Suggestions for a Beginner Sport Bike? 0.0?

Question

I'm looking for a decent sport bike for a decent price. Keep in mind I'm a new rider. I'd like something with a sleek design and a great control around the $3k price range... cheaper the better.

I need all the help I can get so all replies are welcome! Thanks.

Answer 1

A used bike, up to 500cc, from a well known maker is your best bet.

Kawasaki Ninja 250 is a great starter bike.  They can be found on eBay for $1,000 to $5,000.  ($3,500 to $5,000 being for 2008 models)  I recommend that because it's what I know.  It's got decent power & comfortable for around town or occasional highway trips.  Gas mileage NEVER below 50mpg.

Before the bike take the MSF beginning rider course.  Safety before fun.

A well known brand will resell easily; you can learn to ride on it & probably sell it for around what you buy it for.  Once you have the basics down you can decide if you want to move up, or not.  I have put about 8,000 miles on my "Baby Ninja" & have a YZF 600 in the garage for later.  (It's a project bike, getting carbs cleaned/replaced right now.)

Answer 2

If you are under 25, go for a used Katana 600. It is a 600 but they perform like 500 so you'll be fine. Beginner bikes are ugly so you just gotta deal with it. Ninja 500 is cool too. Don't get a 250 because you'll be miserable in a month.

The reason I mentioned age is because the more mature people can handle starting on a 600CC sport bike. It takes self control, respect, and practice on any bike but especially on a 600 sport bike.

Answer 3

sportbike<----------------->beginner

Like Military Intelligence

words that do not go together

Answer 4

Start off with something small, like a Ninja 250, regardless of how "embarassing" it is...

I took the MSF course and that was my first time on a bike.  I did really well.  I bought a 600.  That's what I really learned on, and it worked out fine for me.  Some people opt to learn on a 1000... stupid, but there are people that do it.  But if you learn on a bike that big, you'll never have any fun because you'll always be worried about what will happen if you twist the trottle a hair too much.  Being paranoid about an engine's power, and being unsure if you can handle it, is no fun at all.

I learned on a Yamaha YZF600R (NOT an R6!), and I'd recommend that to any beginner who's already taken the MSF course.  It's a very forgiving bike with a very comfortable body position.  Plus, you can find them used for under $4,000.  

Visit the forums at www.yzf600r.com.  That's where I learned all about the bike, and it was the reading that I had done there that convinced me that this was the perfect bike for me.  25,000 mile later, I still have the bike, and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.  If you can get your hands on one, do it... it's a real catch.

Answer 5

anything cheap around the 250 to 500cc range...

in 6 months you will get what you paid for it back when you trade up to a bigger bike...

if you really want to go bigger...look at the SV 650 suzuki.. or bikes of that type..( not 4 cylinder)..

Answer 6

You might find a used Suzuki GS 500F for around 3,000.

Answer 7

A big (above 500 cc) is NOT for beginner. See this:

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

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Respect the dangers of riding - and you'll do less stupid stuff on a bike (like beginning with a hot bike).

good Luck...

Answer 8

go used, go small, take the MSF course BEFORE you buy...

Answer 9

get the new ninja 250 they say you will get board of quick but some ppl never get tired of them because they like them so much. the new 250 is about the coolest looking bike of all the ninjas, it looks like the super sports so maybe the chicks will like it to lol...since girls dont know much but i started a ninja 650 and i love it but im only 17 but im sure i would have loved a ne 250 either way but it wasnt really my choice i wasnt the one payin for it and for the deal i got was a new 07 ninja for under 6k and list price is like 6300 so i think i got a good deal on it but it just depends on where you look.

Answer 10

You can start with something small like a ninja 250, but beware you WILL get tired of the low power and get bored of it very easily, and you'll be wishing you bought a 600cc. But at least you won't kill yourself learning.

There are plenty of good 600cc bikes on the market for beginners but gotta give respect to all bikes big or small to be on your way to become the next Valentino Rossi. Good luck.