I want to start riding street bikes. what's a good starter bike, and what do i need to know?

Question

I'm 145 lbs. and 5'9" if it helps.

Answer 1

Hi jsg, In a perfect world you would start out with some kind of small bike or dirt bike to learn how to ride without putting yourself in real danger. Do you have friends that ride that have a small old bike you can borrow and use in the dirt or vacant lot?
Whether you get a small starter bike or not sign up for a Motorcycle Foundation Safety riders course.

A 250 to 400cc bike is a good starter but you'll be ready for a larger more powerful bike in a matter of months. If you go this route buy a good used one cheap that will be easy to sell. If you don't go this route I would suggest a 650cc. Also a Harley Sportster 883 is a very good bike to start with if you have some experience and it's a good bike to keep. It's my favorite bike and I've owned almost everything at one time or other.
Any of today's' modern bikes are great. Go to the shop and look at all the bikes that interest you. Look at all brands. You can't go wrong. You can even get a great bike from the 80's if you want to go cheap.
Honestly I would stay away from the crotch rockets until you get some experience.
No matter what bike you decide to get or how you learn to ride please take the MSF riders course. They'll teach you everything you need to know before you get out on the highway. Good Luck

Answer 2

The best place to get what you need to know is at a motorcycle school. These typically take a weekend, and you'll learn how the controls work on a school-supplied bike. The local office that issues your driver's license will probably have a list of approved schools. It's the easiest way to learn how to ride.

Next thing is to gear up. I wouldn't even think of riding without a helmet. Sturdy boots and gloves are also important. I own a riding jacket and set of riding pants that are comfortable even in hot weather. They're not quite as important as the helmet, boots, and gloves, but they can save your skin - literally.

As a general rule, any Japanese built 250 is a good first bike if it fits you, but any of them but the Kawasaki Ninja 250 will struggle to keep up with highway traffic. Any sport bike in the 500 cc and under class, and other types of one or two cylinder bikes in the 750 cc and under range, will probably fit you. Pick one you're comfortable with. The 600 cc four cylinder bikes are generally over 100 hp and something you're best off picking up a year or more of experience before riding one.

Answer 3

If u want to get started, first u need to have a motorcycle license, then get a bike that fast and nice, because u don't want to drive a beat up bike. And if u want more speed get a person u know that works in the shop to hook u up like to 2 fast 2 furicous. And aslo wear protection and always a helmet just in case. Be careful no cop is around have a couple of people watch the streets to see of any cops.

Answer 4

Get yerself a Harley Sportster. It's about the littlest bike Harley makes, and it's heavy enough so that it's great to learn on. Lean into yer turns, hold the clutch in when you stop, and have fun!

Answer 5

Your weight is one of the things that you need to consider.