Training before buying
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MSF courses provide 250 and 125cc cruser and dual-purpose type bikes.
It's a good idea to take a MSF course, and pass, but the 7+ hours of bike time they give you is far less than adequate. If you have a trusting friend who will let you practice in a parking lot, then score! Do that after the MSF course, though, unless you have bike experience already such as dirtbikes.
Oh, I wouldn't feel dumb going in and asking that question in a dealership. Because I already did that and then some. Consider a short, young man, barely big enough to fit on these bikes, trying to tippy toe a bike back and forth asking all kinds of questions about bikes/gear in general. I probably dont even look old enough to be taken seriously, walking into a dealership. Point being: I never recieved odd looks or stupid comments. Only sales pitches or good advice
It's a good idea to take a MSF course, and pass, but the 7+ hours of bike time they give you is far less than adequate. If you have a trusting friend who will let you practice in a parking lot, then score! Do that after the MSF course, though, unless you have bike experience already such as dirtbikes.
Oh, I wouldn't feel dumb going in and asking that question in a dealership. Because I already did that and then some. Consider a short, young man, barely big enough to fit on these bikes, trying to tippy toe a bike back and forth asking all kinds of questions about bikes/gear in general. I probably dont even look old enough to be taken seriously, walking into a dealership. Point being: I never recieved odd looks or stupid comments. Only sales pitches or good advice
You cannot train without a bike, and probably nobody will lend their bike for an extensive time. You'll need to ride several hundred miles before becoming really comfortable and confident on a motorcycle. The conclusion: you need to buy your own bike, and train on it.
1) buy a small, second hand motorcycle - something like a Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
2) take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class.
3) buy a few books - such as David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling etc.
4) hang out and dig out information on sites like this. There is tons of information here.
Nobody was born an expert. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who are afraid to ask. :wink:
1) buy a small, second hand motorcycle - something like a Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
2) take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class.
3) buy a few books - such as David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling etc.
4) hang out and dig out information on sites like this. There is tons of information here.
Nobody was born an expert. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who are afraid to ask. :wink:
I second the recommendation for the MSF course as a first step. True, it won't be a lot of hours of wheel time, but will give you a chance to try riding and learn a few fundamentals. Who knows, you may find you don't care for it after all. Also, as the instructor pointed out the last time I took the course, there are people who, for various reasons, have no business ever riding a bike. It that's you, it would be good to know before you spend money on a bike.
Here's my recomendations, which come with a money back guarantee:pug said:
1.) Take the MSF Beginning Rider Course. At my course, they had Suzuki GN 125s, Kawasaki Eliminator 125s, Honda CB125s, Honda Nighthawk 250s, Suzuki GZ 250s, and 3 Buell Blasts that would not run. These bikes are the easiest to ride types around. www.msf-usa.com
2.) After passing the course, find a good deal on a used bike of the type you want to ride. Cruisers, any of the 250s or a Kawaski Vulcan 500, or one of the older 500cc or less cruisers. Sportier bikes, ideally a Ninja 250 or a Suzuki GS500E/F. Possibly a Ninja 500, an older Bandit 400, maybe a Buell Blast. Any of these will be good to ride for a while to build your skills. After you build riding skills on one of these bikes, you may decide you want something bigger and there are lots of good second bikes too. Your size is good for most bikes. Shorter people are concerned with finding a bike with a lower seat height, taller people are concerned with finding a bike which has sufficient leg space and comfort.
3.) Starting on a smaller bike will make you a better rider, the bike will not be intimidating so you will learn how to handle it without being as afraid of leaning. You have to lean a bike to turn it, and beginners are hesitant to lean.
4.) check out http://www.beginnerbikes.com it's a very good site!
5.) Enjoy riding!
Item 5 is what it is all about. 8)
G
Guest
·i think a gs500f will be PERFECT for you. with the 250, you can and most likely will get bored with it soon. but with a 500cc bike, you could easily ride it and keep it as a good bike instead of a starter bike. 600cc's is porbably too much for you too.
G
Guest
·because they use them for racing and its more aerodynamic. and its competitive against other brands in the sportbike section so they gotta look good or they wont sell as well.
