Where can I find a beginner bike?

[JustPha]

Hi all! I'm totally new to the scene and trying to start out.

I have about $4000 saved up. Where would you guys recommend for me to find and buy my first bike? I know of craigslist, that's about about it.

Also, which starter bike would you recommend for me?

-Thank you-

[SpecialisTX]

kawi ninja 250 hands down.

[nocontrol]

kawi ninja 250 hands down.

+1 on the Little Ninja that Could. Only down side, is that if you've got any kind of height and weight (150+lbs and taller than 5'6"), the bike will get very boring very quick. Maybe a Ninja 500 or an SV650.

Don't go brand new, check the local bike shops and see what they have to offer in the way of used. Also, a good source is www.cycletrader.com

Check it, and good luck!

[247BlackOut]

+1 Ninja 250, GS500, or Ninja 500. My SV would scare the heck out of me if it wasn't for the fact I started on a 250. Buy a 250 and sell it for same price you bought it for when you're ready to upgrade.

Have you taken MSF? http://www.msf-usa.org/

[EIREANN]

I started on my SV650 Love it :) perhaps not the wisest, but I did buy mine new, be careful at dealerships tho... A guy at Fun Bike tried to get 8,000 out of me for the sv which is ridiculous

I would also reccomend the Ninja 250, 500 or the gs500. Kawi also has new bike that is its version of the SV but I dont know a whole lot about it.

[MrCrashRR]

hmm, i would say get the 250 use it and then sell it, and then get a 600 i4 or an sv or ninja 500 depending on how you feel with riding, and what you are looking for.

the buying and selling of the 250 will give you invaluable experience in looking for and selling a bike, which will help you with all the other bikes you buy but at a much smaller cost and potential for loss.

ahh **** it,.... i saw a nice used cbr1100xx for 4K perfect bike

[247BlackOut]

I started on my SV650 Love it :) perhaps not the wisest, but I did buy mine new, be careful at dealerships tho... A guy at Fun Bike tried to get 8,000 out of me for the sv which is ridiculous

I would also reccomend the Ninja 250, 500 or the gs500. Kawi also has new bike that is its version of the SV but I dont know a whole lot about it.

You have longer legs than I do. :doh: >.< boooo for short asian legs.

[flare]

hey, that s/n seems familiar. didn't i talk to you @ the pc show?

anyway, welcome to the forum!

the kawi 250 gets my vote as the best beginner bike, bar none. but the 500's are a close second. with the 2fiddy, you can get a used one pretty cheap to learn and thrash on. i got my '94 for $1400 with an awesome muzzy system on it when i first started. and they hold their value pretty well, too.

like the others have said, craigslist, cycletrader, recycler, just hit those sites up.

also, this (http://www.dmvtestbike.com/tips.html) is a great site w/ some good advise for beginners.

oh and don't skimp out on good gear. buying a good helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and riding pants are just as important as the bike.

last but definately not least, attend the MSF course (http://www.msf-usa.org/) if you haven't. it'll get you started in the right direction.

have fun, enjoy the process of learning, and hope to ride with you one of these days!

[veejay]

i think my wife might sell her Ninja 250

2005 with extended warranty and less than 1000 miles! (not even broken in yet!)

No time to ride it... and when we do have time we usually prefer dirt riding!

Maybe I'll make up an ad or something... let me ask her first

[OG Gook]

Hyosung. And then let me know how it runs.

[SilverRider]

My girlfriend and I both got sv650s bikes for our first bikes. We are both mountain bike racers and have a lot of cordination with two wheeled vehicles (not sure if it matters but I think it helps). Almost everyone I ride with started on a sv650. The twin engines are very forgiving and you won't need to upgrade any time soon. I have had mine for 2 years and still have the same smile on my face everytime I ride it. Take the MSF course as it has invaluable information and if you drop a bike it will be theirs and not yours. You can get an awesome sv650s for $4,000. See you out there someday.

