Soon to be a first time motorcycle owner... Need some advice.

Hi all, looking to buy a Motorcycle for the first time. I can't seem to decide between between a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R or a 2011 Honda CBR250R. Both are listed at $2,500. Which bike is a lot "better" for a beginner?

Also, I'm looking to buy full gear under $1,000. What are some of the "best sellers" for the price?

 

Don't tip over. That's my advice.

 

I can beat that..."don't" period.

 

Good choices. The Kawi is tried and true, but if I recall the CBR will have ABS which can be useful. Personally, I'd lean toward the Ninja unless a good deal pops up on a CBR.

Gear:
Helmet: Scorpion helmets tend to be great bang-for-buck helmets. I believe there's an Icon on the market that is also a good choice. Whatever you get needs to fit correctly above all else. If you can, go try them on in person and get a feel for comfort. The helmet should fit very snugly and squeeze your cheeks in without putting pressure on your head. If it gets uncomfortable after 10/15 minutes, it's not fitting right. I've purchased helmets over the internet, just be prepared to send them back if they don't fit right.
Jacket: Again, get something comfortable. I prefer armored textile jackets with removable inserts for cold weather riding.
Gloves: See above for jacket.
Pants: Often overlooked, a good pair can usually be had for little expense.
Boots: Amored riding boots are available. I have a pair of Icon Super Duty boots that I like.

I got a ton of my gear from http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/. They've usually got awesome deals and the owner posts reviews of tons of their products for you to shop with.

 

Motorcycles are great ideas for children

 

Do one or more of these training classes before you buy/ride/drop/crash your own bike:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/mmsc/rider-training/Pages/default.aspx

 

Jesus, I can't believe I forgot that. Yeah, take a rider course.

 

Another great beginner bike is the Suzuki SV 650. Small twin with good torque makes it very easy to ride, and you won't think you need something "bigger" right away.
Take the rider safety course, buy all the safety gear. All of it. Then wear it. All of the time. Don't skimp on the helmet. How much is your head worth?

 

Understood, thanks .

For sure. I don't know anything about riding, so I'm going to be doing a lot of classes/courses/YouTube videos.

Thanks for the advice

 

Best advice.

There are two kinds of riders. Those who have been down, and those who will go down. If you take the class, you statistically have a better chance of keeping your bike upright. You'll also get to take your endorsement test at the end of the class.

But ya, don't skimp on gear. I got to live after my crash because I was wearing good gear, head to toe.

DON'T BE A STATISTIC!

 

I'd rather get in a crash with all of my gear and live, than be on the front page of BestGore.

ATGATT.

 

I'll probably borrow a family member's dirt bike for the test. Not sure if that's allowed.

 

Alot of great advice here, whatever you do dont get a super sports. Few years back when I was learning to ride I got a great deal on a 02 Zx6r and decided to learn on that and it sucked, I had to be very cautious and almost crapped my pants a few times. These advice here are great I am planning to get back into riding and will probably get a 650r or a 500cc.

 

Oh of course. I'm too in-experienced for anything above a small sport bike. I will probably keep the bike for a year or two, then upgrade to maybe a 500/600cc.

 

All those options look good to me. MAKE SURE THEY'RE ALL COMFORTABLE TO WEAR. The fatigue of being uncomfortable will distract you and impair your riding.

Try looking into these: http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/motorcycle-denim-pants/

 

Fortunately, if you take the test during your class, you use their bikes. Not only are they great beginner bikes, you're used to them after a full weekend of training.

 

I think you have to be 18 to take your motorcycle test, unless that's changed? I'd recommend taking the safety course that Century College offers. You'll learn a lot, get to use their 125/250cc bikes, and you get your permit at the end of the 3 day course.

I had a ninja 500 as my first bike, and within 3 weeks upgraded to a cbr 600rr, then later to a cbr 1000rr. I'd actually recommend finding something used to start with, it's hard to re sell 250's and you'll likely damage it somehow in your first few months of riding.

Dennis Kirk has some pretty awesome deals on jackets/gloves/helmets/etc right now as well.

Good luck!

 

Our GS500 has been an awesome bike to "re-learn" on. The entire family took the safety course at Anoka Tech a couple of years back. Time and money very well spent. I bought most of our gear on CL.

 

I got my permit and started riding a suzuki m50 700cc that same day. I took it slow and cautious until I felt comfortable on the roads. Than I took the course at anoka tech, very good instructor and got endorsed at the end.
I know your thinking about a crotchrocket, but why rush into that? Why not "cut your teeth" with a smaller bike while you learn, than upgrade after your ready.

 

I've been riding dual sport/dirt bikes at my cousin's farm, and they weren't my favorite. Didn't really like them, and they weren't that comfortable. Had a blast riding his Ninja 500, so that's why I'm going crotch rocket > any other.

