Good beginner motorcycle?

Question

I am curious on what is a good beginner bike to learn to ride and keep for a few years is. I have heard from people I know that a 600cc is a perfect beginner bike to start on, while online sites say no that a 500cc or even a 250cc is the better choice. My concern then with getting a smaller bike like a 250cc, is am I going to be left in the dust when I go riding with my buddies or can I keep up?

I looking to defiantly go used and not looking to spend over 4k if I don't have to, is this goal attainable?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer 1

600cc is not too big for a first bike. The problem is that 600cc is a standard racing category, so most 600cc bikes are hot sportbikes, not for beginners. We're talking about Suzuki GSX-R, Kawasaki ZX, Honda CBR, Yamaha R6. Not for beginners. The size is not the problem, it's the type of bike.



There are 600cc bikes that are 'standards'. Honda 599 (aka CB600), Yamaha makes one too but I forget the number. These bikes use the same engine as the sportbike but it's easier to ride, wider powerband, etc. Or you could get a Kawasaki 650r or Suzuki SV 650--those are not too big for a beginner so long as you can sit on the bike with both feet flat on the ground.



As for keeping up with your buddies, if they're really buddies they will not encourage you to ride faster than you feel safe. When I was the beginner, my buddies were patient with me, and now I am patient with riders of less experience. Yes you might have trouble keeping up on a 250, especially on the freeway. On a twisty back road, under 50mph or so, the added power of the bigger bikes is made up for by extra weight, so unless they're -racing- you shouldn't have a lot of trouble keeping up.

Answer 2

I think something between 500-700 cc. A lot of people going to tell you to buy a 250cc. The problem you will out grove the motorcycle no time. Not going to have enough power etc. A 250 is great to learn the basics that's about it. I wouldn't recommend the crutch rockets because will be expensive to insure for you age. Do to the fact most motorcycle accidents happens with a sport bike. I would recommend a naked bike like Suzuki sv650 or Yamaha Fz6. Any bike with around 600 cc wouldn't have any problem with your weight. I started on a Kawasaki 750 as my first bike. Make sure you will use the throttle responsibly.Here is a web site what direct you to the nearest training facility. Good luck!

Answer 3

A 250 is more than enough for a novice.



It is difficult to accept, but as a beginner you really should develop your road-riding skills before you go out with your mates, it is hard enough to ride and keep up the level of observation required, if you have buddies buzzing past or are trying to keep up with a better rider you will come a cropper.



btw 600cc means nothing on its own – a single cylinder air-cooled 600cc engine makes a lot less than half of the power of an inline 4 cylinder liquid-cooled 600cc engine. There are other factors which will make a difference.

Answer 4

Hi..I am a beginner rider - got my motorcycle endorsement last March 2010 . On that same month,I bought a H-D Sportster 1200 Low . I am only 5'2 and 108 lbs and so I still had to lower the rear to be able to get my feet flat on the ground . I practiced getting used to it and after being able to ride on my own from Littleton to Colorado Springs and back, I suddenly developed the confidence that I can ride safely. After 500 miles on the Sportster, I traded the bike to a 2009 H-D Heritage Classic which is a bigger bike (1600cc) but I had to have the front lowered 1 inch and the back 1.5 inches and the seat padded in the back to move me more forward to the controls.I love this bike better and yes, as a beginner - I am riding it !

What I'm getting at is, I do not agree that beginners should be looking at small bikes if you really have a strong desire to ride. It is OK to be on a bigger bike as long as the bike is custom fitted to you for better control and safety.

Answer 5

Telling people that a 600cc racing motorcycle on the streets is "good" is the reason the rate of motorcycle deaths are three times more than in the '60-'70's. A fast motorcycle is good to go fast. The problem is that you do know how much it takes to slow/stop from 150 mph. Splat!



If you want to race, a 600cc bike is good.

If you want to ride the streets, go places, enjoy the sights, get a 250-500cc.

Answer 6

250 or 500 you will get left behind at the start, they will do over 100 but it takes a while for them to get there. You can find an older 600 for 3000 - 3500 depending on your location.



Looking for a beginner bike the last thing you should be worried about is being left in the dust, get your skills down, learn to ride correctly so you wont be a greasy spot on the side of the road.



Keep the shiney side up.

Answer 7

buy a cheap 250 second hand bike & learn to ride..



yes a 600 will leave a 250 behind in a drag race...



BUT..



a good rider on a 250 will beat an average rider on a 600 on twisty roads

Answer 8

From someone you don't know: most 600cc cycles are a bad idea for beginners.

While the other guys have explained why, I have something else for you.

Your concern about keeping up is a baaaad thing.

If they are truly your "buddies", they will not intentionally out-ride you.

Trying to keep up with more experienced riders, especially on larger cycles, is a recipe for pain - yours.

Answer 9

here is a great list of motorcycles for beginners http://www.xbikers.com/read_blog/29/ten-great-intermediate-beginner-motorcycles

I think the Kawasaki Ninja 500R is great