Beginner on Two Wheels.

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

the ZX14 is too big for a beginner, he should get something small and easy to ride like a GSXR1000, CBR1000RR or an R1......

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

you really can't go wrong with a middleweight standard, sv 650 monster 620 honda 599 etc these bikes are fun to ride, forgiving on the street at the pump and on tires and maintenance. you will also have a much harder time outgrowing something like this. They will even do a respectable wheelie, but only when you want to.

The msf course does waive the connecticut, virginia, and ny skills test for sure, but I think it is pretty universal for most states to honor the course. you should be able to find out for sure from msf or your state dmv site.

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

I don't know, I have riden with plenty of really scary harley guys, and as dumb as they were it was the db from their straight pipes not the hp that exeeded their Iq

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

I bought a ninja 250 as my first bike and I still own it today, 3 years later. It is a great bike to learn on and a great bike to continue riding. It won't do 130mph in the straights but no one should be on the street.

Get a nice used ninja 250 and you won't be disappointed.

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

try the v star 650 from yamaha. you can usually find good used ones cheap. they are a nice cruiser if you are going on the highway. not enough power if you will be riding two up though (once you have some practice of course)

Alot depends on your size as well. I was pushng my wife to start on a smaller bike like the Ninja 250, but at 5'11" and mostly legs, she has an issue with smaller bikes. The MSF course she took used Suzuki GZ 250s and her knees were at her elbows... hahaha. She did great though! I told her if she can stand 6 hours in that position, she would definitely be fine for all day rides on her own bike!.. lol



Her first bike is a 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750. I thought this would be a bit much for a beginner bike, but with her long legs it has actually proven to be the perfect bike for her and something she will probably never out grow.

All of the above sounds like good advice. My 2 cents. Start with a bigger bike or make up your mind that you will be looking for a bigger bike real soon. I throw a lot of good advice to the wind and bought a new Breva 750. I considered this a starter bike because I have not owned a bike for 30 years. I dropped it once in a parking lot and only broke a turn signal lense. The Breva is an great choice for reliability, ease of handling and enough umphh to have some fun. Perfect bike for 2 to 4 hour freeway trips. 2 1/2years later and I am picking up a new Breva 1100 in a few days. Good Luck

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

Riding a motorcycle is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.

Half the lies they tell about the Ninja 250 aren't true.

When it comes to learning to ride, in theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.

When riding don't make too many wrong mistakes. You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there.

And just remember you can observe a lot by just watching.

Not too much for a beginner at all. The Nighthawk 750 is a pussycat. Makes a great starter bike and is all the bike anyone really needs (not that you only have to stick with what you need and not get what you want).



Your wife made a great choice. That's the bike I recommend to anyone who wants to get started on a street bike.

The Ninja 250 is a terrific beginner bike. It's inexpensive and get great gas mileage...70 mpg I think. The only downfall is that it is easy to out grow the bike in just one riding season. Then you will want a bike with more power.

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

Hey Yogi! Glad to see you back!

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

Make sure you only make right mistakes!

My son bought a ninja 250 about six months ago, also as his first bike, and it has worked out great for him. Excellent handling, peppy acceleration (to a point) and more than 70 mpg.

You are very smart to go the MSF + Ninja 250 route. I went the same route last year but with the Ninja 500 which I loved. The 500 is a much better freeway bike. I Ihave

since "graduated" to a SV1000.



Dont let anyone talk you into any RR type sport bike of ANY size until you have 2 - 3000 mile under your belt. If I had started on a RR I might have been OK, but it would have been easier to be road kill also.



Stay Safe, Be Smart, Have Fun!

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

Can't shoot that one down!

PorkChopHill

Honda Nighthawk 250. Bullet-proof engine, great gas mileage, straight up ergonomics (you sit up like normal) and its a Honda. Can't go wrong.



Bought my first one for $2K. When it came time to trade up to a bigger bike, sold it for close to $2k.

Re: BEGINNER ON TWO WHEELS

Or caused their IQ

When you get the Breva 1100 don't bother with the optional windscreen. Although it reduces the airflow to your chest it increases turbulance and noise levels dramatically in all four positions ( I find the lowest setting the least bothersome) and I won't put mine back on till winter. Great bike though--it really is a bigger, better 750 with a warm puppy dog feeling to it.

Florida allows riding over 50cc once you have passed the written test. Taking the MSF course ( or just their parking lot test) gets you a licence.

A beginners bike is as subjective as anything else. Buying used is always a good idea as that lets someone else eat the depreciation and makes changing bikes easier. Early on in your riding career you will want to try lots of different bikes as you discover what pleases you.

A high revving chain driven, complex to maintain twin seems like a lot for a beginner but a Ninja 250 is cute and capable. A valve adjustment for a Suzuki ES500 requires removing the carbs- a nightmare in your garage, a fortune spent in theirs. A dirt bike is great if you have long legs and like listening to knobbies whine on the black top; a Breva is gorgeous if you have $6,000. Ah the compromises.