Beginner Bike Reccomendations.
 

What are some of the best bikes for beginner riders?

250 Ninja, I would say is the best in the sportier category, its quick but not fast enough to get you into trouble too easily (it still can though), nice and light and a bit smaller so its easy to manage at low speeds, cheap insurance & great gas mileage, great for playing with in the twisties (once you replace the shitty stock tires)...

Pretty much any of the 250cc bikes are pretty forgiving in case you put too much throttle. I think the 500cc ones (e.g. Suzuki gs500 or ninja 500) are a good compromise for a little more power. If you're confident you might be able to handle a middleweight like some of the 650s out there.

^the gs500's are a pretty nice bike to ride if you wanna spend a bit more money.
either way do a riding school

ninja 250, any 500 and the SV650's are nice as well

The SV's are nice but after having ridden one i'd be reluctant to suggest that as a very begginers bike (judging from the average rider at the riding school i went to)

RMS is clearing out their 2008's GS500 for $3999 +PDI/taxes right now. Cheaper than a 250!

CBR125

^ +1

^+2

CBR125 is way too tiny for a beginner bike.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/files/cbr125small.jpg


when you pick your first beginner bike, try to stay away from few things.
1) bike that is too small or too big/heavy
2) the rider needs to lean forward a lot
3) bike that your feet can't reach the ground or too low


http://www.2fiddy.com/wp-content/upl...ninja-250r.jpg

this is perfect.

I agree, my vote for a beginner bike that wouldn't be too expensive would be a:

Ninja 500
GS500
SV650

A CBR125 might be the least intimidating but you're really going to outgrow it quickly.

that's not you. :p

well, as long as you are arond 130~150lb, cbr125 should be ok. :)

ninja 250 without any lessons..with taking a course you realise you can do already good enough to surpas a 250 so any of the common 600 although easiest to ride would be a cbr 600

Keep in mind that if you go about 400cc, your insurance bracket moves up.

An SV is a fine bike for someone with any sort of control, although i've seen what some people are like in the beginner course lol. I just picked up my first street bike, an SV650. With previous dirtbike experience the bike is quite easy to handle and won't scare you unless you really try. Fine bike for beginners if your not an idiot.

250r ftw

my first bike is currently a GSXR 600...

beautiful bike but make sure you have an understanding of bikes if your going to start off with a SS so you dont bite off more then you can chew

The new Kawasaki Ninja 250R is awesome!

I test rode it a few weeks ago and it's such a great beginner bike, I wish I bought it for my first bike. Best of all, it holds its value quite well.

I'd bet that an experienced/pro rider would lap me on the track with a 250.

cant go wrong with an sv 650,predictable linear power good for learning but still fun once u get some experience.a 250would be great as well but might require u to upgrade quicker

I started off with a GS500 this year after taking PRS :D. I quite enjoy it, its a good bike for my size (190lbs, 6'1). I'm eager for summer to roll around, seeing as my bike is no in storage :(

I read on bcsportbikes that honda will be coming out with a CBR250 next year with fuel injection and ABS. I think that would be an ideal starter bike!

I would suggest the new ninja 250 as well. Great bike for starter. The cbr125 is pretty good too but I think you will outgrow it. If you want a 125 maybe you can get the aprilia rs4 125. I heard they're coming to north america in 2011. Might be a little bit more pricey than the cbr125 though.

the other bikes people mentioned are great as well.

My brother started on the same bike and he's about your size. He kept it for 4 years before upgrading. I'm a little bigger so wanted a slightly bigger bike and went with the SV650, and cannot see myself upgrading anytime soon.