New (prospective) rider, lots of thoughts and questions

[coelomate]

Hi everyone!

I’m new here (obviously) and have an interesting history with motorcycles, but am just now considering actually learning to ride and purchasing a bike. There are a lot of factors going into my decision, and while I’m trying to answer my own questions with research, the people on these forums seem friendly so I thought I’d post and ask for some targeted advice here!

First, some background: I grew up with a Dad who was a motorcycle nut. He had 5-6 bikes, and eventually took up racing sportbikes at Summit Point. This was while I was very young (elementary-middle school), but I still have fond memories of wandering around the track and riding on the back of various bikes he had. I recall very few specifics (a couple of things stuck with me, like how un-fun it was to ride on the back of his Ducati 916 because of how quick it moved!), but I’ve always assumed I’d want to pick up riding one day. Just recently, I realized that there’s not really a good reason to wait – and I did some research before deciding to sign up for a local MSF course that begind after my summer job ends (Course starts July 30th and ends August 2nd).

In terms of specifics, I’m a 20 year old male (5'8", 155 pounds - if that matters) who lives in the D.C. area but goes to school in upstate New York (Ithaca). I’ve got about $5,500 in a savings account that I could blow entirely on a bike/gear/insurance/etc is I decide to – which definitely is constricting, but there seem to be some good options that fall within my price range. I’m definitely attracted to the look of a sportsbike, but I don’t want to become a statistic 10 minutes after my first ride either (got plenty of calls from my dad in the hospital after something went wrong on the track, don’t want to repeat those mistakes).

If all goes according to plan, I’ll finish the MSF course on August 3rd, buy a bike sometime around then, and practice riding until August 13th or so when (if I’m ready) I’d love to ride the bike up to Ithaca (it’s a ~330 mile drive). Once up there, I’d ride around the back roads after class and on weekends.

So! I’ve obviously got loads of questions at this point... what kind of bike would you recommend that would fit in my price range and needs? The Ninja 250 seemed like a good buy, but the guy at a dealer I went to today recommended against it on the theory it wouldn’t have enough power or be comfortable enough to make the trip to Ithaca well. He explained to me the different between sportbikes and standard bikes, and had me sit on an SV650s (‘so that’s why the say the riding position is uncomfortable/so that’s what clip ons are’), an SV650 (‘So this is the same engine? Wow! This is a lot more comfortable!), and a Rebel (‘That looks kind of like a runt...). Definitely makes me interested in getting a standard, especially since it’ll likely involve long rides, but I do like the sportier style.

So... that’s where my head is now, and any advice on anything at all you could offer would be greatly appreciated! I can’t wait until July 30th!

[Gummiente]

Those are difficult questions to answer, because in the end only you can decide what works best for you. A lot of motorcycle purchases come down to one major factor - which one made your heart pump the fastest. My suggestion is to keep visiting all the bike shops in your area, tell them your story and see what they recommend. You may find that a middleweight cruiser really turns your crank, or you may find that something like a used Kawasaki EX500 just seems to "fit" you the best.

Whatever you decide on, you're already off to a good start. Taking an MSF course is the best thing you can do to ensure your longevity out on the streets. Your comment about becoming a statistic if you ride a sportbike, well, it isn't the bike that causes the problems it's the nut connected to the handlebars. At your height and weight, I think a 250 would be a bit small. You might want to check out bikes in the 400-650cc range instead.

Once you decide on a particular make and model - or at least narrow down your choices to the top three - you should join an owner's forum dedicated to each particular bike. The SV 650, for example, has a few good owner forums that will be an excellent source of very relevant info... way more accurate than what a Harley and Ural riding old fart like me could offer up.

[Scoutmedic]

Not much more for me to add to what Gummie said except to suggest visiting the Beginner's Guide. There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk).

I've never been on a Ninja 250 but, judging by the opinions of riders on here that have them, it will have plenty of power to take you anywhere you need to go.

Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!

[RideYourRide]

Judging by my one visit there, living in Ithica and owning an SV650 is like winning the lottery.

I also saw a lot more of it at night then in daylight, did a big doughnut in a four way traffic lighted intersection downtown in the supra and talked some supervisor into letting us stay in an unused dorm room at Ithica college at like 10 pm, so maybe my commando run was a poor judge of the scenery

[roscowgo]

Congrats. You're doin it right.

I agree with what everone here says. Take some time and go wander about various bike shops. Pester hell out of mechanics. Let your butt develop a deep loving relationship with some showroom bikes.

If you're looking at the 250 cruisers, i've heard many many many good things about the virago 250. Finding one may be the only hard part. The vulcan 500 was pretty nifty. Bit cramped for me...but i'm fat. stretch humvees are cramped to me.

