What is a good first motorcycle?

Question

I'm looking around for a motorcycle because of high gas prices and insurance is cheaper. So far, I'm interested in a Kawasaki Ninja 250R. What are some other good starter bikes?

Answer 1

The Ninja is a good choice!  If you plan to do a lot of freeway riding you might want something a little bigger, say 500cc at least.

I would say you shouldn't go out and buy a shiny new bike 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 before you get the hang of it.  Get something 5-10 years old with a few bruises on it.  After riding this for a year or so you can sell it for about what you paid for it, and by then you'll have a better idea of what you want.

Most important, you should be able to sit on the bike and put both feet flat on the ground.  If you're a short person ('inseam challenged' as we say) this might mean a cruiser.  They have low seats, low centers of gravity, and are easy to handle.

Anything Japanese is good.  I'm a Honda man myself, but all the Japanese mfgrs. make a good, reliable product.

Answer 2

Kawasaki Ninja 500

Suzuki GS500

Yamaha FZ6

Suzuki Burgman 400

Answer 3

Older bikes are cool, but it depends on what you want. The Ninja would be good. Also Kawasaki 400, they're older but good bikes and easy to ride.