So, I've ridden a motorcycle about 5 times in my life.

Next year, I have a lot of commuting between work/campuses/etc. that I need to do. I don't wanna bring a car, and I think getting into the hobby/lifestyle of motorcycles would be really fun.

That being said, I wanna pick out a good beginner bike. Nothing fancy. Small. Easy to learn on. So far I've picked out the Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja 250R. I know these are radically different bikes. I like cruisers and sports bikes, and would like to have one of each at some point.

What would you guys suggest in terms of a first motorcycle? Are there any training courses you would suggest besides the standard NCDMV stuff?

4/30/2007 3:27:04 PM

I'd get a Kawasaki Ninja 500 (the venerable old EX500). Killer little bike. Fuck a 250, though I've had a few friends that LOVE them.

4/30/2007 3:31:26 PM

i have a 97 magna that would be perfect, its easy to learn on and you won't outgrow it anytime soon

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/321536729.html

4/30/2007 3:32:46 PM

ex500 is good, might also want to consider things like a honda 599, an older f2/f3 susuzki katana 600, gsxr1100,

Remember to buy your gear,

Im looking aroudn myself, but thses asshats are so full of themselves to give any good advice.

4/30/2007 3:42:52 PM

take the beginner Motorcycle Safety Foundation course

get a suzuki sv650 for first bike

4/30/2007 3:46:21 PM

^sv650 is a girls bike.

4/30/2007 3:56:36 PM

Yeah I think a 500 ninja would work for a sports bike. It just depends if you what comfort vs speed and funness

Please get some gear... it will save your skin! Had a buddy take a spill and he was glad he wore it although it was hot as balls...

Also try to ride with other people your first few months riding. The safety course can only teach you so much... I think I learned a great deal from experienced riders. They help establishing good biker habits... Make sure you dont ride with Squids...

4/30/2007 4:01:24 PM

^ like you, evil girl, yea see she rides an sv650, you dotn want one of them see shes a chick, you dont want a chicks bike.

4/30/2007 4:03:37 PM

ohhh gawd.. I could sport a 600RR too if I felt like dealing with shitty low end torque

4/30/2007 4:06:51 PM

the key is... naked bikes

all small bikes with fairings look silly... its so people won't want them and can make fun of n00bs.

4/30/2007 4:09:55 PM

good thing i have a caddillac and a half now, that sum bitch is huge, barely short of a gold wing

4/30/2007 4:11:29 PM

Quote :

"ohhh gawd.. I could sport a 600RR too if I felt like dealing with shitty low end torque "

OWNED.

4/30/2007 4:31:18 PM

the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is a MUST, I took it and loved every minute of it and it is not that expensive at a community college. It also can save you money on insurance. But I agree with the naked bikes now, even though I just bought a Suzuki GS500f. If I would have thought about it a little more it makes complete sense to get a naked bike for your first bike because if you drop it the fairings are $$ to replace. I considered the Ninja 250 because I am small, but if you plan on doing a lot of highway driving that is probably not the best choice. Rebels are nice and definitely are easy to come by, they get posted like every other day on Craigslist.

4/30/2007 6:21:25 PM

My humble recommendations:

Take the MSF course before you pick a bike.
Link: http://www.msf-usa.org/

500cc is a good size to start with.

Take someone who really knows motorcycles with you when you look at a used bike, it'll save you from little issues like not realizing that your forks are a little bent...

4/30/2007 6:44:04 PM

I think its a given to take the MSF course... I went to Johnston County (JCC) and it was 100.00 ... I had the older trainers and they were awesome.. I was the smallest, youngest female there I felt soooo out of place cause everyone was soo much older than I was

But there were more chicks than dudes in my class... biker chicks ftw!

4/30/2007 6:51:00 PM

If you're mature, responsible, and can easily manage self dicipline then there is nothing wrong with going with a 600cc. I went for a 600cc as my first bike and if you respect the machine you'll realize it will go only as fast as you want. When you hear people dying and losing limbs from bikes they are the retards who go 150+mph and stunt on public roads. Sadly most riders are immature and are danger seekers so they will end up dead from their riding habits. But if you're like me then you'll get a bike to just cruise on the road and never exceed the speed limit. Yeah you will try to accelerate as fast as you can at some point but never forget that once you feel too comfortable it could be too late

4/30/2007 7:02:56 PM

^ Good advice, thanks.

Primarily, I picked those models because I'm on a budget. My family and girlfriend both think I should start small, and $3500 or so is reasonable.

