Suggestions for a good street/sport bike for beginners?

Question

Any good suggestions for a good first street bike? i learned to ride on a pretty heavy Katana, and i didn't really like that bike. I want something that is fast yet not insane and not WAY too heavy.

i want one that is not too big and heavy, yet not to small and light

Answer 1

Here in PA they offer free motorcycle safety course and provide motorcycles for the course, They are 250's and most of them are Honda Shadows. These are good training cycles and are not very expensive. However, if this will be your first bike buy used and pay cash, get the experience of riding before moving up to bigger and more expensive bikes. I have had friends who bought big bikes like Goldwings and rode only a few times then selling them at a loss because they weren't ready for a big bike. Nothing wrong with starting small and working up to bigger later on. In fact the smaller bike will normally sell quicker when you are ready to move up, then use the money for your next bike.

Source(s):

25 years motorcycling, owner of Goldwing and Harley Sportster, member of "HOG" and Christian Motorcyclist Association.

Answer 2

For a beginner bike...stay away from the 600cc class. Unless you get something older. My first is an '89 CBR600. Granted most newer 6's will walk off and leave me, it's not as heavy as a Katana, and not as powerfule as anything new. But at the same time, it cost me $500 and with about 16 hours of labor and $80 worth of PPG paint, it looks like it was built yesterday. If I lay it over, all I have to deal with is the pain on my body, not the $8000+ pain in my wallet!

Answer 3

Only you can answer this question. If you have a casual attitude toward pain and crazy insurance rates go for the 600 repli-racers. If however, you want to learn without as high ins. rates and a somewhat steadier pace there are Kawis 500 and 650 both parallel twins, or the Sv 650/s 90 deg. V-twin. If you just got to have an in-line 4 go with the Yamaha FZ-6 or Honda 599. I would suggest buying one a few years old. You will drop the bike and they are better (a little) on your insurance.

Answer 4

I'd recommend a 500 cc bike - they're only slightly dangerous. :) They have enough power to keep up with freeway traffic, but you'd have to try pretty hard to make one wheelie, and they typically have pretty forgiving handling too. Most 600's have about 100 hp and will make learning a lot harder.

I ride a Suzuki GS500F - as an air cooled bike, it's sort of like the Katana's little brother. There's also the Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Buell Blast to consider. I'd recommend sitting on each of them and seeing which one you feel most comfortable with.

Answer 5

You need to test ride some and see which one has the feel you're looking for. What one person likes, another may not. However I do recommend you start at a lower cc and then work your way up. Once you've got the riding down... the bikes can get heavier and faster.

Answer 6

600's are good starter bikes. The Kawa 636 is very light and as quick as most 750's. Any bike this size would give you good service and scare the crap out of you when opened up. I have drag raced 1100 suzuki's and now a good 600 is the most bang for the buck.

Answer 7

You best bet is to look for a bike that was designed and engineered for beginners. Look no farther than the Buell BLAST! I bought one for my beginner wife and she loves it! Even brand new with a two year warranty are not that expensive. Used ones are easily found. Good luck!

Answer 8

A used 600 bike from any of the major manufactors should do you well. Kawasaki - ZX6R. Yamaha - R6. Suzuki - GSXR600.

Just don't buy a new one and you should be fine. YOU WILL DROP IT IF YOU RIDE IT.

Answer 9

well if your looking really small, kawasaki makes a Ninja 250, but if you're wanting a little more, a 600 is your best bet.

Answer 10

Suzuki SV650, super handling, good power spread and with aftermarket exhaust a ducati soundalike..


Ian