250R 500R or 650R - which one?
#1
02-10-2009 | 03:32 PM
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
250R 500R or 650R - which one?
My son is 19, attending a motorcycle technology school, and is without wheels.
He wants a 250R because it is affordable (we're broke.) He doesn't know it yet, but I have come into a little money so I plan on buying him a motorcycle within the next couple of months.
I know the 250R is a great starter bike, but I need more info on this. How long generally does one ride a starter bike before they get bored and want something faster?
Should we go with a 500R or 650R instead?
I don't know if this makes a difference, he is 5' 9 and weighs about 175 lbs.
I don't want to waste money on a bike that might be too small.
Thanking you in advance for the advice.
dfelix
He wants a 250R because it is affordable (we're broke.) He doesn't know it yet, but I have come into a little money so I plan on buying him a motorcycle within the next couple of months.
I know the 250R is a great starter bike, but I need more info on this. How long generally does one ride a starter bike before they get bored and want something faster?
Should we go with a 500R or 650R instead?
I don't know if this makes a difference, he is 5' 9 and weighs about 175 lbs.
I don't want to waste money on a bike that might be too small.
Thanking you in advance for the advice.
dfelix
#2
02-10-2009 | 03:51 PM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,655
From: Coastal NC
the new 250's are sweet bikes with amazing gas milage, but they tend to be preffered by brand new riders concerned about having too much power, or by really exprienced riders who get bored with power and enjoy really throwing the 250 into the corners.
you would know your kid the best, if he has a good head on his shoulders and is not prone to boughts of speed, then a 650r would be the best purchase in the long run imo. the electronic ignition will be more reliable and run better in all seasons. the extra weight also helps deal with cross winds and gusts from traffic on the highway.
if you are concerned about him not being able to control himself ten get the 250
you would know your kid the best, if he has a good head on his shoulders and is not prone to boughts of speed, then a 650r would be the best purchase in the long run imo. the electronic ignition will be more reliable and run better in all seasons. the extra weight also helps deal with cross winds and gusts from traffic on the highway.
if you are concerned about him not being able to control himself ten get the 250
#4
02-10-2009 | 07:35 PM
you would know your kid the best, if he has a good head on his shoulders and is not prone to boughts of speed, then a 650r would be the best purchase in the long run imo.
I bought my wife a used Ninja 500 for her first bike (about the same size as described). Abit more umph than the 250 and cheaper than the Ninja 650. Good luck
#5
02-11-2009 | 04:13 AM
Junior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 25
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I had the 250R for a Day and I am about the same weight and height as your son. I took it back the next day, took a loss, but I got the 500R. I actually traded that up in 6 months. Between the two bikes I lost quite some mula.. but my point is that it really depends on the person, I actually felt more secure the bigger and heavier the bike.. and the more power to pass if need be.. I always wished I would've gotten the 650R first because I would've kept longer and not taken such a loss of money everytime I traded up. Anyways they are all 3 great bikes and all easy to learn on but the 650R will be a longer investment.
#6
02-11-2009 | 09:31 AM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 597
From: Cheshire UK
Starting on a 250 - and I've got a lot of years experience as a motorcycle instructor - makes the best riders. How long it takes to get bored with one is more a personality issue. When you can really ride one, you won't be bored with it. The problem comes from riders who develop a basic level of skill and confidence and then think that they need a bigger bike and move on before they've developed the level of skill needed to really appreciate the 250.
I ride a 650 because it's the smallest bike that will easily cope with regular highway trips of several hundred miles, but that's as much from the point of longivity as rideability. Shorter or less frequent highway trips are well within the ability of a 250.
The 650 might be the better long term investment from a financial point of view, but the 250 will make your son a better rider, and will also be a lot safer for him. Once he's developed basic confidence he'll do most things about 30 mph faster on a 650, and that's an extra 30 mph too fast to be learning how to cope with roads and traffic.
Ideally, 2 years and 20,000 miles on a 250 is about the right level of experience to move up to a faster bike and really be able to ride it properly.
I can hear the screams from the ego driven 'big is better' proponents now. They're wrong. I suspect that the poster above is seriously deficient in real skill. I can hear his screams of protest as well.
Rob
I ride a 650 because it's the smallest bike that will easily cope with regular highway trips of several hundred miles, but that's as much from the point of longivity as rideability. Shorter or less frequent highway trips are well within the ability of a 250.
The 650 might be the better long term investment from a financial point of view, but the 250 will make your son a better rider, and will also be a lot safer for him. Once he's developed basic confidence he'll do most things about 30 mph faster on a 650, and that's an extra 30 mph too fast to be learning how to cope with roads and traffic.
Ideally, 2 years and 20,000 miles on a 250 is about the right level of experience to move up to a faster bike and really be able to ride it properly.
I can hear the screams from the ego driven 'big is better' proponents now. They're wrong. I suspect that the poster above is seriously deficient in real skill. I can hear his screams of protest as well.
Rob
#7
02-11-2009 | 11:10 AM
Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 91
Starting on a 250 - and I've got a lot of years experience as a motorcycle instructor - makes the best riders. How long it takes to get bored with one is more a personality issue. When you can really ride one, you won't be bored with it. The problem comes from riders who develop a basic level of skill and confidence and then think that they need a bigger bike and move on before they've developed the level of skill needed to really appreciate the 250.
I ride a 650 because it's the smallest bike that will easily cope with regular highway trips of several hundred miles, but that's as much from the point of longivity as rideability. Shorter or less frequent highway trips are well within the ability of a 250.
The 650 might be the better long term investment from a financial point of view, but the 250 will make your son a better rider, and will also be a lot safer for him. Once he's developed basic confidence he'll do most things about 30 mph faster on a 650, and that's an extra 30 mph too fast to be learning how to cope with roads and traffic.
Ideally, 2 years and 20,000 miles on a 250 is about the right level of experience to move up to a faster bike and really be able to ride it properly.
I can hear the screams from the ego driven 'big is better' proponents now. They're wrong. I suspect that the poster above is seriously deficient in real skill. I can hear his screams of protest as well.
Rob
I ride a 650 because it's the smallest bike that will easily cope with regular highway trips of several hundred miles, but that's as much from the point of longivity as rideability. Shorter or less frequent highway trips are well within the ability of a 250.
The 650 might be the better long term investment from a financial point of view, but the 250 will make your son a better rider, and will also be a lot safer for him. Once he's developed basic confidence he'll do most things about 30 mph faster on a 650, and that's an extra 30 mph too fast to be learning how to cope with roads and traffic.
Ideally, 2 years and 20,000 miles on a 250 is about the right level of experience to move up to a faster bike and really be able to ride it properly.
I can hear the screams from the ego driven 'big is better' proponents now. They're wrong. I suspect that the poster above is seriously deficient in real skill. I can hear his screams of protest as well.
Rob
#8
02-11-2009 | 06:36 PM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,655
From: Coastal NC
the bigger is better ones will be the classmates whose first bike was a liter bike who can be expected to live between 2 months and 5 years unless they wise up.
#10
02-13-2009 | 04:23 PM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,820
From: Liberty Twnshp, OH
I agree with the 250 for a 19 year-old. Of course I started on a 600 and have been fine. Depends on the rider IMHO, and humble opinions (that is the opposite of elitist arrogance BTW) seem to be in the minority around here lately.