R3V, educate me on motorcycles (new rider)

[euroshark]

That might not be too bad. It'll be a pretty standard sized bike and worst case you can change bars for like $30. It's gonna feel slow. Contrary to what lots of people will tell you, I don't think a smaller engine necessarily means that a bike will be better for a beginner. If you have the coordination to operate a bike and a reasonable amount of respect for it, there's no reason to start on something that you will get bored with in a matter of months.

If you're into the standard style bikes maybe consider the ZRX. Nice size, smooth, quick, tons of upgrade potential and they ooze that retro style.

I'm 6'3" and mine feels great. It's an '04 1200R with standard everything and it fits me very well. If anything the pegs could be a bit lower but otherwise it's a fantastic ride whether you plan on commuting, touring or carving up a canyon.

[jrossowvue30]

That might not be too bad. It'll be a pretty standard sized bike and worst case you can change bars for like $30. It's gonna feel slow. Contrary to what lots of people will tell you, I don't think a smaller engine necessarily means that a bike will be better for a beginner. If you have the coordination to operate a bike and a reasonable amount of respect for it, there's no reason to start on something that you will get bored with in a matter of months.

If you're into the standard style bikes maybe consider the ZRX. Nice size, smooth, quick, tons of upgrade potential and they ooze that retro style.

I'm 6'3" and mine feels great. It's an '04 1200R with standard everything and it fits me very well. If anything the pegs could be a bit lower but otherwise it's a fantastic ride whether you plan on commuting, touring or carving up a canyon.

Thanks for the insight, and the advise on the ZRX, that's a good looking bike. I'm not so concerned about speed (slow or fast) or engine size but more about a bike I can fit comfortably on and also one I can not be too worried about fucking up when it gets laid down (I know that is a matter of when, not if). I was looking for something in the $1500-$3000 price range unless I found a killer deal (I would be willing to spend LESS for the right bike) . Most of the bikes I have found in that range are Ninja 250's, Blasts, Rebels and the like. I'm not opposed to any of those bikes for the right price, but it would have to be one of those killer deals on the super cheap end of my price range. There is a ZRX that needs work local to me for $2000 but was hoping for my first bike I could get one ready to ride, not one that I would take a risk on buying the "needs only a new battery and tune" kind of bike only to have to pour more into it after buying. I'm not looking to go all out on a $4000 bike that has been maintained and in good shape for my first bike that I know will get dropped eventually.

This thread has been very useful to me, not only for my first bike but also for what my next bike after that would be. Thanks r3v OT.

[Todd Black 88]

Get one that can take your size. Don't worry about the engine size, just have respect for it.
Remember this.
Back in the late 80's when I was learning to ride, Motorcyclist magazine did a 0-100mph-0 race with the fastest production cars in the world, including an AC cobra which was the record holder at the time, against a Kawasaki Ninja 900. The bike went 0-100-0 faster than any car could get to 100. These things are fast and will get you into trouble in a hurry if you don't respect it.
Lots of these 250's are heavily underdamped and underspringed for your size. I am 5'11, 205lb, and I heavily over worked my wife's new sv650s when she had it. My own yZF1000 could easily handle my size and style stock.

[e30 gangsta]

I just recently bought a ninja 300, im 300lbs and I love it. All the power and speed you need in a bike and great mpg.

[bikerbill2021]

one of my fav bikes, ill own one some day, as well as that duc in the background

good advice in this thread, I had always rode quads and dirt bikes, so when I started riding street it came pretty naturally. As for size, as stated it really depends on what your comfortable with. Chances are you'll out grow a smaller machine faster, so going with something bigger isn't always a bad idea, just take your time, respect the bike, and don't ham throttle it. Ive had friends start off on anything from a ninja 250 to a Hayabusa, hell my first road bike was an R1, but I took my time with it, and enjoyed every second

heres what I'm rocking now, been a dream bike of mine for a long time

[mitch500]

im 6'4'' and ride a 78 cb550 cafe and a 76 Harley Ironhead. Pretty fun bikes.... do take a saftey course though, there are so many things you need to learn about (ie. threshold braking, push steering, emergency manoeuvres) always watch for other vehicles and obstacles... A friend of mine died last week on his bike driving down the highway.... Damn deer ran out in front of him..... Police said he died instantly.