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Originally Posted By feelthepayne: I don't know much about bikes, but a 300 seems small. Probably would make a good beginner bike but I think you'll be looking for something bigger pretty quick. It’ll be all I need I still want something light enough to throw on a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier I’m not looking for something fast tbh. Just something to putt around with and have fun on backroads and such |
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Originally Posted By Kent: Agreed on all counts. Unless you luck into a private sale bargain, might as well buy new. My most recent move was from a 1000 down to a 400, because I’m also mostly into that same kind of riding these days … wanted something light and easy just to jump on and take little spins whenever the mood strikes. Originally Posted By Kent: Originally Posted By chase45: I mostly just want to putt around on back roads. I looked real hard at the 230 but figure I may as well go 300 and have no wants. Figure it’s still light enough to throw on my motorcycle carrier too One and done with this one. The used market is nuts on a dual sport. Figure may as well just buy new and have no issues to mess with than save a few k Agreed on all counts. Unless you luck into a private sale bargain, might as well buy new. My most recent move was from a 1000 down to a 400, because I’m also mostly into that same kind of riding these days … wanted something light and easy just to jump on and take little spins whenever the mood strikes. I'll politely disagree and caution that a mechanically good used bike that's maybe a little pre-beat-up will save you some heartache if and when it falls over or goes down. I learned to stay on the bike when getting gas after I got off and turned around to start the pump and heard a big THUNK behind me after I apparently didn't put the kickstand down all the way  OP: I'm maybe a year and a half down the path from you on that. Go find a gentle quiet downhill slope with a big view of the sky and you'll never regret your decision  I started with a Yamaha WR250 supermoto and I think they're perfect first bikes because you can do a little of everything on a supermoto and then get a bigger one to do what you love but still keep the SM as basically a dirt bike.Turns out I like standard bikes, so my next and probably forever bike was a CFMoto 450NK. I have to admit the Chinese did a good job with these and made a whole lineup kind of like Yamaha did with the R7/MT07/Tenere but with a 450cc motor that stays very docile for around-town stuff but tops out just high enough to let you hang with traffic on the interstate. Your 300SM will tolerate it but that tall dirt bike chassis will get real finicky in the wind and you'll probably find it difficult and uncomfortable to push past about 70-75. Stick to local roads for a while though until it's as natural as a car. If you can find an MSF course locally or if your state requires you to pass one to get a MC endorsement on your license (FL does that) they're good for teaching parking lot stuff and basics that will apply when you're, say, starting up at an intersection but the only real way to build confidence and experience above 20mph is to get out and ride. It'd be good to get and use a full set of riding gear but at minimum you'll want a helmet and riding shoes. They have a reinforced upper on your left foot so you don't beat the shoe or your foot up shifting. Don't get a dirt bike helmet for street riding unless you enjoy large amounts of wind noise  Most of all, treat it with respect and be alert for traffic and hazards and it'll bring you home every time. Be safe, have fun, good luck! |
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Originally Posted By chase45: It’ll be all I need I still want something light enough to throw on a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier I’m not looking for something fast tbh. Just something to putt around with and have fun on backroads and such Originally Posted By chase45: Originally Posted By feelthepayne: I don't know much about bikes, but a 300 seems small. Probably would make a good beginner bike but I think you'll be looking for something bigger pretty quick. It’ll be all I need I still want something light enough to throw on a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier I’m not looking for something fast tbh. Just something to putt around with and have fun on backroads and such Thats a great bike for that purpose. Plus there are so many mods for that bike because it's so popular. You can modify it from mild to wild. |
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That’ll be a great bike for what you want to use it for I’ve been riding road bikes for 20 years, ride an atvs for years but always wanted a dirt bike. Finally bought one last year, as I’m also not getting any younger. I got the off road version of that bike, the KLX300R. It’s been perfect for my use of putting around off road. |
