Hey I'm new........
#1
09-25-2008 | 04:59 AM
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
From: Greensboro, North Carolina
Hey I'm new........
Hey guys/gals I'm new to this site. I am currently living in Greensboro, NC and going to school/working here. I am 20 years old and want to get my first bike. I'm not looking to be Mr. Cool with the newest, sickest bike I just want something to learn on for now that's decent, then upgrade when I have the wallet/experience for it. I grew up around bike's, my step dad had 2 gsxr's and a Ducati 851. I have been looking around for a 500r or maybe 250 but I have heard that the 500 is a better option to grow into, being the power of the 250 is kinda iffy? But any of your wisdom and input would greatly appreciated.
#2
09-25-2008 | 01:06 PM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 597
From: Cheshire UK
It will take about 2 years for the typical new rider to really learn to ride a 250 to the limits of its capabilities. Too powerful a bike discourages use of full throttle and on the limit cornering just at the point when your confidence and skill level is ready for it.
The 250 is lighter and lower in power, and so more forgiving when you get it not quite right. On the 250 you will learn quicker and learn better. There is enough power to keep up with the traffic in nearly all conditions including the highway, but it will make you learn how to extract and use the power in a way that the bigger bikes don't.
The mistake that most people make is upgrading from the 250 too soon. A lot of really experienced riders will tell you that you can have more pure fun on a 250 than almost anything else, because once you've got the skill to do it, it's much more fun riding the 250 ***** out than going at the same speed on a bigger bike (because speed is limited by road and traffic conditions) and having to keep it reined in.
A first bike that you will grow into is one that is going to kill you. Any sensible first bike is one that you will initially outgrow, and probably later come back to. Outgrowing the 250 will be more enjoyable and teach you more than outgrowing a 500. Either way you will eventually want to move on to a big bike, so you may as well start on the one that will give you the best grounding rather than the biggest ego trip.
I'd suggest a used 250. It doesn't hurt the wallet so much when you drop it. You don't have to break it in before you have the riding skill to do that properly. You won't run to the dealer to get every little issue fixed under warranty, so you'll learn to find your way around a bike. You'll eventually upgrade with a good all round skill set.
My personal choice of bike is a 650, because it's the smallest I can find that will cope will longish highway trips on a regular basis - 400/500 miles per day. The 250 can do that, but you don't want to do it too often.
The 250 is lighter and lower in power, and so more forgiving when you get it not quite right. On the 250 you will learn quicker and learn better. There is enough power to keep up with the traffic in nearly all conditions including the highway, but it will make you learn how to extract and use the power in a way that the bigger bikes don't.
The mistake that most people make is upgrading from the 250 too soon. A lot of really experienced riders will tell you that you can have more pure fun on a 250 than almost anything else, because once you've got the skill to do it, it's much more fun riding the 250 ***** out than going at the same speed on a bigger bike (because speed is limited by road and traffic conditions) and having to keep it reined in.
A first bike that you will grow into is one that is going to kill you. Any sensible first bike is one that you will initially outgrow, and probably later come back to. Outgrowing the 250 will be more enjoyable and teach you more than outgrowing a 500. Either way you will eventually want to move on to a big bike, so you may as well start on the one that will give you the best grounding rather than the biggest ego trip.
I'd suggest a used 250. It doesn't hurt the wallet so much when you drop it. You don't have to break it in before you have the riding skill to do that properly. You won't run to the dealer to get every little issue fixed under warranty, so you'll learn to find your way around a bike. You'll eventually upgrade with a good all round skill set.
My personal choice of bike is a 650, because it's the smallest I can find that will cope will longish highway trips on a regular basis - 400/500 miles per day. The 250 can do that, but you don't want to do it too often.
#7
09-25-2008 | 10:09 PM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,317
From: Gibsonia PA
Welcome. Althought the new 250's look way better then the previous years might not be a bad choice to start with. But you've been around bikes so you'll know better your capibilities more than us. Good luck...
