What bike is more suitable for my situation, 250cc sportbike or 500-600cc cruiser/standard?

Question

I'm mainly using it for a 50-65 mile commute 1 way. As a new rider, I would prefer to use the lighter bike until I get used to riding, but everything I've read suggests that cruisers/standards lower than 500cc won't be able to keep up on freeways/highways. So that leaves me with 250 streetbikes, which i heard can keep up in general, and heavier cruisers.

While I would prefer the lighter bike, I'm a little wary of getting on a sportbike to start with because of the extra learning curve, but I would be willing to take more time to figure it out. As far as cruisers/standards go, the bigger ones are more expensive and have a little less gas mileage.

So, does anyone have any extra advice that might help me out? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Another thing to consider is - will you ever carry a passenger, or even heavy equipment?  If so, a 250 will really bog down and certainly couldn't go on the highway with the extra weight.

My first bike was a Yamaha Radian 600, and I felt comfortable on it pretty quickly (even though it was a quick bike).

I'd say it's better to just get the bigger bike now, so you don't have to trade one in and move up next year.

Answer 2

I recommend the Ninja 250. It is light, easy to handle, gets great gas mileage at around 65mpg unless you are on it all the time, and the insurance is pretty. Put at least a couple hundred miles on it before you start taking it out in that morning commute, especially if you live in a densely populated are when the traffic is really heavy. DO NOT get a new one for your first bike. Someone earlier mentioned that she had dropped her new Harley plenty. Do you really want to tear up a bike that you just paid a ton of money for? Go used so that that when you do drop it that first time you wont be on the side of the road crying more for your bike that you are for yourself. After you have ridden the 250 for a couple of thousand miles and are feeling comfortable, then take a look at the Ninja 650. It is a very comfortable bike and had plenty of power for your commute. Unless you have totally beaten up the 250, you should get pretty close to what you paid for it. So, in the end you have learned how to ride very cheaply.

Before you even get your bike though, take the MSF course and get your safety equipment including helmet, jacket, gloves and pants and wear them. Believe me, they will save you a lot of paid later.

Answer 3

There are several smaller bikes that are great to learn on that will be just fine for your commutes.  In fact, there are too many for me to list here.  I'm a member of a forum and a website that is great for beginners.  Check it out.  It's got reviews of alot of different motorcycles and I'm sure you'll find one that will fit your needs.  Feel free to join and ask questions in the forums, too.  No matter what, stay safe and wear your gear.

Answer 4

250's keep up on highways quite fine, and so does the Kawasaki Eliminator 125.

Yeah, the bigger bikes like 600's go fast, but they are actually a little harder to manipulate in tight areas. The 250 is going to be lighter and easier around the parking lot.

At the end of the day it's what makes you happy. The 250 is a better learning tool, and its operating and overall cost is less. Your "friends" on bigger bikes may make fun of you, but it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.

Don't get a Harley, they are top heavy, especially the 883 sportster. They weigh double what the Ninja 250 does and though 883cc's they go about the same speed, which is due to Harley's if it ain't broken don't update it, outdated engineering outlook.

Answer 5

Getting around 70 mpg on a ninja 250 cannot be overlooked. This bike is most likely your best bet as to which bike you should ride.

And yes, a ninja 250 can do much more than freeway, and highway speeds, just dont think you will be racing any bigger bikes at those speeds.

For my first bike i chose a ninja 650r, which is still not too powerful but has kept me out of trouble as i am only 17 yrs old.

Answer 6

I recommend a Honda Shadow 750 w shaft drive or a yamaha star 650 also shaft drive. 65 miles one way is a real commute. You need a windshield some place to p[ut things and carry rain gear for those less that wonderful blue sky days. No to the 250 Kaw  ... nice bike for some but not for you. Take a riders course and get a lement. Ride and use common sense and youll do fine.

Answer 7

First you take a safety course then get what you want but most of the advice on here is coming from children. If I was looking for a bike to do what you are talking about a ninja or  rebel would be the last thing I looked at. You might want to look at KYMCO and Hyosung as they both make quality bikes and a good  price. Either one of their 250 and I own one and ride on the highway all the time at 70+ with out a problem. Hyosung also has a 650 in 3 styles. These are not cheap  imported c**p but really good ride.And you have some left over for stuff. On cruisers and standards you can carry things or a passenger much better. And they will do that my son rides with me all the time and is as  big as me. After reading what they claim on the top end of a 250r My Venox will run right with it.

Answer 8

im a 5'5" woman that never rode a street bike before. I bought a harley davidson 883 anniversary edition and within 2 days i was driving it on the road. i drive it to work every day. it gets 48 miles to the gallon. its a heavy bike but i learned how to pick it up by watching you tube videos and i have dropped it plenty. i dont like the ride of a crotch rocket. i like to sit back and be comfortable. you do have to lean alot more when bending over them too.

Answer 9

If you get a cruiser or standard you dont really get very much power unless you want to spend a lot of money. But if you get a sport bike i would suggest the kawasaki ninja 250 it gets around 50 mpg and goes 110 mph if you ever have any open road and want to have any fun.

Answer 10

Kyle, more power means less fuel mileage. My 650 Crusier goes like a raped ape, and ges 58-59 MPG.

It is a wee light for me, but handles the 100 miles a day I ride it well.  For being less than 500lbs.

Follow the link below and look at the C2C 650S

that is the 250 link shown.

Answer 11

Find a good used small bike to learn on that you can sell after your done.  Honda CB 350 Honda CM400 for instance. Just watch the ads. Check out Cycle Trader. Lot's of good deals out there. For a one hour commute I wouldn't go smaller than a 500 or 600. But then again when I started riding the street I did it on a 175 but I didn't hit the highway until I had a 350. a year later I had a 500 and a year after that a 1000.

I would go for a standard but that's just me. You might like a cruiser better.

Go to the shops and look and sit on all of them and get a feel by raising them off their kick stands. When you pull up to the parking lot at work find out who is riding the smaller bikes and see how they like them and where they are riding them to get to work.

At the bike shops talk to the guys in the parking lot who rode up on bikes.

If you know anyone who rides (preferably a fairly small bike)see if they will take you out and teach you to ride.

And even before you get a bike take the MSF riders course. the Harley Shops give them on 500 Buell Blast's. When you pass the course they give you your license. They do here in Akron, Ohio anyway. Good Luck