Hey Everyone,
I was wondering what would be a good first bike to start on if my goal is to develop the experience and confidence in controlling a sportbike. I dream of owning an R1 one day, but understand I need to start off slow. Are there any bikes that are good for beginners and is still sporty?
2007-02-24 16:19:28 · 11 answers · asked by jasonng617 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Yes, there's some good first sport bikes. I'm glad to see you are chosing to start with one that's good for learning and work your way up as your skills improve. I'd also highly recommend taking riding lessons, such as those from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
My rule of thumb is to look for one from a reputable manufacturer with under 50 hp. There are four good choices in the US market right now: The Kawasaki Ninja 250 and 500, the Suzuki GS500F, and the Buell Blast. The Hyosung Comet 250 is not quite as proven, but sounds like it should be pretty decent too. Sit on these and see which ones you find comfortable.
I ride a GS500F myself.
2007-02-25 06:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i started on a kawasaki ninja 250, which is extremely light and low to the ground and a little small... but that is most likely TOO small for you since you are a dude! maybe a sv 650? This is what i did: buy a cheap xr100 (dirt bike) or something to learn clutch, brakes, steering, feel of being on a bike in general. Then I moved on to what seemed like a huge sportbike compared to the itty bitty dirt bike i had learned on! But i got on my bike the first time, and had no problem being confident enough to go up to 2nd gear once my boyfriend made me lift up my feet 10 minutes into it! I learned that it is MUCH easier to balance any bike at a faster speed.
2007-02-25 00:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by pattihornke 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think any 250cc dirt bike would be a great way to go. You would learn a lot of skills in the dirt and you wouldn't have to deal with traffic issues until you had some experience under your belt. You can work on speed and control and everything you need to know before you get out on the road.
I started in the dirt and it has saved me sooo many times.
P.S. this is my 39th year riding
2007-02-25 21:41:55 · answer #3 · answered by mark k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not overweight, then I'd suggest starting on a Kawi Ninja 250. These are relatively inexpensive, easy to work on, and very forgiving for novice riders. Used ones seem to retain their value pretty well too...so when you're ready for the R1, you can get some money out of the little Ninja.
My 15 year old son loves his. I weigh 180lbs and have gotten it up to 100Mph on the freeway. I'm sure my son has too, but he hasn't told me...yet!
2007-02-25 00:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
A 400 sports, zxr, cbr, vfr or a gsxr if you can find one.
Or a 600 sports tourer like a zzr600, thundercat ect which are still very fast but have a less extreme riding position and more forgiving handling.
2007-02-25 06:28:59 · answer #5 · answered by SpannerMonkey 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A honda 599, Yamaha FZ6, or Suzuki sv650 are all good beginner sport bikes.
2007-02-25 14:19:18 · answer #6 · answered by atvman_400 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whatever you can find for cheap. Motorcycle skills are universal-whatever you learn on a cruiser/db you can take directly to a sportbike.
2007-02-25 06:12:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would start on a enduro in the fields or back roads where you don't have to deal with other people driving driving with heavy metal.
2007-02-25 17:24:31 · answer #8 · answered by yamaha,can-am,honda,suzuki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dirtbike id the best way and the coolest way to start riding it makes you a much better street rider
2007-02-26 02:37:07 · answer #9 · answered by motogirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one with training wheels
2007-02-25 00:24:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