Can I get some opinions on beginner Bikes

[twowheelnut]

I'm gonna kick a certain admin right in the nuts if he doesn't empty his PM box. Lazy ****! Check a box, hit delete. How hard is that?

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

SV 650 is a hoot and is bulletproof. DL 650 may be too tall but a great all around bike. Or any supermotard would be cool.

 

[radman]

I'm gonna kick a certain admin right in the nuts if he doesn't empty his PM box. Lazy ****! Check a box, hit delete. How hard is that?

Worthless without pics. Oh, on topic, I vote Busa. Learning curves are so 80's, cut to the chase.

 

[Geezer]

For my first daughter started on a used, already scratched and abused, SV650S. The SV is a very nice mid-size bike and a newer one is probably too much for a beginner, but a well worn one was perfect for her. She liked the SV650s so much that she bought another one this year that is in almost new condition. This one is quite a bit stronger so it would have been too much for her first year.

My second daughter is smaller, lighter, and more timid on the road. She rides a Ninja 250 (Ninjitta B) ) I added a couple of sockets in the tail light assembly so the tail light is much more visible. The Ninjitta has old technology suspension and does not use radial tires, so it is very limited in performance, but it is perfect for her. These are very inexpensive and readily available on the used market. Kawasaki just updated the Ninja 250 for 2008 and the new one looks much better. I don't know if they updated the suspension or tires.

 

[JRO]

I would avoid the Ninja 250. If it falls over, it breaks. Dirt/enduro bikes are the best to learn on. I've seen MSF classes use TW200's and DR200SE's. At 5'2" (my wife's height), you might also look into a scooter.

 

[user 6393]

Have a g/f who has just bought a new Ninja 250 as her 1st street bike. Great starter bike. She learned a lot more on a 250 as a starter than I did on a 600 as a starter.

We just got back from our 1st long trip. After doing some long hours on 'slab' she wants to trade up tho. Too buzzy for the long haul chasing me.

So....all depends what kinda miles your daughter will be riding. If it is mostly around town etc, the 250 ninja would be a blast. To be honest, if I had extra $, I'd have one as my round town shopping bike...*L*. It's a waaaaay cool lil bike!

 

[JimNtexas]

I weigh 250 pounds, and have ridden my Ninja 250 at the speed limit for over 500 miles with only short breaks. Many IBA riders have used Ninja 250s, at least onerider has finished the big IBR rally on an ex250. It is a slow accelerator compared to most bikes, but not most cars.

The Ninja 250 or Ninja 500 are great bikes for a skinny young person. Besides riding them, they are very well documented and very easy to work on. I can't think of a better way for a young person to learn to turn a wrench.

My 250 has taught me that what I like to do is get on a bike and ride it until my butt and/or knees give out.

Hence my lurking here while I save my pennies.

 

[Tenchi]

I would avoid the Ninja 250. If it falls over, it breaks.

I rode the equivalent of the Ninja 250 and I concur, if it falls, it breaks the fairing. They're not bad bikes, underpowered for a 200 lb guy like myself, but for a 110 lb woman they pack a pretty nifty punch. If you look on the Ninja250 wiki site, they recommend 'fightering until you're used to riding it around, then putting it back on if you want to protect the plastic. And they went budget on the suspension from what I could tell.

The GS500 is also a brilliant beginner bike. They use them in 250+cc bike training in Australia. Couldn't outrun a harley or bicycle if it tried, which is the biggest downside to it. Easier to ride than the Ninja250 with better brakes if you ask me.

My dad and I also share the old benchmark, if you can't lift the bike up you probably shouldn't be riding it. Something to consider (although that means that basically nobody should be riding a Goldwing...)

