Beginner Motorcycle, What to buy?   

"federicomos" (federicomos) 01/22/2017 at 19:19 • Filed to: None

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Hi guys,

This topic has been discussed at length but wanted to hear from the oppo community what your thoughts are.

I’m looking on buying a new bike sometime in the next month or two. I have my permit and took a motorcycle safety school a couple of years ago. I’ve also driven scooters on the road a couple of times. So I’m not a complete noob but still a beginner when it comes to motorcycles.

The current motorcycles I’m looking at are the KTM Duke 390, Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-09, and the Honda CBR500F. I understand there are some great 300cc bikes out there as well but I keep getting told by people that ride that you tire out of them pretty quickly. Also I’m not looking to buy a sports bike, but something with a more upright riding position and it looks like all 300cc bikes are sports bikes (i.e. Ninja, CBR, R3).

The bike would be mainly for fun/commuting into the city and maybe when I’m confident enough some roadtrips. It also has to be new so no used suggestions please.

E90M3 > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:22

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S1000RR, seems like a good beginners bike to me.

HammerheadFistpunch > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:23

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Definitly a cafe racer

yamahog > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:27

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CBR500F (or if you’re feeling fancy, the KTM 390) is my vote. For what it’s worth, my dad wasn’t a big fan of his FZ-09, but he was also tracking it (before getting a GSR750 track bike) and couldn’t get it set up to his liking.

Also, if you don’t mind me asking, why only new?

blacktruck18 > HammerheadFistpunch 01/22/2017 at 19:27

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Dammit, beat me to it.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:28

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I learned to street ride on a UJM, (Universal Japanese Motorcycle mine was a Honda CB) I would pick one of those up for around $2000, learn to ride and unless you drop it hard or wreck it sell it for $2000.

I started riding on dirt which if feasible where you live I recommend, nothing teaches loose surface control in safer environment.

HammerheadFistpunch > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 19:29

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The “rr” is for “really relaxed”

bob and john > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:29

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FZ-09 out. FAR too much engine for a beginner. as well, i have NEVER met a bike that was more wheelie prone then that thing. it seemed to be designed to do wheelies and nothing else.

the 500 hondas (CBR, CBF, rebel, CBX), the duke 690, SV, DRZ400 (not great for road trips, but lots of fun in the city) the RC390 is also a fantastic little bike. the FZ-07 should also be on your list.

for the SV, id avoid the brand new one. I hate it with a passion. late 2nd gen SV’s are the best ones to buy.

as its your first bike, really, stick to 500cc and under.

as far as growing out of it, meh. sounds like squids frankly.

EDIT: i just remembered about the yamaha SCR 950. its 950cc bike...that makes 45HP. that could be an option



to echo yamahog, why new?

bob and john > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 19:30

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you laugh.

but honestly, with all of the electronic nannies, its actually safer then a 9 year old R6.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:31

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I always considered these for first bikes.

f650gs:

DRZ400SM:

KLR650:

Dual sports make great commuters, you sit high up. They can take pot holes easily, and are very agile.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:33

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Buell Blast? Torquey single lunger.

Discerning > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:34

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The SV650 gets my vote. The FZ-09 is not a good beginner bike. Anything with more then 100hp should not even be considered by a beginner. A new FZ-09 can dip into the 10's and traps over 120mph. Much more bike than even most experienced bikers need.

This has been discussed to death everywhere, including Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-best-motorcycles-for-a-beginner-1704713067

federicomos > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 19:34

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Great thanks for the advice!!!

federicomos > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 01/22/2017 at 19:38

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I’ve sat on some dual sports (not sure which ones) but I feel like you sit very high up. Also how much do those weigh? I would rather have something lighter.

federicomos > bob and john 01/22/2017 at 19:39

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My mistake I meant the FZ-07. Thanks

bob and john > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 01/22/2017 at 19:41

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sucks for road trips.

ask me how I know....

federicomos > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 01/22/2017 at 19:42

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my commute is from suburbia to the city, so no dirt unfortunately 

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:43

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They are up there. The DRZ heavy for a supermoto, but still light.

federicomos > yamahog 01/22/2017 at 19:45

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concerned about getting a lemon. also warranty

federicomos > bob and john 01/22/2017 at 19:49

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piece of mind with a warranty. also I have no idea what to look out for when buying a used bike.

federicomos > HammerheadFistpunch 01/22/2017 at 19:50

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-a-cafe-racer-makes-a-terrible-first-bike-1688355535

I’m assuming sarcasm

bob and john > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 19:51

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honestly? not that much different then a car (one or two differences)

anyways, that list is more or less the go to. I really would go for the hondas. its the best compromise in terms of power, user freindlyness, fuel econ, reliability and cost. either the CB500F or the CB500X.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > bob and john 01/22/2017 at 19:51

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Yes they do, but for learning around town.....

I only had mine for 8 months and sold it for what I spent on it, including maintenance. Not much breaks when if you have to go down a few times, ask me how I know....

bob and john > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 01/22/2017 at 19:53

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no breaks, but I had to replace the carb boot 3 times on mine in 5000km. also, I broke a turn signal.

and he wants to tour a little bit with it too, so eh.

nor can you get them new.

Ssfancyfresh > HammerheadFistpunch 01/22/2017 at 19:55

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You would be surprised. I wouldn’t recommend this one for a beginner, but these are quite comfortable and all the safety gizmos are helpful for commuters.

It surprised me, anyway. I expected it to be a demon based on rag reviews. I found it was quite friendly

HammerheadFistpunch > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 20:08

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Yup

Monkey B > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 20:51

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I’ve seen newer Ninja 250's with ABS as cheap as $1800-2k on CL. Not a bad option.

TheRealBicycleBuck > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 21:25

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A small displacement, lightweight bike is appropriate for a beginner. Think of it this way, would you hand the keys to a Corvette to a kid who just got his license?

Stick with something small and used. You will outgrow it, but you will be able to sell it to another new rider for about the same money, so no loss there.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > federicomos 01/22/2017 at 21:37

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Liter bike.

go big or go home

DipodomysDeserti > bob and john 01/22/2017 at 22:00

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“I don’t want to grow out of it.” Is my most hated phrase in motorcycledom. I always want to post up vids of racers screaming around on 250cc two-stroke demons.

DipodomysDeserti > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 01/22/2017 at 22:05

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I bought my first bike which was a running UJM (‘79 CM185) for $500. Now $2k gets you something in rought shape. WTF.

bob and john > DipodomysDeserti 01/22/2017 at 22:22

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you and me both my friend. you and me both.