat rare)
Suzuki GZ 250

but I would like you guys to recommend some others. The 250's might not be powerful enough for some highway driving that I'll be doing, and I'm not able to find the Nighthawk 450 in my area. Could someone recommend a good standard bike for a beginner? As usual, thank you all for the help.

[fireguzzi]

suzuki GS500

Ninja 500

Buell Blast

[p4tz]

I really like the look of the Buell Blast. I found one in my area with the following specs.

2001 Buell Blast
-1,700 miles
-$3,300

Is that a good deal? It seems too expensive to me for a 2001, even with only 1700 miles.

[earwig]

Yes, way too expensive. you can get a brand new one for $4600. Look for an 05 left over, brand new for around 4000.

I really like the look of the Buell Blast. I found one in my area with the following specs.

2001 Buell Blast
-1,700 miles
-$3,300

Is that a good deal? It seems too expensive to me for a 2001, even with only 1700 miles.

[Dragonhawk]

The 250's might not be powerful enough for some highway driving that I'll be doing, and I'm not able to find the Nighthawk 450 in my area. Could someone recommend a good standard bike for a beginner? As usual, thank you all for the help.

The Ninja 250 is plenty powerful enough for the highway and has a standard seating position. Even more upright than the Ninja 500. I had the Ninja 250 myself. I rode it from Los Angeles to San Francisco with no problems. It could do 105MPH.

Check here for my page of advice for new riders:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

There are a lot of standards listed there mainly because I personally like standards the best myself. Don't think the 250 is too wimpy for you. It would work just fine.

Hope that helps.

[MidSSouth]

+1 On the Ninja 250. It hangs with traffic with no problem and the upright seating is a blessing. Make sure to insure it as an EX250 not a Ninja 250R though.

[camthepyro]

Find a nighthawk 450, they're the best.

check craigslist.com and go to your city. check the motorcycle section, and check back every couple of days.

[blues2cruise]

Honda Rebel