Best Starter Bike
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From: Syracuse, NY... again.
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Better Than Canada!
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Better Than Canada!
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From: Baltimore, MD
I know you guys said the a 250 would be too slow. But what do you think of this.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/424612545.html
read all of below...or just bold
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/424612545.html
read all of below...or just bold
Originally Posted by stolen from another forum
I'm going to say this right off (because I typed for 20 minutes and hit the fucking back button... so now i gotta retype this shit)
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LAY DOWN. If worse comes to worse and you lay the bike down... afford to buy what you can afford to lay down if you end up coming to that. God forbid it happens but its something crazy like 30% of motorcycle wrecks are to new riders and the accidents happen within like the first 6 months or something crazy like that of riding.
I have a 250 myself, and maybe someday I'll move up but the bike is just for riding on the backroads, having fun and enjoying myself. I wasn't looking to go out and do wheelies and pull stupid shit on the streets like I see some squids out there doing.
First off, you said your budget is within $5000. Here's a few things to consider, if you end up getting a bike over 500cc in that range it will be in poor condition and will probably need work... not to mention anything over 500cc for a beginner bike is probably not the best idea. I'm not saying that because I think you can't handle it (I know a few people who started out on BIG bikes...) but saying it because I hate seeing people become part of that 30% statistic. Once you get into riding you'll find out that you'll have a few close calls and you'll find out why a lot of motorcyclists will start telling you "Watch out for the cagers" because a lot of accidents are not the motorcyclists problem, they are usually because some idiot hits you and isn't looking for you.
So, enough with the lecture. If you're serious about riding I'm sure you are aware of the dangers.
Ok so lets go from biggest to smallest and i'll give you some info...
First off, biggest isn't always best. Remember that the bigger the bike gets, the heavier it gets obviously, and the heavier it gets the harder it is to handle it and it becomes less maneuverable.
Remember that no bike is a slow bike. I have a 1974 Enduro 175cc 2 stroke at home, its a small bike, probably around 200lbs and it'll take off faster than my ninja will off the line, thats the nature of a 2 stroke. So even smaller cc bikes will get up and go, so don't let someone tell you "Oh that 250 is slow" or "Oh man a 500? Dude you aren't even in the 600 range, thats slow!"
Kawasaki Ninja 500
-You can nab one USED for about $3500-4000 in GOOD condition if you find a good deal.
-They put about 55hp out of the engine, but put around a true 35-40hp to the wheels. Probably closer to 40.
-They weigh nearly 400lbs at around 380lbs.
-Insurance will be probably around $80 a month
-There is lots of aftermarket support for the bike and due to the bike being a 100+mph bike they took drag into consideration, therefore the fairing setup is a little more aerodynamic looking or as some people would put it "sexy".
-With this hp to weight ratio you can expect the bike to run in the 12.5-13.5 range for quarter mile for speed, they're pretty quick...
This bike is fairly well balanced, but has a little longer lean so if you're totally new to riding you may consider that, because this bike sucks ass for long rides. Your back will hurt, you will ache, you will whine and you will bitch. But if you can put up with it, it's a lot of fun.
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
-LIGHT, the bike weighs 315lbs.
-Hp is rated at 35 per Kawasaki but I've seen the dyno charts and it's putting closer to 29hp to the wheel. Sounds like a little... but the little bugger runs in the mid 14s stock. Most new cars at $25,000 don't run that... Like I said no bike is a slow bike
-Room for modification, the bike is easily modified... K&N filters and pod filter support, numerous jet setups, muzzy makes a titanium and carbon fiber exhaust system that is WONDERFUL on these bikes and they are very easy to regear, you can easily put them in the mid 30hp range and have the bike at the low to mid 13s with mods... but the 500 obviously with mods is faster..
-FLICKABLE - This bike has a good lean on it, you lean a bit forward but the bike is well setup on the wheel base, this bike will lean until you scrape the pegs back and until you actually hit the side of the exhaust, people seem to think that because it's a 250 it won't lean... but this bike will beat a lot of bigger bikes in the corners despite it being "underpowered" compared to the big bikes. Trust me, once you hit the corners with this bike, you hit the 7000-9000rpm range, it comes ALIVE, wonderful wonderful bike.
