Total Motorcycle Community Forums

OK, I'm a 16 year old male in houston. I don't have a drivers permit or license, and I'm wanting a bike rather than a car. I was wondering if anyone could help me out as far as good new bikes that can fit 2 people, and not going to be too powerful for me. I would prefer one that does have a nice street look to it. Also, if anyone would let me know how much I would be paying for insurance a year? and maybe even how much I would be looking at to pay monthly for a new bike which are looking at around 8-10 grand? Thanks a bunch for the help..

Well. I hate to rain on your parade. But, in Houston traffic, you REALLY need a couple years of road experience from inside the safety of a car. You've got to experience how really really really stupid people can be on the roads before you can begin to avoid them. Misjudging traffic on a motorcycle can get you maimed. Misjudging traffic in a car, can get you a dented fender.

Most states require you to have a car license before you can get a motorcyle license.

Riding two up is a BAD idea for at least the first year. You need to fully master riding on your own, before you are responsible for someone else's life.

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yeahh well, for about a year my mom has allowed me to drive her car, granted with no license or permit. but I have had alot of driving experience, and yeah I wouldn't trust myself for awhile with someone else on it so that's nothing to worry about. I know if I were going to be driving anyone else I would just take my moms car or something..

Sorry, NJoseph, but I have to second LionLady. Get some street experience in a car first, when a fender-bender is an annoyance rather than a hospital visit (or worse).

I know you're in a hurry and you want to do this NOW. We were all 16 once. But I think most of the experienced riders on this forum will back us up: Get a year of left turns under your belt first if you're going to ride in city traffic.

Oh. And I wouldn't double up for at least a year after that.

Don't it suck to be responsible?

I'm 16 and have logged 2k miles on my ninja 250 in 2 months. I've never dropped the ninja (just once in grass, not moving).

To say the least, I've almost gotten into several severe car vs motorcycle accidents. Usually doing stuff that most people would have learned in a car... eh.. kinda. I guess "not paying attention" applies to both vehicles. Then again, learning that lesson in a car can save a lot of broken bones, know what I'm sayin?

Every encounter you have while driving in a car is multiplied by 10 on a motorcycle. Luckily, the traffic around my area is DEAD after a certain hour. I used to coast with my skateboard down a 2 mile long hill without even looking for traffic (cause there is none). The only times i've almost gotten into accidents was during rush hour, which may just be "normal" traffic for your area.

What Wordherder and LionLady said.

Get some street time behind the wheel of a car first, also take a motorcycle training course, save your money, buy your gear first then in a year or two, get your bike..... at least this way you can become a true rider instead of gory statistic.

Driving in traffic or around the suburbs? There's a difference.


Never driven in Houston, avoid it if I can. Have driven in DFW though and my sister has lived in both. DFW was fun. In that it tested my car driving skills and I had fun driving in that kind of traffic. But it was crazy.

My sister says Houston is MUCH worse. So you may want to hold off on the bike til 18 or so when you have a good, solid car driving experience under you.

But to answer your question, a GS500 is probably about what you're looking for. It won't get you killed as quickly as other bikes and allow you to get better. Plus it has that sporty look you're wanting.

Or a new Ninja 250, the 2008 model. Those look nice.

Or my personal favorite, the Ninja 500. But a lot of people think they're ugly for some reason. I think they're gorgeous.



Either way. TAKE THE MSF course. www.msf-usa.org

They have them in Houston. About four of them I believe.

And if you want second opinions try here:
http://www.motohouston.com/forums/index.php

They're on the scene and offer some good advice. Can probably tell you more about driving in Houston. Lots of stunters there but also some pretty level headed people.



And for price, if you go used you're looking at anywhere from $1500 - 4000 for a good starter bike. $4000+ if you buy used (which I wouldn't advise doing because you're going to drop your first bike. Maybe even your second, third, fourth). Check Craigslist. The Houston section has a pretty good motorcycle base.

Anyhow good luck with whatever you choose to do.

+1,000 on getting more experience. I'm sorry to tell you that a year of Mom letting you drive is simply not enough. A good start, but not enough.

+1 on the '08 Ninja 250! That thing looks so nice, and it won't get you killed unless you do something monumentally stupid (or a soccer-mom in a Yukon misses you amongst her nail-painting, cell-texting, hollering at Jimmy schedule). I sat on one yesterday, and although it feels light, it doesn't feel fragile.

You need more (much more) road experience in a car before getting on a bike.

Uhh, everyone has said that you should get some more road experience before you get a bike. But no one has really said why.

The thing(s) that you need to remember is that you're new to the bike, and you're new to traffic. Riding a motorcycle is a TOTALLY different experience from everything you've EVER done before. Riding a bicycle, not even close. Driving a car, not even on the same page. Dirt bike? Maybe... but the rules are pretty different, things work differently and you have a totally different skill set.

Having said that, riding a motorcycle is a tough skillset to pick up. It requires a lot of attention to detail, careful control of both your body and your surroundings, and the willingness to actually do stuff that is totally counterintuitive, or contrary to every instinct that you have.

Now, at the same time you're going to be attempting to learn the rules of the road in (based upon the posts) a bad place to be driving in general. You're going to be very focused on your machine, and not so focused on the other vehicles on the road. And those other vehicles don't give two care about you. They'll hit you and probably not even stop.


So the reason everyone is on here telling you to get more driving experience before you get your bike is to give you the chance to learn the rules of the road in a much safer environment.

That being said, I'd only driven for 2 years and rarely at that before I got my bike. And I just bought my first car this year... 7 years after I started driving.