Best beginner streetbike?

Question

Ok, don't get me wrong. I have been researching this topic for weeks now and I cannot seem to find a concrete answer. First of all, I have been riding dirtbikes for the past 3-4 years (im 17). I rode an xr200 for about two years and it lacking power for me, so I started riding my dad's xr250. Even that seems a little sluggish. I was looking at buying a ninja 250r, but some people are saying it is too underpowered for a streetbike. It seems like I would need something in the 600-700cc range, but then people say that is too big for a first street bike. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Do you want to ride the streets, in traffic, with traffic, avoiding trouble?

Or do you want to race and go fast, screw what others are doing, screw the laws?



A 250R is more than acceptable on the streets, quicker than 95% automobiles, capable of 100 mph which is a bit more than limit speeds or even speed of traffic.



If you want to just want to race, go get a four cylinder 600cc sport bike, go do 150mph in the neighborhood, go splat. I don't care.

Answer 2

Keep in mind that dirt bikes have less power than street bikes of the same engine displacement: the XR 250L/R has 19hp whereas the Ninja 250R has 26hp. Also keep in mind that the Ninja 250R's 26hp actually mean that, if you are a 200 lbs rider, you have the same power/weight ratio as if you were driving a small sedan with 140hp.



What is even more important though is that there are VERY different types of bikes in the 500-600cc range. There are some that are perfectly suitable for beginners, such as the Kawasaki EX500/GPz500s/Ninja 500R, the Kawasaki ER-6n/Ninja 650R, or the Suzuki SV650(S), and there are some that would be completely unsuitable for beginners, such as the Yamaha YZF-R6, Suzuki GSX-R600, Honda CBR600RR, or Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The difference in power and torque between the former and the latter is staggering.



In North America you should be able to get a Kawasaki EX500/GPz500s/Ninja 500R, Kawasaki ER-6n/Ninja 650R, or Suzuki SV650(S) in good condition for about $2000-4500. (The bigger Ninja would be the most expensive followed by the Suzuki; the smaller Ninja is by far the least expensive and will usually sell for $3300 or less, sometimes only $1500.)



I would recommend to check out online which bikes are near you that you could afford. I'd prefer a bike that is less than 10 years old and has 15,000 or fewer miles. Then, take a few of those for a test ride to see how they feel and which one(s) you'd prefer.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with a 250R Ninja. Forget about a four cylinder 600 cc or bigger sport bike.

A 600 cc sport bike that will easily top out at 150 mph is too powerful and to unforgiving for a beginner. You aren't coping with cars, vans, and trucks when you are woods riding.

Others will tell you the 250R is not capable of highway riding. They are wrong.

See first link below. This rider rode a 250R 1,500 miles in 24 hours. Then a day later rode from the west coast to the east coast under 50 hours. How did this rider accomplish this feat on a bike not suited for the highway?

Be certain to price insurance before buy any motorcycle. Insurance on a 600 cc sport bike will shock you.

After you have been riding for a while on the street, sign up for additional training. I will be taking a course next year. See last link for more information. A rider doesn't need massive amounts of power, but needs handling and braking skills.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I just bought a Hyosung 250r. Best buy! Plenty of speed with looks!



Cheap on insurance and cheap to fuel up! I would suggest starting with something small and work your way up to the bigger bikes as you get experience.



Hope this helps out with your search!



Good Luck and Ride On

Answer 5

buy a second hand NINJA 250... ride it for a year or 2 until you actually have an idea what your doing...



the bike will out accelerate a V8 car & tops out around the 100MPH... plenty of go for a learner rider.



in 2 years time you may even feel that the bike does what you want & don't need to go bigger... but if you go bigger,, you can sell the 250 for around the same price you paid,, they hold there price better than the bigger bikes because learners are always looking for them...



& a good rider on a 250 will beat an average rider on a bigger bike in tight twisty canyon roads

Answer 6

Lets assume a few things first.

That you have the cash you need,

that you have a license,can and will obtain insurance

and have all the riding gear you need.



Now, how do you plan to use it most of the time ?

Daily commuter on surface streets ? mostly highway ? touring ? occasional trips to the strip ?

what matters most to you ? looks ? performance? mileage ? comfort ?

no one bike covers it all with all top scores.



You have some experience that's good.

Going by your attraction to the 250 ninja its fair to assume you like the sports side of things.



Consider a Suzuki GSX F 650

Looks sport, sits standard,good compromise between too small and too big.

Answer 7

good decision of motorcycles. Get a while interior the saddle and in case you sense such as you have outgrown it, commerce it off. that's greater ideal than beginning off on a motorbike that demands greater adventure than what you have. i've got ridden a 250cc Virago at 70 mph. how briskly do you may pass? airborne dirt and airborne dirt and dirt bikers in many situations make good highway riders. the opportunity of a mishap is an element of the activity on the airborne dirt and airborne dirt and dirt or on the line yet no longer each twist of fate is catastrophic. The final time I went down became right into a sluggish low side in shape sand.. I picked the motorcycle up and rode yet another one hundred miles.

Answer 8

if you have been riding dirt bikes getting on a street bike that is 600 or 700cc shouldn't be a problem the real problem will be that you are young and probably don't have much experience driving around on city streets and freeways.

Answer 9

Looking for something you don't want to trade in somewhere in the future, you'll be fine with a yamaha r6 or a GXSR 600 or a GXSR 750. Both are good bikes, good for beginners yet a lot of people stick with either or without moving up, seeing as they produce enough power for most. You can find a good used r6 for around 3000-4000 dollars.