If your going to ask "what bike should i get" LOOK HERE

[scuffedknees]

Ok...everyday a newbie asks, " What bike should i get ?" I dont care how much you weigh or how tall you are . I think you should start with a Ninja 250 or Ex500 Or a Suzuki GS500e......... Veteran riders please post below what bike you suggest ..

[mssdrider]

I'm not a season or a veteran rider but...
Hyosung 250 also comes to mind...

[Hagios]

Look at horsepower. Above 50 is a yellow area. Above 70 is a red zone.
Look at torque. Above 30ftlb is a yellow area. Above 45 is a red zone.
Look at a dyno sheet for a stock bike. You want a smooth, rounded, gentle and gradual powerband. You don't want sudden surges in power or torque.

Use your brain. Be smart. Do RESEARCH before you buy. Find out what maintenance will cost. Find out what replacement plastics/radiators/fairing stays(!!) will cost. The name of the game is intelligence.

[bomma]

..any 500 really, gives you the basics to learn how to ride properly and still be a lot of fun . A 600 ss bike is just too much bike if you don't know how to ride or don't have much experience....

.. and if you're a new rider a 600 will simply inhibit your learning just because they're so quick so you will scare yourself shitless on it and not really learn how to ride.

so yeah, a 500 is a very good starting point to learn how to ride properly.

ps. I started on a 250, spent 2 months in hospital because I didn't know jack shit, then I got a 500 and rode that for about 2 years.

[lemosley01]

Also many cruisers 50-60HP and less are (IMO) good learning platforms.

They have a low center of gravity and are easier to control at low speeds. They aren't overly powerful and are fairly comfortable so you can put some serious mileage on them.

Their one drawback is that bigger displacement cruisers tend to be heavy.

[Freshgrease]

With the above cruiser statement, don't start on a new Harley. You will drop it and you will cry.

[Hagios]

^^^
Except an old, beat up 883.

[lemosley01]

Originally Posted by Freshgrease

With the above cruiser statement, don't start on a new Harley. You will drop it and you will cry.

Ok...how about CHEAP cruisers!

Yes, it *would* suck to drop a Road King, not to mention how much crane rentals cost to pick the damn things back up.

However, they make more than 40 ft-lbs of tq, and are in that red zone that Hagios alludes to.

[Its Sparks]

Well that post about the yellow and red zone was very helpful. I have heard from alot of people that the Ninja 650 was a good commuter/beginner bike but here are the specs regarding to what he said...


Horsepower: 71 hp (53kW)
Maximum Torque: 48.5 ft-lbf (66 Nm) @ 7000 RPM


Too much for first?

[Ride.]

500ccs or less. Any configuration of a stock bike will do.

[650r]

Originally Posted by Its Sparks

Well that post about the yellow and red zone was very helpful. I have heard from alot of people that the Ninja 650 was a good commuter/beginner bike but here are the specs regarding to what he said...


Horsepower: 71 hp (53kW)
Maximum Torque: 48.5 ft-lbf (66 Nm) @ 7000 RPM


Too much for first?

The 650r is/was my first. My opinion would be biased.

[EMTrigger]

Honda Nighthawk 250, 550 or 600

Honda Rebel 250
Honda Shadow VLX 600

Honda VTR 250
Kawasaki Ninja 250

Kawasaki Ninja EX500
Suzuki GS500

Suzuki GZ250
Yamaha Virago 250

Yamaha XT225

....A little more help

[Imx4life121]

Originally Posted by infiniti750

500ccs or less. Any configuration of a stock bike will do.

except for a 2-stroke then its 250ccs or less right?????? maybe not

[Freshgrease]

Originally Posted by Imx4life121

except for a 2-stroke then its 250ccs or less right?????? maybe not

I think that their is a 2-stroke Aprilla 250...I'm not sure though.

[Ride.]

Originally Posted by Imx4life121

except for a 2-stroke then its 250ccs or less right?????? maybe not

A modern stock bike. Good luck finding a 500cc 2-stroke!

But yes, 2-strokes are a different story, but I'm sure most people don't even consider those for the street anymore.