I'm about 6 feet tall and around 165 pounds, can I fit my ass on a Ninja 250R?

4/30/2007 7:06:33 PM

if you wanna feel like you're riding a bike made for a 5 year old

4/30/2007 7:27:49 PM

You can get a lot more bike for 3500 dolla than a Ninja 250...just shop around.

4/30/2007 7:52:35 PM

^ definately!
yeah 250cc = too small for you boy.. you get tired of it really quick i am guessing... most people get a beater bike first to learn on then sell and get the bike of their dreams...

4/30/2007 7:55:03 PM

I agree, 250cc felt like a tonka toy for me and I'm 5ft8. I bought my 600cc with 10k for $3400. I'm looking at buying a '04 gsx-r 600 w/ 13k for $4000. You most probably can get all your money back when you buy a used 600cc if you keep it in good shape. I actually made a couple hundred bucks on mine after riding 6 months. If price really is an issue and you can't find a 600, then the lowest I'd go would be either a Katana 600 or a Ninja 500. Or actually go for a GSF500 those look pretty nice and they are great beginner bikes since they sit more upright and the handlebars are wider.

4/30/2007 10:44:50 PM

if you'd consider a 250 motorcycle, why not a 250 vespa gts, or piaggio mp3 - not the same image as a motorcycle, but fun to throw around anyway.

in the 'real motorcycle' category - bmw 650gs/cs

4/30/2007 10:51:11 PM

sv650n ftw plenty of power for a biginner (just dont turn the throttle to far in a corner it will kick your ass) and a hell of a lot of fun to ride

4/30/2007 11:39:51 PM

So , I take it getting a used & more powerful bike would be the better option? Keep in mind I have no frame of reference for speed/performance. To me, I think a Ninja 250R would feel like a fighter jet.

I'm scanning eBay for prices, and the 600cc bikes seem to be way out of my price range. Will I see better prices if I look locally?

edit: just looked on eBay and I REALLY like the look of the Suzuki sv650s, how many miles is too many?

[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 12:32 AM. Reason : l]

5/1/2007 12:24:39 AM

I paid 3500 for my 2001 sv 650 and it had 4800 miles... it looked perfect too... i wouldn't pay for junk.. if you see a bike you like, just post it and you can get a few opinions on it :-)

5/1/2007 1:33:15 AM

you definitely aren't going to want a Rebel if you're 6ft tall.Your knees & the handlebars won't get along. Although, I don't agree with getting a 600 as your first bike. A tame one, OK. But something like an RR... nuh uh. It would be super easy for that thing to get away from you while learning. I'd suggest you go with a 500 (Ninja, GS500, Shadow (it's a 600 cruiser... just a bigger version of the rebel, basically)) and if you get bored just upgrade quickly. Most people feel that the 500s and tame 600s are better at the whole "commuter bike" thing, anyway. Plus, if your budget is $3500... spend $2500- $3000 on a bike and $500-$1000 on gear (a good helmet is atleast $200).

5/1/2007 6:56:20 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/321919565.html

5/1/2007 7:03:42 AM

I got a ninja ex500 as my first bike, and it's been great so far, I love it. Although, if ^ runs good, seems like a damn good deal, that's crazy cheap.

Not to jack the thread though, but I didn't take the msf course. Didn't really feel like I had the time, and I didn't realize people held it in such high regard. Plus the description kinda turned me off; I think it mentioned learning how to turn on and start the bike, sounded like a waste of time.

I had been thinking of jumping into the advanced course over the summer, thought I could get more use out of that. Anyone have opinion on that? Is that a quality course too/would I be missing out on safety training from the first course?

5/1/2007 8:52:24 AM

^ The Fisrt psart of the MSF course is pretty much for those who have never been on a bike before and have no clue about anything with bikes. I am glad I took it because they taught me not only how to ride, but how to ride safely, the things to watch out for and pretty much gave me a foundation for good habits.

you also learn how to take different turns..

But you don't learn everything you need to know... Alot of what you learn is actually on the road. My first couple months I spent riding with other people and I still do, but i feel more comfortable not rding bymyself then when i first started riding..

5/1/2007 8:59:30 AM

aye, I've had danny and jamie to help me along so far. Just wondering if I should get some more formal instruction, and what would be the best kind. I'm under the mindset that if I'm going to do something stupid, like ride, I should at least do everything I can to do it safely, aka I've gotten good gear and am trying to build good habits/mindsets.

