So, it doesn't matter which bike I would start on. Just as long as I know what I'm doing and mature enough to actually ride the bike?

 

Yes. Thats it.

 

Alright. Thanks, because I just turned 16 this May. So I'm just doing my research before I do the permit / MSF / get a bike deal.

 

So in that you will get a 250 or 500 correct? I disagree by the way on the "It doesnt matter" It does matter whether you are on a 300lbs 250 or a 650lbs 1200. Its like trying to learn how to drive in a Ferrari or a 396 Camaro.At 16, probably don't have the maturity for a monster bike. Thats just the facts of life. One that you would want to live long and enjoy motorcycling I'm sure.

 

true, maybe the poll should have been listed as "It doesn't matter if you have common sense". I guess everyone can interpret things differently. It is all good and wish ya the best A.D.

 

Many of us started on mini-bikes or mopeds when we were (considerably) younger. While not exactly the same as what we may ride now, the basic physics and skills learned play a big factor in what makes sense as a "beginner's" bike. If you're COMPLETELY new to the game, yes; I'd start with a 250 or 500 at most.

 

Yeah. I wanna start on a 250. Haha. Or maybe a zx-6r?
Thanks Dragone, Zbike and Jeff.

 

It doesn't matter about the weight or size of the bike, except that your first couple of days of learning basic slow speed maneouvers are better done on something like a 125 to build confidence and to let you push the limits to the point where you fall off a few times at slow speed - you don't want to do that on anything bigger. You don't want to hurt yourself or damage the bike.

After that first couple of days it's the power of the bike that's important. You need it slow enough to give you thinking time and fast enough not to be a liaibility in traffic. A 250 is ideal, and as you gain confidence it'll push you into working hard to get the best out the bike's performance. You'll eventually be able to ride it flat out. That's very rewarding and great fun. Anything bigger is that little bit too fast and you end up learning to ride with restraint rather than learning to push the bike. That becomes a habit that most riders never properly break. Riders starting on 500s or bigger are hardly ever quite as good as riders who've started on a smaller bike.

You'll hear the screams of protest from all of those riders. Ignore them. I've got no personal axe to grind. I've ridden and owned everything from 50cc to litre plus bikes and spent a long time as an instructor. The guys who start small are almost always the better (and faster) riders a couple of years in.

Rob

 

Thanks rob. I'm more in the 250 range now, more than the zx-6r [ Just cause I need to know my limits ] and the CBR 125 [ Looks too small for me. ] The 250 looks good to me.

 

I started on an 09 klx250s last April and wouldn't change a thing. I'm 27, 6' 190ish lbs...

I've always wanted a ninja... since i was a little kid and still want one...

I got an enduro because it allowes me to ride through the twisties, to work, in the rain etc..etc.. PLUS i can ride off road, in deep sand, gravel, in the winter, in mud etc..etc.. there are no boundries or limits at all!

I can ride it super slow (or fast) on the trails and have fun doing it.. or "fast" (Same Speed as traffic) on the HWY and have fun doing it...

I think it was the best way for me to learn how to handel a bike. One day i'll get a Ninja, but for now... there isn't anything more i can legally do on a Ninja that i can't do on my KLX250

...though the track must be awesome! to each their own.