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I need a bike attachment for my 2010 legacy.

What is a good 1st bike for me?

  • OK so i'm looking to get my 1st bike soon and would like some help on what to get. I am 21 soon to be 22 and for my age i,m really mature. I absolutely do NOT want a super sport i think if you get one as a 1st bike you are a stupid fool who wants to die. I have been really looking at the ninja 250r and cbr 250r as a 1st bike because as a beginner they are a perfect for those who mostly do city driving. I live way out in the back woods and to get into the city iv'e got to drive an hour or so mostly interstate or highway with high speed limits. I am also going to be moving back to florida ( a 11 hour and 700 miles trip) some time in the 1st half of next year and will be riding what ever bike a buy home because i currently don't own a car. Now for my 1st bike I really need a good all purpose bike that can handle all my needs as well as handle the interstate no problem. I am also very cautious driver and don't **** around while i'm driving. I believe I can safely handle a bigger bike because I do have a little experience on a cbr600rr when i was 16 my buddy would let me ride his bike to the gas station like a block from his house. As far as i'm concerned i'm a total noob. since i live in LA (state) i have to take the MSF class to get my endorsement so I will have some training before buying my bike. Now as for my specs I'm 5'9" tall and weigh 201 ( i know am kinda fat can't be helped I had surgery over the summer and gained a ton of weight) The 250cc bikes from what iv'e heard don't have enough power to ride on the interstate for long periods of time. plus i don't want to grow tired of it and upgrade to a bigger bike in half a year. I'm no ruling the 250cc bikes out yet because of the ease of use and how noob friendly they are. now ive been looking at a brand new 2009 ninja 500r that's for sale for a little under $4,000 and I think it looks old and don't care for the looks but its double the bike of the ninja 250r and i'm sure it would handle the interstate better than the 250r. i have been also looking at a 2010 ninja 650r for sale its brand new and and is very low miles and is for sale for $6,000 which im sure i can talk them down some on the price cause where i live no one wants a sport bike. I really like this bike and from what i heard it would make a great 1st bike and handle the interstate no problem. Also from what iv'e been hearing is that it is a good 1st bike because it is a great all around bike and can handle the interstate all day long no problem these are the 3 sport bikes I was looking at and from what iv'e heard insurance isn't to bad on them. I'm open to a standard bike or cruiser but would prefer a sport bike. I also don't want any thing to old because I want a bike I can have for at least 2 years. I know iv'e written allot but if you could help me focus in on the bike that's right for me because right now i'm all over the place on what I want and not on what is right for me. a little recap of what im looking for: something beginner friendly probably 08+ prefer sport bike but would be open to a standard or cruiser good on the interstate good for long drives wont blow the bank on insurance something that I can ride for years and wont be disappointed in

  • Answer:

    The first thing you need to do is take a few motorcycle lessons because you will NOT be safe unless you have been trained in basic road safety. The Ninja 250 will do the job but I think you should look at something bigger; 500cc or more with a full fairing. If you can handle the weight of a big bike comfortably (it's surprising more people don't drop them, some of them are seriously heavy) then take a look at sports-tourers. My top choices would be the indestructible Honda VFR 800, the ancient but super-comfortable Yamaha FJ 1200 or the amazingly cheap all-rounder Suzuki GSX 750 F.

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You are not "mature" -- you are more concerned with style than function. You are want more power, more speed, you do want to disappointed in motorcycle that is merely capable of 20 mph over the speed limits. Either of the 250Rs will cruise 75 mph on the Interstate, all day and all night; either can top at 100 mph. A 250R is capable, the question is your comfort... a 250 will have more vibration than a 500 or 650. You know the answer is the 250R. You want people to tell you that the 650 is better. Pick the answer you want: Yes, the new 650 is the better deal. in a pig's eye

Dimo J

Since you are short (less than 5 feet tall) I recommend a medium sized (500-750cc) low rider of sorts. A Yamaha Road Star Custom 600 has great cruiser looks, V-twin, can be lowered, and yet has the power you need for highway and traffic. Sluggish if you take on a rider. Suzuki makes a few medium sized bikes also that look great and ride well. Stay away from HD for a starter bike. The Sportster is narrow and high seated anyway so your feet will not touch the ground. When taking on a rider you need over 1000 cc or a four cylinder something (IE: V45 Handa Magna). Hope these suggestions help.

The Tramp

You have provides us with a well written question. Thank you. Here are my thoughts. Riding a block on your buddy's CBR600RR is not experience. A block is nothing. As to the notion the 250R Ninja can't be ridden on the highway, that is nonsense. See first link. This man rides 250R Ninjas. During one ride he covered 1500 miles in 24 hours. One day later he pointed his bike east and rode. In under 50 hours he traveled from the west coast of the US to the East coast of the US. This is covered in the second link. Would I want to ride that distance on a 250R Ninja? NO!! But the bike will handle the speed. Where does this notion come from that a person will be bored riding a 250 cc bike after say six months? Six years, yes, six months, no. There is so much to learn and experience EVERY TIME YOU RIDE. There is no way you will get bored in six months riding a smaller bike. Have you looked into insurance rates for ANY of the motorcycles in question? No one here can provide you with insurance rates. Most sport bikes are not comfortable for long trips. Riding position can be too cramped and suspension too stiff. Also no room for gear. Please consider the Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom. More comfortable upright seating and handlebars, available with hard bags, and has a real windshield. Last two links are required reading.

Max Cruise

To start with this one sentence tells me you're already on the right track... "i have to take the MSF class to get my endorsement". This course will give you valuable hands on training that can save your life so don't approach it as a necessary evil. BTW, they will provide you a motorcycle so you don't have to buy one first. Because of your weight, height and you want a good long distance interstate bike I would forget about anything under 500cc because you will never be happy with an under powered small motorcycle. Keep in mind the 250r bike will kill you just as fast as a larger bike if handled improperly. If you inquire about insurance rates for different bikes before you make a purchase you will find out very quickly which bike is a good choice because a 21 year old with a sport bike usually pays a higher insurance premium than the 21 year old with a cruiser. Experience a 11 hour high speed ride on a sport bike and you may decide you have made a bad choice since they offer little wind protection and most of your upper body weight is carried on your wrists because of the forward leaning riding position. If I were you I would go with a 600 to 750 cruiser with a windshield. It provides a more comfortable riding position, the windshield keeps the wind off your chest and with saddlebags/luggage you can pack rain gear and other necessities for long distance travel.

First off you talk about not wanting a Full up race bike then talk about full up race bikes. The CBR 600rr is a race bike with street tires. If you ant the riding position of a Sport bike and the nature of something a little less break neck I would go with a Yamaha FZ6R

Whiskey

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