Hey everyone, after countless hours of reasoning and reading, I've decided it's time for me to finally learn how to ride properly. I'm looking for a motorcycle as a means to enjoy the occasional ride where I can really focus and enjoy the experience. I also think it's a fun way for me to scoot around the village area that I live in when not wanting to drive. My family lives about an hour north in the country side and I'm also thinking of leaving it there for the occasional weekend as well.

I've read (and re-read) both stickies at the top and spoken to several experienced life long riders. I plan on taking the MSF course nearby to get my license. Once I have enough to purchase my gear first, then I'll look into getting my first beginner bike.

Of the riders I've talked to, many started on lower powered bikes. From what I gather, the gold standard of starter bikes seems to be the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. However, I've really had my eye on the Honda CB-1, which also has a smaller engine. I know they are hard to find, but how does it fare as a beginner bike? I'm a huge fan of naked bikes, somewhere down the road would love to own a Ducati Monster once I become savvy/rich/mechanically inclined. Are they any other nice starter naked bikes? Even though I take myself for a highly responsible individual, I'd like to start on a nice used, safe bike. I'm also able to get an excellent rate with adding a fully insured motorcycle onto my insurance plan.

Any other bike suggestions would be a big help. Also, is buying an older Honda CB that has been turned into a café a bad idea even if it is good shape? I've read that they can be uncomfortable due to the seat, but I don't plan on doing much commuting. Are these bikes more for those who are adept to seriously maintaining a bike by themselves?

 

CB-1 is a great moto for beginners, I rode one for couple of years before sell it to a friend to intice him to quit smoking.

Ninja 250's are great also, cheaper to purchase during the winter months. I've bought to of them, both under $1000.

Since it is going to be your first motorcycle, I'd recommend something cheap, for purchase and insure. The likelihood of you dumping the bike is higher for first bike, get a bike that you can hone your skills and not have to worry about large repair bills when the unpredicted happens.

Older CBs turned Cafe may look cool, but the performance and safety aspects are not quite up to snuff of more modern motos. I would not get one until you have had some riding experience and know how to handle a bike in the presence of crazy drivers who are trying to kill you all the time. Until you've experienced and survived the craziness for a couple of year, stick with bikes that are easy to maneuver and have relaxed riding position.

If you're not comfortable on the bike, you're not likely going to enjoy the ride for very long.

Good luck hunting.

 

Here is a decent link to Beginner Motorcycle Options

 

I thought the CB-1 was in the 400 cc range. Still a good size for a beginner though.

Good luck have fun! I gave my girlfriend my Honda Twinstar for her birthday. She loves it!

 

Thanks for the link. I checked it out and the Honda Hawk looks like an excellent choice according to the review on that site. It's 650cc but the reviewer explains that the power is actually quite manageable. I love the look too.

Yes, the CB-1 is in the 400 range. I read that if you can find one, they are excellent starter bikes.

 

I dont really see them alot on the Denver CL

 

Both CB-1 and Hawk GT are grey market bikes, they have quite a 'cult' following of owners..

Hawk GT's got the friendly, usable torque of a V-twin with sexy single-sided swing arm.



CB-1 has the sweet free-revving in-line 4 has 14,4000 rpm red line, w/a Kekker exhaust it screams like a MotoGP bike at full blast going only at 80 mph.



Both can be modded well beyond the realm of their practical intent.

 

why is the hawk gt gray market?

 

When I first started (as a kid) I had the option of 2 bikes, one was big & cool looking, the other, small & not so cool. Eventually, I switched to the small one & it made a huge difference in my learning curve. The smaller the bike, the more in control you feel. If you're having to man-handle the bike itself, & then worry about the power that is at your fingertips, it can get overwhelming & cause those mistakes.

The only way to truly know is to sit on a bunch of them, and ride as many as you can, even just in a parking lot.


Good luck to ya,

& keep the rubber side down.

 

I can't answer that one, hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in. I didn't know that both the Hawk and the CB-1 were grey market either. I thought both could be registered stateside without hassle.

Thank you for the advice. I wholeheartedly agree on not biting of more than I can chew for my first bike. The CB-1 and Hawk to me seem like 'safer' and reliable alternatives to simply walking out of a dealership with a shiny new CBR600RR. I also like that both models are on the cheaper side so that I can invest in some quality riding gear.

 

good luck on your search! also you could look into the honda rebels, its a lot of fun and makes a good practice bike and they are really cheap for the newer ones too.
im trying to get a bike this fall/winter when the price drops down again! i miss my 600rr

 

Thanks! I'll keep the Rebel in mind. However looking at it, I would like to get a bike with that is a little less upright in riding position.