Hey guys, I am thinking about getting my MC permit and picking up a cheap bike this summer to save some money to/from work.

If I do get something, it won't be more than $2K, and nothing too powerful. I have ridden minibikes and whatnot, but nothing with a clutch yet...

I am thinking maybe a cheap Honda Goldwing or Magna.

Or maybe a small Kawasaki Ninja(though the only reason I like those is Max(Jessica Alba) from Dark Angel has one)

suggestions??

start small,less fearful....

got a buddy with a dirt bike or wheeler with a clutch?

started my wife that way,and she has had no problems at all

Actually, a Kawasaki EX-250 (baby Ninja) is not a bad choice. They've made them since '87, and haven't changed them much until this year. So, there are a ton of parts available, they are nearly indestructable, and they are cheap.
The one that I bought last year i paid $400 for, and with another $100 or so, it would have been ready to go. I just can't do things the simple way, and I have designs on taking it to the track this spring. As a result, I'll end up having aroung $1K into it by the time it's ready.
When you consider price, and 40+mpg, it could be the hot ticket.

This post has been edited by Longhair: March 4th 2008 12:37 AM

100% with LongHair on the ninja 250 and they are fun to ride and light.



I don't know where people keep getting pics of my scooter from

ninja 250 all the way!

i cannot think of a worst first bike than a goldwing. (no offense to the goldwing crowd). they are heavy, not very responisve, and did i mention heavy? those are not good qualities for a first bike.

well, i guess a gixxer 1,000 could be worse.

Yeah, but it would be over with quick.

yeah, but it would be a hell of a wheelie until the end.

I always thought the heavier the bike the better you will hold the road on tight turns....

I was talking to my dad(who thinks all bikes are evil with the exception of the all powerful Harley Davidson) and he got all agitated when I mentioned a Ninja 250.

He is saying they accelerate too fast and are dangerous etc... I pointed out its a 250 vs a HD sporter is an 883 or 1200!!!

He said, "Well they are built different, the bullet bikes accelerate faster even with less power but have less top speed"

(Yes... he refers to them as bullet bikes, and thinks everyone that owns one inevitably does wheelies every time they go.. )

I know they are built different , but his opinion of them is you touch the accelerator and are doing 120mph...

This post has been edited by captainbarred: March 4th 2008 3:18 AM

If a 250 Ninja is like the big ones I have a problem thinking of it as a beginners bike. Even worse would be the Goldwing. You know the new ones are so heavy they have a reverse?

Lots of folks start out on Sporty's, but I'm not convinced that's such a great idea either. The new ones have ok engines (based on the Evo) - but they're expensive, and probably more weight/power than you want to mess with at first. The older ones are still heavy (heavier in fact), have a crap iron head engine, and ride like the uninitiated think all Harley's still do.

I have NO idea what any of the Japanese manufacturers make in terms of models today. For a lerner bike, I'd be looking for something in a plane jane 250-350 road bike. The modern equivalent of something like a Honda Super Hawk or whatever it is that the folks that brought us WWII are making these days. Learn to ride safely then decide what you want a bike for.

Here are a few options.
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/594030193.html
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/593359277.html
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/592928992.html
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/592318934.html

Just a couple sugestions.
Check the craigs list near you to.

I don't know your age (maturity) or weight, so displacement would be a factor. Also, check the standards on how big an engine you can have with the learners permit. Some states limit them to 125 or 250. Any of the "baby" crotch rockets or cruisers would be excellent first bikes. (the term baby is in no way meant to offend, just that we all must start out crawling before we can run). I, personally, had a Honda MB5 (50 cc 5 speed top end 55 MPH) back in 84 that was an absolute blast to ride. Couldn't carry any extra weight, but it was still really fun. And that was after I was already experienced. Your fathers concept of the 250 Ninja is way off. The engine is so small compared to weight of you and the bike that your acceleration would not be that great. However, it is highway legal. Ultimately, if 250cc is legal in your state with a learners permit, then go for the 250 ninja or perhaps one of the 250 mini cruisers. It all depends on what kind of riding you intend to do in the future.

Bear in mind that whatever kind of bike you start out with, you WILL become very accustomed to that style of bike and will be slightly uncomfortable riding a different style. I always rode standards (Honda CB style straight bikes) and crotch rockets are now very uncomfortable to me. It is also taking a bit of getting used to my new cruiser.

As a life long Honda rider, I really hate to say this, but stay away from Honda bikes starting out. They are all top heavy. This makes it harder to handle in tight turns, especially the low speed really tight turns at your road test obstacle course. Then again, could be an excellent way to learn to handle the tighter turns later.

My strongest piece of advice is to attend a motorcycle riders course. They cost less than $100 and furnish the bike. Many of them will license you on site. At a minimum, you will start out a better rider and get an insurance reduction. Do this before yo actually buy a bike. You will get enough training that you could safely start out with some thing like a 500 to 650 and not be a threat to your own safety. Check with your local dealers as to what is available in your area. Harley and Honda both have excellent Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses at low cost.

thanks for all the info guys. I know my uncle took a course for around $300. I think it was either 4 or 8 hours, but he got the license at the end and was very happy he spent the money.

I am still not sure what I want. Again, I like the Ninjas, but the cruisers, like my dad's previous HDs have been really nice.

however the idea is to save gas money and I won't save any money getting a 10K loan

Huffy..or a schwinn maybe...

the looks are about all that are the same. i have ridden one personally, so i can attest to the fact that i cannot get one to wheelie more than 4 inches to save my life (i actually lost a bet about that), and i have a tendency to wheelie about every damn thing i can get my grubbly little paws on. (i've always been that way.

they are the best starter bike IMO. sure, a small sporty or something similar will compare, but they will cost you more, AND, they will likely depreciate faster. they (the 250's) are fairly cheap, they hold their value well, and they are pretty damn cheap when you lay them down to fix. oh? you won't lay it down? YES YOU WILL! a friend of mine who now lives out of state called me up and asked me the same question. he took the advice, and things turned out well for him. he kept it for a season, got his feet wet, and moved on to a bigger bike without losing much money at all.

that sure beats the story of the guy who got a sportbike for his first and wound up dead.

i forget the top speed, but i'm pretty sure i recall it at less than 100mph and probably closer to 85-90.

anyone that would ever make fun of you for starting on a small bike should be kicked in the nuts. it is the smart thing to do.

i started street on an inline 4 600cc bike, BUT, i had ridden and raced in the dirt for years previous. i think that makes a difference.

seriously CB, check into the ninja 250's. they are GREAT beginner bikes. and like i also mentioned, the resale value is high, so you won't lose much at all.

just, whatever you do, please don't buy a harley!

and wear some leather, so when that idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to lay it down to keep from hitting them, your skin is still intact.

ah, the other major deterant to me getting a bike......

my mother. I kid you not man, if she simply read the part where you said "when you lay them down to fix. oh? you won't lay it down? YES YOU WILL! " I think she might have a heart attack

Heck my dad, a long time HD lover, is thinking of selling his now because she gets so nervous when he is on it...

One perk to a small Ninja is you could learn to sit like a frog without spending a bundle.

the sarcasm is THICK in there.

Well ... a little maybe.