-CHEAP on insurance, I'm 20, perfect record and managed this bike at $53 FULLY INSURED per month.
Honda CBR400
-Bike is quoted at 50hp, but it's probably around the mid 30 to the wheel range.
-Bike weighs in at about 350-360lbs if I remember right
-Not sure on the quarter but it's probably in the 13s with it's weight and power.
-Longer lean... you'll be leaning more forward on this bike compared to the 250 so this means just like the 500 your back is going to hate you on longer rides. But this also means it's a mean machine for cornering.
-LOTS OF support for mods, aftermarket support. I mean come on it's a CBR...
-You can probaby get insurance for around $70-80 a month.
So those bikes new and used are within your range....
Personally I'm the type of person that enjoys small cars... why? They are more responsive. You go to autocross and watch the cars that handle great and it's usually the small cars, they outhandle the big boys... however you get a big car with a throaty v8 and take the little guy on a straight away and you'll eat him alive. not a difficult concept. Well... bikes are usually the same way. The bigger bikes tend to be heavy because the bigger engines weigh so much, and they are difficult to corner. A BEGINNING rider will have more difficulty learning on a bigger bike because throttle control is so essential and given your first emergency situation in riding you'll have a difficult time swirving out of the way or stopping... Get a small bike and it still will get up and go and if put up against a bigger bike in the corners proves to be much more maneuverable in the twisties despite being a lag behind on the straighaways.
So really... if you're new to riding I'd recommend one of these 3 bikes. I'm not going to bitch or put you in the squid bin because all you're asking is what someone recommends, not which bike will do the best wheelies, if that were the case I'd not help you lol...
The CBR400 (if you can find one) is perfectly inbetween on all of these 3 bikes... its the perfect balance of them all. But if you're using the bike more for commuting, mileage and still being a sport bike get the 250 because they average about 60mpg, you can ride forever and then some. If you don't care about mileage and feel like you want the bigger bike and still get some handling, get the 500 but mileage will suffer.
The reason I talked about aftermarket support is because with any bike you will eventually have a bit more eagerness to mod it, work on it and do a bit more to it as time passes.
Now I said I'm on a Ninja 250R, so if you really feel you want to go that direction there are a few cool things you can do for this bike if you want it to look like a bigger bike and squeeze more power out of it.
1. Remove the centerstand for weight.
2. Do a fender elimination for weight (which means removing the rear mount for the cover which keeps "mud" away from you (who rides their ninja in the mud and rain anyway?) and it'll also give a sportier look.
3. Remove toolkit under seat for weight.
4. K&N Pod filters
5. Muzzy carbon fiber exhaust
6. Rejet or rejet kit
7. Remove chain cover and sprocket cover for weight (you'll have to watch the sprocket and the chain like a hawk and keep them more maintained)
This will get you to about 290lbs and will put you up at about 35hp. Do the math, thats about the power a CBR400 or 500 puts down on a dyno or close to it and it's a lot less weight by far So if you DO get bored you can spend about $600 and have a much faster bike. I'm working on removable brackets that will allow the centerstand to be put back on and taken off as a "snap" bracket so the centerstand isn't permanently removed but that's still a work in progress.
But seriously, any of those 3 bikes will be wonderful for a beginner.
I went with the 250 because it's my first street bike and I could afford it NEW off the lot, no miles and keep it maintained and break it in MY way whereas with a used bike you don't know what kind of break in it has had.
Now the maintenance on a 250 is also very simple and so is a 500, your oil change is simple as taking a socket and taking out 2 bolts on teh bottom, pulling out the filter, putting the new one in and bolting it back up. No removing fairing, no removing extra crap in the way, no worries... chain lube is easy, and hell even the valve adjustments on the internals of the engine are easy, took me and a friend less than 2 hours. The 500 is very similar...
Hope that helps, if you want more info just IM me.
(EDIT) BTW - how can you hate having this in your garage for your first bike?
http://koihoshi.boombaprojects.com/images/bikegang2.JPG
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LAY DOWN. If worse comes to worse and you lay the bike down... afford to buy what you can afford to lay down if you end up coming to that. God forbid it happens but its something crazy like 30% of motorcycle wrecks are to new riders and the accidents happen within like the first 6 months or something crazy like that of riding.
