First of all, I wanted to get a bike 6 months ago before I had a horrible experience at a dealership, I was trying to balance a CBR900 and it tipped over too far and it fell over .

My question is what is the lightest bike you can get, I'm not very strong and if it tips I need to be able to pick it up..

 

EX500 or SV650. Those CBR900s can be pretty heavy (especially the older ones). Or, get a scooter. They get great gas mileage, are pretty cheap costwise and insurance-wise, and you could probably just lift one straight up into the air...

 

Hehe, a scooter sounds fun but I think I'd get sick of the 45mph redline pretty quick.

I am looking into the 250cc ninja, then later after I get used to riding I could upgrade to a 500 or 600cc bike.

 

I'm going to be getting a ninja 250 for my first bike. They're light, cheap, low insurance and they're great starter bikes from all i've read.

 

gs500, ex250 or 500, sv650, f1, f2, f3.....

 

just curious, what happened after it tipped?

 

I recomend the new SV650 or SV650S. Its a great bike fore a beginer and it is a good bike fore the more experinced. Also its great in the twisties and cheap on insurance. Although it needs a fenderectimy (sp)

 

I wouldn't say the 650 is cheap on insurance, well maybe it just depends on the insurance company. Some companies go by cc's of the engine and not the class of the bike, ie SS, cruiser, touring, nekkid etc etc. I love my 650S though.
Oh yeah, nice bike CHK4TIX

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eddie HatchBlack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">gs500, ex250 or 500, sv650, f1, f2, f3..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

exactly!! any of these are great bikes

 

I would try a r6 not to heavy and very quick

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wiredspeed.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would try a r6 not to heavy and very quick</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is NOT a good beginner bike, but it is a good bike none-the-less..

 

Any bike can be a good beginner bike...just depends on how much brains the rider has. SV650 is a sexy naked bike, and I hear good thing about it. Plenty of power to have fun with and light weight. That's my vote

 

best bet would be something you can live with if you crashed or it fell over or you lay it down.what i mean is cheap yet functional.you can always upgrade later

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spankjelly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any bike can be a good beginner bike...just depends on how much brains the rider has. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess our definitions of "good" are just different in this situation. To me, an R6 wouldn't be a GOOD beginner bike due to high insurance cost, expensive fairings, and less forgivable. Meaning, one small mistake on this bike could cause big (or expensive) problems, where as an older model Honda F2 would only cost $2-3k for bike, and you would only need liability. (R6 is the most stolen bike in the U.S., so FOR ME, comprehensive I should have.)

I've thought long and hard, and I'd want a better beginner bike than a brand new bike. Do what you like though, just throwing out different ideas to expand your views on which bike to choose first.

 

Any 90's 600cc sportbike would work well as a first bike. I bought an FZR600 as mine and have been happy with it. It is light, forgiving, very nimble and powerful enough to not put you on your back but still put a big *** grin on your face.

Used parts availability, especially for plastic parts is a big concern. Search Ebay for the particular bike you want to buy and see what is available. My cousin bought a Suzuki RF600 (pretty rare 600 sportbike) and there isn't squat available for it. Search for an FZR on ebay and you could build an entire bike from the auctions listed.

The problem with going to small a bike is you are going to outgrow it pretty quickly and 2-up riding will suck big time. I have had my 600 for 2 years and I am still learning on it. After 6 months on a 250 you will be looking for another. There were also a few 400cc sport bikes made, but I would stay away from those as they were bikes made mostly for racing. It would be fun though to put a YZF engine in an aluminum 400 frame though, but save that for when you've got some experience.

Cheers,
Roy

 

My good friend was looking into getting a motorcycle. He almost dropped it on the showroom floor. That was when he decided against getting a motorcycle. Truthfully I suggest taking a RIDER SAFETY COURSE to get a feel for a motorcyle then make a decision from there. It is usually a 3 day course with good riding drills. Check it out, bikes are'nt for everyone. Good luck!!

 

Yeah what happened at the dealership after you dropped the bike? Im happy you dropped it, most of the people at dealerships are jerks that are'nt willing to help kids. I think you should get a bike but research it first, and take the Rider Safety Course.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NA Gen2Teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah what happened at the dealership after you dropped the bike? Im happy you dropped it, most of the people at dealerships are jerks that are'nt willing to help kids. I think you should get a bike but research it first, and take the Rider Safety Course. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, ricky, that is a reason to drop a bike at a dealership.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eddie HatchBlack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I guess our definitions of "good" are just different in this situation. To me, an R6 wouldn't be a GOOD beginner bike due to high insurance cost, expensive fairings, and less forgivable. Meaning, one small mistake on this bike could cause big (or expensive) problems, where as an older model Honda F2 would only cost $2-3k for bike, and you would only need liability. (R6 is the most stolen bike in the U.S., so FOR ME, comprehensive I should have.)

