Best beginner motorcycle?

Question

So I am looking to get into motorcycling, I plan on taking a few classes and learning a thing or two before I buy the bike as well as get all the gear and insurance. I am a beginner so want a bike I can handle. I was thinking the Ninja 250R but am not sure if that would suit me seeing as I am 6 feet 2 inches and 215 pounds. I am also looking for a Sport or naked sport style bike.

Answer 1

I can't say I agree with the above poster

I bought my first motorcycle last year, a ninja 250R. I'm 6'0'', 235 and I thought it was comfortable and quick enough. I'd get the urge for some speed so I'd pin the throttle back and shift through a couple gears and next thing I know I'm doing 80 down a 45 street. True, if it were 600 supersort it'd probably be like 130 instead of 80, but do you really need that? Especially in a first bike...

It really depends what you want to use it for. If it's mostly just for commuting in a city or suburbs a 250r might be a good choice, but you should definitely sit on it and make sure you feel comfortable on it.

If I had to do it again I would've bought something bigger, probably an SV650 or a Ninja 650, but that's because mine wasn't for commuting, it was purely for fun, and I live out in the wide open west, not a big city. I even brought it to a couple trackdays, and while I did at times wish a had more power it wasn't really a big problem and was still quick and fun as h**l. The main problem is the suspension is designed for a 110 lb japanese guy, so it didn't work great for a big guy like me trying to ride it aggressively.

It seems like most people think the only purpose of motorcycles is to be blazingly fast. It's kind of ridiculous. The 250R isn't slow, it's only slow compared to most other motorcycles. The SV 650 isn't really slow by an standard. I never thought I'd see the day that a beginning motorcyclist with no experience who was looking for I bike he can handle was steered away from a 70+ hp bike because he'd get bored with it too fast.

Answer 2

No, you'll want something a little bigger than that. The bigger Ninja twin (500 or 600, whichever) might be better suited to your size. The 600 class of 4 cylinder sportbikes have plenty of power these days, but are expensive to insure. You might try something like the Suzuki SVX 650 which is more of a multi-purpose bike, and a v-twin, but it's still sporty, and less expensive than a full sport bike.

Answer 3

Buy whatever bike you want to ride dont bother with learner bikes as they call them no such thing. The bike you plan on riding is the bike you should learn on.

Answer 4

Take the class first.  Then go to a dealership and sit on different bikes to see which fit you.  If the 250 is cramped, try the Ninja 500, or the Suzuki GS500.  Maybe a dual-sport.  

As a total beginner, stay away from 600+cc bikes.  They're a recipe for disaster in untrained hands.  Someone who is still trying to get comfortable with throttle control, braking, shifting, clutch control, balance, etc, needs something that is going to give them a little slack, not bite them hard for every little mistake.  It's like giving someone driving lessons in a Viper.

Buy a used 250 or 500 if you're comfortable on them.  They'll hold their value well if you decide you want a different bike after a season or two.   You won't "grow out of it" until you can ride the bike to it's limits.  By then you'll have a solid foundation of skills to transfer to a more powerful bike.  

Remember:  helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, and boots all the time!  Good luck.

Answer 5

6'2" 215 is way to big for a 250. I am 6'5" 200 and have been riding sport bikes for 10 years now.  first thing is you don't want some thing that you will grow out of "250" second a high % of riders will take some kind of spill in the first year (mostly slow turns).  so nothing brand new you will regret scuffing up. so finally for an answer being tall there a bike you will not fit on like the r6 is a little short.  if you are looking for a bike less the 4000-4500

here are some choices of bike that i have owned and road that were comfortable.

cbr 600 f3 98-99 great starter comfy and good balence

zx6r 99-02, gsxr 600 and 750 00-04,

sv650 but you will grow out of the poor power.

stay away from r6 too small for us big guys

f4i too many problems for the money

stay away form liter bikes for a starter bike

hope it helps sit on the bike before buy last thing you want is to get sore after 20 min of riding

DON'T WORRY ABOUT INSURANCE -I pay $25 a month for a 99 900rr fire blade through progressive

Answer 6

Recently a 240 pound man, 6' 5", tested the top speed of the kawasaki, It only took him to 105 mph.  O-60 a perfectly "Awful" sub-5 seconds. BOO-HOO...

But if you prefer a Buell, get a blast.