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I'm planning on learning to ride and starting out on something small. Looking at the different 250's out there, is there a big difference in performance or is the major factor going to be the weight of the bike? I am leaning towards a traditional/cruiser style. From reading, its seems that highway speeds can be rough on any of them (5'10, 200 pounds) so I was curious if there would be much difference in the acceleration and handling. Thanks for any info you can share.

First off, take the beginners rider course! It is worth every penny.

I think any of the 250's you look at will be able to do freeway speeds. You probably won't have much additional acceleration while at speed to "get out of the way," but you should be able to stay with traffic at the legally posted speed limit.

Each of the bikes will have different weights and hp ratings. The biggest factor will be which bike "fits" you best. Sit on them, balance them, rock them side to side (only a little, you don't want to tip it over!). Stay sitting on each bike for awhile and see how it feels.

The bike I started on was a Hyosung GV250 cruiser. Plenty of power to move my 6' 220lbs around, even on the freeway. The bike fit me as it felt bigger than the Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you choose!

The little 250s can be buzzy at highway speeds, but the only thing really rough about riding them there is blowby from big trucks and buses. I could wind up my Rebel to 80 fairly easily, and it did fine on the Interstate. I didn't necessarily enjoy it (combination of my size, the bike's size, and the buzziness, I think) but the bike had no problem handling it. The key thing is winding the engine up before shifting to get it to go that fast. As far as learning...250s are terrific. They're light, they're forgiving of newby mistakes, and they'll do everything you need a bike to do.

Still...if I was just starting out again, and knew I'd be riding the Interstate a lot, I'd get something a little bigger. Maybe a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. We have a Honda VLX Shadow 600 in the garage...it's fine on the Interstate, but I still think I'd opt for the Vulcan over that (well, a used one...can't get a new one in CA anymore )

At 5'8" with a 32-33" inseam, I was right at the edge of fitting on the Rebel...so you might want to test sit all the different small bikes to see if they feel right. I think the Yamaha Virago has a little more leg room, but I've never actually been on one, just been told so.

As mentioned, be sure to take a MSF training course. As for starting out... I would think that as long as you're responsible enough individual. By saying that, I mean you're responsible enough to ride to your abilities and not that of the bike you start off with. Then you might be better off starting off with a mid size cruiser, ie: 650 to 800 CC range. Avoid a early upgrade/upsize.

Good luck!

Im scheduled for the course on the 21st, and have 3 private lessons scheduled prior to it. Stopped off at a suzuki dealer tonite just to look around and while they didnt have anything in stock, i spent a good amount of time talking to the sales rep. His recommendation was an 800 to start on, his opinion being that id be back right away with a 250 looking to upgrade, and riding something heavier would be more stable on the road ie wind, other vehicles etc, and while it is a more powerful engine, the bike weight would offset it slightly, and learning to ride the right way on an engine that size would cover the rest. There seems to be a lot of back and forth on what to start on, and having no experience, I think im just running my head in circles at the moment. Until I get some time in on a bike, I think all im doing is theoretical anyway. It kills me to wait for anything, but Im not going to buy something before I get through the course, and even then, the bike show comes in January so I may wait to sit on everything even though i will be a basket case by then.

Your bike show is in January? Ours, too? You in BC?

As best I can tell, the Kawasaki offers the most bang/buck of the 250s. The main point of fortitude is how it will sing along at 80 all day, if you're not afraid of REVs that is. It also is a good trainer for it's more manly cousins, like a Ruger 22-45 is for a 1911.--meaning, it gets you into the sportbike ergos and lets you know what to expect when you move up to a more serious motorcycle...
I know you're interested in cruisers, but from my exp. the baby cruisers suck...(sorry), and you are early enough in your moto career that you can still be turned...lol. Even if you graduate to a Big Twin or a metric cruiser, a 250 sport bike could still teach you a lot. Afterall, 2 wheels are 2 wheels....

The Ninjette will handle, stop, and accelerate like a real motorcycle, certain other 250's won't leave you that feeling...

Im in New York, the show is at the Javitts center in the city. Im looking for the cruiser/standard style because I feel more comfortable on the bike. I've done enough things to bang myself up without a bike that the forward posture would set my back and neck off after riding a while. Definitely going to sit on everything though before I buy.

wow, last year's show was an odd one being held in December and all. It seems many cycle shows are in the winter months while car shows are in the spring. I wonder why that is.

Anyway I had a Suzuki GZ250 for about 6 months before I traded up. It was quite good for local travel and the highway use was decent but any cruiser in the 250cc range will seem weak and buzzy at speeds 55mph+. Just going to a Vulcan 500 was a huge step in terms of acceleration and ride comfort on the highway. Maybe adding a windshield would help the 250cc bikes greatly to battle wind buffering.

Some reviews I've read put the Kymco Venox and Hyosung 250cc cruisers in a good light with them having decent torque and power for 70+ MPH cruising.

Nothing can touch the Ninja 250 and it's seating position feels like a sport tourer than a sport/ RR bike.

Maybe I'll see you at the next show, I'll be the one riding a pretty sad looking Vulcan 500.

Themadmagazine wrote:As best I can tell, the Kawasaki offers the most bang/buck of the 250s. The main point of fortitude is how it will sing along at 80 all day, if you're not afraid of REVs that is. It also is a good trainer for it's more manly cousins, like a Ruger 22-45 is for a 1911.--meaning, it gets you into the sportbike ergos and lets you know what to expect when you move up to a more serious motorcycle...

I agree that the Kaw 250 provides the most bang for the buck. Better highway performance, better brakes, better suspension. It does not have any sort of sportbike ergos. This is basically a standard bike with some plastic added for sportbike looks. The riding position is straight up standard.

For the OP : If you're going to be spending a lot of time on the highway and you like cruisers, then possibly something a bit bigger will work. The idea is to get something that will have some excess horsepower for the highway, yet not be so heavy that it will be difficult to handle. There are several middleweight cruisers that you might want to consider.

Kaw Vulcan 500
Hon Shadow VLX (600)
Yam Virago 535
Suz S40 (650 single)