Passed MSF Class

[Ryan...]

I haven't dealt with the newer SV650's, but the 04 i rode was a great bike. Very easy to ride, and the power was very predictable. Perfect everyday bike IMO

Bigger bikes means better safety

CBR1000RR brakes


Kawi 250R brakes

Is that a joke? 90% of riders couldn't extract the full potential of the 250's brakes, let alone a 1000rr's brakes. New riders will easily lock up the brakes of either bike in a panic situation. Odds are on the 1000rr they'll be going much quicker than they would have on a 250...
Now if you're talking about the newest 1000cc bikes, then yes, better safety in the form of ABS and even traction control, but the OP isn't looking to spend upwards of $11k on a bike.

[ortholithiation]

Your first bike:

Get an older 70's (if you can find it) or 80's Honda CB. Unlike most things made in the 80's they were both awesome and simple. You can find them for cheap, and many people really look after them. More often simply changing the battery, plugs, gas, and a carb cleaning gets you a pretty nice bike for nothing.

I always recommend a smaller, lighter, older bike to start. You will learn so many things and make a lot of mistakes, but you won't care because the bike was (200-1220$).

In addition you can start to push the limit with these bikes a whole lot sooner (a bad thing in terms of performance) but you start to get the instincts down earlier rather then on an off ramp going 120.

After a season of riding the shit out of the motorcycle you can sell it for the same price you bought it for. This is because old honda CB's just eat up all the abuse you can throw at them and ask for more.

You can now choose a nice bike because you have:

1) A greater appreciation for motorcycles, and what kind of riding you would be interested in. You would be surprised to find you might enjoy longer rides on the back roads and that sports bikes are uncomfortable.

2) Learn a bunch about fixing bikes in the progress. They are really simple, and part of being a motorcyclist is learning how to fix bikes.

[b*saint]

Bigger bikes means better safety

CBR1000RR brakes


Kawi 250R brakes

[5spoke]

Wow, the one we were looking at was two weeks long on sat and sun, is it really 8 hours a day? We might wait till winter if it is

Mine was only one weekend so thats why it was jammed in there. Like I said it was pretty long but totally worth it.


Thanks for the suggestions guys. Has anybody had an experience with a 2006-2007ish Suzuki sv650s? I am finding some reasonable prices on them and insurance is not too bad for me @ $50 a month.

[Ryan...]

I would never, ever consider getting a 250, under any circumstances. Try a ninja 500r if you're not concerned with good looks. Its not as fast as a 600, insurance isn't as bad, yet its 50x better than a 250 at highway speeds. You don't have to worry about getting run the fuck over trying to merge onto a freeway, and God help you if you need to pass somebody with less than 5 miles of free space and a good tail wind on a 250....

[SeriousBusiness]

Took this class through Harley Davidson a few years back. We rode Buell Blasts, 400cc one-lung bikes. I am 6'1" and those were probably too small for me to own. Congrats though man and good luck finding something.

[M-technik-3]

Thinking an Enduro 400cc style upright for awhile or 500-600cc street bike non sport bike so to get some miles under your belt.

[AbsorbantNut]

It was a long weekend. The saturday sunday class is 8 hours a day and 10 of the total hours are on the bike. It was hot but a ton of fun.

Wow, the one we were looking at was two weeks long on sat and sun, is it really 8 hours a day? We might wait till winter if it is

[b*saint]

No to 250.

[5spoke]

sweet, I want to get my MSF lisence so bad. Me and a friend propably will soon in a few weeks

It was a long weekend. The saturday sunday class is 8 hours a day and 10 of the total hours are on the bike. It was hot but a ton of fun.

[AbsorbantNut]

sweet, I want to get my MSF lisence so bad. Me and a friend propably will soon in a few weeks

[der affe]

buy used whatever you do for a first bike. maybe a little cosmetically messed up from someone else for a cheap price.

it is your 1st bike so you WILL wreck it atleast once. better to not have a big investment into a really nice bike.

[5spoke]

Congrats.

I'm in the MD/DC area (live in MD, work in DC) and ride to work almost every day. Let me know if you wanna go for a cruise sometime.

Also, Just buy a 600 and start with that. You will outgrow anything <500.

I actually live in VA and work in DC. I would love to go ride once I get a bike. I need to start with back roads and less trafficked areas before I hit the highway to work. I am really considering a 250 for insurance purposes, but wouldn't mind a 650cc intermediate bike, like a Ninja 650r or a SV650s from suzuki. I really don't want to finance it though so I am trying to stick to $4k or below.

[5Toes]

Ducati Monster


/ Thread

[silversleeper]

Congrats.

I'm in the MD/DC area (live in MD, work in DC) and ride to work almost every day. Let me know if you wanna go for a cruise sometime.

Also, Just buy a 600 and start with that. You will outgrow anything <500.