I've thought long and hard, and I'd want a better beginner bike than a brand new bike. Do what you like though, just throwing out different ideas to expand your views on which bike to choose first.</TD></TR></TABLE>

W3rd

This is a very good point. Chances are you will lay the bike down sooner or later...regardless of what's upstairs, even if you're careful. Make sure you got the coinage to take care of "unexpected" costs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spankjelly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

W3rd

This is a very good point. Chances are you will lay the bike down sooner or later...regardless of what's upstairs, even if you're careful. Make sure you got the coinage to take care of "unexpected" costs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't buy a bike expecting to lay it down, whether u get a 200 or 600 you are going to have to learn on it. Yes fairings and such are more expensive on an r6, but it ultimately comes down to how you handle ur bike. If you go through a turn like a maniac, it doesn't matter what bike you're on, you can lay it down... and if you do lay it down going fast, you'll be worrying about other things instead of fixing your fairings such as do you ever want to ride again or are you going to be hospitalized

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VolpeOwnsU &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I wouldn't buy a bike expecting to lay it down, whether u get a 200 or 600 you are going to have to learn on it. Yes fairings and such are more expensive on an r6, but it ultimately comes down to how you handle ur bike. If you go through a turn like a maniac, it doesn't matter what bike you're on, you can lay it down... and if you do lay it down going fast, you'll be worrying about other things instead of fixing your fairings such as do you ever want to ride again or are you going to be hospitalized</TD></TR></TABLE>
What about when you come to a stop unbalanced because you are an inexperienced rider. That has nothing to do with riding over your limits, it has to due with experience.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VolpeOwnsU &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I wouldn't buy a bike expecting to lay it down, whether u get a 200 or 600 you are going to have to learn on it. Yes fairings and such are more expensive on an r6, but it ultimately comes down to how you handle ur bike. If you go through a turn like a maniac, it doesn't matter what bike you're on, you can lay it down... and if you do lay it down going fast, you'll be worrying about other things instead of fixing your fairings such as do you ever want to ride again or are you going to be hospitalized</TD></TR></TABLE>

True, you shouldn't be expecting to lay it down, but what I was trying to point out that it is much easier to lay down a bike like an R6 compared to an early model 598cc and below.. The R6 is more sensitive to mistakes. It is VERY possible that someone can ride an R6 as a first bike and never lay it down, but I THINK it is just a higher risk.

Eddie.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eddie HatchBlack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

True, you shouldn't be expecting to lay it down, but what I was trying to point out that it is much easier to lay down a bike like an R6 compared to an early model 598cc and below.. The R6 is more sensitive to mistakes. It is VERY possible that someone can ride an R6 as a first bike and never lay it down, but I THINK it is just a higher risk.

Eddie.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Eddie, very true, its all about riding within your limits... I agree with you totally that sportbikes are more sensitive to mistakes, but I think the mistakes come from overshooting ones limits... trying to get full use of the bike... riding both a moped vs a gsxr 1000, you can go down, screw up, etc... its just the moped tops out at 40 while u can try to put a gsxr into a turn at 100+

And coming to a stop unbalanced? What do you mean by that?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VolpeOwnsU &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And coming to a stop unbalanced? What do you mean by that?

</TD></TR></TABLE>
Exactly what it sounds like. For example I was on my friends 250 the other day and I came to a stop and there just happened to be some sand or some crap under me I didn't look for and my foot slipped. I dropped the bike because my dumb *** wasn't thinking and when it slipped I just wanted to get out from under the bike before my leg got caught under it. There were many things I could have done different that would have saved the bike that my friend explained to me later, the most important thing was that it was his piece of **** 250 and I didn't just **** up his RR. Or even worse I could have been that kid on here who dropped his R1 twice on the first day. It isn't always about controlling the bike while you are riding it, you also need to learn that it is a big awkward piece of metal that is very hard to keep up once it starts to tip over. And dropping a $8000+ bike hurts just as much as crashing, sometimes even more...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VolpeOwnsU &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And coming to a stop unbalanced? What do you mean by that?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Classic beginners mistake, coming to a stop to quickly with the wheel turned. You wouldn't think it to be that big a deal, but the frist time you front suspension unloads with the wheel turned and you are pitched off to the side you will figure it out quickly enough.

Starting out while turning has proven to be an expensive proposition for many riders without good throttle control. Wet man hole covers can be a bitch too, and god help you if you are coming up on an intersection only to notice it's covered in wet leaves.

Riding outside of ones limits isn't your biggest enemy. It's the simple **** like wet leaves or the manhole cover you didn't see or you didn't notice the intersection is cambered when you come to a stop on it. The protection mechanism for riding outside ones limits is hard wired into the brain and easily maintained. Unexpected **** like cars pulling out in front of you are the real dangers.

Cheers,
Roy