Help me I'm new!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
From: Boston
Help me I'm new!!
Hey guys! I'm very new to online forums and riding in general - I was told this was one of the best places for information so I figured I'd give it a shot! So, yes, my questions may be silly but I appreciate all the knowledge you feel like sharing! I want to learn everything from which size bike I should be on to how to do routine matinence 
pity the new girl please!!
pity the new girl please!!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
To elaborate, this is the beautiful woman that listens to me rant about bikes and occasionally cleans my garage when it gets too nasty.
She is currently looking for her first bike but has no experience on street bikes, however she will have plenty of experience on dirt bikes before riding season gets here.
I have a few ideas for her first bike but any of you guys have any recommendations?
She is currently looking for her first bike but has no experience on street bikes, however she will have plenty of experience on dirt bikes before riding season gets here.
I have a few ideas for her first bike but any of you guys have any recommendations?
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
If you're new to riding then perhaps remain in the 300cc mark. Very low maintenance and operational costs, and easy to ride. As James mentioned the Ninja is one of the good bikes out their.
You may also want to look at the new Yamaha R3 or KTM RC390 if your budget allows. If money is an issue, then, a good used Ninja, CBR 250R, Hyosung GT250 are all good low cost options.
GLWS
You may also want to look at the new Yamaha R3 or KTM RC390 if your budget allows. If money is an issue, then, a good used Ninja, CBR 250R, Hyosung GT250 are all good low cost options.
GLWS
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 29
From: Arizona
My first bike was a Suzuki GS500E. Very good/forgiving beginner bike but will hold highway speeds. (I topped it out at about 110)
It's an air cooled parallel twin cylinder and very easy to work on. Pretty inexpensive as well. I don't know what years they ranged from, mine was a '99. At some point around 2004ish they changed to the GS500F and put a fairing on them.
At the time I knew NOTHING about working on bikes. A few youtube videos and forum searches later, I changed oil, air filter, and checked valve clearance.
It's an air cooled parallel twin cylinder and very easy to work on. Pretty inexpensive as well. I don't know what years they ranged from, mine was a '99. At some point around 2004ish they changed to the GS500F and put a fairing on them.
At the time I knew NOTHING about working on bikes. A few youtube videos and forum searches later, I changed oil, air filter, and checked valve clearance.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
From: Boston
Thank you guys so much for all the help! I'm pretty stuck on the ninja 300 or cbr250, money isn't really a factor I was going to buy slightly used anyways as this is my first one. Those two were recommended for me apparently because they are lightweight and easy to control but I also don't want to be stuck with a bike that I cant grow with! Scottie recommends getting a CBR600 but I'm afraid it may be TOO big for someone who only has experience on dirt bike. is this one of those situations where I have to just ride them to feel them out?
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
If you've got dirt riding experience then you won't be intimidated by power/gears/brakes, so if you are comfortable balancing the 600 at a standstill then go for it. The smaller CBR and Ninja would be easier in that regard being lighter/lower, but they can all go fast enough to get you in over your head easily if you don't pay attention.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,510
Make no mistake, the older cbr600f2/f3 make great beginner bikes. About 85hp and 450lbs, they are fun, nimble, all-day comfortable, and they don't do anything weird. They are sewing machines. They don't wheelie with stock gearing, so they are not intimidating, but they have tons of upgrade potential after years in the supersport class at racetracks. They are cheap, ya just gotta find one in nice, unmolested condition. Plan on it keeping you interested for a good 3 or 4 years. (The sv650 is in the same ballpark as the f2/f3, but the sv feels a little lighter/newer)
I personally would pass on a cbr250 unless you weigh 110lbs and are deathly afraid of motorcycles. What i mean is, normal folks grow out of them pretty quick. Plan on being bored in 1 year.
The ninja 300 is a step up in power, and has good upgrade potential. Plan on it keeping you interested for about 2 years.
The other bikes mentioned, the gsf400 bandit and gs500e are in the same class, like the yamaha seca 2. They are older, dirt cheap, but are generally unfaired, which hurts a bit doing freeway speeds. Still good starter bikes, just a little older.
Words of advice:
1) Everytime you open the garage and look at your bike it should make you smile. If it doesn't get rid of it immediately.
2) Never buy your dream bike for your first bike. You will drop it, scratch it, etc. Work your way up to your dream bike.
3) It's better to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Everyone in America thinks they need 170hp and 1000cc's. Don't fall into that trap. Riding a slow bike fast shows ability, and gets you respect at the end of the ride.
If you can send me a location and budget i will scour craigslist for you and send you links
James
I personally would pass on a cbr250 unless you weigh 110lbs and are deathly afraid of motorcycles. What i mean is, normal folks grow out of them pretty quick. Plan on being bored in 1 year.
The ninja 300 is a step up in power, and has good upgrade potential. Plan on it keeping you interested for about 2 years.
The other bikes mentioned, the gsf400 bandit and gs500e are in the same class, like the yamaha seca 2. They are older, dirt cheap, but are generally unfaired, which hurts a bit doing freeway speeds. Still good starter bikes, just a little older.
