first motorcycle for beginers

[Mark Olson]

Hey group,

what do you think would be a good starter bike for a first time rider?

My son-in-law wants to learn how to ride street bikes and has asked me to help him out.

he did ride some dirt riding many years ago on small stuff like rm80 when he was 10.

he weighs in about 250 lbs. and is actually some what intelligent.

opinions welcome.

[tqmx1]

Mark. That is one loaded question! Hay how about a Honda BlackBird . Back to the real world depending how much he wants to spend somthing like a Suzuki 600 Bandit or Katana or anything in that class of ride would be my first choises if I was to do it again.

[the fan]

A YZF600 similar to what I ride has very user friendly power, esp for a 600.Mine has no problem towing my 270 lb carcass around.  The Ergos are also fairly upright and all day comfortable.
  The YZF600R went unchanged from 1999-2007, and was subject to only small changes from the 1997 - 1998 model. The 95-96 model Like mine or Jons was also similar but parts are getting scarce.

[Fred]

I'll echo what the others have said, he's a big fella, so I don't think a 600 will scare him. That newer Suzuki, I think it replaced the bandit seems nice. Ergos like the bandit with swoopy gsxr body work. My friend has one and he likes it. On the other hand, the less body work the better.

[pdxfj]

Don't discount the Ninja 250.  It goes better than what most people think.

Tons of them out there with low miles and fairly cheap.  Hold their resale value since they do so well for new riders.

The bike does fine on the freeway and tops out at 100mph.  If you get one, put stiffer fork springs in it.  The stock ones are way too soft for anyone over 120lbs.

[ddlewis]

Mark. That is one loaded question! Hay how about a Honda BlackBird . Back to the real world depending how much he wants to spend somthing like a Suzuki 600 Bandit or Katana or anything in that class of ride would be my first choises if I was to do it again.

It is hard to answer.  Some people could start on anything and some don't belong on 2 wheels period..  I just tell people the smallest lightest thing you can ride comfortably not over 600cc.  And depending on the 600 that could be too much.  GS500 or EX500 twins would be reasonable first street bikes.  If the person is tall and not inclined to ride the interstate a DS thumper like KLR/DR might be good.

[racerman_27410]

with a dirt bike background something like the DRZ400S/SM would be a great choice..... very familiar feeling to someone coming from the dirt.... nice high vantage point for seeing traffic (very important for a new street rider) lightweight and there are plenty of mods to hop up performance as experience increases... and dog gone it they are just plain fun 
ii will average 45-50 mpg and thats with plenty of wheelies,stoppies and general hooliganizm 

a spring upgrade would probably be necessary for someone over 250 but thats reasonable enough to fit into anyone's budget considering the payback in ride /handling.


KOokaloo!

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Thanks for the input guys,

I'll check my local area and see whats out there for cheap. Trying to keep cost at about 1000. so he still has money for gear. so probably a much older bike like a ltd , gs, xs, or cb.
I have a old cb900 that I gave to a friend about 9 years ago and he let it sit and die. I could revive it ,but I think it would be way too much bike for a newbie. 

[ogmudbone]

don't forget about the old standards. what about old Honda CB 500,750's?
or the old Yamaha XS 650 or perhaps a seca or seca2 600 as well...lots of good bikes out there. also the old Honda rebels, i think came in 250,400 and 550? cant remember.

anyway good luck finding a proper ride   


OGmudbone

[Mark Olson]

John,

my wife used to ride a 250 rebel it was so slow but a good chick bike.

a guy would out grow it in a mater of hours.

[ogmudbone]

If a cruiser is wanted everyone makes those now. The whole fricken industry went Harley clone. The super funny part is as usual the Asian bike offerings are so much better than the "hogs". Hog is a proper name isn't it? They are pigs to work on. LOL

I like Harley I really do, but unless you want to work on it once a week and be severely underpowered whats the point?


OGmudbone

[Ratchet_72]

Hey Mark! Long time no speak.  I say the XS650. Big surprise huh? They're fun, cool, and a whole lot easier to learn basic mechanics than the FJ or almost anything.  The Honda CX500 is also loads of fun and is almost as cool.

[andyoutandabout]

Mark,
The Brit mags rave on about Susy SV 650s and Kawasaki En650s as being really fun, not so intimidating learner fodder that can keep even advanced riders entertained as well.
See you at the WCR

Andy French

[andyb]

Becuase he's got a dirtbike background, I'd skip the usual "learner" bikes, which are pretty boring in a hurry.

What does he want?  If he wants something to corner with or something to accelerate with, or a dual sport, or something to tour with dad on?

An SV650 is a good starter.  Honestly though, if he's got some knowledge of riding and enough size to handle a larger bike, he may as well start with something that he well likes.  You can get out of control on a GS500 or EX250 in the same way you can lose control of a Busa, it starts with respecting the capabilities of the machine.

If he wants a cruiser or touring type bike, I'd absolutely look for something with shaft drive, also.  It's easy to "forget" to maintain a chain as a newish rider....

[Mark Olson]

Hey Mark! Long time no speak.  I say the XS650. Big surprise huh? They're fun, cool, and a whole lot easier to learn basic mechanics than the FJ or almost anything.  The Honda CX500 is also loads of fun and is almost as cool.

whassup.

I hear ya about the xs650, that's what I started my wifes brother on when he was 16 ,then moved to a cb750 then a gs550 now he rides a r6.  I'm trying to find a bike that is more of a standard style with just enough power to scare him.