First motorcycle recommendations?

peeler_feeler · Apr 14, 2006

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tsn=1&tid=1233&webtag=ab-motorcycles4

Approaching my milestone 40th birthday later this year and decided to start a new hobby: motorcycling. I have always liked motorcycles and this year decided no time like the present.

After research I've decided on a smaller first bike - the Kawasaki Ninja 250- and hopefully I can find one used. The reasoning: most newbies will drop or damage their bikes so don't waste too much money on the first bike.

Any comments on first bikes from experienced riders?

Fists Of Fury · Apr 14, 2006

Honestly a 250cc bike is just to underpowered for everyday use. Highway use is a hassle and passing is limited with the small engine. Don't even let dropping or falling off the bike enter your mind.
A 600cc bike is more than enough power, about the same size as a Ninja 250, and more than enough power. It shouldn't cost you much more to get into a 600 and insurance is reasonable especially at you're age

.

Leave the 1000 cc superbikes for the insane.

skypilot · Apr 14, 2006

First of all take the riders training program, even if you have ridden before - then you won't be dropping your bike, and if you do you will know how to pick it up.
A 250 is way too small, you will want to get rid of it within a month after you get it, and you are a danger on the road with something that small because it just can't keep up with regular traffic.
I would suggest a 750 to start, but if you don't want to go that high, stay 450 and above. I used to ride a 450 Honda Nighthawk on the 401 and didn't have any problems.
The biggest thing is the fit not the size of the engine. If you can sit on the seat and have your feet flat on the ground your likelyhood of dropping it is minimal.

gramps · Apr 14, 2006

I used to have a bike years ago but replaced it with another summer hobby, boating. There are to many assholes on the roads that don't give a damn about anyone else. It may be fun but not safe enough on the roads. Just my opinion.

If you do get one and your going to do a lot of riding get something comfortable. Honda gold wing would do just fine if you can afford it.

http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/touring_sport_touring/

gramps · Apr 14, 2006

Cute In A Kilt said:
like the infamous biker t-shirt says "if your reading this my bitch fell off"

I have one of those T shirts. Got it when I spit with the ex bitch.

a 1 player · Apr 14, 2006

As stated before, please take the motorcycle training course, it really is beneficial. A couple of other things to consider....... I agree that a 250 is too small, but do not underestimate the power of a 600 sport bike, they have an insane amount of power and torque. Also, though I have ridden sport bikes for years, (and I really do love them), consider your comfort. Most of the sport bikes will make your body numb after a couple of hours, at least in my experience. If you do like the sport bike style, you might want to consider a sport-touring style like a Katana where you sit a bit more upright, but still have the power factor. Just my opinion.

ps. Happy 40'th

Binky · Apr 14, 2006

biodegradable

gramps Quote: like the infamous biker t-shirt says "if your reading this my bitch fell off"

Here's my recomendation... its biodegradable

gramps · Apr 14, 2006

This looks like a redneck motorcycle.

Nice sig pic binky. yum.

http://www.uti.com/~thekeep/wood_bike.jpg

peeler_feeler · Apr 14, 2006

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm taking the motorcycle training course at Humber College later in the spring. I prefer the crotch rocket style - that's why I am considering the baby Ninja for learning. It seems to be highly recommended for new riders who are looking for the sport style. And I read that an experienced rider on the 250 Ninja can outrun a beginner on a 600 sport bike so I don't think power would be a problem.

http://motorcycles.about.com/cs/beginners/a/beginnerbikes_2.htm

Pic of VICKY GRAY on a Honda sport bike
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/basicsofmotorcycling/ss/motorcycletypes_4.htm

Gititon · Apr 14, 2006

Why ride a little boy's toy when you could be riding a real man's bike?

Check it out:

http://bosshoss.com/?CID=37094987.49160

My brother has a 2 wheeler, and sis-in-law has a trike. They are 2 sweet machines !!!

I should have about enough to buy my own trike next summer - with Chevy Fins.

Real comfy for touring and you can pack a lot of stuff in the trike. My retirement investment

baci2004 · Apr 14, 2006

When I was going to buy a bike the guys at McBride cycle recommended the Kawasaki Ex500.

nominis · Apr 14, 2006

peeler_feeler said:
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm taking the motorcycle training course at Humber College later in the spring. I prefer the crotch rocket style - that's why I am considering the baby Ninja for learning. It seems to be highly recommended for new riders who are looking for the sport style. And I read that an experienced rider on the 250 Ninja can outrun a beginner on a 600 sport bike so I don't think power would be a problem.

The training courses provide a bike for a nominal fee so don't bother getting one for that purpose.
The recommendation by those experienced riders on the board that you get a bike bigger than 250cc is not based on who you can beat in a race or what bikes you can outride. A 250cc is under-powered for highway driving and after your first few white-knuckle merges on an under-powered bike you'll understand what we're talking about. It's next to useless for carrying a passenger and on any long trips you'll regret it. My first bike saw a Yam 400 Maxim and that was adequate but underpowered for 2up (w/passenger)
and highway driving was discomforting mostly because the bike was running high rpms just to stay around 110k (forget about passing @ 125 !!).
The other question of size is not engine size but related to your physical size. I'm 5'11" w/long legs and most bikes uncomfortably cramped.
Small nimble bikes are great in countries like Italy or the UK where the roads are all narrow and very twisty - you can rarely open the bike up because your runs are much shorter. Here in beaverland and down south of the border the roads are wide and fairly straight ( grids in the cities and fairly straight highways ) so your opportunity to open up and really stretch the bike come fairly often.
If your just going to tool around TO then maybe I could see using a 250 but if your gonna break out on the highway at all or start doing rides of 2hrs plus then start out on a 500cc minimum.

good luck
nominis

20 years riding experience

AdrenalinJunkie · Apr 14, 2006

If you can afford it and recognize you may want to trade up after a short period of time the Ninja 250 makes a lot of sense. Light, easy to handle and nimble. More forgiving power hit than a 600 sportbike. I agree with the fit issue - get something you are comfortable with. I also suggest starting used. Then if you drop it (and most people do within the first year or two - often at low speed or pushing it in the garage), not too much harm done, and you can sell for not much less than you paid for it when you trade up.