I have a 250 myself, and maybe someday I'll move up but the bike is just for riding on the backroads, having fun and enjoying myself. I wasn't looking to go out and do wheelies and pull stupid shit on the streets like I see some squids out there doing.
First off, you said your budget is within $5000. Here's a few things to consider, if you end up getting a bike over 500cc in that range it will be in poor condition and will probably need work... not to mention anything over 500cc for a beginner bike is probably not the best idea. I'm not saying that because I think you can't handle it (I know a few people who started out on BIG bikes...) but saying it because I hate seeing people become part of that 30% statistic. Once you get into riding you'll find out that you'll have a few close calls and you'll find out why a lot of motorcyclists will start telling you "Watch out for the cagers" because a lot of accidents are not the motorcyclists problem, they are usually because some idiot hits you and isn't looking for you.
So, enough with the lecture. If you're serious about riding I'm sure you are aware of the dangers.
Ok so lets go from biggest to smallest and i'll give you some info...
First off, biggest isn't always best. Remember that the bigger the bike gets, the heavier it gets obviously, and the heavier it gets the harder it is to handle it and it becomes less maneuverable.
Remember that no bike is a slow bike. I have a 1974 Enduro 175cc 2 stroke at home, its a small bike, probably around 200lbs and it'll take off faster than my ninja will off the line, thats the nature of a 2 stroke. So even smaller cc bikes will get up and go, so don't let someone tell you "Oh that 250 is slow" or "Oh man a 500? Dude you aren't even in the 600 range, thats slow!"
Kawasaki Ninja 500
-You can nab one USED for about $3500-4000 in GOOD condition if you find a good deal.
-They put about 55hp out of the engine, but put around a true 35-40hp to the wheels. Probably closer to 40.
-They weigh nearly 400lbs at around 380lbs.
-Insurance will be probably around $80 a month
-There is lots of aftermarket support for the bike and due to the bike being a 100+mph bike they took drag into consideration, therefore the fairing setup is a little more aerodynamic looking or as some people would put it "sexy".
-With this hp to weight ratio you can expect the bike to run in the 12.5-13.5 range for quarter mile for speed, they're pretty quick...
This bike is fairly well balanced, but has a little longer lean so if you're totally new to riding you may consider that, because this bike sucks ass for long rides. Your back will hurt, you will ache, you will whine and you will bitch. But if you can put up with it, it's a lot of fun.
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
-LIGHT, the bike weighs 315lbs.
-Hp is rated at 35 per Kawasaki but I've seen the dyno charts and it's putting closer to 29hp to the wheel. Sounds like a little... but the little bugger runs in the mid 14s stock. Most new cars at $25,000 don't run that... Like I said no bike is a slow bike
-Room for modification, the bike is easily modified... K&N filters and pod filter support, numerous jet setups, muzzy makes a titanium and carbon fiber exhaust system that is WONDERFUL on these bikes and they are very easy to regear, you can easily put them in the mid 30hp range and have the bike at the low to mid 13s with mods... but the 500 obviously with mods is faster..
-FLICKABLE - This bike has a good lean on it, you lean a bit forward but the bike is well setup on the wheel base, this bike will lean until you scrape the pegs back and until you actually hit the side of the exhaust, people seem to think that because it's a 250 it won't lean... but this bike will beat a lot of bigger bikes in the corners despite it being "underpowered" compared to the big bikes. Trust me, once you hit the corners with this bike, you hit the 7000-9000rpm range, it comes ALIVE, wonderful wonderful bike.
-CHEAP on insurance, I'm 20, perfect record and managed this bike at $53 FULLY INSURED per month.
Honda CBR400
-Bike is quoted at 50hp, but it's probably around the mid 30 to the wheel range.
-Bike weighs in at about 350-360lbs if I remember right
-Not sure on the quarter but it's probably in the 13s with it's weight and power.
-Longer lean... you'll be leaning more forward on this bike compared to the 250 so this means just like the 500 your back is going to hate you on longer rides. But this also means it's a mean machine for cornering.
-LOTS OF support for mods, aftermarket support. I mean come on it's a CBR...
-You can probaby get insurance for around $70-80 a month.
So those bikes new and used are within your range....