That ninja 250 has plenty of power and endurance to take you just about anywhere you want to go. It's top speed is actually over 100 mph. So freeway speeds shouldnt be a problem there. and 70mpg to boot. I'm not saying the ninjette would exactly Leap to its top speed and whine to go faster.... but it should be just fine.

You might want to look at a dual sport or two too. I have a few friends who do the offroad bit. And ive gotta tell you..... it looks like some serious fun. Though at 5'8 you may have some issues with ride height. One giant gangling stork of a fellow I know rides a KTM 640 adventure, and at 6'0 here, it seems to come up to my chin.

Good luck and enjoy lookin around

[DustyJacket]

My brother=in-law got an SV650 as his first bike and he still has it.

He added GIVI bags to it, and ride up and down the Front Range (Colorado) to go to work.

Last year he rode to Kansas City and then we both went to TN/NC to do the Dragon and returned. The SV650 did very very well.

My recommendation is to take the class, finish it and get your license, and THEN go bike shopping. You'll have a few miles inder your belt and the class should teach you some things to look at.

Consider getting a used bike as your first.

[coelomate]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I'm still most keen on an EX250 or an SV650, but I've promised myself not to make any committed decisions until after I've taken the course and actually ridden some bikes! I'll check out the owners forums and ask some of my more specific questions there...

Part of my problem is that I've only got 10 days between finishing the MSF course and needing to be in upstate NY. I have promised myself absolutely that I won't make the trip if I'm not completely sure of my abilities, but I also have no other commitments during those 10 days so I assumed that I'd have lots of time to practice. The problem, of course, is I won't have the opportunity to wait out the best deal - if I don't buy on Friday the 3rd or there abouts, the logistics will get all screwed up...

Speaking of which, I've heard the riding position on the EX250 is more upright than your average sportpike - is that the case? Also, I've heard conflicting advice about the SV650 - it seems that while the unfaired(is that how to spell that?) version has a more comfortable riding position, the windshield and fairing(sp?) on the front of the SV650s makes long distance, high speed driving more comfortable. Which would you recommend?

The EX250 has a top speed of 100 - can it get there in a hurry and maintain a speed of 90 or 95 without being too upset? The main roads through PA tend to go about that fast... although I suppose I might consider extending the length of the trip and taking a more 'scenic' route instead of dog fighting semis all the way to NY

RideYourRide, how do you mean 'like winning the lottery'?

[roscowgo]

By reputation....I don't think it would have any trouble.

Remember that if you buy a new bike you'll have to deal with the break-in and 600 mile service pretty quick. Intestate driving probably wouldnt be ideal on that. neither would getting halfway to NY and needing an oil change +whatever else they do on the ninjas first service.

For that matter...Interstate driving can be a touch......Interesting on a bike anyway. At least it always has and i think always Will scare the everloving hell out of me. That might just be fear of WV drivers+idiots in 3$ hondas with wings suitable to a pterodactyl+on the phone+no signal close following goofiness.

[Dichotomous]

nice to see ya posting up here as well as SVR, I think this forum is a little better designed for newbies and people on all kinds of bikes (not that we discriminate on SVR and the advice will be great either way). also glad to hear you are thinking of the ex250, that would be a wonderfull stasrter, better than the SV by far for a learner, even if for a few months.
the fairing dopesnt make it more comfy, it makes it warmer when its cold if you tuck behind it. it also buffets and makes more helmet noise too.
I wouldnt even begin to care about top speeds yet, I still dont care about them even now

[Duffy]

I have the 250 and take it to work when I can. It can get up to speed no problem. Like someone else said somewhere on this forum "it is faster than most cars, but not as fast as most bikes" I didn't pay much attention to the 600 mile breakin period bs. Was told by dealer just not to red line it. It still runs just fine and its at 800 miles now. Still need to bring it in for its 600 mile service which is ridiculously high ($350) but that's another story.

Ok, so how I would judge the ex250 for the interstate......
If you sat on one and thought it comfortable for your height then all's good there. I was told it has more of a standard seating position. I purposely lean over on highway to try to minimize the wind hitting me and to get closer to the warm tank.

I average about 75-85 on highway. Have gone up to 95mph and bike didn't complain. It revs higher, when going that fast (95mph), close to 11,000rpms but you get use to it. It's a light bike so you feel the wind. If it's a windy day (gusts at 10mph or over) you really feel it on the road and it tends to move you around on highway (er, within your lane, just have to counter steer it a bit) Also, semi's I consider my enemy, especially behind them, they create alot of wind drafting.

Seat not made for long rides though (an hour or longer) and your butt may get sore. And there is alot of vibrations coming through handgribs that numb your digits. That may be true for all bikes though???

Are you paying for the bike outright? Is what you have in the bank the only money you can spend and not a cent more? Because you will have to add a couple hundred more to the sticker price for the extra charges they throw at you that isn't included to the sticker and also the extra cash you need to pay to your insurance.