What bike should I buy? Please help I'm a newbie so don't laugh lol?

[kaneria_abhijit]

I would like to buy a bike in the $3500 or less category. What are some good used beginner bikes that I could get? I don't know a lot I just know from my friends they all started in the 500-600 range and I really got tired of 250 within the first week of learning to ride but I want to be safe and not die so if you have experience Ill be happy to listen. Thanks in advance.

 

[Roger]

if you are new to riding then you should definitely buy a used bike.
since you are buying used this broadens the range of bikes you can afford.
other factors include, in what conditions you ride, how often and how long you intend to ride, etc. but basically get what you want.

if i was you i would buy an used harley sportster, good low end torque, low maintenance, reliable.

 

[barry g.]

couple years back I bought a kawasaki 800 vulcan, i am 57 and weigh about 165, just right size, run great, 97 model , sounds big .but worth looking into,, Barry

 

[Chris R]

$3500 will buy you a lot of used bike.

for beginners, the ninja 250 really is a great place to start. i wouldn't say you'll get tired of it, but you may want more power a couple months in.

the 500cc class is an ideal compromise for people who want a 'starter' bike that still provides enough power for long highway rides, etc. (I've been riding my EX500 for 4+ years now).

a 600cc sportbike is not a good beginner bike. 600cc cruisers would be fine though. Just far different power delivery.

the 650 twin class is about as big of a sportbike as you'd want to start off on. If you can find a good used Ninja 650r, or SV 650, that bike would be ok to start on (not ideal, but ok), and still have enough power that you could ride it forever without wanting more.

SV 650 and Ninja 650R are the best choices if you want to buy one bike and keep it forever.

otherwise, look into used ninja 500's, GS 500's, or even the Buell Blast (by far the slowest of the 3).

you should be able to find any of those three for under $2,000 and make your mistakes on a CHEAP bike, then ride it for a year, and sell it for the same $2k you paid for it. THEN go out and buy a 650 or a 600.

I've never heard any rider say, "i wish i'd started with a bigger bike." there are plenty who regret starting on a powerful bike though. just watch youtube, and look at all teh 'learning to ride' videos. the peole on 600's crash a lot more often than the 250 riders. it's not coincidence.

 

[packerfan]

Get the bike that is right for you, not what your friends have or think you should have.

Twisting the throttle is easy, the brakes take practice and skill, so any bike can be trouble without some training. The 600cc 4 cylinder Japanese bikes could be fatal for a new rider. They accelerate so quickly that a new rider can easily get in over his or her head- not fun.

The 650cc V twins are good choice- they can be ridden easily by beginning riders, and you can get a lot out of them when you are ready. It seems everyone loves the 650 twins, even experienced riders. So, you can buy a beginner bike that you can also keep and enjoy for years. The Fischer MRX is the hottest bike in this segment and is also the only sportbike made in America.

Take the MSF rider training course, it's fun and graduates have much lower crash rates.

 

[Chris R]

I have to vote for the Honda Rebel...perfect in size, and weight. I used that as a starter bike for about a year, then went up to 600cc's. Buying a used bike to start makes plenty of sense, because you will lay it down. everybody does at first. When your skills and comfort level improves, the start looking at your "dream bike" Good luck, and have fun!!