Another 2 wheeler...

VSchneider

Those f-ers :eek: would rather die than give way.

Joe08867

Having been a rider for the last 17yrs I would say go with the 500. It is a good starter to intermediate bike. You can grow into it in no time at all and it will bring more reward to you than the 250. Especially if you are a bigger guy. I look like I'm riding a clown bike with a 250cc bike. I don't know how big you are I am 5'6" and weigh in at about 250lbs. No I am not svelte but weight is a factor on a bike with an engine under the 500-650cc mark.

I also say take the saftey class. It helps new people a ton. And it can definatley save your life.

Joe08867

That year we had all the Sakade (Sp?) sucked. They hurt when they hit and didn't taste so good either.

June bugs and bumble bees are the norm around here in Hunterdon County NJ.

Sherardp

opt for the bigger 600. Over time the 250 will bore you and you will want more power. You could go all balls to the wall and snag the 1000, just a beast of raw power. I do allot of street and track out here in Japan so 1000 is where its at sometimes too much. Safety class is a must, and I'd recommend Arai or Shoei for the grape. If this is your first bike I would recommend a Honda 600, they tend to be a little more tamed than the others.

madmax

There was a kawasaki 250 sitting in the parking lot the other day. It looked just like the 650. Is there really that much size difference? On another note, I checked out a 250 rebel and it looked WAY smaller.
madmax

exalted512

Yes, there is wayyyyyyyyyyy more of a difference.

The 650 is a 4 cylinder with almost 3x the displacement.

The ninja 650 will do around 150, the 250 will do about 80.

Like I said, the 500 is a fantastic starter bike, I'd highly, highly recommend it over the 250.
-Cody

ben62670

The 250 has to be wound out to get any decent power out of it. Winding the motor out shortens the life. Get at least a 500. Just like with amps you are the master of the throttle. 250's also don't hold their value. Don't worry abouta bike having too much power unless you get into a real high po 750+. With these you can get into trouble just letting of the power.
Ben

madmax

ben62670 wrote: »

Don't worry abouta bike having too much power

Good point, this is what I really want. http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelimagelib/23/18/1/0/image.aspx
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelvideo/23/652/0/video.aspx

exalted512

I have to disagree with ben, the ninja zx-6 is A LOT of power for a beginner, especially 07s and after. The new 08+ R6s are also a lot of power for a beginner.

A 500 is a great compromise.
-Cody

madmax

I'm thinking if these 250's have little resale value then that is what I should look for used? That way, if it falls over or whatever so what.
madmax

Poee7R

Yes used is the way to go on your first bike. Actually i would be hard pressed to buy a new bike/car these days with depreciation.

Keep in mind bikes are rarely used as the only form of transportation, so its common to find bikes with barely any miles. Personally i like to look for around 5k or less miles.

If you are dead set on the 250 i would say go for it just to get ya on two wheels, but let me say that you would be alot better off with 5-650cc, for both safety and pleasure. Also keep in mind an inline 4 doesnt do much below 5-6k rpm, you have to keep the revs up to get the power out, so living by throttle is very easy. More or less, you will have to ring one out to get to the power, so dont worry too much about a bike being too big for ya.

But whatever you choose good luck and have fun.


Dave

madmax

So here is a challenge. What is the cheapest 250 I can find used in CO?
madmax

Poee7R

I believe Kaw is the only manufacturer other than Buell thats makes em that small.

Take a look at the Buell Blast also, small single cylinder bike, which is probably more common that the ZX.


Dave

madmax

I have to say a used kawasaki 250 to 500 seems like the most logical choice.

dorokusai

Get a chopper, shave your head and get a tattoo on your neck. Anything else is first grade stuff.

Sherardp

start here and buy used, you'll probably lay it down once or twice. Start on an older 600 2004-2006, www.cycletrader.com go easy on the throttle until u get the hang of things.

exalted512

madmax wrote: »

I have to say a used kawasaki 250 to 500 seems like the most logical choice.

I love my 500! When I graduate, I'm stepping up to a 600 or a liter bike, not sure yet.

