Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi from Columbus, Ohio.. just got my temp permit and signed up for a MSF class (not until Sept!)

Trying to figure out what a good choice of a first bike would be for me. Also looking at scooters...Piaggio looks nice!
Annette

Get a Ninja 250 on the cheap (there are more than a few in your area it looks like). Nothing stops you from practicing on it until you take your class.

I'm sure you will find our community very informative. There are "stickies" at the beginning if the beginner biker forum.....take a look through for bike ideas.

There are plenty of bikes a newbie can learn and ride on. Aside from the aforementioned Ninja 250, there are 250 Rebels and 250 Viragos and 650 V-Stars....

What style of riding do you have in mind?

5'3 on a ninja 250? Are the seats on those able to be lowered?

blues2cruise wrote:

I'm sure you will find our community very informative. There are "stickies" at the beginning if the beginner biker forum.....take a look through for bike ideas.

There are plenty of bikes a newbie can learn and ride on. Aside from the aforementioned Ninja 250, there are 250 Rebels and 250 Viragos and 650 V-Stars....

What style of riding do you have in mind?

Since I'm just starting out, I want to basically ride to work and around town. As I feel more confident, definitely expressway/weekend rides etc. Problem is I have never been on a motorcycle (besides being a passenger) and I don't really know how to operate one. I am signed up for a basic riding class, which isn't until early Sept. I would love to find a cheap bike to practice on in the meantime I have checked out all of the bikes mentioned for beginner riders. I plan on going out this week and sitting on some to hopefully find a good fit. I'm 5'3", 110 lb and fairly strong for my small size. Also looking at scooters (Piaggio or the like)
Annette

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/ ... 250-review

Anonymous wrote:This bike is simply fantastic. It's the first bike that I've owned and the reason I got it was because I heard it gets really good gas milage and also that it was good for shorter riders (i'm 5'3''!!!). Well this bike fits me PERFECT, it was a great bike to learn on, and probably in another 6 months or so I'm going to move up to the Kawasaki ZX-6r or maybe the ZZR. I highly recommend this motorcycle if you are just learning to ride.

Laughs at last couple lines.

Welcome aboard, fellow Ohioan!

You might have to sit on a lot of bikes until you find the perfect fit. But it's out there. I'm also 5'3" - I've never been on any of the Ninjas, but I do know that the FZ6 I used to ride was uncomfortably tall for me. But I do think that the Ninja is a bit lower than others. Good luck and keep us posted.

Cheers,
Loonette

annette wrote:Hi from Columbus, Ohio.. just got my temp permit and signed up for a MSF class (not until Sept!)

Trying to figure out what a good choice of a first bike would be for me. Also looking at scooters...Piaggio looks nice!
Annette

Woohoo! Another Columbus rider

You lucky, you got into the MSF???? HOW??!

Do you know what type of bike you want? Like cruiser, standard, sport, etc? Have you had the chance to sit on any?

annette wrote: Problem is I have never been on a motorcycle (besides being a passenger) and I don't really know how to operate one. I am signed up for a basic riding class, which isn't until early Sept. I would love to find a cheap bike to practice on in the meantime

If you don't know anything about riding a motorcycle, I wouldn't recommend trying to figure it out on your own before the class.

A friend of mine tried that a few months back on her new Rebel 250 (just 2 weeks before the class). She has healed pretty well, but the bike is a writeoff. Her plan was to practice in a parking lot in prepartation for the class. The bike got away from her.

I appreciate all of this great advise. I agree....I don't think it's a good idea to figure out how to ride on my own. It's not like trying to learn how to drive a stick (car) in a parking lot.

Tried to get into a riding class tonight as a walk in, but my lottery number wasn't called. Worth the try anyway. Maybe next week will be better!

I am planning on getting out and sitting on a few bikes on Thurs. A friend of mine who rides is suggesting the Suzuki SV 650. I am going to check this one out. Would like to find a used one. Checked Craigs List in Columbus, but no luck.

Can't wait to get out and start riding!!!
Annette