Ride and Smile

[illusions_ls]

My girlfriend and I both got sv650s bikes for our first bikes. We are both mountain bike racers and have a lot of cordination with two wheeled vehicles (not sure if it matters but I think it helps).

Ride and Smile

I too did alot of mountain biking before i got my bike and i definately think it helps. there has been times when i would hit loose dirt and start sliding during a turn, but did not panic because i was used to that type of experience. shoot there has been times i wanted to take the motorcycle on a downhill dirt track just for a rush......maybe i should buy a dirtbike.

anyways back to the original thread, i agree with everyone about starting with the 250. it will help you build confidence faster and teach you how to react quickly to emergencies without having to worry about keeping the weight of the bike up. you could always get a 600cc and be able to ride it perfectly fine but it will take a lot longer to gain confidence. i started with a gsxr 600 and was kinda upset that i didnt get the rush as i do when i go mountain biking. i thought it was too slow and maybe needed a 1000cc. then i tagged along with a couple of hypercycle members to palomar and damn was i freaked out. its a whole different story. i kinda wished i started with a 250. my first time at palomar i swear there were people on road bikes peddling down that mountain faster than i rode my motorcycle. i think there still are :squid:

anywaize, start with a 250....and when you can SAFELY push that bike beyond its limits then you know you may be ready for a bigger bike. and dont get a big bike just to be macho, just remember the first bike i ever started on had two wheels and no motor just peddles.

btw welcome to the forum

[mtex22]

get a 600cc bike, something you can grow into!! I started on a zx6rr. Plus they are easier to sell then a 250 imo.

[Fred S]

Sharkie might be interested in selling her '06 Ninja 500. It is a GREAT beginner bike. Both she and I learned to ride on the little Ninja that could. :) I still really like the bike. It is very forgiving of unintentional throttle inputs. I had a lot of those during the first few months of riding. :(

[Sharkie]

Welcome to the site :) I sent you a PM - I have the Ninja 500R Fred S was talking about. It really is a great bike to learn on, and a lot of fun to ride. I would say get a 250 if you are really short. From what I hear 250's are fun to ride, just too easy to outgrow. Have fun bike hunting!

[prodigy]

I went w/ a SV650s as my first bike, and I would highly reccommend it to anyone starting out. I've been meaning to sell mine too if you are interested. Send me a pm

[nocontrol]

get a 600cc bike, something you can grow into!! I started on a zx6rr. Plus they are easier to sell then a 250 imo.

My '06 250 spent 8 hours on craigs list before it was snatched with cash in hand...

[SpecialisTX]

ninja 250s are easy to sell, i dont know what you are talking about but they are like hotcakes during spring/summer.

they are especially great for budget minded starters.

when i first started out, i couldnt afford the best gear. just letting you know that even i (overtime) started picking up better stuff to protect myself. i started with a kbc helmet (which is ok!), but now having an arai, makes me never want to go back. if anything, i dont suggest going nuts on spending money on items that net too small of a marginal benefit to justify the marginal cost. let me know if you need some recommendations on gear.

[flare]

you know what, i have some icon riding pants and boots that i don't wear anymore but can't justify selling 'cuz they aren't worth the trouble. if you or anyone just starting needs gear, i'll give them away. its a small way for me to give back to the motorcycle community, as i've received so much help from so many good people when i started riding.

[JustPha]

Thank you guys (or girls) so much for your help and replies!
I just finished my MSF course this morning. I'm not sure if I'm more excited to get my own bike or to be part of such friendly community.

Btw, Hi flare / Scott. Thanks again for talking to me at the PC show. It was just the motivation I needed to get started. And ya, thank you so much for the gear offer, I'll P.M you to take you up on that offer as soon as I find out how to do so.

Sharkie, my pop up blocker prevented me from seeing you PM. I'll figure out how to view it again and get back to you. Thanks.

Once again, thank you all for all the welcome and help.

[flare]

you've got pm!

oh and congrats on passing the course. its a great feeling isn't it :thumbsup:

[SpecialisTX]

just remember, dont get too pumped up about it. take it easy, relax. hmm you were at the pc show? im not sure if i remember seeing you there, as i was present the whole time.

