Beginners Bike Guide

[IceMan713]

Originally Posted by McKnight

the 250 will definitly be fun. It can take twisties far easier. you would be much faster going through very tight turns constantly than you would with the same track on a 500.


And if you have 7k to spend on a future bike after selling the 250 its very worth it IMO. Yes a 250 would get old quick, but thats why ebay, cycletrader, and craigslist is there for you. So you could sell it for the same price and get a 600. If you dont plan on getting a 600 after having the 250 for a couple months then I would say its a waste and get the 500. Dont worry about the weight of the bike if you are underweight unless you are too short or too big and tall. These guys really press it on you to get the 250 for some reason. if you go to a cycle forum you will see plenty of people starting on 600's... and here the first post makes an sv650 sound like a death trap lol. Then again this isnt a cycle forum and thats how the faq should make it sound on a forum like this.

makes sense, I completely forgot about the resalve value of the bikes, and that they barely depreciate at all.

by the end of summer I'll have like ~11k, so hmmm, it might be smarter to get a 250 now and then get a 600 or the sv650 or the like.

hmm...

[electric!sheep]

If I had started on a sport/street bike, I would have definitely gone with the SV650 or similar, instead of a 250. But I got a KLR650, figuring that even if I get some crazy liter-bike later on, I can keep the KLR for pure off-road, or just putting around to and from work. (Can't beat 50 mpg!)

[nameless?]

I am thinking about getting a bike but i am 6,4 195 and really would rather have something like the sv650 or KLR650 as a first bike because I don't think i would fit on 250. Are these good choices?

[McKnight]

If you read rider reviews on the v twin, and like it sure. Im sure electric sheep will adopt you on the subject since you mentioned the klr650

[electric!sheep]

Originally Posted by nameless?

I am thinking about getting a bike but i am 6,4 195 and really would rather have something like the sv650 or KLR650 as a first bike because I don't think i would fit on 250. Are these good choices?

The SV650 is to the KLR650 as a 5-Series BMW is to a Hummer. They're both pretty big, but the KLR is in a class of its own. It's probably the tallest bike you'll ever see on the road; people under 6' need not apply.

Choosing between options boils down to this: How do you plan to use your bike? What do you want out of it? The KLR650 was the perfect bike for me, but I can see other people getting extremely frustrated with the things that I love about it.

[TwinTurboGirl]

I found this thread while searching for bikes online and I liked it so much I decided to register here. Great info.

I'm in the market for my 1st bike... I originally wanted a 250, then everyone talked me into a 500, now I'm thinking... maybe a 250 wouldnt be so bad for me? I'm only 5'2 and like 105 soaking wet, so I need something as small and light as possible. I just don't want to grow out of it in a month, and be stuck with like the Geo Metro of the bike world. Anyway. i'm still lookin in the local papers. Pray that I dont kill myself everyone

[SoulChaser]

I plan on getting a 500 or mild 600 for my first bike cant wait been looking for over a week, I really want a Suzuki GS500 seems like a great bike for the first couple of years. If anyone is selling one in New England area PM me.

[electric!sheep]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGirl

I found this thread while searching for bikes online and I liked it so much I decided to register here. Great info.

I'm in the market for my 1st bike... I originally wanted a 250, then everyone talked me into a 500, now I'm thinking... maybe a 250 wouldnt be so bad for me? I'm only 5'2 and like 105 soaking wet, so I need something as small and light as possible. I just don't want to grow out of it in a month, and be stuck with like the Geo Metro of the bike world. Anyway. i'm still lookin in the local papers. Pray that I dont kill myself everyone

of you soaking wet?

At 105 I'm sure you'd be fine with either. In fact, you might have more fun in turns on a peppy 250, though the 500 will knock you back more. Just look until you find a good deal on a quality bike and go for it, regardless of it being a 250 or a 500.

BTW, if I were buying new or spending a lot of money, I'd get a 500 anyway. I wouldn't know any better on the turning speed, but could always satisfy my desire for more power.

[onewheeldoin200]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGirl

I found this thread while searching for bikes online and I liked it so much I decided to register here. Great info.

I'm in the market for my 1st bike... I originally wanted a 250, then everyone talked me into a 500, now I'm thinking... maybe a 250 wouldnt be so bad for me? I'm only 5'2 and like 105 soaking wet, so I need something as small and light as possible. I just don't want to grow out of it in a month, and be stuck with like the Geo Metro of the bike world. Anyway. i'm still lookin in the local papers. Pray that I dont kill myself everyone

I think you'd do very well on the 250, especially considering your small stature. Keep in mind that the 500 has a significantly higher seat height than the 250, and weighs quite a bit more as well. On my 500 I couldn't have both feet flat on the ground while sitting, and I'm 5'10".

Also...there really aren't many cars on the road that can get to 60mph in under 6 seconds, and the 250 would get you there in under 5.5, so you'd be faster than the vast majority of cars on the road. I think the 250 would be the most rewarding way to go, at least for your first season. The 250's also hold their value extremely well (because they're cheap brand new and have done all their devaluing by the time they're 3-4 years old).

Also, of you soaking wet

[IceMan713]

Originally Posted by onewheeldoin200

I think you'd do very well on the 250, especially considering your small stature. Keep in mind that the 500 has a significantly higher seat height than the 250, and weighs quite a bit more as well. On my 500 I couldn't have both feet flat on the ground while sitting, and I'm 5'10".

Also...there really aren't many cars on the road that can get to 60mph in under 6 seconds, and the 250 would get you there in under 5.5, so you'd be faster than the vast majority of cars on the road. I think the 250 would be the most rewarding way to go, at least for your first season. The 250's also hold their value extremely well (because they're cheap brand new and have done all their devaluing by the time they're 3-4 years old).

Also, of you soaking wet

Her car does 0-60 in 4.x though

[onewheeldoin200]

Originally Posted by IceMan713

Her car does 0-60 in 4.x though

wtf

What's the lass' car, then?

[IceMan713]

Originally Posted by onewheeldoin200

wtf

What's the lass' car, then?

3000gt vr4

[onewheeldoin200]

Originally Posted by IceMan713

3000gt vr4

lol fine. But does it also get 65mpg+? Huh? DOES IT?!

[Plazmattack]

I've got short legs and I'm fat, is my career with motorcycles relegated to just looking at and oogling them? I'd really love to ride, but my fear is that I'll break one, cuz I'm like 360lbs and my inseam on my pants lis like a 29 or 30. Would I be able to hop onto like a cruiser style bike, ala Valkyrie or Harley?

[IceMan713]

Originally Posted by Plazmattack

I've got short legs and I'm fat, is my career with motorcycles relegated to just looking at and oogling them? I'd really love to ride, but my fear is that I'll break one, cuz I'm like 360lbs and my inseam on my pants lis like a 29 or 30. Would I be able to hop onto like a cruiser style bike, ala Valkyrie or Harley?

at 360lbs you should get a turbo busa and be done with it