 

[RonBB]

I always recommend a 250 to start. I don't want a new rider trapped under a heavy bike while the exhaust cooks a leg. A second consideration is the inseam length. It's good to be able to get both feet flat footed at stops while learning to ride. Moving up to a larger bike after suitable experience is a given. While you daughter may not want a cruiser, generally the lower seat makes sense for the inseam challenged while learning. No I did not learn on a cruiser but rather a Cushman Super Eagle many years ago. Yes I did cook a leg once. Good luck. Ron

 

[Silver Penguin]

A second consideration is the inseam length. It's good to be able to get both feet flat footed at stops while learning to ride. Moving up to a larger bike after suitable experience is a given. While you daughter may not want a cruiser, generally the lower seat makes sense for the inseam challenged while learning.

I agree with what Ron said. The inseam length, rather than the overall height is the key factor here. Perhaps you could enjoy a few outings together to a large dealership or two and have her sit on some bikes. See what looks and feels right for her. Hopefully she doesn't pick out something that's brand new for '08, because a used bike is by far the best way to go.

For a temporary, learner bike the little Ninjas are awesome, but there is a compromise to be made between enough power to be able to get into trouble, and enough power to be able to get out of the way.

FWIW, I'm the same height as your daughter, with a 26" inseam. I started (after a 20yr hiatus from riding) on a VStar 650 which lasted me about a year. After taking a hit on the trade in value, I got the 1100 a year later. Took another hit a year after that when I upgraded to the FJR. Since then, I've also got a Ninja 650R which is like a baby FJR. If your daughter shows a natural talent for riding and has long legs, she could do a lot worse than start on a used 650R. (Frame sliders are, of course, a given).

Jill

 

[Scab]

Perhaps there's a place like THIS in your area. Used bikes of all shapes and sizes. Try 'em all on.

 

[Scoobyvroom]

Wow it only took till the second page for the SV to come up. SV is the best bike to learn on. Here is why..

The newer 2ng Gen bike 03+ are fuel injected, no messing with carbs, some women aren't very mechcanical. Flip switch pull clutch push start button.

On the newer 2ng Gen bikes 04+ the seats are very low... I think somewhere around 30 inches? These bikes can be lowered very easily and you can shave foam off the seat to lower it more.

The throttle tube is very slow to increace RPMs, you need to turn the throttle tube almost 1/3 of a turn or more for full throttle. I know I have ridden my firends bike where it was a 1/4 or less.

Very comfortable riding postions, have her sit on both the SV650S the faring version or the naked version just the SV 650, see what she likes.

Parts are very easy to find, alot of expert riders use SVs in LW races.

These bikes can be found for very little moola,Example, I purchaed an 03 SV with 2500 miles for 4K last year.

Lots of support, check out svrider.com lots of good info.

The SV is basiclly the swiss army knife of motorcycles, it can do anything from racing to touring...

 

[bikerskier]

If it were me I would get her a dirt bike and learn to ride it first and take her spills in the woods first . Alot can be learned for riding the woods first than the road.

This very, very good advice!

MY wife and kids did this and enjoyed the off road riding so much, they have little interest in street riding!

 

[SR-71]

My just turned 30 something daughter has decided she wants to be a rider. She just got her class reserved for the middle of July, and dear ole Dad has been elected to help her pick out her graduation present. She grew up pretty independent and head strong(totally stubborn), she's already said no cruisers and NO scooters.
I'm thinking about the Ninja 250 or 500, but I need more choices, and an opportunity to spread the blame. <_<

This sounds like the exact thing I went through with my wife a few years ago. Maybe I can save you some time...

My wife also didn't want; a scooter; or a cruiser, or a sport bike (too aggressive riding position); and what complicated matters even worse was, she wanted a bike that could keep up with my FJR. Problem is, my wife is only slightly taller than your daughter (5'4"), so right off the bat seat height was a major issue. So off we went hunting through the various dealerships. We quickly realized the maximum seat height she could deal with was 29.5", unfortunately most bikes she liked had a seat height of at least 31 inches. She test drove the Ninja 250 and 500. Both these bike fit her well (resting flat footed), but she complained they both these machines lacked power, the engines weren't responsive enough, and lacked general smoothness. So the mini-Ninja's were eliminated. Now we were (also) looking for a bike with more than 2 cylinders.