5/1/2007 10:40:51 AM

I can still remember my instructor yelling "KEEP YOUR HAND OFF THAT FING FRONT BRAKE WHEN YOUR TURNING" and you know what its probably saved me a few times.

Your friends cant watch your every move, the instructors know what ot look for. Also take advice, dont be afraid to hide in the back, you dont have to prove anything.

Riding in groups is fun, It takes a while to get used to the formation. Stay in the back, watch dont get to close. Dont push yourself, most of the people on here will let you ride your pace and wont leave ya.


[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 11:32 AM. Reason : dd]

5/1/2007 11:29:26 AM

Something like
<a href = "http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-SUZUKI-SV-650S-10800-MILES-SILVER-STOCK-SV650_W0QQitemZ190108398421QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50034QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"> this</a>
has me really interested.

I wonder if 10k miles is too much?



[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 1:36 PM. Reason : k]

[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 1:37 PM. Reason : l]

5/1/2007 1:35:16 PM

10k thats nothing for those bikes i know there are guys on the svrider forum with over 100K on theirs just do the preventive maintiance and it will last for ever

5/1/2007 1:40:50 PM

mileage is not a serious issue on modern bikes, they should last as long as cars if used sensibly and mainteined properly. so i would pay more attention to the owner history and maintanace record and look for any signs of abuse. mileage shouldnt be any of your worries unless you are looking at 50-60k

hell i beat the fuck out my bike and after 50k+ miles no engine problems. i think im starting to feel the clutch slip in 3rd, but that's a wearable item.


SV's in particlular suffer from oil pickup problem during prolonged wheelies. i know someone that gone trhough 2 engines because of that issue. but by prolonged i mean PROLONGED

[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 1:42 PM. Reason : .]

5/1/2007 1:41:15 PM

one guy on here had a katana 600 thats what i started on beater but it was good to learn on.

5/1/2007 5:19:22 PM

I've pretty much settled on tracking down an SV650s over the summer, thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've seen some nice bikes for good prices, hopefully some will be closer to home in the coming weeks

5/2/2007 7:03:07 PM

hey, once u go 1k there's no going back

5/2/2007 7:31:32 PM

^the whole group of you currupting youth, why you gonna tell him to get another one of them shitty vtwin sv650 girl bikes. GAH.

5/2/2007 7:53:50 PM

MSF BRC & ERC FTW

5/2/2007 9:21:51 PM

I know of a sweet sv650 naked bike for sale for a really good price... it's perfect... 5000 miles 2001 2500.00 looks just like my bike but without boyshorts!

5/2/2007 11:10:16 PM

^what!!! thats a crazy good deal

5/3/2007 1:01:40 AM

duh we were gonna get. but decided we dont need

5/3/2007 8:17:01 AM

Personally I love my GS500f and highly recommend them. KBB is around 3400 for a 2004 and they look like any other bike on the road, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It def doesn't take off like my bf's 600rr but it has some kick. You can also get them non faired, in the E model.

Also when I took the MSF basic course the majority of the people in my class had been riding for years, one even over 30 years. After riding on the back of other people's bikes I see all the bad habits that people have when it comes to being safe. If you have only rode 5 times in your life then you aren't set in your ways and the MSF course can help you develop good habits. Most people don't drop their bikes going 60mph, they drop them cornering. As one of my instructors said, "Anyone can go fast!".

5/3/2007 3:26:46 PM

quick question about the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course...do you have to have a motorcycle to do it or do you use one of theirs?

5/3/2007 8:45:10 PM

n/m saw that you use a loaner.

5/3/2007 8:56:26 PM

Bad news about MSF courses, most of them are completely full until around August

Damn everyone for having thte same idea as me! I might see if I can find a course in Eastern NC and stay with some friends the week of the course.

5/3/2007 9:11:52 PM

Quote :

"Personally I love my GS500f and highly recommend them. KBB is around 3400 for a 2004 and they look like any other bike on the road, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference."

uhhh yeha u can tell the fuckin difference. only dumb asses who dont pay att. to that shit cant tell the diff between a 500 and a 600. both suck anyway

5/3/2007 10:15:51 PM

Shut up, Kyle.

5/3/2007 10:49:23 PM

^shut up, Dan.

all they have in common in my book is they have 2 wheels

5/3/2007 11:15:00 PM

Depending on how far away you live you might want to check out Johnston Community College http://www.johnstoncc.edu/ConEd/motorcycle/mrbrc.asp they have some open BRC the beginning of June

5/4/2007 11:44:15 AM