New Rider, Need Input for Starter Bike - Sportbike Addicts

Shelly · 07-02-2006, 05:23 PM

So, I have a friend who wants to start riding too. She's about 5'6" and a good size girl. What do you guys recommend for a good starter bike? Being a somewhat new rider....my Ninja 250R was an excellent choice for me and for my small size and ability to manuever and handle my own bike. I'm thinkin a 500cc for her? Need some suggestions. I don't want to recommend something w/ too much power as a starter... Thanks

Shel

voteforguy · 07-02-2006, 06:52 PM

I don't see why a 250r is a bad choice here? always better to start small, learn to handle the bike...

sonny · 07-02-2006, 08:26 PM

the MSF and a small bike. something older that is sub $2000 .

ninja 500/250 or a gs 500 suzuki.. or even a katana.. but the weight might be a problem for her.

Mack · 07-02-2006, 08:27 PM

I have to agree that a 250 r is a good start bike for a smaller person (not women just smaller person in general). I started on a ninja 500 and loved it then jumped to a 929 and now my aprilia. I choose the 500 because I got a great deal on it and figured it would last me a season or two and I wouldn't be intimated by the power at first. Just my 2 cents

ImmaSquashYou · 07-02-2006, 09:36 PM

since i didn't want to switch through bikes a lot, i got my f4i.....i knew that it wouldn't be toooo powerful n wo'nt easily get bored once i was a better rider. If she's able to have the funds to keep on switching bikes, then a 250 is good. Do you know how good her throttle control is???? i mean, i'm still working on mine and i know i have a lot to work on, but if she's able to keep her wrist up, a more powerful bike shouldn't be a problem....id just hate gettinga bike n then have to sell it like 2 months later cause i got bored of it already

jcblitz · 07-02-2006, 10:40 PM

If they updated the 250's style we wouldn't even need threads like these. The 250 is a great starter bike but just looks lame as hell. When I rode one I was pretty new to sportbikes as well and it had plenty of power and handling for what I needed (except for being able to keep up with my buddy on his 900). I wish people would ride them for at least 2 years before jumping on anything else.

High_Revs_17 · 07-02-2006, 10:41 PM

This one's a cream puff.

High_Revs_17 · 07-02-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcblitz

If they updated the 250's style we wouldn't even need threads like these. The 250 is a great starter bike but just looks lame as hell. When I rode one I was pretty new to sportbikes as well and it had plenty of power and handling for what I needed (except for being able to keep up with my buddy on his 900). I wish people would ride them for at least 2 years before jumping on anything else.

But if Kawi modernized that bike's styling/body panels and fuel management the extremely reasonable price of $3,000 would be history. However they did update the decals this year in keeping with the style/form that the big boys have for '06 and the bike is a bit more appealing to the eye.

Kawi's doing the right thing in keeping the cost down on that bike because they know it's an excellent starter model, and for that price it's the best bang for the buck hands down for a new ride.

Agreed that too many people underestimate that bike's potential even in stock form. They should be able to throw that thing around in the twisties with ease before ever thinking about bumping up to anything else.

**Rev** · 07-02-2006, 11:52 PM

http://www.motosavvy.com/fusebox/dsp...cfm?page_id=59

SilverDragon · 07-03-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcblitz

If they updated the 250's style we wouldn't even need threads like these. The 250 is a great starter bike but just looks lame as hell.

I totally agree! It's a marketing thing too! They know there are a lot of people like me who love only the cool looking things!

Shelly · 07-03-2006, 09:20 AM

Ron-Look at you whoring up the thread w/ pix...LOL...hehe...thanks for all the good input from everyone...really appreciate it

~Shel

Quote:

Originally Posted by High_Revs_17

This one's a cream puff.

PitsVtec · 07-03-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voteforguy

I don't see why a 250r is a bad choice here? always better to start small, learn to handle the bike...

Agree....I started on a 250 and within a year moved up to the 600.

SAXON117 · 07-03-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

the MSF and a small bike. something older that is sub $2000 .

ninja 500/250 or a gs 500 suzuki.. or even a katana.. but the weight might be a problem for her.

I agree with the ninja 500/250. Good starter bikes. I do think the Katana is a bit heavy for a beginner, but also a good bike. any of the three should be able to be found under $2000. I buddy just bought a Katana 600 (1989?) for $600.

lu380 · 07-03-2006, 11:03 PM

I personally think anybody who knows how to drive a stick shift car should be able to handle at least an EX500 or SV650. Maybe it's just me, but the clutch/throttle coordination felt the same as if I was driving a car the first time I hopped on a bike (less than a year ago).

I think maybe people with no experience with a manual transmission should start off as small as possible, but otherwise I think the EX500 is plenty tame for a beginner.

JasonB · 07-04-2006, 12:18 AM

I think that 500 would be a good choice for a beginner. If she has the time take her to see some of what is out there. Let her sit on your 250 then a 500 at a dealer and see how she feels on it. If she's 5'6", she shouldn't have a problem with a 500 at all. I also kno someone that is selling a 500 with less than 1500 miles on it.