Well over the course of several weeks we had exhausted every brand and type. We even looked Buell's (my wife thought they were ugly). What can I say, she's picky like everyone else. I was about ready to try and steer her back to some type of cruiser when we finally ran across one bike we hadn't seen yet; a 2005 Kawasaki Z750S. This is a fuel injected in-line 4 cylinder which produces 102hp in a light weight package sporty (but not sport bike) naked bike package. It was perfect, except the seat height. Then we learned the dealership could install a lowering kit on it. They lowered 2 inches and cut and re-welded the kick stand to make it shorter. I also bought an after-market (Corbin) seat for it, which lowered the seat height a bit more. The Z750S handles well, keeps up with my FJR fairly well, in fact, for an inexpensive bike (less than $7K), it does everything fairly well!

Unfortunately Kawasaki stopped making the Z750S, I believe in 2007, but it might be worth hunting around for a used one. Kawasaki replaced the Z750S with the ZZR-600, which looks similar in design, although it has a full fairing and no fuel injection.

Another similar bike she may want to look at is the Triumph Tiger.

Good luck!

SR-71

 

[airboss]

The deed is done, brought home her new bike today. I want to thank everyone for their input, and altho I think we had some influence in the final decision, it was definitely hers.

Since she got her class schedule two weeks ago, we have talked of nothing but bikes, starting with " Dad when I get my license ( notice it's when not if) do you think I could use your small bike.

Small Bike

Me, uuuh NO!

So after nosing ebay for a week seems that all the small to medium late model bikes are demanding almost new prices, heck with that might as well shop new.

After three days of power shopping, found out that there are no small to medium bikes out there,SV650 none, maybe next month Ninja 250's, expecting 8 next month but already have deposits on those. Found a new 07 Ninja 500 in Bettendorf, IA at for a good Price $3995 + tax, title,and license. She didn't really like the highway sign yellow paint, but had to agree it was the best pricing we could find. Let's just say the smaller end of the motorcycle market is on fire right now.

As we got in the car to go to Bettendorf, we decided to drop by the local Kaw dealer (I always liked him). They had just un crated two Ninja 500s. She sat on them, played them awhile,said she liked them alot.

While she was playing with the bikes I filled the salesman in on the other deal he was working against, he admitted it was a good price, he would offer some incentive if she would buy from him. $5049 out the door + free helmet and jacket.

Rika says thanks everyone

Get on the back Brandon........This is MY bike

 

[SkooterG]

Congrats!!!

But it's gonna be a heartbreaker the first SEVERAL times that NEW bike hits the ground.

Has she taken the class yet? How do her feet hit the ground?

 

[airboss]

Congrats!!!
But it's gonna be a heartbreaker the first SEVERAL times that NEW bike hits the ground.

Has she taken the class yet? How do her feet hit the ground?

Still has to do the class

I'm going to sneak over tomorrow whike she's at work and take the tupperware off. See if I can find a good place to mount some TOGs

 

[SacramentoMike]

Boots. Get her boots. And Brandon. . . watch the hands.

 

[Tenchi]

Unfortunately Kawasaki stopped making the Z750S, I believe in 2007, but it might be worth hunting around for a used one. Kawasaki replaced the Z750S with the ZZR-600, which looks similar in design, although it has a full fairing and no fuel injection.

Tell me about it. I wanted a Z750, and the new ones look great (Australia link)! Just like the Z1000, but not as wide, not as heavy and don't break the crank case if you drop them (Z1000 sticks out too much).

Congrats on the new Ninja, from what I hear the fairing isn't hard to pull off.

PS: I thought she didn't want an inline twin? I was going to suggest a V-twin that's easy to ride. You know, like a Ducati 748

 

[PapaUtah]

Harley-Davidson® 883 Sportster. Any Harley-Davidson® for that matter makes a great starter bike. 45 to 62HP. Lot's of torque. Smallish size and low to the ground.