Well if your not on a supersport bike a 600 or 650 is decent to start with. I had a moped in highschool like 20 years ago but never rode a motorcycle but I finally took the MSF class this month, purchased a used 02 SV650 (see avatar) for $4k the day before my last class (Aug 8th), passed the MSF class and have been riding her ever since. So far I've logged a bit over 500 miles in city traffic without a major problem or drop. But if your not super confident after the MSF class, riding early sunday mornings thru college or mall parking lots can give you the needed seat time to learn the clutch, up and down shifting and 12, 4, 2 sec zones too.pug said:
Everything you learn in the MSF class WILL come back within the first hour of riding in daily traffic. 19hours didn't seem like it was alot but by the second night of riding it will be like riding a bicycle. So yeah they have Buel Blasts, Honda Rebels and Suzuki GZ250s as equipement for the class and test so don't worry about that aspect, so use your other time to do research on what is a good starter bike. I looked at the GF500E but after riding the Blast with the same HP I knew is wasn't going to be what I wanted. So the SV650 was next up in the ladder, BINGO!!
I'd also suggest a used bike as your first bike since your most likely to want to go bigger and faster within in the first year or two of riding it and no need to spend big for a small time frame. Lots of good used bike with low miles out there since they are basicly all doing what you will do, learn on it and trade up. So look into SV650s you might like what they offer.
==> http://www.msf-usa.org/
Find a place near you and sign up monday!!!
Pug,
I was in your exact position early last summer. I wanted ride, but new nothing and had no access to a bike (other than buying one). I took the MSF early in the summer in order to learn how to ride. It taught me enough to be able to ride (not well mind you, but at least I could handle a bike) and got me a license. With the license I went to a Harley dealer and rented a Buel Blast. I did that for the rest of the summer (about a dozen times).
The Buel Blast was a good bike to learn on but I would never want to own it. Its a single cylinder 450cc engine that is forgiving and has enough power for a newbie without getting you into trouble. It was also a good deal finacially. I paid about $50 per day each day I rented it. Thropugh the summer I took the bike out and rode on very quiet back country roads (real rural area). I was scenic, fun, and a good way to safely get used to riding a bike (I always made sure I stayed in cell phone range in case I ran into trouble) By the end of the summer I felt comfortable riding and on my last ride of the season I rented a larger bike (lightning).
Towards the end of this past winter I looked around and bought a used bike. I wanted a Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja), but could not find one cheap enough so I ended up with a bigger bike, a Suzuki Katana 750. It scared me in the begining, but I'm really happy with it now. I don't think I would have been able to get used to the Katana if I had not spent last summer on a Buel Blast.
I was in your exact position early last summer. I wanted ride, but new nothing and had no access to a bike (other than buying one). I took the MSF early in the summer in order to learn how to ride. It taught me enough to be able to ride (not well mind you, but at least I could handle a bike) and got me a license. With the license I went to a Harley dealer and rented a Buel Blast. I did that for the rest of the summer (about a dozen times).
The Buel Blast was a good bike to learn on but I would never want to own it. Its a single cylinder 450cc engine that is forgiving and has enough power for a newbie without getting you into trouble. It was also a good deal finacially. I paid about $50 per day each day I rented it. Thropugh the summer I took the bike out and rode on very quiet back country roads (real rural area). I was scenic, fun, and a good way to safely get used to riding a bike (I always made sure I stayed in cell phone range in case I ran into trouble) By the end of the summer I felt comfortable riding and on my last ride of the season I rented a larger bike (lightning).
Towards the end of this past winter I looked around and bought a used bike. I wanted a Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja), but could not find one cheap enough so I ended up with a bigger bike, a Suzuki Katana 750. It scared me in the begining, but I'm really happy with it now. I don't think I would have been able to get used to the Katana if I had not spent last summer on a Buel Blast.
Joined
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I don't know why you'd even say that. The GS is a capable bike, and for those of us who don't ride to impress others with stunting or exhibitions of speed, just about any bike is a thrill. I rode a 1989 Yamaha Radian 600 for several years. It's not nearly as nice as a modern GS, and I loved riding it. The only reason I upgraded is because I was doing a lot of two-up.soad said:
There a great deal to be learned on any bike, and the thrill for most of us comes from improving our riding technique and skill set. Upgrading the rider is often a much better move than upgrading to a bike that you can't possibly wring out.
I think that's just plain bad advice.
Joined
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11,456 Posts
I agree. The only way you'll get tired of that bike is if you drive the drag strip to and fro.RowdyRed94 said:
Corners, people are where it's at, and smaller bikes love corners and they reeeallly loooove new riders.
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