Beginners bike??

[daviddowns2000]

In my experience, small motorcycles can be outgrown rather quickly. As a persons skill level increases, small bikes will not measure up to a riders increasing demands. Therefore my recomendation for a first bike that will meet the cost criteria and keep this beginner satisfied for some time, is a Honda VF 750 Magna. These bikes are absolutely bulletproof.
Bananas!

I agree that you don't want to start too small, but I think a Magna might just be too much bike for a newb. I loved mine, but it definitely had a lot of muscle and could get someone into trouble pretty quick. If he is leaning toward a cruiser I would recommend the venerable Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Shaft drive, reliable, mid-90's vintage sell around his price. Easy to ride and maintain, but enough pep to keep him happy for a long time. Otherwise, I'm with the SV650 (naked model) folks.

 

[mdisher]

I'm in the N250 is too small crowd, unless this guy is small.

SV or 500 ish. Good used bikes can be found. He might need to put a little more cash with it to get a little better bike but he should be able to find something no doubt about it.

 

[TheAxeman]

Honda Nighthawk. Probably something more "standard" and less cruiser or sport bike.

 

[Rickster]

+1 on GS500, SV650.

I'd stay awaty from the Ninja 250 (too small)

 

[evil_henchman]

My 2 cents, If he has no experiance, dont even consider letting him on the street. Get him a Honda XR200 or 400 or equivalent. Put him in the dirt somewhere and let him go. When he can do wheelies, stopies, donuts and run thru the gears with throttle pinned. I know none of this means much riding on the street, but I assure you if you can do these things with confidence you have learned two wheeled balance and control and it will cross over to the street!

I'd have to disagree in that I think all those things have everything to do with street riding. Once you learn to do all those things on purpose it's that much harder to do them by accident and in the event that you actually do something like that by accident it's that much easier to recover. It really helps to learn how to recover and ride through things like slides and dirt's a lot more forgiving than concrete and asphalt. I can't begin to count the number of times I've crashed in the dirt in over 30 years of riding but my street crashes are easy to count. Zero. I tend to think dirt riding skills have everything to do with that. Even at 100 mph+ on the street it seems like slow motion compared to really aggressive dirt riding at 45 mph. Now having said that I'll probably crash on the way home :lol:

 

[bikerskier]

Why do you ask such questions? Are you not a biker yourself? Or are u a newbie at biking? Silly putty.

sradek: I have been riding for over 30 years, both street and dirt and my ego is sufficiently solid that I am able to look around for other opinions before spouting. As you can see there are varying opinions on the engine size and style of the best bike for this guy. Odd response from you...

I agree with those of you that say learning in the dirt is the best way to stay out of trouble ( I spent almost 5 years in the dirt before street riding). This is not the plan for this young fellow. As for his size, he is about 5'10" and 180 lbs.

Thanks to all who have given some great advice which I will share with him next week.

 

[Blueliner]

Another vote for:

Ninja 500. Just enough power to keep things interesting. BAD brakes though.

Older SV650 naked. More power than the 500 but less plastic to replace if it falls over. Cheap insurance too. Some insurance companies consider the EX500 a sport bike and rates are very high. Some do not of course.

Older FZ-1 with a full exhaust, regeared countershaft and rear sprocket, and a 50 hp shot of nitrous. oops I didn't mean that. sorry I am a bad man.

 

[Fencer]

Suzuki Bandit 600.
Would love to have one for my own garage.

I might could fulfil that wish.

My first was a 2000 Suzuki Katana 750. I sold it back in Feb for $2500 in good shape with 12,500 on it.

Every one in the "sport bike" crowd said it was a good beginner bike. Why, I don't know. It would haul ass and corner well, at least as well as I could.

 

[v65]

Does he have $2500 for the bike or $2500 total? In the latter case I would suggest some counseling on the benefits of good gear, as you know he could easily spend $500 of his budget on a helmet, coat and gloves (buying very cheap stuff and assuming he has some boots). Working at a college I get a lot of opportunity to counsel young people on the choice of bikes. I always turn the conversation into safety, which they generally do not want to talk about. Has he budgeted for training?

My advice, forget the choice of bike and use the opportunity to counsel motorcycle safety, it is unlikely he is getting sound advice elsewhere.

 

[bikerskier]

v65 --- Good comments on the extra costs above the bike. I think he has some extra $ for some low cost decent gear and he is already enrolled in the Beginner riding class so he is thinking safety. He has recently married and I think there is some strong influence on the safety subject.

