Looking to buy a motorcycle - Page 2

vinuneuro · #11 05-29-2008, 11:04 AM

The new Ninja 250 is a GREAT first bike.

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B-Line · #12 05-29-2008, 02:21 PM

My first bike was a Suzuki Savage, 650.

Now lets remember, a Ninja 250 is probably going to be faster than a Savage 650. The Savage is a single cylinder, also referred to as a "THUMPER".

They are a great starter bike even though the 650 sounds like a lot of engine. Really, this bike is a smart starter.

vegasX5 · #13 05-29-2008, 02:47 PM

Honestly, you will likely get bored with the power of a Ninja 250. I had a lot of dirtbike experience, and I went with an EX500 (now called Ninja 500) for my first street bike. I think it was excellent all the way around, and I picked it up cheap (around $1.5k and it was perfect!). Another good one is the Suzuki GS500 - the older ones are called the GS500E the new ones with fairings are called the GS500F. I would get the older, simpler one for a first bike.

If you want a bike that's easy to learn on but you won't get bored with later, get a nice used stock Suzuki SV650. That is a great bike and once you get used to the power, start modding it with full pipes, clip ons, seat, etc. Those bikes are a blast no matter what your skill level. I would just say no matter what, get something you're ok with dropping once or twice - it will happen! Also, don't get in over your head with HP because it will catch you off guard at just the wrong moment.

The other good thing about buying a couple year old entry level bike is that you likely won't lose much if any money on your purchase. You can buy a 3-5 year old ninja for $2-$3k, ride it for a year, and probably sell it for the same. Not nearly as true for the bigger newer bikes that depreciate much quicker!

Boston X5 4.4 · #14 05-29-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

The new Ninja 250 is a GREAT first bike.

...for a midget

trueX5er · #15 05-29-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

Are you a truly new rider? Meaning no dirt bike experience. I rode dirt bikes growing up so my first street bike was a '98 CBR900RR. If you really have no experience buy something small and cheap. You won't be using it for that long! A friend of mine went through a lil 250, a 600 and then finally got himself a 1000 in just a little over a year.

Be careful. Please. Wear in the very least your leather jacket, gloves, jeans and boots. Make sure the jacket has thick protection inside of it. Mine saved me on a slide or two. No passenger on the back until you are 110% comfortable riding and even then question weather you want to take that kind of risk.

There are two types of riders.... those who have fallen and those who will. Dress for the fall and not for the ride. And, yes, I hope these words come across as ominous.

Have fun!

aren't you forgetting helmet???