I am planning to buy my first motorcycle. Should I go for those training 250s? Like the Honda Rebel?

Question

I am really not sure if its worth it - after this summer I wıll probably not want it and will have to sell it for a bigger bike. I got my license already, but have very little exp in traffic. Been driving for a long time though. Tx

Answer 1

This is your first bike. The best advice out of the gate is buy used. Just starting out riding, you're going to be more prone to drop the bike and its a heck of a lot cheaper to buy a good used bike and drop it than it is to drop a shiny new one.

On the 250. Depending on what kind of riding you will be doing, don't think that a 250 isn't a capable bike. I personally know someone who rode a 250 from Tennessee to Alaska. It will handle it, maybe not in style, but it will handle it.

I started out on a 250. Here is what I gained... I learned how to truly ride because of a 250. The obvious lack of power teaches you how to use gearing to your advantage as well as teaches you how to truly operate the bike to get its maximum potential. Too many are tempted to rely solely on the power of a bike rather than the technical aspects of riding.

So, that said the choice is indeed yours, but buy used and if you do buy a Rebel or another 250, rest assured you'll have no trouble selling it when the time comes to upgrade. They are very much in-demand bikes.

Answer 2

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. They start out teaching you the trip precheck through to avoiding hazzards on the road. We had 5 people in our class who have never driven a motorcycle, one of which never even been on a motorcycle before. Everybody passed the four day class and received their license. Try a smaller bike and work your way up until you become more experienced. 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.

Answer 3

The Rebel is a good reliable bike. Like others have said it mostly depends on your size not as much your skill. Just because a bike has a lot of power doesn't mean you have to use it all right away. My first street bike was a Honda CB1000 very fast very powerful. I didn't drop it or mess it up at all other than a normal riding scratches. In my opinion get what you want. You say you have your license so you have obviously ridden. I had to learn to deal with traffic with my friend who was also a newbie to riding legally so to speak. We managed to survive the summer, and the people in my town are very horrible drivers.

Answer 4

No. not a 250. You have some experience and have passed your test so you should be able to handle at least a 600cc bike. The 250 will bore you in nothing flat.

I would check out the 600cc, 750cc or thereabouts. Those bikes have plenty of power and yet are not so big that the power gets away from you if you have some experience.

Answer 5

For several years Honda had a Rebel 450 but any Cruiser will fit the looks idea.

Answer 6

Did you take the MSF beginner's course? If not, do it! It may well save your life.

If you like the Honda Rebel's looks, try to find a good used Honda Rebel 450 instead of a new 250. They are very easy to ride, and the 450 will serve you well indefinitely.

Answer 7

A lot depends on your size and weight, a 300 ponder will bog down a 250. The big thing is YOU, can you Handel a large machine and you responsible enough to keep your right wrist from doing "the roll".

Answer 8

First, don't think of any machine as a trainer. Respect them all or have excessive risk of death. Second, get what you want. You'll probably be stuck with it for awhile unless you have lots of money to spend.