I think we have some great bike choices identified and my early thoughts have been to the simple, naked bike, 500 - 700 cc, reliable and easy to fix when dropped.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

I used to say "there's no such thing as a slow motorcycle...only fast and faster!" Until I rode a 250 Ninja. What a (competent) TURD!

+1 more on the EX500 (500 Ninja). Cheap, reliable, competent, plentiful, and in his price range without being totally thrashed. If he could find a deal on an SV650 in his price range, I'd say go for that, but I think any SV650 in his price range will be used up.

'nuff said.

 

[odot]

Hey, fellow experts at all things that move on 2 wheels! A young man in my wife's office has asked for my wise counsel on helping him pick a first bike to start his journey to some future WFO. He has $2500, agrees that the bike should be under 750 cc, is not interested in carrying a passenger for several years (when he will get a bigger, better bike) and wants something reliable, fun, and confidence building. He appears waaaaay smarter that me at the same age. He is also enrolled in a Beginners MC class with the Team Oregon Program, in late Sept. and plans to use their 250 cc class bikes. Like I said, waaaay smarter.
So, I nodded wisely and said I respected his thorough approach to the issue and that I would give some serious thought to his question and respond in due course. Naturally, my plan is to get you guys to do the heavy lifting (thinking) and for me to get the credit. How am I doing so far?

So what do you think he should spend his $2500 on? (Portland, OR market).

Why do you ask such questions? Are you not a biker yourself? Or are u a newbie at biking? Silly putty.

Never mind, kids....this is a question that he is asking about the kid that is dating his daughter. Personally, I'd put him on a hayabusa. :lol:

 

[Geezer]

Never mind, kids....this is a question that he is asking about the kid that is dating his daughter. Personally, I'd put him on a hayabusa. :lol:

First make sure there is no pillion seat on it.

 

[DocFJR]

Honda Nighthawk. Probably something more "standard" and less cruiser or sport bike.

I have to agree about the 750 Nighthawk. I have a 1999 in the garage next to my 06 FJRA and my Honda Rune. I still ride it quite a bit; bulletproof. Except for the occasional chain lube, it'll run forever. I get just over 50mpg on the highway, it's got a reasonably large tank, and it's fast enough to spank any Harley except the Vrod. Finally, full insurance runs me only about $60!

 

[yamahog]

In my experience, small motorcycles can be outgrown rather quickly. As a persons skill level increases, small bikes will not measure up to a riders increasing demands. Therefore my recomendation for a first bike that will meet the cost criteria and keep this beginner satisfied for some time, is a Honda VF 750 Magna. These bikes are absolutely bulletproof.

Bananas!

I agree that you don't want to start too small, but I think a Magna might just be too much bike for a newb. I loved mine, but it definitely had a lot of muscle and could get someone into trouble pretty quick. If he is leaning toward a cruiser I would recommend the venerable Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Shaft drive, reliable, mid-90's vintage sell around his price. Easy to ride and maintain, but enough pep to keep him happy for a long time. Otherwise, I'm with the SV650 (naked model) folks.

Me too, the magna might be a bit much... I agree with the sv650 or if he wants more of a cruiser, the savage is a good one. I learned on an old 750 virago. Not too powerful but torquey as hell at low rpms so I really had to keep my head and clutch about me. The 250 ninja is a good bike and alot of fun to ride, but I would think he would outgrow that way too quick.

 

[Beal]

I know I'm a little late on this topic.... but it was late in life when I first started ridin too! Two years ago I was trying to decide the same thing.... what first bike to get. Friend of mine (he teaches the MSF class) suggested the SV650 which has been mentioned alot here. It was great! I would do it again. Went from the sv to a HD Dyne Glide and now have an 06 FJR. I think I'm home now!

 

[PapaUtah]

Neighbor has a 1988 Suzuki Katana 1100 for sale. Mint condition, windshield still goes up and down. Corbin seat. About 25K miles on it. $2500 would take it home.

 

[Oldwin1]

While I was waiting on my FJR to show up I bought a 650 nighthawk. It is the most low maintenance bike ever. Hydraulic lifters, shaft drive and for a mid 80s bike it was not to slow. I put several 1500 mile weekends on it. I only paid $1000 for it. had to rebuild forks and brakes but it was a solid ride. I sold it to someone looking for exactly what you are describing and she loved it. It the guy is taller than 6 feet it may be tight for long distance though.

 

[onlyblue]

Ditto on the Honda Nighthawk 750. A few years ago it was picked by a MC mag I was reading as one of the best beginners bikes.

 

[Ric in Sac]

I recommend a Triumph Bonneville. Comfortable power with terrific handling.

The Ninja 500 is awesome as well.