First post. Thinking of 250cc bike.. any thoughts? | GTAMotorcycle.com

First post. Thinking of 250cc bike.. any thoughts?

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fabchef

New member
Good Day everyone, Fab here. This is my first post on this forum?. I'm thinking of getting a bike( which would be my first). I'm thinking of getting something in the 250cc range (or 300cc).
i'm about 5' 11", with an inseam of about 30-32", and weight about 208lbs.
I've never riden a bike before, so not sure what type of bike would work.
it would be mostly for secondary roads, highway only if i had to.
looking for something comfortable, easy to get on/off of ( had hip surgery years ago), manouverable, and in terms of power, I prefer lower-end torque VS super high revving.
And ideas? Recommendations?
thanks
Fab
 
My first bike was a Kawasaki Ninja 250R . For me it was good first all around bike. For your size and weight . Maybe a 300 c.c. to 400 cc bike like the more recent Ninjas . Or anything similar such as Honda CB 300r, Yamaha R3 ... This range of bike are great bikes all around not necessarily just beginner bikes. Take a look what's available, sit on few see what's more comfortable for you. All bikes in this range a reasonably light compared to larger bikes. Can only speak about the Ninja. But the handling was very good. The bike was alot more capable than I ever was. Very reliable, easy to maintain.
Suggest you take the safety course before you buy anything. They will have different styles you Can try. E.g you may like a more upright position offered by Honda CB300R VS Ninja 400R.
 
Maybe consider the Honda Rebel 300. Bulletproof design, cheap to insure, upright riding position and low seat height.
 

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Hi gang, thanks for your input. The options you mentioned are good, just not sure if a "speed" style bike (ie: ninja 250), would be less comfortable than a "cruiser" style bike?
Also, not sure if i should look at fuel injected bikes vs carbed bikes? Less complicated and more reliable?
fab
 
fabchef said:
I prefer lower-end torque VS super high revving.
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This does not exist in that size class. Small engines make power with revs - period.

A 250cc-300cc motorcycle is going to be spinning somewhere near 7000 rpm per 100 km/h in top gear, because that's what it takes for an engine in that displacement range to make enough power to get the bike and you (parachute) down the road.

Having said that, there are some variations, but they are relatively slight. The engine in a Yamaha R3 seems to have a broader torque curve than that of a Ninja 300 (which has an older engine design), for example - but not by much. It's still geared as per above (it has to be). If you need acceleration at highway speed, you are downshifting to rev it higher. That's just the way it is.
 
fabchef said:
Hi gang, thanks for your input. The options you mentioned are good, just not sure if a "speed" style bike (ie: ninja 250), would be less comfortable than a "cruiser" style bike?
Also, not sure if i should look at fuel injected bikes vs carbed bikes? Less complicated and more reliable?
fab
Click to expand...

The "sport" bikes in this size class are standard bikes masquerading as sport bikes. They have handlebars above the top triple clamp, and the riding position is relatively sensible. Yamaha R3 ("sport") and MT03 (naked) are the same bike except bodywork and handlebars. Ninja 400 and Z400, same. KTM RC390, Duke 390, and whatever the adventure version is (I don't pay attention to them), same.

Beware of riding positions that seem comfortable when sitting in the showroom versus what works best when riding. Feet directly underneath you makes it easier to shift your weight around on the bike. You should be able to stand up on the pegs without having to apply undue force through the handlebars while doing so (which is what happens with a feet-forward cruiser-style riding position). Upper body leaned slightly forward counteracts wind pressure when riding at speed.

Sport-style full bodywork gets scratched up easily WHEN you tip the bike over, and tends to be expensive to replace.

Naked (or adventure, which in this size class is the same bike with different decorations) is the sweet spot.
 
I have always felt that a dual sport is a perfect bike for a beginner. It is going to fall over! A bike like the Honda Rally 250 is perfect.
 
Do you have your license, have you taken a training course yet?
The training course is useful to try out some different bikes, beside setting you up for proper skills in motorcycling.
 
Hey fab, check out a Yamaha Vstar 250. It’s a small cruiser bike, if you don’t mind that style. You can pick them up used for really cheap ($2000-$3000) in amazing condition with super low mileage. They are great little bikes to start on, I’m 6’ 32” inseam and mine was comfy, the seat could be more comfy though, but that’s a easy upgrade if you need it. They are also easy to sell and hold their value in case you want to upgrade down the road too.
 
Hi guys, thanks again for the info.
I've heard good things about the vstar as well.
so in terms of a "naked" bike VS full-faring, the only difference is if bike gets dropped, it will be more costly with full faring?
 
Well, it's not necessarily the "only" difference; it can be "a" difference.
 
Nikola Tesla said:
Hey fab, check out a Yamaha Vstar 250. It’s a small cruiser bike, if you don’t mind that style. You can pick them up used for really cheap ($2000-$3000) in amazing condition with super low mileage. They are great little bikes to start on, I’m 6’ 32” inseam and mine was comfy, the seat could be more comfy though, but that’s a easy upgrade if you need it. They are also easy to sell and hold their value in case you want to upgrade down the road too.
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If you're going to try a V-Star. Make sure you get a chance to sit on it, and turn the bars full lock to either side. I had issues with the bars and my knees, when I rode one years ago. I was ~ 6'2" & 200 pounds at the time.
 
Baggsy said:
If you're going to try a V-Star. Make sure you get a chance to sit on it, and turn the bars full lock to either side. I had issues with the bars and my knees, when I rode one years ago. I was ~ 6'2" & 200 pounds at the time.
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Good idea, I remember mine were pretty close to my knees at full lock
 
My kids learned on a Star 250. Forgiving low gearing make it easy to ride and a lot more forgiving than a ninja. Same goes with Rebels and most 250 singles.
 
Nikola Tesla said:
Good idea, I remember mine were pretty close to my knees at full lock
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I found out later on that the place I borrowed it from had some with raised bars, which would have been fine.
 
Good recommendations above. I did about 40,000 km on my cbr250 before I treated myself to a bigger bike for those really long rides.
The 250 was enough for my 6'2 200lb frame, though I did use all of the throttle more than I do on a big bike. A 250 should be a lot cheaper since the 'better' 300 and 400cc bikes have replaced them, yet it has enough power to stay with the flow of traffic. It's common advice for people to recommend a slightly bigger bike because you'll get bored of a small displacement bike. I disagree. That's the time to practice more advanced riding skills and master them.
As for your mobility, the star would be easier to get on and off of and from what I've heard are good bikes. Don't make that decision based on reading. Go to some showrooms, or ask on the forum for owners to let you get on and off the bike. You don't need to ride the bike to know if your body can handle getting on and off. As mentioned earlier, a riding school will often have a variety of bikes for you to try as well. You probably have to go that route anyway in order to get insurance when you're ready to buy


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