I am completely new at this!

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Permalink Reply by BWVersys on January 16, 2012 at 4:55pm

Are you a beginning rider?  My Kawasaki Versys has been a good beginner bike for me. It's like a Ninja 650R, only with a more upright riding posture.  Another I had considered was the Suzuki V-Strom, a 650 dual-sport bike. Both are fairly lightweight and fun to ride, and very affordable, especially if you can find a late model still in the showroom after the new models have come out.  They have footpegs for a passenger, but I don't recommend riding two-up if you're a beginner.  Take the MSF basic rider safety course, it made a world of difference in my riding ability and confidence.  Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Samantha Schou on January 16, 2012 at 4:56pm

First things first, sign up for MSF to get licensed and see if riding is truly something you are interested in. Also, you don't want new for a first bike. Chances are you are going to drop it and don't even think about riding two up until you have a lot of miles under your belt. Two up changes everything about how the bike feels, turns and brakes. I would recommend a Ninja 250 as they are sexy, inexpensive to buy, maintain, insure and can be sold fairly much for what you bought it for.

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Permalink Reply by Katherine Winslow on January 16, 2012 at 5:25pm

check out http://womenridersnow.com/pages/Beginner_Motorcycles_Bikes_to_Get_S...

Welcome!  Definitely take the MSF course BEFORE you buy your first bike.  It may change what you think you want.  Always remember, when you swing your leg over you are accepting the risk for yourself.  When you add a passenger you have taken responsibility for someone else's life.

Katherine - NM MSF RC, RE Instructor
'81 R80G/SPD
'03 R1150GS Sport (NOPKLE)
'05 KLR650

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Permalink Reply by BWVersys on January 16, 2012 at 5:42pm

The bike I rode during the MSF training was a Yamaha Virago 250.   I liked that it was nice and low.  It's easy to lose your balance with a taller bike if you use a little too much front brake at the stops when you're just learning :(

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Permalink Reply by MotoQT (Evelyn) on January 16, 2012 at 9:10pm

When i took the MSF course, i loved the cruiser 250 they had me on. But when i tried to ride my Ninja250 for the first time, i thought "CRAP! I bought the wrong style of bike!" (thinking i liked the more comfy upright cruiser style versus an entry-level sportsbike). Well i had already bougth the Ninja the night before the MSF class so i was stuck with it... and boy am i glad I stuck w/it bcz i LOVED it even moreso (after getting over some of my fears since i never road a motorcycle before the class). I really didnt want a cruiser, but after the class, I thought i did. So go with what you know you will LOVE and dedicate yourself to learning it, whichever type of bike that will be!

Every good relationship needs time to build up on it, right? As for riding 2up, NOT a good idea to bring another person into your learning your bike. I own a 600 and I still wont have a passenger on my bike, probably for another year or two (if ever). There is alot more to learning that you think there is; better to be safe than apologizing to your passenger's family should something unfortuante happen, that never should have happened to a new rider.

As for which bike? Ninja 250 is sexy (they "look" like supersports & not just a sportsbike) and most of the 2009's and above you can get for $3500 or less (and resale value is really good on these since its the newer style). Keep in mind you'll need at least another $1000 for a quality helmet, armored jacket & armored gloves, frame sliders (A MUST!), and moto license... and this is just the minimum I think.

Take the course and keep us posted!

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