What size bike would be great for my first street bike purchase ever?!?

Question

See I use to race motocross from elementary all through high school. So as far as knowing how to ride and having experience on a bike I have a little knowledge. This is going to be my first street bike ever!!! I just need to know what would be right for me. Im 6'3 and 203lbs. I figure if I can whip a kx125 around the track Im pretty sure I can handle at the most a 1000, or am I pushing it? I cant really call it because I have never rode on the street, thats why Im leaving it to you guys. HELP ME PLEASE!!!! Also how much would I be looking to put down on a used bike from a dealer?! I dont want a new bike seeing how this will be my first.

Answer 1

A 1000 CC street bike will kill you. A guy I know has one and he says he has to struggle to keep it from popping a wheelie and when he's accelerating quickly it's more like he's holding on to the bike instead of riding it. I'd go with a used 250cc at first so you can get familiar with bikes on the road then sell it after a year and move up to a 600 cc or something.

Answer 2

Start with the beginning rider class from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You'll learn on 125 and 250cc bikes. After the class you'll have an idea of what you can handle and what you need. Then you can go shopping. Visit as many dealers as you can to see what you like and, more importantly, what fits you. When you find a suitable bike, look for a used one. After getting some experience most people opt for a bigger, or at least different bike. Don't blow money on a new one until you've had 3 or 4 used ones and you know exactly what you want and need. Based on your size I'd say something around 250cc is a good starter bike. After getting some practice time in you'll probably want to move up to the 400-600 area. My wife is 5'0". She found that almost all small bikes (less than 400cc) fit her fine but only a few of the mid-size (400-800) were short enough to allow her to put both feet flat on the ground. Start small and work your way up gradually and you can ride anything. Take the intermediate and advanced MSF classes as you go and you'll do fine with whatever you choose.

Answer 3

My first street bike was a 250. Then my second was a 450. I stopped riding for almost 25 years but when I bought my new one this year I opted for a 750 instead of a 1000 or larger. I weight 180 and am 5'11". The 750 is loaded with power and it is a Honda Shadow Aero. It is rated at 50+ hp and will almost throw you off if you pop the gas to it in low to third gears. All a person needs. Suzuki has a bike a little larger with fuel injection that they say is more powerful but who needs a lot of power they won't use? Ideal first bike? No smaller than a 650 if you have experience, but be VERY careful until you're an experienced STREET rider. The street is very different form dirt (I rode a yz250 for a few years). Gravel in an intersection will throw you faster than you think when you give up those knobby tires. And think about how many years you plan to keep the same bike. No sense in buying something too small and wanting another one in a year or so. Get the one you think you'll stay with a few years. If you buy it new get an extended warranty and check on prepaid service. The first trip to the shop for a 750 for valve adjustment and oil change and other things is over three hundred dollars!

Answer 4

As far as i can tell a 600 to 750 would be the perfect first bike for you, not too much power but can still keep up. I dont reccommend getting anywhere near 1000 untill youve been riding the streets for atleast 2 years. Id say look into getting an early 2000 R6 or ninja 6r and maybe even a CBR (my personal fav). Be sure to take the Motorcycle Safety Course your town/city offers, it will fill you in on all the little things you need to know when taking on street riding, lowers your insurance and all in all is well worth it!



Good Luck!!

Answer 5

I have a 250

DONT get it if you have enough experience with riding bikes. Go for a 500cc ninja, or for, the very most, a 650.



The toughest thing for you should be adapting to corners, they are a lot different on a street bike with sticky tires. NEVER hit the front brake, or you might highside! And always let the clutch out as smooth as possible, or powrshift during a corner if you are accerlerating, or decellerating though it (not normal, try and maintain a constant speed thorough corners)



Yeah, i had a 250 for my 2nd bike, and, the only time i dropped it was because of the front brakes! I was used to drum brakes, which have a lot less stopping power. I locked up the front and highsided.



Powerwise, and handling wise, it is way to forgiving,

If you want performance, get a 500,(or 600-650) and don't push it.

If you want economy, get a 250!

Answer 6

You already know how to ride and shift and balance. You don't need any course. What you need is road chemistry and some good sense about you.



I'd suggest you start with a 600 like the ZX6 or R6. heck you could even handle a GSX/R. If you've been a dirt bomb for all them years, you'll have your bearings on a sport bike in no time.



A 250cc would just piss you off. If you get a used 600 to get the hang of things, then you could plan to upgrade in one or two seasons.



I'd stay away from the STEALERSHIPS. They jack the prices up and add on all types of fees. Plus you'll need full coverage. For 3 or 4 grand you can come away with a gently used nice looking sportbike. If you pay cash, you can just get liability insurance.

Answer 7

I was in your same situation when I got my first street bike but I was riding a KX 500 I stared with a 600 cbr it had lots of power and great fun to ride. I had it for 3 years before I moved up. Seeing as you are used to a 125 I wouldn't go any bigger than a 600 for your first bike you should be able to get a used one for 5-6 grand. Ride safe and stay alive.

Answer 8

Jordan,

It is good that you have experience on a motorcycle. Going to a streetbike is quite a bit different, than riding in the dirt. As a suggestions, I would sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course(MSF). Because of your size (height & weight), I would look for a larger motorcycle( at least a 750). Truthfully though, you can get yourself into all types of trouble on any displacement motorcycle.

Just use your head when you go out riding. Never ride impaired on drugs or alcohol, and never ride beyond your skill limitations.

Answer 9

You might want to start on something alot smaller. 500or 750cc max. There is alot of difference in the torque and it's not impossible for the bike to get away from you. Because of your size your going to need a decent size frame bike but something thats not huge. Try looking through a traders time and getting a junk bike that you wouldn't mind dropping and spilling a couple of times. Then get something from a dealer. You could save yourself a couple of bucks that way.

Answer 10

I've ridden dirtbikes since I was eleven, and just last year, (When I was 16) I graduated to a streetbike. I went from a XT 225 (offroad) to a 1993 GSX-F Katana 1100. I've done fine with it, the only thing that you need to do is respect the power of the motorcycle, and don't over ride your limits.

Answer 11

as for me i put around on a motocross bike for years if u want to purchase a street bike i would suggest H/D sporster it it got power and not that bad to handle that was my first street bike i move up to a Dyna super glide which every told me its the same as sportster so i bought it was just as pleasant as my sporster . i wanted a bike i can cruise not get crazy with the rice rockets scare me but even a Yamaha star was decent

Answer 12

I'ld check on insurance first. They are very expensive if you have to have full coverage b/c your financing the bike. If you can afford a 1000.... i'ld go with it. You're a very big person and i dont think you would like the perfromance of a 600. and if you go to 750, you might as well get the one you want b/c the price is just a couple of grand diffrence. Just take it easy when you first get it.

Answer 13

Hey Jordan,

I would recommend an 800cc assuming you are looking for a cruiser. You will find that it will give you all the speed you can handle and they handle really well because they are light. If you enjoy riding, you will probably find yourself upgrading to a 1200 or bigger in a couple of years. Especially if you plan long trips.