Next up in size I would consider the Suzuki SV650 - one of the sweetest handling bikes out there, the Ninja 500 (been around forever, and rock solid) or possilby the Suzuki 500 - available as either naked or fared version. Also the Bandit 600, or Honda 599's are good bets, but up on power.

BTW, factor out the drunks and under 25 and it is a fairly safe pastime.

Welcome to the sport. Motorcycling was my first mid-life crisis. Still need a few more

RTRD · Apr 14, 2006

Great thread...

...because I am in the EXACT same spot as the guy who started it. Just turned 40, think a bike might be fun, but I'm not looking for a "crotch rocket" for drag racing or anything else. Just something to enjoy and periodically put the wife on back - I can see her getting VERY excited about adding a bit of "adventure" to our lives (safely).

Thanks for the recommendations, and if anyone wants to PM me the details or link for the training course @ Humber, I'd be grateful.

C Dick · Apr 14, 2006

lhasfun said:
BTW, factor out the drunks and under 25 and it is a fairly safe pastime.

I was reading some stats recently that suggested that the fatality rate for motorcyclists in the U.S. had more than doubled over the last ten years. The reason mentioned was baby-boomers having mid-life crisises, buying big, powerful bikes and falling off. Twenty somethings have the reflexes, career bikers have the experience, baby-boomers have neither, and hence, way more accidents.

That does not mean you should not do it, it's just something that you have to take seriously and be careful with. Though it seems like lots of accidents have nothing to do with the biker, they just get hurt because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

nominis · Apr 14, 2006

MLAM said:
...because I am in the EXACT same spot as the gut who started it. Just turned 40, think a bike might be fun, but I'm not looking for a "crotch rocket" for drag racing or anything else. Just something to enjoy and periodically put the wife on back - I can see her getting VERY excited about adding a bit of "adventure" to our lives (safely).

Thanks for the recommendations, and if anyone wants to PM me the details or link for the training course @ Humber, I'd be grateful.

Hey MLAM here's one better - the MTO site with links to all of the colleges providing courses.
Try getting an old ( 10yrs + ) for your first bike, you won't care so much when you lay it down the first time. Watch out for the streetcar tracks during or after the rain ( my only 2 wipeouts went down that way). Custom bikes aren't bad compared to the crotch rockets but they're more uncomfortable on long highway rides if you don't have fairing. Cafe racers are a nice compromise.
The rules have changed since I did my license and I think you are restricted for the first year (m2 ?) to staying off the 400 series highways and no passengers until full license ( you might want to check on that ).
Insurance can be difficult for newbies - I pay $500/yr on a 650 maxim. That's straight liability. Don't bother getting comprehensive if your bike is under $2k cause it doubles your insurance. Newbies can expect at least a grand for insurance in the first year. For insurance companies try Jevco if they're still around or Kingsway General.

Have fun man

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/motocourse.htm

Cinema Face · Apr 14, 2006

I’m going to do a slightly different take on it:

I’ve heard that the Ninja 250 is a great entry level bike. From what I’ve heard it will be reasonably comfortable for someone up to about 6’ tall. It will give you snappy performance around town and handle great. It will be easy to handle and you’re not likely to get into trouble with it.

The bike will perform respectable up to about 80 km/hr and then you start to approach the limits of the engine. You will notice the acceleration past 80 will taper off and the engine will be working hard. The bike is capable of highway speed, about 130 km or so but you will get the impression that the engine is about to explode. On that little bike it will seem like 200.

The Ninja isn’t a bike that you will likely spend a lot of time on the highway anyway. It’s designed as a bomb around town, peel away from the lights and nimble handling. As long as you understand the top end limitations then you’re ok.

If you want a little more zoom and a little more top end, then I recommend the Ninja 500.

21pro · Apr 14, 2006

Gititon said:
Check it out:

http://bosshoss.com/?CID=37094987.49160

boss hoss is exactly what i thought when i read the thread title, too!

Cinema Face · Apr 14, 2006

Oh and BTW, welcome to the world of motorcycles. You'll have a blast. Maybe we can go riding sometime. I've got a Honda Magna.

nominis · Apr 15, 2006

Currently rebuilding a GS750E in this kind of style with an old Yam 650 Maxim already on the road. Check out the "mystery bike" - a rebuild of a GSX750 done in the UK.

http://www.classicmechanics.com/bissue/2004-10.htm

First motorcycle recommendations?

B(.)(.)B Lover

Banned

Rebistrad Suer

Banned

Banned

Smells like manly roses.

New member

Banned

B(.)(.)B Lover

New member

Bad girl Luv'r

***

New member

Registered User

Banned

***

New member

Crotch Sniffer

New member

***