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Bro, I've been riding for 20 years. I got a permit when I was 15, it expired and I've never had a motorcycle license despite owning, registering, and insuring 5 different bikes over that time. Good luck man. You'll love it. I still say buy used, cuz youre gonna lay it down, but you do you boo. My current daily. Attached File |
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Nice choice for a starter: light and nimble enough to learn on and still enough bike to have fun on later. Keep in mind those are NOT off road tires. (if those are what come with it) There wont be a lot of traction off pavement. Granted, I've run dirt and gravel roads on a Sportster with American Elites and they have less tread. IMO adventure bikes are over rated and generally too big / heavy. Super Moto looks like a lot of fun. My first bike was a '77 DT400. The rider test at Clark AB was a bitch. Half of it was unpaved to simulate local conditions. Now I've got a '14 Bonneville I've added 15k miles to. As stated: MOST class for the basics. You should be able to go from there to the DMV for your license. Take an hour or so to lay it on the ground and figure / practice picking it up. (somewhat serious) Come to an unstable stop and you can loose your balance. Or just moving it around the garage. Quicker picker upper if you've done it before. Have fun and keep your head out. |
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Originally Posted By feelthepayne: I don't know much about bikes, but a 300 seems small. Probably would make a good beginner bike but I think you'll be looking for something bigger pretty quick. If he’s just putting around local country roads that will be fine. I’ve been riding for 60 years and have owned at least 30 bikes. The only one I wish I hadn’t sold was a 1980 Yamaha 125 Enduro. It was great for a quick spin to town or an off road run. Currently have three Harley’s. |
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OP, great starter bike. One of my first loaner/learner bikes was a yamaha 250 fitted with street tires and it just game me a ton of confidence. If you want to watch a movie to get amped, and see a bunch of good supermoto (hypermotard) footage, watch the new CHPS with Dax Sheppard. Fucking hilarious movie too. And this is my current ride  Fourth bike for me, always used. It's given me many more options over the years.Attached File |
| Rode since I was a little kid, and still occasionally. But the way things are now and being older..I do not feel secure out there anymore. Idiotic Cell Phones, heavier traffic, are the death curse of Bikers now..Good Luck..You will need it. I only pretty much tool around the Neighborhood now for a evening ride. Or ride at 10.00 or 4:00 in the Morning..My favorite time anyway is late at night. Just watch out for those Deer.. |
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Originally Posted By ZAquaman: Go buy good boots before you pick up the bike. Lower extremity Protection is MANDATORY. Lower extremity injuries are famously difficult to recover from. I have the Gaerne SG-12 Enduro Boots. They've been good for me. @ZAquaman I always just wear 8 inch clodhoppers when I ride, obviously not as stiff as riding boots but how much protection do they provide? |
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Take the MSF class, and remember ATGATT. Also remember - you need to survive the first year. Unlike a few of my friends that didn't.  Ride safe, and always ride like everyone else is trying to kill you. |
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Oh, one more thing... Yes, you will drop it. Unlike some show boat tangerine dream machine, your KLX will be just fine with some scratches on the plastic. Zip ties even. The only thing that really gets hurt are the mirrors. Mirrors are consumables on these type bikes. |
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Originally Posted By MTNShewter: OP, great starter bike. One of my first loaner/learner bikes was a yamaha 250 fitted with street tires and it just game me a ton of confidence. If you want to watch a movie to get amped, and see a bunch of good supermoto (hypermotard) footage, watch the new CHPS with Dax Sheppard. Fucking hilarious movie too. And this is my current ride Fourth bike for me, always used. It's given me many more options over the years.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/249581/IMG_7759_jpeg-3580985.JPG
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I, too, have never owned a motorcycle and have settled on the KLX300 as my probable first bike. Maybe a Honda CRF300L as another option. Let us know how it goes! |
