Opinions on Street Bikes?

Get a Cushman or Mustang

I had one of these and would do 60mph no problem.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cushman-MODEL-765-1965-CUSHMAN-SUPER-SILVER-EAGLE-ELECTRIC-START-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eb4621f66QQitemZ200594825062QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles

Don't get a 250cc, it'll bore you to death in about 2 months time. Having said that, buying a used 250cc for learning on is fine---but not a new one. If you're 125lbs or more, you should look at a absolute minimum of 500cc's; be it a single, v-twin, or in-line 4 cylinder.

HJC makes good, fairly inexpensive DOT approved helmets---your dealer should throw one in on the purchase of your bike. Leather riding jackets provide good protection (well, as good as can be expected) but can be pretty darn expensive--your call. Gloves, heavy pants, etc are all a good idea; as well as hearing protection under your helmet. Helmets (full face) help to reduce wind blast nosie, but they are still quite loud.

I've owned bikes from the big 4 Japanese makers, I'd rate them like this:

1. Honda/Yamaha (tie)
2. Kawasaki
3. Suzuki (though suzuki's do offer great bang-for-the-buck, their fit 'n finish isn't nearly as nice as the other 3), however, you do get a lot of bike for the money.

You can't go wrong with any of the big 4, as they all build bullet proof bikes anymore. These are just my observations based on fit 'n finish, materials used, and general build quality. The differences between the 4 are minute.

I'd recommend learning on a cheap used bike---you ARE going to drop it; one way or another, and there is nothing more disheartening (and expensive) than watching your beautiful "new" bike hit the ground. I'd personally look for a used Yamaha Virago, they are simple, air-cooled twins that have bullet proof reliability, and a good general format to learn on.

Here's an excellent bang-for-the-buck 650cc:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/SV650/2008/SV650.aspx?category=standard

I'm your exact height/weight. A 250R is more than enough for you. It'll keep up with an older mustang GT up to highway speed...and it'll do 110. Not sure why people think thats not fast enough.

In all honesty, if I was in your position, I'd buy an 08+ 250. The 09, if it hasnt been laid over, is a good deal at $3200...especially from a dealer. It might even have the warranty left over if they bought the extended, and its fully transferable. I bought an 05 500R for $3500. Laid it over on both sides and scratched up the fairings/exhaust, put 7000 miles on it in 1.5 years, and sold it for $2800. Had I not laid it over, I could've got what I paid for on it. The difference between a 250 and 500 is ALMOST negligible. And the 250s look wayyy better.

You're going to save a lot of money on insurance, gas mileage is incredible, and you wont be as pissed when you lay over a 250 as you would be if you bought a newer 600. They're also cheaper, so it'll give you extra cash for gear...as you should be wearing gloves, helmet, jacket, riding shoes/boots, and overpants all the time, ideally. At minimum, gloves, helmet, jacket, and some sort of shoe that covers your ankle. Gear adds up quick and I wouldn't skimp out on it. Do a google image search for 'road rash queen'.

I also prefer winding through the gears on a 250. Seems a lot more fun to me. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a 250 or 650 for commuting, then making my 600 a track queen.

Either way, I wouldn't spend more than $3500 on a bike for your first bike no matter what you get. The 09+ 650R models look really good, but it might be hard finding one for $3500 right now. They're a v-twin, so they wont be as fast as a 600 super sport, but theyre more comfy and cheaper to insure...but thats still a lot of bike for a beginner.

Make sure to take the MSF course and act like every cager out there doesnt see you, half the time its true.
-Cody

First things first... TAKE THE MSF COURSE!

They provide the bike, and it's usually free. At the end, you get your class m certification.

My starter bike was a '83 Yamaha XS400. It was just about the best learner bike I can think of. The 400cc was enough to get it up to a top speed of around 90mph, but not so brutal that you had to worry about WOT starts flipping you on your backside.

Plus, it was an '83, that I paid $500 for. I wrecked it twice, and both times was able to repair it to working order for very little money. I didn't care that it had scratches and dents on it, because it was a bike that I knew I would drop at some point. I rode it for 3 years, and just sold it for $400.

Now that I've been riding for 3 years, I feel I'm ready to step up to the 850cc bike I have in my carport... just have to get it running first.

Exactly what I was going to suggest; take the course.

You'll learn the fundamentals of how to drive/steer around/avoid 'accidents' as well as the appropriate way to drive.

I'm a bit shorter than you (5'7") and my first bike was actually a 600. Even that thing bored me to death (CBR F4i) so I stepped up to a 900+. I'm not saying you should just go out and get a 600 or 900! Just go out, take the course and if you're confident with your abilities on one go ahead and start with a 600 otherwise grab the 250 (no one's judging you!).

If I got a bike now, I'd go with a cafe-racer. My back hurt way too much after those long 6-8hr drives (each way) from southern California going up north and back.

My wifes new Honda Rebel 250 as "buzzy" as hell at 60mph. Just sayin. Even she got bored with it (5'6" 140lbs)---as it would literally struggle going up Bisbee hill, and at max throttle could only hold about 50mph up that highway hill.

I think the beginner safety course runs about $70---the advanced course I think is also abut the same price, but of course that might just be what Cochise county, Az charges...

PerfectCreature wrote:

Someone compared the 250cc to a newer mustang GT? Would that be accurate?
Thanks.

Not even close. Maybe more like a Mini Cooper S. Fun to drive, good on the twistys, great gas mileage...can't hang on the straights...but an all-around good drive.

My Suzuki Forenza could outrun a 250cc street bike. Anybody want to bet pinks? The Suzi is paid off...1/4 mile, 0-60mph, or top speed, pick your poison--any takers?

Do a 600 or 750. Def take the MSF course, it really helps. I took it further and went to some riding classes held by Keith Code. Get on a track if you plan to go ape **** with the speed. I totaled a r1 and did 4500 in damage to my second r1 due to negligence. Other than that they are insanely fun toys. If your at the 200 lb weight class I would even say go for the 1000.

billbillw wrote: »

Don't spend more than $1000 or so. That way, when you crash, dump, or otherwise damage the bike, you won't be out much money. You will slide, dump, or drop the bike. Guaranteed.

Absolutely. There are 2 kinds of riders, those who admit to dropping their bike, and those who lie and say they haven't. Either way, it's going down. :biggrin:

I've been riding for 25 years, have never had an accident OR a ticket, but I dropped my bike----TWICE. First time was a car coming out of a parking spot right at me; second time I forgot (I know, laugh) to drop my kick stand when I hopped off to close the garage door---right in the damn drive way. $850 worth of fairing/mirror/clutch lever damage to my Yamaha YZF-600.

I would advise looking for a used SV 650. Its got enough balls to do just about anything there is to do, yet small enough that you can toss it around easily. Simple to maintain, they look good and wont be a hard hit on the wallet.

Ive been in situations where I needed to get out of the spot I was in, and to be honest Im not sure a 250 or there abouts would of been enough to get me out of those spots. Kind of a, better to have it and not need it type of scenario.

Whatever you choose to do, the MSF courses could one day save your life, period. Also ten dollar helmets are for ten dollar heads. Do not skimp when it comes to a helmet, as was said earlier HJC makes a decent lower cost shell, but I feel safer in my Arai and Shoei. The right helmet is more important than a particular bike.

One more thing, tires, tires, tires. Buy the best you can, you'll learn to trust your tires more than anything else. They're they only thing between you and the ground.

Good luck, riding is my favorite thing to do in this world. I could have the worst day of my life, get on a bike for a while and its like magic, everything is back into perspective and I can breathe a bit easier.


Dave