Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forums for a few days now, reading the stickies, etc, and I've got to say that you all seem like a great bunch of folks. =-) Hopefully you won't mind helping me with a few questions.

I've never ridden a motorcycle before but I've decided I want to learn. I'm enrolled to take my local MSF course here in New York City in three weeks. In the mean time, I'm doing research on what a sensible first bike would be for me (a total beginner). Almost everything I'm reading says to go with something around 250cc. However, I have two biker pals that say a 250cc might be too low for me to start with.

Here's more details. I'm a very responsible 27 year old, 5'11" and I weigh 155lbs. I live in NYC but the thought of learning to ride in NYC really scares me (traffic/drivers are crazy here) so I'm thinking of keeping a bike in a garage someplace out of the city where traffic is lighter and I can learn to ride with more open space around me. Bike-wise, something like a Rebel appeals to me, I think, but I've also read that the Ninja 250 makes a great beginner bike, even if I don't think I'm a sport bike kinda guy.

Two of my biker friends think that a 250cc bike might be dangerously underpowered. What they've said to me is that a 250cc bike might not have the oomph to let me accelerate quickly to get out of a problem situation if I need to. They think I'm responsible enough that the extra power of a bigger 500-600cc bike won't be a danger to me, but that's just not what I've read over and over again online.

So, my questions are:
1) What do you all think about the 250cc bike being underpowered safety argument my friends make? One recommended a Honda Shadow VLX instead of the Rebel.

2) Even if I'm not into sporty bikes, would the Ninja 250 be a good bike for me to start on because it handles well and isn't too expensive, etc?

Thanks for reading.

AsherPalm wrote:Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forums for a few days now, reading the stickies, etc, and I've got to say that you all seem like a great bunch of folks. =-) Hopefully you won't mind helping me with a few questions.

I've never ridden a motorcycle before but I've decided I want to learn. I'm enrolled to take my local MSF course here in New York City in three weeks. In the mean time, I'm doing research on what a sensible first bike would be for me (a total beginner). Almost everything I'm reading says to go with something around 250cc. However, I have two biker pals that say a 250cc might be too low for me to start with.

Here's more details. I'm a very responsible 27 year old, 5'11" and I weigh 155lbs. I live in NYC but the thought of learning to ride in NYC really scares me (traffic/drivers are crazy here) so I'm thinking of keeping a bike in a garage someplace out of the city where traffic is lighter and I can learn to ride with more open space around me. Bike-wise, something like a Rebel appeals to me, I think, but I've also read that the Ninja 250 makes a great beginner bike, even if I don't think I'm a sport bike kinda guy.

Two of my biker friends think that a 250cc bike might be dangerously underpowered. What they've said to me is that a 250cc bike might not have the oomph to let me accelerate quickly to get out of a problem situation if I need to. They think I'm responsible enough that the extra power of a bigger 500-600cc bike won't be a danger to me, but that's just not what I've read over and over again online.

So, my questions are:
1) What do you all think about the 250cc bike being underpowered safety argument my friends make? One recommended a Honda Shadow VLX instead of the Rebel.

2) Even if I'm not into sporty bikes, would the Ninja 250 be a good bike for me to start on because it handles well and isn't too expensive, etc?

Thanks for reading.

The Ninja 250 can accelerate faster than the vast majority of cars on the road, and it has a top speed of over 100 mph.

The Rebel, on the other hand, is indeed underpowered. A 600-750cc V-twin cruiser is a MUCH different thing than a 600cc I4 supersport.

A ~650cc Shadow, V-Star, Boulevard, etc, is a very good first bike.

Decide whether you want a laid-back cruiser (a Shadow VLX, etc), or a sporty standard (Ninja 250, Ninja 500, Suzuki GS500, etc)

I understand your concerns. I had some of the same concerns and I decided to go with a 250cc Virago. I have been riding it everyday for the last 8 months. I am 5'10" and 250lbs and it has enough oomph to out accelerate most cars (high end sports cars excluded). It all comes back to the question of what you feel comfortable with. Nobody else is going to be riding your bike for you so go with your brain on what you think is best for you.

The little Ninja is a very good all around 250. It does well, both on city streets and on the highway. It only looks like a sportbike, though. It hides a very comfortable standard riding position under that plastic.

The Rebel is fine in the city, but I wouldn't want to have to do a lot of high speed interstate riding with it. It will do 70 mph, but acceleration is very sluggish beyond that point. I rode one on L.A. freeways awhile back and it's not something I'd care to do often. Again, if you're doing mostly city riding, the Rebel is very well suited to the task.

As Jonnythan pointed out, there are some larger bikes that will also fit the bill. I personally like Kawasaki's EX500 (a.k.a. Ninja 500R) and Vulcan 500. Both use the same engine, but the EX carries sportbike plastic, while the Vulcan is a cruiser. Suzuki also makes a good beginner 500 in the GS500F.

Pretty much any of the middle displacement ( 500-800cc) cruisers will also do the job nicely

I too have a 07 Yamaha Virago 250. I just started riding the last couple weeks and dont even have 100 miles on it yet. The decision is yours of course and no one else's. I was also told that a 250 would be too small by veteren riders. I can tell you that I am more than satisfied with this bike. Sure I know I'll out grow it and maybe in a short time. In my opinion it is a perfect starter. Keep me informed as to what you decide. I'll be interested. Any questions just ask...........

I'm a new biker - haven't even purchased one yet myself. Skel3tor1 - who is on this forum somewhere has some excellent videos showing the rebel in action - and it doesn't appear to be underpowered for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFWfh8t3cZc - based on that video - and some others of his on youtube that made me decide that I don't need anything stronger than a rebel - to learn on anyway.

Also note, in the reading that I've done, the injury and likelyhood of injury go up with the size of the bike.

RhadamYgg

I'm also a new rider. Just got my first bike this past October. I decided on the Yamaha V Star 650 Custom. It's a cruiser. LIke the vets here will tell you a 650cc Cruiser and a 650cc Sport bike are to different animals. I chose the V Star because it felt so comfy. When you take your MSF Coure you will have the oportunity to try different bikes. This will help in your decision. ( Vets please correct me if I'm wrong.) Any bike will have more umph and out accelerate a car. Incidently a 600cc Cruiser has more then enough power for us beginners. So does a 250 Ninja.

Thanks so far for all the great responses! It's good to know that I wasn't necessarily hearing truly different opinions here regarding a 600cc cruiser as a beginner bike. Good to know.

I'll keep you all posted as things develop. =-)

I started with a Rebel; it was a blast, I learned a lot and it just made me want more. But at 5'8" with a 32" inseam, it started to feel small really fast. It was definitely worth it for the little over a year I rode it, but that last half of that I was really wanting something a little bigger.

The Spouse Thingy started out on a VLX; he's very happy with it and doesn't think he needs to move up at all. If he ever gets another bike, it'll be because something shiny catches his eye and not because he thinks he's outgrown it. It's fine for a beginner: not too overpowering, not too heavy...and you'll probably keep it longer than a 250.

Now, if you're in Northern CA and want a Rebel, I have one sitting all lonely in my garage...

Thumper wrote:Now, if you're in Northern CA and want a Rebel, I have one sitting all lonely in my garage...

Ahh, I live in NYC. Alas, I used to live in Los Angeles, but I won't be moving back for a year or two.