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Originally Posted By chase45: I’ve been plagued with this yearning for a motorcycle the last few years. I have never ridden a real motorcycle. I’ve puddled around with a mini bike the last few years but have never ridden anything that has gears. My family isn’t big on the idea which has weighed on me. But at 35 I’m not getting any younger. The decision to buy or not has been really messing with me. Haven’t wanted something this bad since I was a kid. I’ve found myself both daydreaming and actually dreaming about purchasing one I’m finally at peace now. I’ve decided to just use some savings and make it happen next week instead of talking about doing it for a few years and having to pay more. Tuesday I’m going to take a half day at work. Head to the bank and grab a small pile of cash. Straight to the dealer in town I’ve found this 2025 “phantom blue” Kawasaki klx300sm that has to be mine. Guess I better figure out how to get a motorcycle permit too somewhere in between all of that lol https://www.cyclenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Kawasaki-KLX300SM-Specifications.jpg Great choice. take a course. Stay out of traffic as long as you can. don't target fixate. wear your gear for fucks sake. |
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Originally Posted By Rope-A-Dope: Oh, one more thing... Yes, you will drop it. Unlike some show boat tangerine dream machine, your KLX will be just fine with some scratches on the plastic. Zip ties even. The only thing that really gets hurt are the mirrors. Mirrors are consumables on these type bikes. Nah. Just put the mirrors on the inside of the handlebars underneath. I like the look alot and they dont get broken when I drop it. Like this.  Attached File |
| I highly recommend reading Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. It’s not a long book, and it was incredibly helpful. You can find a used copy for pocket change. |
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Originally Posted By Admiral_Crunch: My first was a used Suzuki GS500E. Loved it. Had enough power without being nuts, wasn’t too heavy, and it already had some scratches and dings. TAKE AN MSF COURSE. They look so fun. Thinking about buying one for around the town. |
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Originally Posted By grey50beast: Nah. Just put the mirrors on the inside of the handlebars underneath. I like the look alot and they dont get broken when I drop it. Like this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/227817/1000000850_jpg-3581019.JPG Oh god yeah |
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Just bought my wife a 2025 Honda CRF300L Rally. She grew up riding and after 15yrs away, this is her entry back into it. I will admit that her bike put a bigger smile on my face than my 2022 Africa Twin ever has. Fantastic little bike and can hold 65-70 fairly easily for some highway jaunts. |
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Originally Posted By boolzi: I looked at them, and mt09 but ended up with.. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/445788/IMG_0533-3577976.jpg That’s funny, I was going to tell him to get a used Street Triple RS. If it weren’t for the leg room in my older age, I wouldn’t want to ride anything in the garage but my wife’s 2017. |
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Good for you. You are going to love that bike. I rode dirt bikes as a teenager and didn't ride again until at age 53 I took over as GM of a new Indian dealership in 2016. Took the MSF course and didn't take long to feel comfortable again, but I never did really enjoy the big street bikes or the metric rockets. I did however find I really enjoyed the dual sports that we would occasionally trade in; especially the small ones. We back to the firearms industry after a couple of years and one of my first buys was a used TW200. I liked it so much I bought another one to keep at my cabin and I've been riding them for the last 9 years. Never wanted anything bigger or faster, but all I ride are back streets and dirt/gravel roads.  Be safe and enjoy. |
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Congrats on your first bike. Kudos for going supermoto on your first go. That bike is probably a hoot without being really fast. Two good qualities for a first ride. To hell with the naysayers. Not much more fun you can have with your clothes on than on a bike…and they’re cheap fun too. Enjoy and be safe. |
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Taking the MSF Course is going to be your path of least resistance in getting your endorsement. You will learn some really good pointers in the process. I teach the classes in Utah now. Had a married couple in my class weekend before last on their larger bikes. Utah has a graduated license format. He called me the following Tuesday to let me know he had two deer run out in front of him on Monday morning and was able to get stopped and avoid them because of all the practice we had done on panic braking. Went on and on about how glad he was that they had taken the class. ETA: Those are actually pretty solid bikes. A lot of fun to be had especially exploring secondary roads. |
 Beginner first time riding a 1000cc to work, NO MSF OR EXPERIENCE! |
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Dirt is the answer. Get to the dirt first. Learn how to power on, go sideways a bit. Lock up the brakes and learn how to slide. Trees and rocks dont move. Every car wants to pull out in front of you or run you over. Murphys rules. Learn how to control your animal first then go fight the 5000 lb beasts on the asphalt. They show no mercy. Road Rash is Real. Death Waits. 60 years of crashes and scars here. |
