*Looking for a beginner bike? Look no further...*

[TwoColorShoe]

Now, I do want to stress that most of these bikes are fairly new. Some of these bikes are much more expensive than others as well. These were bikes I recommended in an email to one of my friends looking to get into sport bikes. It is common knowledge that getting a cheap old cruiser or touring or even sport tourer would be the best bet, but here is my list of newer bikes that look great and work as good beginner bikes.

_______
Ok, so first, here's a list of bikes that I think would be a good first bike. Now, when I say first bike, I'm not saying you'll get bored by them or that they'll look like crap. I've picked a couple of pretty interesting bikes to check out.


I've pretty much left out the ss (super sport) bikes. These are the 600cc, 750cc, and 1000cc super bikes that can go faster than 160mph and are basically just race bikes with mirrors. Although they are really cool looking machines, they're extremely unforgivable bikes, and are supposed to be piloted by people who know its limits and not go over them, because that's when you crash. Those ss bikes are usually cramped, uncomfortable, deadly quick, and will respond to any input you give them at an exponential rate. Their brakes are super grabby (bad for people with poor brake control because you can lock up your tires easily, which is a bad, bad thing on a bike), their throttle is super responsive and the bike is super revvy (bad for people with poor throttle control, especially when turning or when hitting pot holes or gravel, etc. As an example, all 600cc throttles turn 3/4ths as short a distance as my bike's throttle. This means any minute mistake will be increased another 25%. This can cause you to crash)

So, pretty much, forget about getting one of those bikes. When I talked to the local suzuki/honda dealer when I was looking for my bike, I asked how often people end up crashing and returning their brand new 600cc sport bikes, and he said that he gets back 1 IN EVERY 4. He told me they had either crashed them or became to scared to ride them.

Now that that's out of the way, here is my list of good bikes to start out on:

- - - - -

Suzuki Sv650

(my bike) – There are plenty of reasons to get an sv. Even though the cc's are more than a 600cc super sport, it's only a v-twin, rather than a four cylinder, so it's not too crazy fast. That being said, this bike is on the very high end of the scale on speed, and most people consider it the fastest bike to start out on. You must be very careful getting this as a first bike, and it is recommended to start out a bit smaller.




Pros:
Plenty of torque
NO SIDE FAIRINGS (it is incredibly likely that you'll drop your first bike, and the lack of side fairings means you won't have to fork out 400 bucks if they crack)

Something to note; the 2008 model comes with fairings. A lot of these bikes you'll probably need be looking at used, which is definitely not a bad thing.

Cons:
May be too much power for people with low maturity level
High stock seat hight, so not recommended for shorter people

- - - - -

Kawasaki 650r

(very similar to sv650, just made by kawasaki)



Pros:
Looks killer in black

Cons:
Slightly less power then sv650 (still more than enough for a beginner though)
Has Fairings, so will be more expensive if you accidentally drop it

- - - - -

Suzuki GS500F

This is considered the best starter bike. Not too powerful, not too aggressive of a riding position, but with sport bike style looks, most people will think you're riding a 600cc or 1000cc sport bike. The other thing that you need to see is the specs. With a respectable 52 horsepower, and being so light weight, it will go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds, and will do a quarter mile in the high 12's. This is supercar territory. It's power is actually much closer to the 650 than the 250 that is also being sold.



Pros:
Light
cheap insurance
great gas mileage
Looks like a super sport
Cheaper than the 650

Cons:
Fairings

- - - - -

Buell Blast

I kinda wish I would have known about this bike when I first started looking. It was a torque-y good 500cc single cylinder motor, and had pretty cool looks. Also, most people will assume your buell automatically means it's a super fast, 1000cc+ bike. Buell is owned by Harley. They put a Harley engine in a sport bike frame, so it's basically one of the only good Harleys. (there's a guy here at OU that rides his every day to class) It's not as fast as the gs500f, but it's a cool bike to learn on, and since it retailed at 4400 bucks, you can find them used for dirt cheap.



Pros:
Great power curve
Light
Cheap
No fairings

Cons:
Underpowered for excessive highway riding

[TwoColorShoe]

Ducati Monster 695/620 (NOT the new 696)

This bike is seriously cool. I mean, c'mon, it's a freakin Ducati. The Monster is being sold as Ducati's entry level motorcycle, and it's really a cool machine. If I had had the extra dough, I would have bought it. Being a Ducati, it is more expensive than the other bikes. (retail is 7,500) But you can find used ones for for cheaper. The older 620's were considered a bit unreliable though, so consistent maintenance is a must, but if you can treat your bike with a little more love, they're awesome machines. Being a 695cc v-twin engine, it's still not too powerful for a beginner, (just as quick as an Sv650) and it produces a good amount of torque at the lower rpm's. You will have to realize that it's not going to be as cheap to maintain as a Japanese bike, and aftermarket parts aren't really that common and are more expensive, but it just looks so freakin good that it's pretty easy to convince yourself to get one, even with the steep price.