Words of advice:
1) Everytime you open the garage and look at your bike it should make you smile. If it doesn't get rid of it immediately.
2) Never buy your dream bike for your first bike. You will drop it, scratch it, etc. Work your way up to your dream bike.
3) It's better to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Everyone in America thinks they need 170hp and 1000cc's. Don't fall into that trap. Riding a slow bike fast shows ability, and gets you respect at the end of the ride.
If you can send me a location and budget i will scour craigslist for you and send you links
James
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Thank you guys so much for all the help! I'm pretty stuck on the ninja 300 or cbr250, money isn't really a factor I was going to buy slightly used anyways as this is my first one. Those two were recommended for me apparently because they are lightweight and easy to control but I also don't want to be stuck with a bike that I cant grow with! Scottie recommends getting a CBR600 but I'm afraid it may be TOO big for someone who only has experience on dirt bike. is this one of those situations where I have to just ride them to feel them out?
Scottie, CBR600??? A little too much for beginners in my opinion, let her grow slowly but shorely.
Last edited by NHSH; Dec 30, 2015 at 08:59 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Oh boy, girl on forum usually equals hundreds of responses.
An sv650 is a lightweight bike but terrible for beginners. Huge reach to the bars and high seat hight.
The best beginner bike IMHO is the ninja500. Not the 250 or 300. The 2 smaller ones will bore you in 3 (maybe 4) weeks.
So far every new rider I told this to that bought the 250 agreed with me after the 3 weeks.
If you get a 600 as a first bike you are making a really unwise decision. Its way to dangerous. Getting a bike built to win races at 150mph is not a way to learn to ride.
The ninja500 however is docile yet can move when prompted. It can also be a great race or trackbike.
My 2 cents.
An sv650 is a lightweight bike but terrible for beginners. Huge reach to the bars and high seat hight.
The best beginner bike IMHO is the ninja500. Not the 250 or 300. The 2 smaller ones will bore you in 3 (maybe 4) weeks.
So far every new rider I told this to that bought the 250 agreed with me after the 3 weeks.
If you get a 600 as a first bike you are making a really unwise decision. Its way to dangerous. Getting a bike built to win races at 150mph is not a way to learn to ride.
The ninja500 however is docile yet can move when prompted. It can also be a great race or trackbike.
My 2 cents.
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Make no mistake, the older cbr600f2/f3 make great beginner bikes. About 85hp and 450lbs, they are fun, nimble, all-day comfortable, and they don't do anything weird. They are sewing machines. They don't wheelie with stock gearing, so they are not intimidating, but they have tons of upgrade potential after years in the supersport class at racetracks. They are cheap, ya just gotta find one in nice, unmolested condition. Plan on it keeping you interested for a good 3 or 4 years. (The sv650 is in the same ballpark as the f2/f3, but the sv feels a little lighter/newer)
I personally would pass on a cbr250 unless you weigh 110lbs and are deathly afraid of motorcycles. What i mean is, normal folks grow out of them pretty quick. Plan on being bored in 1 year.
The ninja 300 is a step up in power, and has good upgrade potential. Plan on it keeping you interested for about 2 years.
The other bikes mentioned, the gsf400 bandit and gs500e are in the same class, like the yamaha seca 2. They are older, dirt cheap, but are generally unfaired, which hurts a bit doing freeway speeds. Still good starter bikes, just a little older.
Words of advice:
1) Everytime you open the garage and look at your bike it should make you smile. If it doesn't get rid of it immediately.
2) Never buy your dream bike for your first bike. You will drop it, scratch it, etc. Work your way up to your dream bike.
3) It's better to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Everyone in America thinks they need 170hp and 1000cc's. Don't fall into that trap. Riding a slow bike fast shows ability, and gets you respect at the end of the ride.
If you can send me a location and budget i will scour craigslist for you and send you links
James
I personally would pass on a cbr250 unless you weigh 110lbs and are deathly afraid of motorcycles. What i mean is, normal folks grow out of them pretty quick. Plan on being bored in 1 year.
The ninja 300 is a step up in power, and has good upgrade potential. Plan on it keeping you interested for about 2 years.
The other bikes mentioned, the gsf400 bandit and gs500e are in the same class, like the yamaha seca 2. They are older, dirt cheap, but are generally unfaired, which hurts a bit doing freeway speeds. Still good starter bikes, just a little older.
Words of advice:
1) Everytime you open the garage and look at your bike it should make you smile. If it doesn't get rid of it immediately.
2) Never buy your dream bike for your first bike. You will drop it, scratch it, etc. Work your way up to your dream bike.
3) It's better to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Everyone in America thinks they need 170hp and 1000cc's. Don't fall into that trap. Riding a slow bike fast shows ability, and gets you respect at the end of the ride.
If you can send me a location and budget i will scour craigslist for you and send you links
James
How about the newer CBR500? They look like a very good package for a beginner.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Gotta be a Honda girl,
CB500 is a great bike with potential.
A guy in my village has one that he uses as a commuter through the week and still enjoys it on the weekends.
Last time I spoke to him he had done 30,000 miles on it with no problems, just routine maintenance and tyres.
