Recommend first motorcycle for beginner

Hi,

One of my brother's friends is looking to buy a motorcycle to start. He completed MSF course recently and is looking for a good beginner's bike. What do you recommend?

What do you guys think about Rebel 250 or Ninja 250?

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Permalink Reply by Rodney Lucas on April 10, 2009 at 4:42pm

I personally wouldn't start on something that small. If he adept at all he will quickly outgrow the power of a 250. Honda has some 650 rebels that are great to start with.

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Permalink Reply by Seenu on April 10, 2009 at 6:49pm

I second what Rodney said, 250 is too small a bike and he will get bored of it real quick.

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Permalink Reply by Haggis on April 11, 2009 at 10:11pm

Everything I hear about most of the so-called "beginner bikes" is that the riders lose interest in them before the first season is up.

I got my first bike before I took MSF, and started riding it after. It's a 2007 Triumph Bonneville T100. It's over 100 lbs lighter than the lightest Harley-Davidson. It has a standard riding position. It turns well and has very predictable smooth power delivery and braking. My only real misgiving is that I only have one dealership in the whole metropolitan area and they are overworked so getting my bike worked on can require lots of planning ahead for preventative maintenance or lots of down time for repair.

So dealership issues aside, this has been a great first bike for me and although I sometimes yearn for a sixth gear on the highway I don't really feel I've outgrown it in any way 6,000 miles later.

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Permalink Reply by GeekRaider on April 11, 2009 at 10:28pm

yonder said:

Everything I hear about most of the so-called "beginner bikes" is that the riders lose interest in them before the first season is up.

I got my first bike before I took MSF, and started riding it after. It's a 2007 Triumph Bonneville T100. It's over 100 lbs lighter than the lightest Harley-Davidson. It has a standard riding position. It turns well and has very predictable smooth power delivery and braking. My only real misgiving is that I only have one dealership in the whole metropolitan area and they are overworked so getting my bike worked on can require lots of planning ahead for preventative maintenance or lots of down time for repair.

So dealership issues aside, this has been a great first bike for me and although I sometimes yearn for a sixth gear on the highway I don't really feel I've outgrown it in any way 6,000 miles later.

Good point. Too much noise about beginner bikes, which is not correct. Triumph Bonneville T100 is one of my favorite bikes but as mentioned dealership things need to be considered.

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Permalink Reply by Motorcycle Maniac on April 12, 2009 at 10:55am

Stay away from such little bikes as a 250cc. They are not safe to ride on streets, where sometimes a bit of power will get you out of a jam. Since he has completed a MSF course (BRAVO) then he should ride on nothing less than a 500cc - preferably even bigger.

I agree with Lil's advice to go and sit on bikes at various dealers. Look for something that is easy to flatfoot, or is still easy to reach the ground while sitting on (my personal agenda is showing since I am only 5'6").

The other important issue is what kind of riding does he want to do?
If he wants to ride in social settings and poker runs, then basically any good looking bike will do.
If he wants to eventually tour the country, then he will want a bagger.
If he wants to commute to work downtown, then a gas saver and smallish nimble bike would be best.
If he wants to go dirt riding, then stay away from a Boss Hoss.
Just kidding.

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Permalink Reply by Seenu on April 12, 2009 at 11:39am

Motorcycle Maniac said:

Stay away from such little bikes as a 250cc. They are not safe to ride on streets, where sometimes a bit of power will get you out of a jam. Since he has completed a MSF course (BRAVO) then he should ride on nothing less than a 500cc - preferably even bigger.
I agree with Lil's advice to go and sit on bikes at various dealers. Look for something that is easy to flatfoot, or is still easy to reach the ground while sitting on (my personal agenda is showing since I am only 5'6").
The other important issue is what kind of riding does he want to do?
If he wants to ride in social settings and poker runs, then basically any good looking bike will do.
If he wants to eventually tour the country, then he will want a bagger.
If he wants to commute to work downtown, then a gas saver and smallish nimble bike would be best.
If he wants to go dirt riding, then stay away from a Boss Hoss.
Just kidding.

Thats funny :)

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Permalink Reply by Rodney Lucas on April 13, 2009 at 12:12pm

Regardless of what advice you take from all of us here, I'd love to hear what your brothers friend ends up going with, and whether they are happy with it by the end of riding season.