Pros:
Italian (ie, looks sexy, sounds great)
Good power
No fairings

Cons:
Italian (ie, expensive, not as reliable as other bikes)

- - - - -

Kawasaki Ninja 500r

The 500r is Kawasaki's version of a 500cc sport bike. It's similar to the Suzuki, so pretty much whatever you think looks better is probably your best bet if you're looking at this range of motorcycle.



Pros:
Light
cheap insurance
great gas mileage
Cheaper than the 650

Cons:
Fariing
Older design

- - - - -

Kawasaki Ninja 250r

This is considered the be all end all of beginner bikes. It's reliable, not over powerful, cheap even brand new ($3400), and the new 2008 model looks sexy. It is a great bike to learn on, and even being a 250cc, it will still go 0-60 in 5 seconds, which is faster than all but maybe 5% of the cars on the road. It's not a great bike for doing lots of highway mileage, but it does get good gas mileage and dirt cheap insurance. It's also very light. If you're looking to just get a learner's bike to sell after a year or two, this is your best bet, as resale for these things is amazing. You won't lose much money at all on this purchase, unlike the other bikes posted if you were to buy them new.



Pros:
Looks really good
Cheap to buy, cheap to insure
Light and nimble
Good gas mileage

Cons:
Fairings
Previous model looks predated

- - - - -

BMW G 650 Xmoto/Xcountry

This is probably the most unique bike on the list, and definitely the most versatile.

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*




Pros:
Very versatile: go anywhere, do anything
Great power curve

Cons:
Expensive

[TwoColorShoe]

Hyosung GT650R/GT650S/GT650

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*




Pros:
Great looks (S/normal versions sometimes considered copies of the suzuki)

Cons:
Aftermarket parts harder to find

- - - - -

Hyosung GT250R/GT250

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*



Pros:
Great looks (R version)
Amazing gas mileage
Cheap to insure

Cons:
Heavy compared to the Ninja 250r (~50lb difference)
Aggressive seating, may be uncomfortable (R version)
Aftermarket parts harder to find

- - - - -

Suzuki V-Strom 650

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*



Pros:
Comfortable riding position
Wide bars for easy steering
Great for long commutes

Cons:
Can be too much for an immature rider (same engine as Suzuki 650)
Seat height too tall for shorter riders

- - - - -

Kawasaki Versys

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*



Pros:
Comfortable riding position
Wide bars for easy steering
Great for long commutes

Cons:
Can be too much for an immature rider (same engine as kawi 650)
Seat height too tall for shorter riders

[TwoColorShoe]

Aprilia RS50

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*



Pros:
Italian (great looks)
Good gas mileage
Higher quality parts
Unique bike, not a brand everyone else has

Cons:
More expensive to buy and maintain
Not as many aftermarket parts
Very aggressive seating position (Uncomfortable)
Tops out at 55-60mph

- - - - -

Aprilia RS125

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS BIKE*



Pros:
Italian (great looks)
Good gas mileage
Higher quality parts
Unique bike, not a brand everyone else has

Cons:
More expensive to buy and maintain
Not as many aftermarket parts
Very aggressive seating position (Uncomfortable)

[TwoColorShoe]

Still another save spot:


BIKES STILL TO ADD:

Hyosung 250/650 - check, just need info
V-strom - check, just need info
Kawasaki Versys - check, just need info
Suzuki DRZ450 - maybe
Aprilia RS50/RS125 - check, just need info

EDIT: ALL DONE (for the most part)

Will think of including older bikes in the list too. (I would prefer to only add newer older bikes, and would also prefer to add lighter, slower bikes first)
Be sure to post your suggestions! (and be sure to say WHY you are suggesting it)

[kevin_stevens]

Throw in the V-Strom and the Versys. Oh, and the DRZ450 Suzuki motard.

KeS

[DodgeBoy89]

I would suggest the Aprilia RS 50 and RS 125 (strictly b/c of their reasonable looks and small engine size)

But they don't seem to be manufactured anymore, in favor of larger cc bikes
(they're listed in the 08 model list on wikipedia, but not on the Aprilia USA site...)

