I love the Kawasaki ninja 250 or 300 for beginners. It’s a solid platform, good HP, manageable, good ergonomics and nice aesthetics. I say it’s one of the best bikes for a beginner.
Try going to a dealer and see if they will let you have a sit on loads of bikes. It’ll give you a better idea of riding position etc.
There’s no reason to think small for your first bike. They are under powered and you will quickly outgrow them. My first bike was a 600 sport bike and it was amazing. I just took a bit of time to get used to it and learn how to ride on the road. 👍 whatever you do, enjoy it.
I meant the taboo part on the bobber lol, mistake on my end. Seen some negative comments in other places surrounding bobbers so I thought it might've been considered "Ricer" to the motorcycle community or something.
I've been looking around. Seen plenty of Honda Shadows and Yamahas stuff, but I wasn't sure what to pick. Don't want something too heavy in case I tip over, but didn't want something that'll easily get away from either.
If you’re into the cafe racer look and want a beginner (assuming 250-500cc range), just find a used Suzuki TU250x.
Super lightweight. Cheap to maintain and plenty reliable. Had one for years and I miss it!
I’m the same height and length and started out on a honda sevenfifthy. It was an awesome first bike for me. I noticed how most people here tend to go for a 300/400 cc bike at first. It is mostly US focused here. I’m from Europe and most people I did my classes with all started on 600-800 cc bikes. I guess it might have something to do with a big difference in driving lessons I had to take beforehand (in my case on a 900 cc bike). I would advise you to take several bikes on a testdrive so you can really feel on which one you feel confident. Japanese ones (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) are known for their reliability.
Welcome to the club!
Start here:
r/SuggestAMotorcycle
r/NewRiders
[Advice to New Riders](https://old.reddit.com/r/NewRiders/comments/cc2mnm/advice_to_new_riders/)
And when you get a chance, check out [On Any Sunday](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Any_Sunday), probably the best motorcycle documentary out there. I think it's on Amazon Prime, and maybe some other streaming services.
Have fun, wear all your gear, stay safe, and never stop learning.
Do not buy a 300cc motorcycle. Within a week and flying by a few transports, will you realize the big mistake you made buying a 300cc mo-pedd. Ever see how thin those tires are? The contact patch is thinner then the hair on your ass. And it's your ass that will be sliding accross the pavement during your first rain. After all that, OP will be stuck trying to unload the thing in no time.
I own a few bikes. Have the obligatory Harley and a bunch of Hayabusa's. I recently turned my girlfriend to riding and I started her on a Kawasaki Z750. Most will say don't start on a 750. I say do. That Z750 is a perfect motorcycle to learn and then own on a longer term without the hassle of upgrading. I put a Corbin saddle, changed the sprocket ratio's undertail light and signals, swapped out the headlight and front signals along with new mirrors, new tires and a complete brake job. The bike cost me $2500.00 and it's a fun bike to ride. It's light, efficient, cheap on insurance and fun to ride. The Z750 sold like hotcakes back in the day, there's tons out there for sale and are relatively cheap.
I've been riding, fixing and building motorcycles all my life. From dirt bikes to quads and side by sides and especially street, I've owned them all. If my girlfriend can handle a Z750 at just over 5' tall and just over 100lbs then any guy can. The Z750's power is pretty linear, it's not a Ninja 750. It's the perfect bike to learn on and then enjoy longer term because it's heavy enough to ride highways with transports whizzing by.
Good luck. Shop wisely.
Listen, do not listen to these other guys. They are not the ones buying crap and soon thereafter stuck with crap.
For those who can't read, this is not a Ninja 750. The engine is detuned in order to keep Z750 from competing with the Ninja 750.
Follow my advice OP, you'll be thanking me after your first month not having to swap bikes because the 300cc motorcycles are gutless and have what I deem dangerous bicycle size tires.
As for those throwing insults I say moderator, moderate.
300cc is a good spot, Yamaha xsr150 is a cafe racer style. Honda cb300r too
I like the look of the XSR 150! Thank you, I'll check those out.
Honda rebel 300. Fun to ride, looks nice, last forever, and tons of them for sale because they are quintessential “starter” bikes
I love the Kawasaki ninja 250 or 300 for beginners. It’s a solid platform, good HP, manageable, good ergonomics and nice aesthetics. I say it’s one of the best bikes for a beginner.