 

As a rider ... my advice is very similar to what most have said. Take the BRC ( basic riding course) its about 160$ and is about 15 hours of your time. one in class night and the other two will be weekend riding days. this is the easiest and best way to get your license on the spot. Plus, if you take the course and pass you will be eligible for an insurance discount as well because you have taken the course.

Gear is important. Make sure to purchase something that breathes really well and has good ventilation. On hot days like today you would be roasting in an armored jacket with no pockets for the wind to get through / be ringing out your clothes.

IMO though bud... the BRC teaches you on 250's . Sure they are fun to pep around on, but I ended up getting an 1100cc cruiser once I was done. More than enough power, but easy enough to learn and settle down in. If you still dont feel comfortable riding on the highways quite yet then do a bunch of riding on local streets and practice in empty parking lots too.

I have a HJC helmet that I bought for like 90$.

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

So a quick question to everyone. Should I start on something a little faster? Like say, a Honda CBR600RR? Or maybe a Ninja 500/600?

 

I think this question has already been answered. You're a big boy, and you can spend your money how you wish, but you'd be wise to listen to some experienced riders' advice. A lot of us had slow, uncool bikes the first time around, and we learned a lot about how to ride. But hey, if you're going to buy a 600cc bike, you may as well get a liter bike.

 

I was originally going to buy a 250, as I figured that should be fast enough. But seeing all of your comments really makes me want to get a 600+...

 

It's your life, but I for sure wouldn't recommend a 600 4-cylinder Super Sport bike right off the bat. Earlier you mentioned not wanting an STI because they are too powerful. Well a modern 600 SS would be like throwing someone from driver's ed into a full-blown rally car.

If you want to start on something bigger than a 250/300, I'd recommend checking out things like the Ninja 650R, SV650, GS500.

 

Also cb500f/cbr500r and fz-07.

Check insurance rates on everything you're looking at, some of them can be way more than others.

 

My buddy just got a ninja fz6r or something like that. While shopping alongside him, I came to the conclusion like @Neil Wise said, don't buy a 250-300 etc.. Get a 600-650 because you'll hate the 250 after a month

 

Alright, I'll go with your guys' advice. Any particular 600s+ that I should look out for?

 

You're huge aren't you?

 

Not exceptionally, why?

 

Looks fantastic! I love that BMW esque color pattern.

Found one! http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/5065346597.html

 

In my 20s I was all set to get a bike. Then I started working with a guy who was a paraplegic. He was riding along and a pebble was thrown up by a vehicle in front of him. The pebble hit his head. It didn't do any damage itself, but startled him enough that he dumped his bike and broke his back. Now he's in a chair for life.

Just saying.

 

I'm not trying to start a fight, but I know a handful of bikers who have been riding for 35+ years, and never dumped their bikes.
Just saying

 

My first bike was a 05 yamaha r6, it was a great bike and easy to ride.

I've always lived by "Its not if, but when you'll go down." at first thought it was stupid, but after riding and experiencing how stupid other drivers are I learned quick. I later ended up putting my bike down on the highway because some woman thought she could pull out of a side road and beat me. Laying down probably could have been avoided, but instead of swerving to the right lane and trying to pull a fast one, instinct to go on the brakes kicked in and it locked up the rear tire starting a slide... Just glad I didnt hit or get hit by her probably would have been worst. Always wear a helmet, no matter how bad ass the "bros" think they are that wear beaters/shorts/flip flops etc. The Dr told me mine saved my life with how hard my head bounced off the pavement. Id much rather wear safe gear, then think I look cool, having road rash for life doesnt look cool and probably wont get you laid.

I bought my Scorpion helmet at tousley motorsports in White bear lake and love it. Go check out locally for gear and get some sizes and test fits is what i'd do than if you find a better deal online you know what size was best, or maybe locally has the best deal/will price match.

Good luck with your search! Just wanted to share my .02 with you.

 

I'm not interested in starting a fight either, lol. Everybody has their own decision to make in life. Just sharing a personal experience that changed my mind hoping it may make the OP think a bit.

When I was buying a helmet at Bob's cycle (when I was getting ready for bike ownership. I ended up returning it once I decided not to to buy a bike), the sales guy told me a story about a woman who was a passenger on a bike. Driver dumped it. She was wearing a helmet, but only a t-shirt. Short story, the helmet saved her chin and face as she slid on her front, but the t-shirt didn't save...other things. The guy said it was a real shame as she had been nicely endowed before the accident.

 

Honestly, I think wearing gear makes you look like a bad ass.

Thanks for the advice

 

I'm actually considering it! If he can keep it up for a month or so, I'll go down and check it out.

 

So if someone was going to hit me, I would try and accelerate around them?