Which sportbike would be great to start out with?

Question

i want a ninja 250 and i never had a dirt bike so i really dont know what it's like to ride a two wheel thing

Answer 1

Kwacker 250 R is the ONLY starter bike.

Cheap, quick, good looking, loads of mods can be made.

Fantastic bike.

Answer 2

heres the top 10 recomended begginer bikes of all classes, there are 2 sports bikes in there.

If you're brand new to motorcycling and are looking for the perfect starter bike, here's a list of 10 motorcycles that are tailored to the needs of beginner riders.

Don't make the mistake of making your first motorcycle an overpowered sportbike or a flashy heavyweight cruiser; think small, manageable, and keep in mind that you'll probably be replacing your humble starter bike sooner than you think.

For related topics, check out:

Ten Great Beginner Motorcycles

Ten Great Advanced Beginner Motorcycles

Things You'll Need to Know Before You Start Riding a Motorcycle

How to Ride a Motorcycle

Buying Your First Motorcycle

1. 2008 Honda Rebel ($3,199)

Photo © HondaThe Honda Rebel is a staple at basic motorcycle training courses, and for good reason: it's a small, easy to ride beginner bike that is conducive to helping riders improve their skills. An air-cooled 234cc parallel twin engine provides enough power to help learners focus on the fundamentals.

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2. 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R ($3,499)

Photo © KawasakiThe Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a favorite among performance conscious riders looking for their first bike, and its new-for-2008 redesign offers significant improvements over the previous model.

For more check out our 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Photo Gallery, and Ninja 250R Full Review.3. 2009 Yamaha V-Star 250 ($3,699)

Photo © YamahaYamaha's mighty V-Max is a compelling halo product, but this V-Star 250 offers classic cruiser style in a package that any beginner can handle. Its air-cooled 249cc V-twin lends it a substantial look for such a relatively small bike, and a low seat height of 27 inches makes it easy to manage.

Click here to see the 2008 Yamaha model lineup.4. 2008 Honda Nighthawk ($3,699)

Photo © HondaSlightly more upmarket than the Honda Rebel but equally friendly, the Nighthawk takes the Rebel's engine and incorporates it into a standard (as opposed to cruiser) setup.5. 2008 Yamaha TW200 ($3,899)

Photo © YamahaThe fat-tired Yamaha TW200 is a welcome alternative to cookie-cutter starter bikes, and its dual purpose abilities make it trail and dirt ready. Its 196cc single-cylinder engine features an automatic cam chain tensioner for minimal maintenance.

Click here to see the rest of the 2008 Yamaha lineup.6. 2009 Suzuki DR200SE ($3,949)

Photo © SuzukiThough it may not be as powerful as some of the other bikes here, the Suzuki DR200SE's on and off-road versatility makes it a great choice for riders who don't want stick to the beaten path.

Click here to see the rest of the 2008 Suzuki model lineup.7. 2008 Suzuki Boulevard S40 ($4,399)

Photo © SuzukiThough it shares genealogy with hulking cruisers like the M109R, Suzuki's entry-level Boulevard S40 weighs a reasonable 352 lbs dry, and its 40 cubic inch single-cylinder engine and belt drive should offer miles of trouble-free riding.

Click here to see the rest of the 2008 Suzuki model lineup.8. 2008 Honda CRF230L ($4,499)

Photo © HondaHonda's entry-level dual purpose CRF230L should appeal to beginners who might consider taking their bikes on trails as well as roads. Its 223cc single-cylinder engine has electric start, and its versatility makes it ready for almost anything.9. 2009 Yamaha XT250 ($4,549)

Photo © YamahaThe Yamaha XT250 is a bit more dirt ready than most typical beginner bikes, but its long suspension travel and air-cooled 249cc offers a fun, rugged ride for those who plan to venture offroad.

Click here to see the rest of the 2008 Yamaha model lineup.10. 2008 Buell Blast ($4,695)

Photo © BuellThe Buell Blast's 25.5 inch seat height makes it easy to handle, but don't let its 492cc engine displacement fool you; the single-cylinder's 34 horsepower output is tame enough for newbies, and its sporty styling puts it second only to Kawasaki's Ninja 250R in terms of road presence.

Answer 3

the Ninja 250R is an excellent starter  bike for someone that's never ridden a street bike looking at getting into sport bikes  

Answer 4

For the record, the 250R is by no way the only starter bike...

But it is definitely the most managable... I am 6' 3" 240 lbs... soif I started out on a 250 it would be ridiculous... the very first bike I owned and rode for a year was an R1, good decision? No way... but it was comfortable and I'm adult enough not to go 10 my first month of riding...

I honestly would suggest a used, older 600... as long as you think you can be responsible enough to not go crazy... you could pick up a 2002 gsx-r 600 and r6 for a really good price, have a bike that would provide years of fun, and not get upset it you dropped it in the parking lot practicing figure eights...

whatever you choose, good luck, ride safe.

Answer 5

never touched a bike before? Take the MSF and go buy a used 600 from like 1996 thru about 2001. The Ninja 250R is actually a scooter made to look like a sport bike.

Here my general feelings about sport bikes and beginners.

If you already know and understand how to drive a manual transmission, it helps learning a motorcycle because it's one less thing you have to focus on when learning. The common saying is that if you can drive a stick and ride a bicycle, learning a motorcycle will be easy. If you can practice discipline and restraint when riding, you may be fine. It's not all fun and games on a sport bike. Even if you ride perfect you need to know how to react when other cars and bikes and trucks don't drive so perfect. That comes from building new instincts and reflexes, and driving habits. While I definitely recommend the class, the class doesn't usually teach all you need to know. Many, many riders go down every summer due to overconfidence gained by taking the class.

The first time I ever touched a motorcycle, it was a 1997 ZX6. I rode it around a parking lot for 5 minutes to find out how to shift, then rode 100 miles home on the interstate. I’ve been riding ever since with a clean riding history. (Thanks to God) So it is possible to start on something other than a 250. Generally speaking, a 600 is a beginner’s sport bike. The internet is the only place I’ve heard of anybody starting on anything other beside people who grew up riding dirt bikes.

When I ride on the highway, I assume that every car I pass or that passes me, doesn't see me and is looking to come into my lane. I'm ready for any move that car makes half a second before he makes it.

You have to learn aerodynamics. If you get to close behind a rig, the wind can trap you there. When you pass along side of a rig the wind will pull you closer to the truck at one point and push you away at another. You have to learn all this and have counter balance and movements programmed into your body reflexes. There is so much more to it. You need lots of practice.

People recommend smaller CC bikes for beginners because most newbies are into it for the speed and flashiness of it and often underestimate the seriousness of riding safe. The temptation to tap into that power is usually too great to overcome. If you know you can and will respect the bike and get at least a thousand miles of practice before hitting the highway, and before group rides, then maybe you can start on a 600cc bike. Otherwise, help yourself out and start small.