Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I just bought a 250 two weeks ago and put about 900 miles on it already. I just got my Motorcycle liscense but I get passed and pushed around on the Highway. I just learned to ride two weeks ago, is it too early for a bigger bike? I want to be able to keep up with everyone else plus it's governed at 60 mph

Give it time. The fact that you feel pushed around on the highway suggests you're not ready to move up. If you give it time, you'll learn to deal with the wind gusts and semi truck blow bys. It takes a while; I felt pushed around a lot on my Rebel, but got used to it and learned to ride through the wind and the turbulence from other vehicles.

I complained once about the feeling to a guy who was just talking bikes with me in a parking lot...he shrugged it off, pointing out that his Harley Road King got blown around, too. Might as well learn to ride it instead of fighting it.

I'm curious, what bike you have that's got the speed regulated at 60. It took me a while to figure out how to get my Rebel to go faster--it needed to be seriously wound up before shifting--but once I did I could get that sucker going 80, and I'm not a lightweight. I didn't didn't realize there were bikes sold in the US that are regulated (presuming you bought in the US...)

BlackCowboyRider has one of these I believe, Thumper.

http://www.qlinkmotor.com/product.php?id=63

BlackCowboyRider, I never suggest a 250cc for a first bike except for small persons. Only exception would be the Ninja 250. If you like sport bikes then something like a GS500 or Ninja 500 are good to start on. If your cruiser bound any of the 500 to 800cc cruisers would be good to start on.

I wouldn't go near a freeway on a bike that won't go over 60 mph. I started on a CB400 and traded it in on a CB750 six months and 6k miles later. After I really learned to ride I was happy with a 500cc, it will go anywhere and do anything.

If you are determined to get a different bike, then a 650 V-Star or a 750 Shadow would be fine.

Many European publications also say that the SV650 is a good beginners bike as well since it isn't twitchy like those supersport bikes. That means Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Ninja 250 - 500, Versys, Suzuki GSX650F or GS500, V-Strom and any cruiser up to 900 (Kawasaki Vulcan 900) would be good for a beginners. Now it becomes dependent on how you feel handling the weight and seat height of these bigger bikes.

JC Viper wrote:Many European publications also say that the SV650 is a good beginners bike as well since it isn't twitchy like those supersport bikes. That means Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Ninja 250 - 500, Versys, Suzuki GSX650F or GS500, V-Strom and any cruiser up to 900 (Kawasaki Vulcan 900) would be good for a beginners. Now it becomes dependent on how you feel handling the weight and seat height of these bigger bikes.

Just a clarification, V-Strom on this list should be the DL650, not the DL1000. DL1000 isn't remotely close to suitable for beginners.

It took me awhile, but I found TechTMW's post from June 2005 where he gave his "gray area" list that's been discussed a lot here: viewtopic.php?p=18600&highlight=#18600 This is a good post, it's not easy to find any more, and I wish the mods would sticky it <<HINT!!!>>

jstark47 wrote:

JC Viper wrote:Many European publications also say that the SV650 is a good beginners bike as well since it isn't twitchy like those supersport bikes. That means Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Ninja 250 - 500, Versys, Suzuki GSX650F or GS500, V-Strom and any cruiser up to 900 (Kawasaki Vulcan 900) would be good for a beginners. Now it becomes dependent on how you feel handling the weight and seat height of these bigger bikes.

Just a clarification, V-Strom on this list should be the DL650, not the DL1000. DL1000 isn't remotely close to suitable for beginners.

It took me awhile, but I found TechTMW's post from June 2005 where he gave his "gray area" list that's been discussed a lot here: viewtopic.php?p=18600&highlight=#18600 This is a good post, it's not easy to find any more, and I wish the mods would sticky it <<HINT!!!>>

Thanks, yeah that's what I meant by V-Strom, I keep forgetting that there's a DL1000.

The thing with the SV650 is that the power curve is quite gentle (again from the european magazine which most bikes are sporty and not cruisers).

The new Triumph Scrambler should be listed as a beginners bike as well.

jstark47 wrote:

JC Viper wrote:Many European publications also say that the SV650 is a good beginners bike as well since it isn't twitchy like those supersport bikes. That means Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Ninja 250 - 500, Versys, Suzuki GSX650F or GS500, V-Strom and any cruiser up to 900 (Kawasaki Vulcan 900) would be good for a beginners. Now it becomes dependent on how you feel handling the weight and seat height of these bigger bikes.

Just a clarification, V-Strom on this list should be the DL650, not the DL1000. DL1000 isn't remotely close to suitable for beginners.

It took me awhile, but I found TechTMW's post from June 2005 where he gave his "gray area" list that's been discussed a lot here: viewtopic.php?p=18600&highlight=#18600 This is a good post, it's not easy to find any more, and I wish the mods would sticky it <<HINT!!!>>

I will bring it to the attention of someone who can do that.

that is one odd bike? im guessing a scooter dressed up to look like a cruiser?