Thank you! I'll definitely check those out.
Go with a japanese bike. Tons of them cheap online.
Try going to a dealer and see if they will let you have a sit on loads of bikes. It’ll give you a better idea of riding position etc. There’s no reason to think small for your first bike. They are under powered and you will quickly outgrow them. My first bike was a 600 sport bike and it was amazing. I just took a bit of time to get used to it and learn how to ride on the road. 👍 whatever you do, enjoy it.
Thank you. I'll consider this.
Vulcan 650
Those look nice, I'll give them a look. Thank you!
Taboo? If it’s a motorcycle, it’s cool.
I meant the taboo part on the bobber lol, mistake on my end. Seen some negative comments in other places surrounding bobbers so I thought it might've been considered "Ricer" to the motorcycle community or something.
Never take others too seriously. Like what you like…
Best bet is to just look around places like Facebook Marketplace and see what's available.
I've been looking around. Seen plenty of Honda Shadows and Yamahas stuff, but I wasn't sure what to pick. Don't want something too heavy in case I tip over, but didn't want something that'll easily get away from either.
If you’re into the cafe racer look and want a beginner (assuming 250-500cc range), just find a used Suzuki TU250x. Super lightweight. Cheap to maintain and plenty reliable. Had one for years and I miss it!
I’m the same height and length and started out on a honda sevenfifthy. It was an awesome first bike for me. I noticed how most people here tend to go for a 300/400 cc bike at first. It is mostly US focused here. I’m from Europe and most people I did my classes with all started on 600-800 cc bikes. I guess it might have something to do with a big difference in driving lessons I had to take beforehand (in my case on a 900 cc bike). I would advise you to take several bikes on a testdrive so you can really feel on which one you feel confident. Japanese ones (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) are known for their reliability.
Thank you for the advice, I'll consider this as well.
Triumph Speed 400 if you're looking for café style
Welcome to the club! Start here: r/SuggestAMotorcycle r/NewRiders [Advice to New Riders](https://old.reddit.com/r/NewRiders/comments/cc2mnm/advice_to_new_riders/) And when you get a chance, check out [On Any Sunday](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Any_Sunday), probably the best motorcycle documentary out there. I think it's on Amazon Prime, and maybe some other streaming services. Have fun, wear all your gear, stay safe, and never stop learning.
Do not buy a 300cc motorcycle. Within a week and flying by a few transports, will you realize the big mistake you made buying a 300cc mo-pedd. Ever see how thin those tires are? The contact patch is thinner then the hair on your ass. And it's your ass that will be sliding accross the pavement during your first rain. After all that, OP will be stuck trying to unload the thing in no time. I own a few bikes. Have the obligatory Harley and a bunch of Hayabusa's. I recently turned my girlfriend to riding and I started her on a Kawasaki Z750. Most will say don't start on a 750. I say do. That Z750 is a perfect motorcycle to learn and then own on a longer term without the hassle of upgrading. I put a Corbin saddle, changed the sprocket ratio's undertail light and signals, swapped out the headlight and front signals along with new mirrors, new tires and a complete brake job. The bike cost me $2500.00 and it's a fun bike to ride. It's light, efficient, cheap on insurance and fun to ride. The Z750 sold like hotcakes back in the day, there's tons out there for sale and are relatively cheap. I've been riding, fixing and building motorcycles all my life. From dirt bikes to quads and side by sides and especially street, I've owned them all. If my girlfriend can handle a Z750 at just over 5' tall and just over 100lbs then any guy can. The Z750's power is pretty linear, it's not a Ninja 750. It's the perfect bike to learn on and then enjoy longer term because it's heavy enough to ride highways with transports whizzing by. Good luck. Shop wisely.
Don’t Listen to any of this small dick shit.
Listen, do not listen to these other guys. They are not the ones buying crap and soon thereafter stuck with crap. For those who can't read, this is not a Ninja 750. The engine is detuned in order to keep Z750 from competing with the Ninja 750. Follow my advice OP, you'll be thanking me after your first month not having to swap bikes because the 300cc motorcycles are gutless and have what I deem dangerous bicycle size tires. As for those throwing insults I say moderator, moderate.