Which bike for a rookie rider? Where to start learning? Thanks in advance!?

Hello,





My name is Ryan and am 18 years old. I have wanted to learn how to ride a bike for some time now and am just now seriously starting to get into it after some friends of mine who have bikes have been teasing me for so long! hehe...





I have concluded that I do not want a high displacement bike as my first one, as I don't want something that I cannot learn on properly. Reading around, I have found out a Ninja 250 is a good all around bike for a new rider, and that sounds nice. Iam 6' 225pds, so I dont know if I will fit on it hehe, I never saw any information pertaining to size.





So to round it all up, I have all my safety gear on order, jacket, boots, gloves, a pad for my back, helmet, and pants. I need some ways to go on which bikes to look at and compare, as well as which ways are best to learn. Courses, subdivision, DMV course thats abandoned at school in the week? etc..





Thank You in advance and am sorry to ask such a redundant question.





-Ryan M.

Which bike for a rookie rider? Where to start learning? Thanks in advance!?
I would definitely say try to find a really nice used bike that is pretty cheap. Being a beginner you will have a real high chance of making a mistake and anybody would feel a lot worse if they laid down their new bike rather than something less nice. I would say ride this for at least a year no matter how well you think your skills have become.





For somebody your size a 250 is definitely a little too small. I started out on a 250 and I only weigh about 140 and I thought I was crawling. I would suggest going for something that has around a 500 or 600. It's a good idea to to go online and check out what exactly you are looking for to get a good idea of what's out there. The next step is to go to your local dealerships and check out what kind of used bikes they have there, maybe you'll find something. It actually took me about 2 1/2 years to find the bike I was looking for and was able to afford. (started looking when I was about 18, bought just this past September just before my 21st bday) That is another big question you have to ask yourself...what can you afford. If money is not an option for you though then ignore everything I have said and buy exactly what you want brand new...even go for something a little bigger like a 1000cc. What ever you do though be careful. Even though there are a lot of riders out there that ride crazy and dangerously, the biggest killer of motorcycle riders is the other drivers on the road. Always ride as if you were invisible and nobody else can see you. Here are a few links to some manufacturer web sites. All three make really good bikes so really it's just about what style and size you are looking for.
Reply:The most imporant thing was overlooked - Take a motorcycle safety (foundation) course. Report It

Reply:Sounds like you have it pretty much together already. I don't have much to add to any of the answers already posted but I thought I would throw some bike choices out there.


Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Smooth bike and it can be set up for touring. Does well in the mountians also.


Suzuki SV 650 - sportier stripped down version of the DL.





Kawasaki KLR 650 if you want to do some dirt/gravel road exploring.


These are one the cheap end of the specturm





If you actually find the bike that "does" it for you with in the first two I'd be surprised. I'm on my fifth bike in 4 years and still haven't found the one.





Good luck, ride safe.
Reply:sounds like you do not need much advice. Your thinking is sound, and the question has all the answers in it. Small displacement, a CHEAP USED bike ( you do not want to drop an expensive one, and you will drop it) and a good beginners course followed by practice in a subdivision. You should be answering this question, not asking it. Good Luck
Reply:All good advice...%26amp; you seem to be headed in the right direction....one extra bit of advice...buy a bike thats naked....all them plastic bits look nice but cost a fortune to fix after you throw it down the road....





once you are confident riding...then buy the nice looking one...
Reply:i was 6'3" and 250lbs when i tried to ride a crotch rocked and it was so uncomfortable their was no way you mite want to look into a cruiser to and most states have a beginners class for biking you just have to ask the courthouse if their is any in your area
Reply:Ninja 250, is too small for someone your size, you'll be seriously done with it in a week.





I would recommend something at least 600cc but not the racing style R6, GSXR or the ZXRR they are NOT beginner bikes. I always give the same advice take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course. I have raced MX, and I have even road raced on a Yamaha R6 and an R1, I have ridden both in 6 gear tapped out on the track and on the R1 that's 175mph. I had to get my motorcycle license so I took the course to make my buddy happy and to get my street license (only road tracks) and I learned some techniques that I had never used.





If I can get something out of it with 20+ years of experience riding and racing then I know that you can benefit immensely. If you are spending money on the equipment don't cheap out on this it will help your gear and your bike look nicer for longer.





Good Luck,





With whatever you decide.





[;-)





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