Help choosing a beginner motorcycle

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Josh · #1 Unread post by **Josh** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:39 pm

Im 16 and am 6' and weigh 190 lbs.. I am looking at either a kawasaki ninja 250 or 500. I am not sure which too get I know tis good to start on a small bike but i dont have alot of money to be buying multiple motorcycles and thought the 250 might be a little small for me.. Yes I plan on takeing MSF and have an experienced rider to help me through afterwards. I am looking at a paticular 1999 ninja ex500 is there anything wrong with this year or model that should stop me from buying also still wondering if it would be too big. Thanks.

#2 Unread post by **Kal** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:36 pm

Hi Josh

a 50cc would be small for you, a 125 would haul you around at 65 or so (mine does 70), a 250 or 500 should do pretty much everything you need it too but have different plus and minus'...

Both are considered good starter bikes, just check out the new Biker forum to see that.

So it pretty much comes down to what use you are going to put the bike too... In town, long distance, track days, commuting to and from work...

Just because you CAN put a picture hook up using a sledgehammer dosnt mean that you should do...*
Get what I mean?

I use mine for everything. I put 8 and a half K on my bike in my first year and I'm just about getting the itch to trade up to a 250 or 400 now...

*Or so Jules told me last time she caught me doing that...

sapaul · #3 Unread post by **sapaul** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:39 am

CC size is directly related to experiance and ego. There is nothing wrong with a bigger CC bike as a starter as long as the ego does not get too big and grows in relation to the experiance. In practical terms let your common sense control your throttle.

TechTMW · #4 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:52 am

You should be fine w/ the ex500 ... if the price is right, go for it.

Josh · #5 Unread post by **Josh** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:03 pm

My grandpa still thinks 500is too big he keeps saying if you accidently crack the throttle itll go right on its back flip right over so on and so forth. He doesnt care or have any say in waht i get but i would like to find a way to convince him 500 isnt too big. Also if i was forced into a 250 would even handle a passenger and what about on the highway??? Would i be more cramped? Guys help me out here im gonna forward him to this post... Thanks.

jewfzr · #6 Unread post by **jewfzr** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:48 pm

The EX is a fine bike. I would really consider older 600s as well. FZR,YZF,ZX CBr. Pm me josh.

jmillheiser · Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:33 pm

It would take more than just accidentaly cracking the throttle to flip it on its back. Even on a bigger sport bike it takes a considerable amount of throttle input to do a wheelie.

iwannadie · #8 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:54 pm

http://www.dataflo.net/~mpurintun/video ... _crash.wmv

not a stock bike... but still, beginners need to be afraid of the bike.

go with the ex500.

Josh · #9 Unread post by **Josh** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:02 pm

Well im def. afraid of them... Are there any other options out there in this cat. I LOVE THE LOOK of the naked bmw and is it the sv650. But I know there is prob nothing in that cat. for a begginer... Also ide like to keep the price reasonable... Nothing new for i have a way high insurance premium on anything being 16. I realy like the sportbikes also and i like the ninja and i am attracted to the 04 and 05 gixxer 500;s but there new so there pretty high i guess. I just want options basically and more info i need a plethera of info guys and i know your full of it. Thanks again.

iwannadie · Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:05 pm

Josh wrote:Well im def. afraid of them... Are there any other options out there in this cat. I LOVE THE LOOK of the naked bmw and is it the sv650. But I know there is prob nothing in that cat. for a begginer... Also ide like to keep the price reasonable... Nothing new for i have a way high insurance premium on anything being 16. I realy like the sportbikes also and i like the ninja and i am attracted to the 04 and 05 gixxer 500;s but there new so there pretty high i guess. I just want options basically and more info i need a plethera of info guys and i know your full of it. Thanks again.

for insurance go to progressive.com and get some quotes, they let you put in any type of bike and will tell you exactly how much it should be. if you need to keep the insurance down youll have to buy the bike cash, if you have a loan on the bike youll have to have full coverage(most states and thats what will cost you a fortune). but if you own the bike you dont need to cover it and thats the best way to save money on insurance.