So I really have no clue about what to get as far as a beginner bike. All I know is gas prices are ridiculous and there's really no sense to have a car it's easier to mouch off other people. Anyway I was thinking of selling my mustang gt for a bike but didn't know where to start looking. Everyone I know gets likea 500-650 cc bike when they first start out so I'd appreciate any insight towards the matter. Not to mention getting something at a fairly decent price would be good as well.

 

I would get an older 600cc -If you are pretty good about learning things fast- then you can skip the step of a 250cc or 500cc. I say older 600 because of price- and most people drop/lay their first bike in some way.

Good luck! and Welcome to KF

 

I guess the question you should ask is how do plan on riding your bike, and where you will be riding it. Do you plan on a lot of highway riding, or just city street riding? The 250R or 500R would be great choices for mainly city riding, plus their great gas mileage (55-75mpg), insurance premiums, and maintenance costs will be awesome too. Those two bikes by far will be way cheaper to own. But, if use the freeway often, something larger such as a 600, 650, or 750 would better fit your needs. (And they're much faster!) But, check on insurance costs before picking one up. In fact, check many insurance companies because rates vary widely on motorcycles between insurers. These bikes also don't achieve as high gas mileage. (36-50mpg) Maintenance costs will also be higher.

I don't really believe in the phrase "beginner bike". You can learn on any bike without having any problems as long as you gain a great respect for the motorcycle before riding it. If you don't respect the machine you're riding, and push it beyond your limits, you'll likely become another statistic. So just be careful when you start riding.

Welcome to the forums, and good luck on finding a bike!
-Mark

 

hmm, let me try this one again......

+1 to the above opinions

Welcome to the forums and good luck on the ride choices

 

I got a zzr600 for my first street bike, it has worked out well for me. As a bonus it is the old (2001) zx6r so there are many ways to increase performance as your riding skills progress. Personally I wouldn't buy any zzr older than 2005, but many people love the older models. I guess I see mine as a zx6r for those of us on a budget. It is much faster than its competition (yzf6r, katana(boo)as well.

 

I bought a used low-mileage slightly damaged(cosmetic damage only)Kawasaki Ninja 500R as my first bike. I've ridden it about 5500 miles so far and I have no complaints. Everybody else I've talked to has good things to say about it. Relatively cheap compared to some of the bikes out there, good gas mileage, low insurance rates, handles well, not way overpowered to start on and fun to ride. Shop around for used one with low mileage and you should bemore thanhappy with it.

Have fun.

P.S. -- The MSF course is worth it if you don't have a license yet orlimited riding experience as I did. A few days with that and you'll have no problemgetting your license and then you learn as you ride more on your own.

 

DEFINATLEY TAKE THE MSF COURSE . My first street bike was a 05 6R , I have ridden dirt bikes ( not really the same .........this I understand !!!!!!!!! )off and on for years . Get what you feel most comfortable with .Most of it will come down to personal preferance .

 

welcome to KF

 

Awesome I appreciate all the info on the topic fellas.

 

Welcome to KF.