[TwoColorShoe]

Ah, good ideas from both of you!

I'll be out all day today (taking the girlfriend out for our 1yr anniversary) but Sunday I'll try to have most of those bikes put up.

What would you list as the pros and cons of the bikes you've listed?

EDIT: ooooooohhh! I like that v-strom! Almost wish I would have gotten that as my first bike instead of the sv! I never really knew much about it until looking it up on wikipedia just a second ago.

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by TwoColorShoe

Ah, good ideas from both of you!

I'll be out all day today (taking the girlfriend out for our 1yr anniversary) but Sunday I'll try to have most of those bikes put up.

What would you list as the pros and cons of the bikes you've listed?

EDIT: ooooooohhh! I like that v-strom! Almost wish I would have gotten that as my first bike instead of the sv! I never really knew much about it until looking it up on wikipedia just a second ago.

VStrom and Versys are pretty much the same bike; not as aggressive riding position or chassis geometry as a sportbike make them easier to ride and more forgiving of input errors. Wide bars for easy steering. Easier on insurance and versatile. Great for commuting. Good alternative for larger riders.

The Suzuki motard (I think Yamaha is introducing one this year, too) is a good answer to the "I've ridden a dirt bike for years so I know everything about Busas" crowd. Good crossover bikes with some cool factor and not too pricey or powerful.

KeS

[Gimpdiggity]

I'm curious as to why you have the cons for the Ninja 250 read:
"Not recommended for lots of highway travel"

That's pretty ignorant and misinformed. I ride my 250 pretty much only on the highway, and I'm 6 feet tall and weigh in at about 235. It gets me up to about 95 MPH for a cruising speed and can go faster if I tuck. I can easily travel between 80 and 85 MPH for extended periods of time. This is after all my mods...before the mods I could easily travel between 80 and 85 MPH for extended periods of time. Oh wait, that's the same for a modded 250 or a stock one.

Throw a 15 tooth front sprocket on and those speeds are even more easily attained on the highway.

Saying the bike is not good for highway riding is horrible advice...and should be left off of an otherwise pretty good list with pretty good information.

[Gimpdiggity]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

The Suzuki motard (I think Yamaha is introducing one this year, too) is a good answer to the "I've ridden a dirt bike for years so I know everything about Busas" crowd. Good crossover bikes with some cool factor and not too pricey or powerful.

KeS

For I think the first time ever on this site, I have to disagree with you Kevin. I think the DRZ-SM would make a pretty bad starter bike for anyone...mainly because the bike's power band simply inspires you to do illegal things on it...like wheelies and riding over other people's lawns.

It's also pretty good at doing other hooliganisms...like stoppies and burnouts.

I think the 400SM is not a good bike for a person just starting out...it MIGHT be okay for the guys riding in the dirt for years and switching over...but for a very first foray into two wheel fun, I don't think it's a great idea.

[Optimus Leo]

Originally Posted by Gimpdiggity

For I think the first time ever on this site, I have to disagree with you Kevin. I think the DRZ-SM would make a pretty bad starter bike for anyone...mainly because the bike's power band simply inspires you to do illegal things on it...like wheelies and riding over other people's lawns.

It's also pretty good at doing other hooliganisms...like stoppies and burnouts.

I think the 400SM is not a good bike for a person just starting out...it MIGHT be okay for the guys riding in the dirt for years and switching over...but for a very first foray into two wheel fun, I don't think it's a great idea.

That has more to do with the maturity of the rider, more than the actual capabilities of the bike. You can wheelie and do stoppies and be a hooligan on a 125.

It's just that a 400 Dualsport/Supermotard would be much more forgiving than, let's say, a 600SS.

If you're a reckless and inmature rider, you will wreck on a 125 or a 1000...just that in the liter it would be easier.

I once read something like "There isn't a good starter bike. But there are good beginner rider actitudes". I guess this sum ups what I say. No, I'm not saying that if you consider yourself a level-headed person you should start on a 1000. I'm just saying that no matter what bike you get, you should have your head on your shoulders and be a responsible rider. Doing otherwise may result in injuries or death.

[thatguyx]

no FZ6 on the list? I know a certain section of this forum will be chiming in any time now. But from a personal experience, I think it's a good bike. close to along the lines of the SV650. However being an I-4 could lead to some trouble. Fuel injection and throttle response are a bit notchy, as well as an abnormal friction zone on the clutch.