First motorcycle - AR15.COM

Posted: 8/13/2011 1:34:33 PM EDT

My son and I just took our motorcycle safety class together. First let me say that it dispelled a few myths for me. Turns our an air cooled 250 has more power than I expected.

Here is the rub for me. My son and I have some limitations and I need advice form you guys who have been riding a while

1) We only have about $1,500 to spend on each bike. We have found quite a few in this price range
2) We are both really tall. He is 6'5" and I am 6'7" The 250s they put us on were physically painful and hard to ride.
3) I care less about looks for a first bike. I want a safe machine that I can handle (as a newby) and not worry about getting my feet on the peddles in an emergency.

Any advice is welcome. BTW. Yes we are going with full face helmets, armored jackets and boots. We want to live to see each other get older.

Posted: 8/13/2011 1:51:10 PM EDT

[#1]

Ninja 250, they are in your price range, parts are easily available and cheap, they have an upright seating position so they can be rode like a normal bike but handle twisties as well or better than most other bikes. I ride mine around town as well as for 3 hour freeway commutes to and from the bay area weekly and average 65 mpg, insurance is cheap as well

Posted: 8/13/2011 1:51:41 PM EDT

[#2]

Have you considered DualSport type bikes?
Generally they sit pretty high so might be a good fit for you two.

They handle well, are light and generally are inexpensive.
The Kawasaki and the Honda are probably the best regarded... The Suzuki option isn't and either.

That said... Smallest bike I feel comfortable on is the Sportster 1200 size Harley.

Good luck on your search. Enjoy the ride.

Posted: 8/13/2011 1:53:55 PM EDT

[#3]

Sport bike or cruiser?

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:03:55 PM EDT

[#4]

Used Ninja 500.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:05:16 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Used Ninja 500.

Yep, or a used KLR650.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:06:36 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Used Ninja 500.

<Scruffy> Seconded. </Scruffy>

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:16:37 PM EDT

[#7]

An SV650 has a higher seat height than a Ninja.

It would be a better fit for someone that's 6'7".

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:17:54 PM EDT

[#8]

I started on a 650 twin. You can too. Just keep your right wrist disciplined.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:18:55 PM EDT

[#9]

Dual Sport.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:19:16 PM EDT

[#10]

That's a tough budget. I think Kawasaki makes a few inexpensive cruisers that would be fairly cheap used. Like the rebel etc. I like a sport bike. I ride a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 750. You wouldn't have any worry about "fitting" on the bike with one of those but you may not like the aggressive style of the riding position. I'd almost say you should save some more and try to get a larger used cruiser. See if you can get a deal at an auction.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:34:57 PM EDT

[#11]

Suzuki DR650 , Kawasaki KLR 650 or Honda 650 dual sport. If you are height/weight proportionate you will need at least a 650 "dually"to stretch out on and have some power reserves. Nice to have the option of hittin' jeep trails and forest roads for some great memories with your son.

Try this search engine to find a deal http://www.searchtempest.com/

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:48:04 PM EDT

[#12]

Don't get a 250cc, you will outgrow it in a couple of months. Get something larger (500cc+) you'll be safer and happier.

ETA- I bet you could find a 750cc Honda Nighthawk in that price range.

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:51:21 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Don't get a 250cc, you will outgrow it in a couple of months. Get something larger (500cc+) you'll be safer and happier.

ETA- I bet you could find a 750cc Honda Nighthawk in that price range.

He's not going to want a 4cyl yet. Get a 1-or-2cyl for starters. Much more forgiving if your wrist gets away from you. a 750cc I-4 is a LOT of bike and gets away from you FAST!

Posted: 8/13/2011 2:59:45 PM EDT

[#14]

With your height, you're going to want something you can put forward controls on.

I have a friend who is 6'5 & we put forward controls on his Dyna & it made TONS of difference...

If you are into spor bikes, I can't help you... No clue how to re-work all that crap.

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:02:33 PM EDT

[#15]

SV650

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:02:45 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Don't get a 250cc, you will outgrow it in a couple of months. Get something larger (500cc+) you'll be safer and happier.

ETA- I bet you could find a 750cc Honda Nighthawk in that price range.

I have to agree with this....

I started on a small bike, quickly moved up to a 805cc (Suzuki Marauder) & now I sport a 1340cc Harley Dyna... My next bike is gonna be a 1450cc Street glide....

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:24:58 PM EDT

[#17]

I am 6'7 and would recommend a dual sport bike. I currently ride a KTM 450 EXC and Honda XR650R (NOT L). You will be hard pressed to find a street bike that fits guys like us. For $1500 I would look for a Suzuki DRZ400, Kawasaki KLR650, or Honda XR650L. The KLR is better on the street, the drz is better in the dirt, and the XRL is somewhere in the middle. I find the Suzuki DR650 and DR350 a little too cramped. Check out the "thumpers" section on ADVrider.com for more info on DS bikes.

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:30:01 PM EDT

[#18]

I am obligated to recommend a SV650 for everything from a first bike to last you forever. And congrats on sharing this with your son, that would mean so much to me if I shared my passion with my father way back when.

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:30:21 PM EDT

[#19]

My first bike was a QLink XP 200, brand new it cost around $1600. It's a 200cc Chinese dual sport, very tall and a lot of fun. I want something more powerful now, but I think it was a great bike to start on given that I had never even rode a dirt bike beforehand.

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:34:00 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Don't get a 250cc, you will outgrow it in a couple of months. Get something larger (500cc+) you'll be safer and happier.

ETA- I bet you could find a 750cc Honda Nighthawk in that price range.

He's not going to want a 4cyl yet. Get a 1-or-2cyl for starters. Much more forgiving if your wrist gets away from you. a 750cc I-4 is a LOT of bike and gets away from you FAST!

I have to PARTIALLY disagree. I started on a 1000cc which I do NOT recommend and quickly went to a 750cc sport bike. If they've completed a MC training class then I would go with a 600. They're going to get bored with those little bikes in a matter of weeks.

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:37:02 PM EDT

[#21]

Schwinn

Posted: 8/13/2011 3:38:54 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
An SV650 has a higher seat height than a Ninja.

It would be a better fit for someone that's 6'7".

Yep i was going to say that

Posted: 8/13/2011 4:03:19 PM EDT

[#23]

what do you guys think of the Buell blast? I'm also hunting for a first bike and a number of people have suggested these to me, designed from the ground up with the beginner in mind. and a 490 cc engine. just thought I'd mention it.

Posted: 8/13/2011 4:09:03 PM EDT

[#24]

This is really helping, please keep it coming! My so really likes the looks of the SV650 so I may have him at least sit on one.

Posted: 8/13/2011 4:15:05 PM EDT

[#25]

Where are all you guys finding KLR 650's for $1500 ?

Posted: 8/13/2011 4:16:59 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
what do you guys think of the Buell blast? I'm also hunting for a first bike and a number of people have suggested these to me, designed from the ground up with the beginner in mind. and a 490 cc engine. just thought I'd mention it.

The Buell is supposed to be really well balanced as well. Probably not a bad starter.

Posted: 8/13/2011 4:21:55 PM EDT

[#27]

I have a Kawasaki Zr-7 it is an older air cooled sport touring that may be more comfy than a crotch rocket and I think I payed 2200 a few years ago.

Edit mine is like this only red it is the ZR-7s model and has a small faring they also have one with out the faring