[JustPha]

I got a chance to try on my friend's Suzuki 750 today... LOL... it was pretty scary... (yet exhilarating!!)!!

Now I totally understand why everyone recommended a lighter, smaller bike like the 250 ninja... hehe.

Once again, thanks, guys!

PS: the gears you gave me totally fit! Thank you Scott!

SpecialisTX - I only dropped by the information table to chat for a bit.

[Jelco]

I have a '02 cbr 600 F4i im thinkin of selling. its never been down, always garaged, never ridden in rain, has ~15K. awesome bike, plenty of power, rider friendly, ergonomics are practical. its a great blend for beginner, street, and track.

some info to maybe persuade: Jardine race pipe, ohlins rear suspension and front internals, ohlins steering dampener, 520 RK ERV chain, sprocket specialist front and rear (-1 +2). It has shark skinz race fairings, but i do have a headlight assembly. if you want to ride street youll need to set it up as its currently in track mode.

pm me if interested-

welcome to the world of ridin

[brownbrown4]

you can try NKB motorcycles, they have a big selection of used bikes.
its down the street from Buymoto.

[cdub]

Go with either the SV650 or the older more unique Honda Hawk GT both excellent v-twins perfect for novice riders - no bodywork means that when it gets dropped there is very little chance of any major damage. Additionally both bikes are very forgiving for novice riders.

[pjwong83]

I got a chance to try on my friend's Suzuki 750 today... LOL... it was pretty scary... (yet exhilarating!!)!!

Now I totally understand why everyone recommended a lighter, smaller bike like the 250 ninja... hehe.


Did you get a bike yet Pha? I met you really quickly at bike nite 2 weeks ago. I completely undertand how you feel.. I bought a f4i.. I'm scared to just sit on it. Maybe I'll finally try it out this weekend...

[flare]

the f4i's such a great bike, so user friendly and comfortable. its like a couch on wheels.

[Dissident]

Guy at work just bought a Gixxer 750 as his first bike:hammer: *sigh*
The ninjas and the sv650 are both great. Another option, don't forget the Suzuki DRZ 400 supermoto. It's a little taller, but it's light, bullet-proof, can easily be converted to dirt (try that on a ninja ;)), and you'll be able to carry as much corner speed or more than on any sportbike.

Seriously,it's a fun, fun bike.

[JustPha]

pjwong83 - yea, I got a bike last month. She's a Ninja 500. Weds marked was our first month anniversary :-D. I put just nearly 1000 miles on her in the first month :-).

Dissident - haha my friend bought a Gixxer 750 as his first bike too...

[h2o-girl]

Congrats on the bike and putting on some miles!!! Now borrow a full suit if you don't have one and take it out to the track! You can learn a ton out there and more safely than on the roads. Plus you can go as slow or fast as you want! Happy riding!

[Dissident]

Guy at work just bought a Gixxer 750 as his first bike:hammer:

Well, that didn't take long. Wadded up this morning.

Sorry, back on topic. Congrats! How is your first bike doing?

[flare]

damn. natural selection at work.

[spewmonkey]

damn. natural selection at work.
Hey now, first off is the guy o.k.? He's a fellow rider stooooooooooopid or not.

BOT:
Congrats on your first bike +1 on doing a track day, but be warned: THEY ARE ADDICTIVE!!
I have two planned in June and it's only been two weeks since my first one.

[Fred S]

Has anyone talked to Pha? I PM'd him a week or go and never got a reply. I wanted to know how the 500 was treating him.

[xiaoyin]

Saw him at the Togo's bike night this past Tuesday - he seems to be enjoying the 500 :)

[JustPha]

Ya, I'm definitely loving the bike! Sooo forgiving and have enough power for fun as well.

I've been quite caught up with school stuff and work stuff that I neglected everything else in life for the past 2 weeks. But I'm on my way back to be regular Pha again :).

[Fred S]

Glad to hear that Pha! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. :)

Annie, thanks for the heads up too.:thumbsup: