I need some help on a first bike!

[Yngvai X]

Ok so im 17, and im looking for a first bike.. I love the whole sportbike croud and yeah I want one really bad, but yeah its a first bike and I know I will end up crashing on it. I know how to ride one, my dad has a suzuki GS850 and he lets me cruise around on that so I can get a feel for riding a bike. I am going to get my permit soon and I know once I get that he will let me ride it even more so I will just keep practicing on that.

Now my question is.. whats a good first bike? something older? something small im assuming.. but yeah i dont know.

I was thinking maybe something like an older ninja maybe? I've heard there girl bikes but what ever ya know.. first bike, couldnt care less.

soo anyway if someone could fill me in on what a good first bike would be, it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[sharpmagna]

read the stickies and you'll get some ideas. also, as a new rider you won't be using the capabilities of that "girl bike" to its full potential anyways...

[VermilionX]

you might wanna try reading the sticky post on the new riders forum.

if you're in america, there's really no choice for beginner sportbikes other than the new hyosung GT250R.

europe gets all the entry level sportbikes like the aprilia RS125, derbi GPR135, etc.

if you're also interested in sporty looking bikes... there's the ninja250, 500, and GS500F.

and nope, the ninja 250 is not a girly bike unless it's this 250...

[Yngvai X]

Ahh thanks.

lolz at the picture.

[GrandGT]

the last two owners of my bike were female, it was a little weird but i got over it

[DieMonkeys]

Don't get a loan, it's the worst thing you could do at your age. Remember, the bike may be for now but the debt will be forever, unless you can somehow manage to keep down a job and work your "O Ring" off for the next 2 years to pay for a bike that you'll most likely wreck. Unless you take the MSF course and try not to act like VermX over here.

Otherwise, good luck. I'm in the middle of saving for a bike, almost had one but the kid backed out and was unable to be contacted. Got oh-so-close. Also, I've heard it's better to look for a bike during the fall because prices are more easily negotiable.

[VermilionX]

Don't get a loan, it's the worst thing you could do at your age. Remember, the bike may be for now but the debt will be forever, unless you can somehow manage to keep down a job and work your "O Ring" off for the next 2 years to pay for a bike that you'll most likely wreck. Unless you take the MSF course and try not to act like VermX over here.

that's what you pay insurance for... i have both full coverage and GAP insurance.

i still lost a lot of money when my 1K got stolen. but at least they paid off all my remaining debt and i got a little back, enough to make a down for my replacement bike.

this time... i didn't make a huge down payment and i never bought an extended warrranty.

[DivideOverflow]

Try to pick up a cheap, older bike, that you wouldn't mind losing. That is always good advice for a first bike. If all goes well, you can sell it for close to what you paid after a season or so. If all doesn't go well, you don't lose too much.

Ninja 250 is a popular choice.. You can find them south of $2k if you look around. If you are a pretty strong kid (with a decently long inseam), you could try a UJM (80's standard japanese bike). They can be had for pretty cheap, and they are usually pretty simple to learn on, and work on.

My little brother is starting on a 1979 KZ650, which is a little more than 500lbs, and has a 31inch seat height, but he is 6'1, and can pick the bike up with one hand when it is on its side...

Most people would recommend something lighter for a beginner, especially for a smaller person.

Good starters: Ninja 250, Ninja 500, Suzuki GS500F (is a good start into sportbikes, very sharp looking too), Hyosung GT250R, Ducati Monster 620... and some older UJMs.

[Sev]

Remember no matter what happens, it's your first bike, not your last bike.

So don't worry TOO TOO much about appearances.

[Yngvai X]

Yeah insurance is gonna be a pain. and yeah i was woundering if the prices on some of these bikes i was looking at, would go down during the fall or winter.. because around here people will just insure them for the summer and then sell them once winter hits, but there mostly 600's and 1000's.

I was looking at a bike like this.. its older and pretty cheap if i could get my hands on it.. http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/mcy/186176966.html
it is a 500 but oh well

i was looking more into this bike.. http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/173824946.html
its older and its a 250 so i wouldnt be all paranoid if i did drop it. and its still got that sporty look it (imo)