Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Theres seems to be so many beginner bikes... that aren't made anymore!!

Is the Kawasaki Ninja 250 the only bike thats in ready supply used and brand new?

The Hyosung 250GTR looks like a GSXR, even though I don't think I'd liek it due to its height, still.. its beautiful compared to the ninja 250. Digital gauges and everything..

I need a beginner bike.. I'm going to take the msf this summer, but once I finish the course I don't know what I'd be able to ride.

Oh yeah, theres virtually no 250 sport bikes withen a 500 mile radius. I really do not feel its necessary to travel far out of state for a bike I don't even think I can transport to my house. I'd rather spend the extra 400 or 500 dollars for a new 250 and resell it for nearly its original price 1 year later.

I really don't know what to do about this 250 crisis. I think the local dealer has TWO used ninja 250's.. except I heard that 1 month ago, and at the current rate I bet they're gone now

The Ninja 500/EX500 is still manufactured and is an awesome starter bike. I have heard mixed opinions about the 650R being a beginner bike, but it's definitely not the worst choice for the first ride.

Suzuki presently makes the GS500F, but both GS500F/E are great bikes to start with.

The Honda Nighthawk 250 would be a cool bike to start on.

The Buell Blast would be a nice bike to start with.

But as far as the sportiest bike, your best bet may be the Hyosung 250GTR, which offers the most aggressive riding position I think.

If you are into cruisers, there are a ton of those you could start with also.

But you should be able to find all of these bikes from several dealerships.

Cruisers include:
-Honda Rebel 250
-Suzuki GZ250
-Yamaha Virago 250

If you're taller there are also road legal dual sports.

Don't despair. Though they are hard to find they are out there. Check Craigslist and Kijiji

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadte ... omparison/

I've read some mixed impressions of the Ninja 250 vs. the 500 as a beginner bike.

I'm going to be buying my first bike soon, and it'll definitely be a used clunker until I'm comfortable & sure I'll be sticking around for a while.

The down side is that nearly all of my driving will be on highways & interstates - I live in NYC and have to stay on them for at least a while before I can get to any fun bike roads.

The 250's top speed of @100-105 mph seems like it'd be fine -- I certainly don't anticipate needing to even hit 100 on the NJ turnpike. But I've heard from a couple people that the 250 doesn't have the sort of punch you'd want to get out of the way of various highway obstacles. I've also heard the exact opposite -- that a 250 is fine.

Especially since this is my very first bike, I don't intend on doing anything spectacular with it ... "not getting seriously injured" is pretty much my goal and most of the places I'd travel to are 100-250 miles away.

I'm also 6'0" and 200 lbs. From what I gather, that's not large enough to reject the 250 out of hand.

250 or 500? Which would you pick?

Septimus wrote: But I've heard from a couple people that the 250 doesn't have the sort of punch you'd want to get out of the way of various highway obstacles. I've also heard the exact opposite -- that a 250 is fine.

250 or 500? Which would you pick?

I've found that people who say things like that have never actually ridden one, or they didn't know how to ride it properly. I've ridden the EX250 on big city freeways (L.A, Phoenix) and it does just fine. It's no 100hp sportbike, but can out accelerate most cars up to 85-90 mph. The trick to having good response is properly using the powerband. Many people are reluctant to run the engine in the higher rpm ranges (where it was designed to deliver the most power), and erroneously conclude that the bike doesn't have enough guts for the freeway.

The bottom line is either bike will get the job done. The 250 will obviously have less horsepower to play with than the 500, but will also come with a significantly lower price tag.

That's in line with what I've heard from most experienced riders.

It also gives me a little more wiggle room for aftermarket things like bags and seats. Spending only 2-3 grand on a bike would be fantastic.

flynrider wrote:

Septimus wrote: But I've heard from a couple people that the 250 doesn't have the sort of punch you'd want to get out of the way of various highway obstacles. I've also heard the exact opposite -- that a 250 is fine.

250 or 500? Which would you pick?

I've found that people who say things like that have never actually ridden one, or they didn't know how to ride it properly. I've ridden the EX250 on big city freeways (L.A, Phoenix) and it does just fine. It's no 100hp sportbike, but can out accelerate most cars up to 85-90 mph. The trick to having good response is properly using the powerband. Many people are reluctant to run the engine in the higher rpm ranges (where it was designed to deliver the most power), and erroneously conclude that the bike doesn't have enough guts for the freeway.

The bottom line is either bike will get the job done. The 250 will obviously have less horsepower to play with than the 500, but will also come with a significantly lower price tag.

+1 not to mention the lower weight of a 250 which is what beginners really need.

What about the Boulevard S40 and the Vulcan 500? I hear they make good begginers bikes as well.

flynrider wrote:

Septimus wrote: But I've heard from a couple people that the 250 doesn't have the sort of punch you'd want to get out of the way of various highway obstacles. I've also heard the exact opposite -- that a 250 is fine.

250 or 500? Which would you pick?

I've found that people who say things like that have never actually ridden one, or they didn't know how to ride it properly. I've ridden the EX250 on big city freeways (L.A, Phoenix) and it does just fine. It's no 100hp sportbike, but can out accelerate most cars up to 85-90 mph. The trick to having good response is properly using the powerband. Many people are reluctant to run the engine in the higher rpm ranges (where it was designed to deliver the most power), and erroneously conclude that the bike doesn't have enough guts for the freeway.

+2

Small, light, easy to learn on and do u-turns, easy to park, inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to insure, usually easy to DIY wrench (buy the Clymer's or Haynes manual), fogiving of newby mistakes in parking lots when you are standing still, forgiving brakes. Small bikes.

Make your first bike a small bike for sure. After a year or two you'll be a better, more informed rider and can choose your next bike.