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Originally Posted By Butternut: IN! I bought a 900cc as a very first bike - I had never ridden before I got it. It was probably the best option though. I liked the 650s, but everyone told me I was probably going to outgrow it pretty fast. A friend had the 1100 version of the 650, it just seemed way to big for me to be comfortable starting out with.. so come time when I was ready to buy one, I looked them up and now they make a 250, a 950 and a 1300. They just so happened to have a used 950 at the place i went to look at a quad. I picked it up and it was a little heavy but not too bad. The 250 i rode for the brc was really pretty ideal to learn on.. There was a point where i had wished i got a 250 to ride around a little more but i got into the 950 pretty quick. last fall my boy decided he wanted one, he is quite a bit smaller than me, so we got him a 250 vstar and he is doing great with it.. We got it from a place about an hour north of us, and i rode it home for him. i am not really into going on the interstate right now.. especially around this area. so i took back roads up through north pocono.. there were a few hills that showed my why there was no way a 250 was going to work for me and some roads where it actually felt too light. but he just likes to tool around town with it, so its perfect for him. |
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Originally Posted By jerisaiah: Dirt is the answer. Get to the dirt first. Learn how to power on, go sideways a bit. Lock up the brakes and learn how to slide. Trees and rocks dont move. Every car wants to pull out in front of you or run you over. Murphys rules. Learn how to control your animal first then go fight the 5000 lb beasts on the asphalt. They show no mercy. Road Rash is Real. Death Waits. 60 years of crashes and scars here. *Caveat* front tires dont slide. Don't lock those up.... |
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Originally Posted By chase45: I have to paper test for a permit then do a class for a endorsement I believe I’ll try and knock the permit out tomorrow. Shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve been skimmin the manuals Motorcycle Safety Foundation Ridercourse is what you seek. taught for 7 years back in the day. |
The deuce you say.
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@chase45 you know anyone that rides that can help get out home? Not being a ninny, but having it delivered by either a buddy by riding it or hauling it, or the dealer bringing it to your house can facilitate learning slowly and at your comfort level. I've ridden and hauled plenty home for first time riders I know. |
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Nice, I'm in the same boat. Had a bike for a year as a teenager. Put off buying all the safety gear beyond a helmet, also put off the basic riders course. Then dropped it at 50mph due to a basic error. Now I actually want to learn to ride and theres some decent off road trails in day trip range. Got my permit already, will take riders course to get my endorsement this fall, and start looking for a used bike over winter/spring. I'm between the KLX 300 and CRF300l, leaning towards the CRF. Locally, either can be had very lightly used and sometimes tastefully modded for $4-5k, much better than paying $7-8k at a dealer. |
| Not that you asked for advice, but I strongly recommend that you 1) buy decent quality gear (helmet, jacket, gloves at the least) and wear it every time you ride. 2) take the MSF Basic Ridercourse; I’ve ridden dirt since age 5 and streets since 27, and I still learn something every time I take that class. |
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Originally Posted By McGuy: @ZAquaman I always just wear 8 inch clodhoppers when I ride, obviously not as stiff as riding boots but how much protection do they provide? |
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Originally Posted By jerisaiah: Dirt is the answer. Get to the dirt first. Learn how to power on, go sideways a bit. Lock up the brakes and learn how to slide. Trees and rocks dont move. Every car wants to pull out in front of you or run you over. Murphys rules. Learn how to control your animal first then go fight the 5000 lb beasts on the asphalt. They show no mercy. Road Rash is Real. Death Waits. 60 years of crashes and scars here. Pretty much sum's it up... I've got about 50 years on a bike lots of scars too It's not about if you go down, it's when, dress for it. |
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Originally Posted By haveTwo: @chase45 you know anyone that rides that can help get out home? Not being a ninny, but having it delivered by either a buddy by riding it or hauling it, or the dealer bringing it to your house can facilitate learning slowly and at your comfort level. I've ridden and hauled plenty home for first time riders I know. I’ve got a carrier I can use But I’m planning on driving it off the lot Tuesday I think I’ll be okay. Famous last words and all |