I do agree with trying to get one under 5k miles. Especially 600+cc bikes, they can get abused.

If you do go used, my best advice would be to get one that has absolutely no mods, other than maybe some frame sliders.
-Cody

shack

I've ridden a Ninja 250R and was very comfortable. I'm 6'4" and 240 lbs. I guess it depends what you are looking for. If you think you will want to get more into "sport bike" riding then maybe you will outgrow a 250cc bike. If you are looking for a commuter bike that is near bulletproof and gets between 50-75 mpg and don't plan on doing any knee dragging in the twisties...then the Ninja 250R may be perfect for you. The pre 2008 models of the 250R had the seat a little lower and had the bars a little higher for a little more of an upright seating position. The new 2008 models have raised the seat and lowered the bars a little for the more traditional "sport bike" position. In addition they have stiffened the suspension a little to enhance the sport bike stance. I wouldn't want to ride the interstates on a 250R, but it is a good little commuter bike that is fun to ride.

Someone said 250cc bikes didn't hold their value. Not so...at least with the Ninja. Good used ones are hard to find and aren't that cheap either.

obieone

TAKE the riding course FIRST!!! I almost bought a $6,000 Suzuki Volusia a couple of years back, but decided to take the course to get my lic. AND find out IF I liked riding. Glad I did! Found out I could take it or leave it. So, now I have license, but don't ride. And it only cost me $300. NOT $6k, plus taxes, registration, & insurance.
But, I am getting the bug again, LOL! Of course, it's a LOT easier to ride in SC, then it would have been in MA, on the RI border! RI'ers CAN'T drive!

ND13

Go with a cruiser...not a crotch-rocket. Several really nice cruisers out there. I'm just thinking about your back/comfort.

exalted512

both the ninja 250 and 500 both are designed for upright sitting.
-Cody

SKsolutions

Unless you are doing extended highway miles, the Honda Shadow 750 is a great starter bike as well. Light for a cruiser, enough power to get away from idiots, and most importantly, very predictable. Open it wide up, and you'll go quickly --but in linear fashion. Inline 4's have a much different and rev happy power delivery.
Most that I know that have started later in life, have chosen V-twins (2 cyl).

When I got back into it, I picked one up to see if my back would handle it. I kept it for a year, and could have sold it for more than I paid for it. It went to a friend in his early 50's that was just starting out.

That VMAX is sweetness!

bobman1235

SKsolutions wrote: »

Unless you are doing extended highway miles, the Honda Shadow 750 is a great starter bike as well. Light for a cruiser, enough power to get away from idiots, and most importantly, very predictable. Open it wide up, and you'll go quickly --but in linear fashion.

I own a Shadow 750, and absolutely love it. Your description is spot on. Very linear, smooth power all the way through, comfortable, low, easy to use. Granted I've been riding for like 7 years now but still, comparing it to everything else I've ridden it's just a solid, comfortable bike. And it didn't cost much either.

I commute to work with it once in a while, spending ~30 minutes on the highway at 70-75mph with no real problems. You wouldn't want to do much more than that, but I can't say I've ever been on a comfortable "highway" bike. I hate highways.

Ricardo

Found this on my hard drive; she was pretty....

bigaudiofanatic

I would recomend checking out a BMW F800ST they are great bike. Check it out it is what I will be getting when I trade my old one in.

exalted512

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I would recomend checking out a BMW F800ST they are great bike. Check it out it is what I will be getting when I trade my old one in.

I would highly recommend not getting a $10,000 bike as your first.
-Cody

bobman1235

Plus, Bimmer riders tend to be a-holes.

What?

bigaudiofanatic

bobman1235 wrote: »

Plus, Bimmer riders tend to be a-holes.

What?

Ya right that's absolute bull. Both my father and I have been ran off the road by Harley JERKS. Absolute A$$ HOLES we even saw the people that ran us off one day they told us we were in there way. BMW bikers are the kindest people you will ever meet PERIOD.

bobman1235

It was a joke dude, sorry I forgot the smiley.

bigaudiofanatic

LOL okay thats better lol.