Best street bike for a beginner?

Question

I'm 5'2", a girl,130lbs and a total beginner to bikes. I commute 23 miles to work everyday on a busy freeway, so i'm looking to get a bike that is safe to ride on a freeway that is 60 mph minimum. Any advice for a bike that's not very expensive but good for beginners that would be awesome. Thanks

Answer 1

First off, do not attempt to get on a freeway if you are even the least bit aprehensive on the bike you pick... you WILL die, period.

Second, don't listen to people who tell you to get a 250 or 500, they are not powerful enough to get you out of a tight spot or overtake a car if need be. They are designed with in town commuting and short highway jaunts in mind.... not for you.

My first bike was, and still IS, a 1992 Ducati 900ss/cr/sp.

That is 904cc's of v-twin monster machine..... but being a v-twin the power is WAY more manageable, and therefore confidence inspiring!

I think I could say your ideal bike would be a Ninja 650.... check them out on craigslist.com for a cheaper used one.

This bike has a great seat height, fantastic cornering abilities, reliability, great handle bar placement for comfort... well, check it out for yourself, you will see.

The styling is really great as well. You can also check for any Ducati 900ss, Monster, 800ss, or 600ss models.

These are twin cylinder engines just like mine, and will be easy to learn on, as well as having your ideal seat height!

( the maintenance costs are a bit higher, but rarely needed)

Do your research, sit on some bikes... get the feel of their weight, be prepared for what you will have to do to maintain them. ( However, when your first fill up of premium gas shows up at 12 bucks... you will smile!)

Anyone on here that tells you bikes are dangerous... are wrong. It is stupidity on your part, but almost always on the part of others, that can make them unsafe!

Good luck, and happy riding!

Answer 2

I second the Ninja 250, buying used, and taking the MSF course.  The Ninja 500, GS500, or Vulcan 500 (if you like cruisers) are also good bikes to learn on.  Visit dealerships and sit on as many bikes as you can to see what fits you.  

As a complete beginner your goal is learning to ride safely and building skills.  Once you're comfortable, see how you like your bike on the highway.  There are videos on youtube of a guy who rides his Rebel 250 everywhere, highway included, and that's a slower bike than all of the above.

A Ninja 650 can bite you hard for the beginner mistakes you're going to make.  Just because someone started on a 600cc+ bike and is still alive doesn't make it a good beginner bike for everyone.  Don't forget safety gear!

Answer 3

Get a harley

Answer 4

At 5'2" your problem is going to be height.  So you want to sit on a bike and see if you can put both feet flat on the ground.

The best model for this is a cruiser.  Cruisers have low seats, and you put your feet out in front of you.  Harley Davidsons are cruisers, but there are smaller Japanese cruisers that cost a lot less.  The way you know a 'cruiser' is that style with the low seat and the forward footpegs.

You want something at least 500-650cc.  A bike that size will do 60-70 mph all day with no problem.  Smaller bikes will do that speed but they are really straining and it's not really as safe.

You should get a used bike  at least at first.  You're going to be hard on your first bike. You're going to abuse the clutch.  You might drop it once or twice, nothing serious but it just gets out of your hands.  So you don't want a brand new shiny bike.  Something 5-10 years old, maybe even with a few scuffs and bruises already on it.

Take the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). You can find them through your local DMV.  They will start you from scratch, in fact they provide a bike for the class.  They will get you off to a good start with the right habits.  Bear in mind that half of all motorcycle accidents happen to people with less than a year's experience (probably less to girls, more to young guys with testosterone poisoning).  But safety should be your primary concern.

Good luck!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Answer 5

>>  so i'm looking to get a bike that is safe to ride

No bike is safe:

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

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>> ride on a freeway that is 60 mph minimum.

All motorcycles above 250 cc can easily do that.

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>> Any advice for a bike that's not very expensive

That depends on what you consider expensive.

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You want to look for something in the 250cc to 500cc range.  I would also look at

Ninja 250 cc - very light - beginner's favorite.

Buell Blast 500cc- very low seat height.

kawasaki Vulcan 500 cc - also very low seat height.  I use to own this and still my favorite out of all my bikes so far.

Good Luck...

Answer 6

kawasaki ninja 250

there about 3500

hey lover not a fighter did u know that a car can be just as dangerous as a motorcycle