Personally I'm the type of person that enjoys small cars... why? They are more responsive. You go to autocross and watch the cars that handle great and it's usually the small cars, they outhandle the big boys... however you get a big car with a throaty v8 and take the little guy on a straight away and you'll eat him alive. not a difficult concept. Well... bikes are usually the same way. The bigger bikes tend to be heavy because the bigger engines weigh so much, and they are difficult to corner. A BEGINNING rider will have more difficulty learning on a bigger bike because throttle control is so essential and given your first emergency situation in riding you'll have a difficult time swirving out of the way or stopping... Get a small bike and it still will get up and go and if put up against a bigger bike in the corners proves to be much more maneuverable in the twisties despite being a lag behind on the straighaways.
So really... if you're new to riding I'd recommend one of these 3 bikes. I'm not going to bitch or put you in the squid bin because all you're asking is what someone recommends, not which bike will do the best wheelies, if that were the case I'd not help you lol...
The CBR400 (if you can find one) is perfectly inbetween on all of these 3 bikes... its the perfect balance of them all. But if you're using the bike more for commuting, mileage and still being a sport bike get the 250 because they average about 60mpg, you can ride forever and then some. If you don't care about mileage and feel like you want the bigger bike and still get some handling, get the 500 but mileage will suffer.
The reason I talked about aftermarket support is because with any bike you will eventually have a bit more eagerness to mod it, work on it and do a bit more to it as time passes.
Now I said I'm on a Ninja 250R, so if you really feel you want to go that direction there are a few cool things you can do for this bike if you want it to look like a bigger bike and squeeze more power out of it.
1. Remove the centerstand for weight.
2. Do a fender elimination for weight (which means removing the rear mount for the cover which keeps "mud" away from you (who rides their ninja in the mud and rain anyway?) and it'll also give a sportier look.
3. Remove toolkit under seat for weight.
4. K&N Pod filters
5. Muzzy carbon fiber exhaust
6. Rejet or rejet kit
7. Remove chain cover and sprocket cover for weight (you'll have to watch the sprocket and the chain like a hawk and keep them more maintained)
This will get you to about 290lbs and will put you up at about 35hp. Do the math, thats about the power a CBR400 or 500 puts down on a dyno or close to it and it's a lot less weight by far
So if you DO get bored you can spend about $600 and have a much faster bike. I'm working on removable brackets that will allow the centerstand to be put back on and taken off as a "snap" bracket so the centerstand isn't permanently removed but that's still a work in progress.But seriously, any of those 3 bikes will be wonderful for a beginner.
I went with the 250 because it's my first street bike and I could afford it NEW off the lot, no miles and keep it maintained and break it in MY way whereas with a used bike you don't know what kind of break in it has had.
Now the maintenance on a 250 is also very simple and so is a 500, your oil change is simple as taking a socket and taking out 2 bolts on teh bottom, pulling out the filter, putting the new one in and bolting it back up. No removing fairing, no removing extra crap in the way, no worries... chain lube is easy, and hell even the valve adjustments on the internals of the engine are easy, took me and a friend less than 2 hours. The 500 is very similar...
Hope that helps, if you want more info just IM me.
(EDIT) BTW - how can you hate having this in your garage for your first bike?
http://koihoshi.boombaprojects.com/images/bikegang2.JPG
I go duffy on dem bitches
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Gonzales, Louisiana
Thread Starter
Better Than Canada!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,821
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From: Baltimore, MD
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 37,274
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From: Southern NH
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LAY DOWN. If worse comes to worse and you lay the bike down... afford to buy what you can afford to lay down if you end up coming to that. God forbid it happens but its something crazy like 30% of motorcycle wrecks are to new riders and the accidents happen within like the first 6 months or something crazy like that of riding.
I saw that and stopped reading to post.
I saw that and stopped reading to post.
Miss It.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 1
seriously a SV 650 is a awesome starter bike...
dime a dozen...light only 370lbs...you can personalize it like crazy. CHEAP you can get a 2002 for about 2500-3500 just look. parts are found ever where. sounds pretty cool with a hollowed out factory pipe.
o and btw im selling one =)
dime a dozen...light only 370lbs...you can personalize it like crazy. CHEAP you can get a 2002 for about 2500-3500 just look. parts are found ever where. sounds pretty cool with a hollowed out factory pipe.
o and btw im selling one =)