I'm planning on buying my first bike. Ive read the posts about the dangers of 600+cc bikes. However I've also read a review of the 650r and it says
Ultimately, this exceptionally well-proportioned NINJA 650R represents a genre of motorcycling new to Kawasaki—one that finds itself at home with both novices and experienced riders, and one that will be seen equally in daily midtown commuting situations as well as week-end highway getaways.
So now im not sure what to get. I definitely don't want the Ninja 250 or 500. The just don't speak to me (i know corny). Another option i have in mind is the GS500F but i hear its a little underpowered. I'm also have the hyosung GT250R in mind (Way in the back of my mind cause of reliability and resale issues). Does any one have any other good starter bike suggestions. Keep in mind im looking for something that looks sporty.
also can anyone give me the hp and torque stats on these bikes.
Thanks for putting up with another nooobie with the same old questions.
Take the MSF BRC first and foremost. The 650R is fine for a first bike. The no 600cc+ thing is for I4's, the ninja is a I2 and makes half the horse power.
TKDean wrote:Another option i have in mind is the GS500F but i hear its a little underpowered. .............also can anyone give me the hp and torque stats on these bikes.
Thanks for putting up with another nooobie with the same old questions.
We were all newbies once. That is why I made the "Learn To Ride A Motorcycle" page in my signature. Please take a look at it. It will hopefully help you out a lot. It also has HP stats on all the bikes you are interested in and more.
The GS500 is NOT underpowered. A Ninja 250 isn't underpowered either. In fact, all of these bikes are likely faster than any car you've ever driven. A Ninja 250 is the slowest of them all, and it does 0-60 about as fast as a Ford Mach 1......
[b]Are you a beginner rider?
Have a lot of questions about motorcycling?
Not sure what bike to start with?
[url=http://www.wyndfeather.com/learn/motorcycle.htm]Learn To Ride A Motorcycle - A Step-By-Step Guide[/url][/b]
I vote neither. Under 500cc's for 1st bike not because it whats posted here (Although an excellant reason) but I've ridden before years ago and just got back in and its has saved my newbie arse. In a few years I'll get another. For my life, I have to accept it, to live to ride again.
I'm getting tired of people making a choice on a first bike, then trying to qualify their choice by asking this question.
If your heart is set on the bike, just buy it. I'm sure it won't matter how much you're cajoled by the TMW members, as you're already aware of the position of the majority of the riders here.
I just pray that we won't have to say, "We told you so!!!"
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"Four wheels move the body.
Two wheels move the soul!"
I think the 650r was kawasaki's attempt at an upper level beginners bike. However, I think they gave it more power than they should have done. I've read too many reports of test riders lifting the wheel, and being overly surprised about the amount of power the bike puts forth.
The conclusion that I've been drawing to has been that it's a great bike, but not for someone 100% green, and MSF doesn't count towards that.
The ninja 250 as I recently found out in testing bluemonkie99's is possibly able to get my 180 lbs frame to 105 mph quite easily. I didn't even realize how fast I was going!
I'd say its an ok starter bike with some previous dirt bike experience. But it can certainly get away from you very quickly if you aren't sure what you're doing. Its more forgiving than some bikes out there, but not the best first bike. Learning will be easier and quicker on an ex250/ex500/gs500.
I actually ended up picking up a 650R today. It's got a lot more power than any other bike I've ever ridden. But at no point today (just 50 miles mind you) did I ever even remotely feel like it was getting away from me or more than I can handle. And keep in mind it's in the break in period, I don't believe I ever got over 4000 rpms today. I've probably got about 4000 total miles of biking under my belt. If I was absolutely brand new though, I dunno, I'd probably rather go with a 250R.