Worth considering!
CB500 is a great bike with potential.
A guy in my village has one that he uses as a commuter through the week and still enjoys it on the weekends.
Last time I spoke to him he had done 30,000 miles on it with no problems, just routine maintenance and tyres.
Worth considering!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Oh boy, girl on forum usually equals hundreds of responses.
An sv650 is a lightweight bike but terrible for beginners. Huge reach to the bars and high seat hight.
The best beginner bike IMHO is the ninja500. Not the 250 or 300. The 2 smaller ones will bore you in 3 (maybe 4) weeks.
So far every new rider I told this to that bought the 250 agreed with me after the 3 weeks.
If you get a 600 as a first bike you are making a really unwise decision. Its way to dangerous. Getting a bike built to win races at 150mph is not a way to learn to ride.
The ninja500 however is docile yet can move when prompted. It can also be a great race or trackbike.
My 2 cents.
An sv650 is a lightweight bike but terrible for beginners. Huge reach to the bars and high seat hight.
The best beginner bike IMHO is the ninja500. Not the 250 or 300. The 2 smaller ones will bore you in 3 (maybe 4) weeks.
So far every new rider I told this to that bought the 250 agreed with me after the 3 weeks.
If you get a 600 as a first bike you are making a really unwise decision. Its way to dangerous. Getting a bike built to win races at 150mph is not a way to learn to ride.
The ninja500 however is docile yet can move when prompted. It can also be a great race or trackbike.
My 2 cents.
I am a Honda guy, but I must admit that this bike is absolutely best for beginners with potential to grow, there is a reason why this bike is so versatile that it's even been used on the race track.
There are also tons of them, which means they cheap and plenty of parts on the market, plus very low maintenance required.
One last thing, ergonomically you will find it most comfortable, allot more than the newer bikes, they don't make comfortable bikes anymore... which also means you won't get tired riding it for hours of back roads, or highway speeds.
Last edited by NHSH; Dec 31, 2015 at 07:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3
From: Boston
Well handsome boy this bike isn't for YOU is it? It took me ages to even get on the back of yours! And from all the recommendations I'm thinking a 600 may be too much for me!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
ninja500 it is lol
Kawasaki Ninja EX500D Great beginner bike!
2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500r for sale
2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500
so many listings its not even funny
Kawasaki Ninja EX500D Great beginner bike!
2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500r for sale
2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500
so many listings its not even funny
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
One of the big reasons they made the 250/300 racing classes is that the sv650 was way too big for newbies.
Scottie, with all due respect, you can cross a busy street blindfolded but can you really say that's the right way to do it? Like they teach fighter pilots, survival is NO indication of proper execution.
Starting with a 600 or 1000 is a dumb move. Dumb enough to end in great unhappiness if not terrible crippling injury or death. (kinda like crossing the street blindfolded)
Ninja 500s also crash really well. My avatar is me on a ninja 500 if that matters either way.
Scottie, with all due respect, you can cross a busy street blindfolded but can you really say that's the right way to do it? Like they teach fighter pilots, survival is NO indication of proper execution.
Starting with a 600 or 1000 is a dumb move. Dumb enough to end in great unhappiness if not terrible crippling injury or death. (kinda like crossing the street blindfolded)
Ninja 500s also crash really well. My avatar is me on a ninja 500 if that matters either way.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
One of the big reasons they made the 250/300 racing classes is that the sv650 was way too big for newbies.
Scottie, with all due respect, you can cross a busy street blindfolded but can you really say that's the right way to do it? Like they teach fighter pilots, survival is NO indication of proper execution.
Starting with a 600 or 1000 is a dumb move. Dumb enough to end in great unhappiness if not terrible crippling injury or death. (kinda like crossing the street blindfolded)
Ninja 500s also crash really well. My avatar is me on a ninja 500 if that matters either way.
Scottie, with all due respect, you can cross a busy street blindfolded but can you really say that's the right way to do it? Like they teach fighter pilots, survival is NO indication of proper execution.
Starting with a 600 or 1000 is a dumb move. Dumb enough to end in great unhappiness if not terrible crippling injury or death. (kinda like crossing the street blindfolded)
Ninja 500s also crash really well. My avatar is me on a ninja 500 if that matters either way.
true...
somehow I survived though
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 409
From: Central CA
A cheap Ninja 250 that's already been dropped.
What kind of areas do you plan to be riding this bike?
If avoiding the "slabs" (highway miles) and budget is not prohibitive, a Grom might be fun. Or maybe a Rebel 250 if you like the cruiser look.
What kind of areas do you plan to be riding this bike?
If avoiding the "slabs" (highway miles) and budget is not prohibitive, a Grom might be fun. Or maybe a Rebel 250 if you like the cruiser look.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 189
If you can afford new the CB500 is good, and they're chopping prices around here - retail is $6k, but they can be had for about $5k.
The used Ninja 500 is quite similar - but cheaper.
Two great choices. Good luck, wear all the gear all the time and enjoy it.
The used Ninja 500 is quite similar - but cheaper.
Two great choices. Good luck, wear all the gear all the time and enjoy it.
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