"McChiken116 - Patrick H." (mcchiken116)
06/20/2014 at 16:21 • Filed to: None
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"McChiken116 - Patrick H." (mcchiken116)
06/20/2014 at 16:21 • Filed to: None | 1
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So oppo, I'm looking at buying a motorcycle soon, to get my license, and to just have a little fun. But I'm going to be honest, I know almost nothing about bikes. What are some good beginer bikes?
jkm7680
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:23 |
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What kinda budget are you eyeing?
The Suzuki Gw250, Ninja 300 and Honda's 250 offering are always a good place to start. What kind of bikes do you like? Cruisers, Sport, Dual Sport?
deltaheavy
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:24 |
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I would recommend Honda's new line of 500s. I recently got into riding and I got a CB500F and it's great. Not too much power, but just enough to have tons of fun. Gas mileage is very nice as well. I can get anywhere from 60 to 70 mpg.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:26 |
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What kind of bike do you like and want?
Then go look at some used bikes. Reason being is that if you are learning, you will drop the bike. Better to do it on a bike that you don't mind as much being a bit banged up.
The Revengel
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:27 |
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Take the safety course.
/wetblanket
Now, a couple questions:
1) Where do you plan on riding?
2) What purpose? Pure pleasure? Commute?
jariten1781
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:31 |
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70s and 80s bikes are great beginner bikes. Kawasaki KZ/GPz lines, Honda CB VF lines, etc.
Easy to work on, comfortable, quick but won't kill ya.
EL_ULY
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:32 |
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probably will get Kinja'd but ....GSX-R 600 or Honda Shadow 750
I think you'll go with something bigger than 500cc's but lower is a better option for a starter
fink stinger
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:36 |
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You will probably get very similar advice from most seasoned riders, so let me throw my take in. There are a LOT of starter bikes out there and they will be cheap because people (rightly) outgrow them after a while. Which is good for you. Gives you time to find your riding style and preferences before you spend on something that you are less likely to throw down right off the bat. If you don't tear it up, it will be worth pretty much what you paid for it when you outgrow it.
Just grab someone's small used bike and learn away. Kawasaki has been making that Ninja 250 forever and it's a great bike to start on. Tons of parts on eBay. That is the only one I am really familiar with and I am sure all of the manufacturers make entry level bikes.
That said, please do MSF as soon as possible and wear all the gear all the time (including GoPro so we can make fun of your skillz).
MonkeePuzzle
> The Revengel
06/20/2014 at 16:37 |
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take the safety course in many states is also the test, so its easy way to get your licence and save on insurance
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MonkeePuzzle
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:38 |
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the US does not, but many countries have learning and provisional licences which limit your engine size, and I think this is an excellent idea. Aim for a 250 ninja, there are bajillions on craigslist because everyeone starts with one then dumps them in a year. you buy cheap and aim to sell it cheap again.
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jkm7680
> EL_ULY
06/20/2014 at 16:41 |
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As far as the GSX-R goes, you've really got to know your limits. IMO it's complete suicide to start on one with zero bike experience with that kind of power.
DipodomysDeserti
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:43 |
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Something cheap, slow, and low to the ground. The lower the seat the better. My first bike was a 1979 Honda CM185 that I bought on Ebay for $300. After a year I moved up to a Suzuki SV650. Getting the SV650 right away would have been a big mistake, and I might have killed myself on it.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/20/2014 at 16:51 |
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I borrowed this to do my initial test ( valid for 2 years unless you take a further full test). British riders are limited to a 125 until they've either ridden two years after passing or do an extra test when they're 21. It was shit and the skinny tires means it's probably more dangerous than a bigger bike in rain. Also the brakes are awful. So yeah avoid tiny stuff.
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McChiken116 - Patrick H.
> MonkeePuzzle
06/20/2014 at 17:10 |
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Safety is my #1 priority. And honestly it's mostly for fun, but I might start commuting on one