What is a good motorcycle for a beginner to get?

Question

I was thinking on a super sport bike but it seems a little too crazy because i have no experience at all.

Answer 1

Get a "beater" first (a mechanically sound bike that may not be all that pretty) and learn to ride before you buy a more expensive bike. I've seen too many newbies rush out and buy more bike than they can handle--- new or used. They drop them. They crash them. They burn out the clutch. They get into accidents. And I know two people who couldn't even pass the driving exam.

Look for something around 500cc. Yamaha, Kawasaki or Honda will be the best bet as they're easier to take care of for a beginner. If you start out with a super sport bike as a first bike, you'll kill either the bike or yourself. Or both.

Answer 2

My Warning: Getting a super sport for your first bike will result in death. If you want to live and enjoy riding you should get a small cruiser. Dont listen to all these people telling you to get a 250cc, because you will get bored to fast with this. A good all around bike is the Honda VLX Shadow 600cc. The bike is light about 450lbs but also heavy enough that you wont get blown away when a truck passes you or the wind blows. A super sport or any sport bike can be dangerous for a beginner rider. One twist of the wrist can send you backwards onto your head. Learn with a cruiser and then trade it in when you get more experience and feel comfortable. I would suggest riding one for 6months to a year before you decide to get an extremely fast bike.

Answer 3

Find yourself a cruiser style bike that is around 250 cc and it will be light enough for you to learn on. The bigger they get the heavier they are and when you come to a stop, you better be straight up. The farther you lean over, the heavier they get and can be all most impossible to hold up. Find a used 250 that is four or five years old and low mileage. This should be fairly cheap and as soon as you feel comfortable on it, sell it or trade up to a larger one. It's a real good idea to find a riders safety course for beginners and sign up. They will furnish you with a bike to ride and a helmet if you don't have one. That may be the best 2 or 300 dollars you spend. They usually have both cruiser and dirt bikes to choose to learn on. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN FIRST GEAR WHEN THE BIKE COMES TO A STOP ! ! !

Answer 4

Someone else here said GS500 and I second the opinion. Its been around for ages, you may get a good used one relatively cheap and its pretty low maintenance. With only 2 cylinders its simple to do. If you have basic mechanical skills you can do your own oil and filter. Major expense would be valve adjustment, couple of shims and a cover gasket, carb synch, maybe once a year, depending on how many miles you do.(its same as old style GS range, shim over bucket) They have never been made without electronic ignition so thats not an issue.

Answer 5

Suzuki sv650, Kawasaki 650R and Honda 599, all 3 of these are easy to handle and have good, but not insane, power. They make great all-around bikes, they can even be used for sport-touring.

You won't be able to use a super sports full potential on the street and they get uncomfortable fast. Just my 2 cents worth.

Answer 6

I would say for a beginner the Yamaha Virago 250 cruiser can't be beat. Will cruise at highway speeds and around town. Low maintenence very cheap to buy and looks like a big bike.

I rode one for a weekend and I usually ride a big 600 lb Suzuki GS850L and the Yahama was very impressive and comfortable to ride.

Check it out here;

Answer 7

You first step is a ridership program. Take the course to get your motorcycle certificate. Then, get a moderate size bike. Your first bike should not be huge. Get something managable by an new rider, light weight and not high powered. Learn to ride it, then move up.

Remember, ride safely and look out for the other people. They won't always see you.

Have fun!

Answer 8

Suzuki GS500. It's inexpensive, gets good mileage, not a super small bike and you won't get blown away by the speed (like on a 600 or 750) or get bored after you get used to riding (like a Ninja 250).

Answer 9

ninja 250, buell blast 500, honda rebel 450, kawa savage 250

They are all super easy to ride and learn on; can buy used for cheap; and are faster than most cars on the highway.

Answer 10

An old yamaha 650 twin, if you can find one. Honda rebel, or a kawi 454 (thumpers) are nice to learn on. Anything old and cheap.