New Bike Advice

[TheNewGuy]

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Hello, I am new to this forum and I was hoping to get some advice for my first bike.

I have been doing some research and trying to decide what bike I should go for. So far I have been tossing around three bikes. The Ninja 300, Ninja 650, and the CBR500. I am basing my decision based on a combination of insurance, ease of learning, and perceived enjoyment.

I do like the look of the sportier looking bikes and that is the major reason I chose these bikes. And though I love the looks of ZX-6R, I am not naive enough to think I should get one and learn on that. I understand my limitations and I want to be able to have a good ride while being as safe as possible while I learn my skills as a new rider. I also wish to buy a new bike so I get to experience breaking in the bike. I guess its kind of like a bonding period haha.

At the moment the 300 is the favourite, mainly do to low insurance, but I am concerned about a longer term enjoyment. I do not want to become bored of the bike after a season. The 650 I know would give me a longer term enjoyment with still being somewhat user-friendly I heard. But since I still need a car for the winter I want to keep costs low. The CBR500 at face value might seem like a decent compromise. But with practically the same power to weight ratio (and lack of any Dyno information) as the 300 I am not sure if it will be as good as a bike some people are saying.

I am hoping that more experienced riders can put in their two cents and give this riding noob some advice.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Jampy00]

Welcome to the forum.

Be sure to check out insurance rates for both new and used bikes, that may help a bit with your choice. I started on a 650 and had no issues. All the bikes you mention are good bikes, you seem to have your thoughts straight, it's just a bike...not your only bike. Learn at a comfortable pace. BTW my bike is for sale "wink wink"

 

[stasis218]

Have you look into the used 250cc bikes (Honda or Kawi)? If you're only going to use it for one or two seasons, I would not buy new. Also, check insurance first.......

 

[Bagel09]

Seeing as you're concerned with cost, I wouldn't start with any of those bikes. Brand newly released 2013 models, all the extra hidden fee will be added on! My advice, start on a 250 and get comfortable with it for a season. It doesn't have to be pretty, just needs to be something you can learn on and bang up a bit.

 

[TheNewGuy]

Have you look into the used 250cc bikes (Honda or Kawi)? If you're only going to use it for one or two seasons, I would not buy new. Also, check insurance first.......

Checking insurance was one of the first things I did when investigating bikes I was interested in. The 300 was by far the winner with half of the quoted price on a CBR600 (they had no information on a CBR500 at the time).

I have also looked at used 250s and they have not really dropped in price at all and probably wont till later on in the year. They are not low enough for me to justify buying one over my desire to learn how to break in a new one properly.

Seeing as you're concerned with cost, I wouldn't start with any of those bikes. Brand newly released 2013 models, all the extra hidden fee will be added on! My advice, start on a 250 and get comfortable with it for a season. It doesn't have to be pretty, just needs to be something you can learn on and bang up a bit.

My desire to get a new model is pretty much out of both vanity and desire to break in the bike myself. Cost isn't my biggest concern but it is up there for sure. I would definitely would want the bike for more than one season, more like 3 or 4. And for that am worried that a 300 might not cut it. But my friend has a 250 he loves it. I have ridden it a few times but not often enough to get an idea if a 300 would have enough appeal to last me 3 seasons.

I think I am just over thinking it and I should just pull the trigger as it were and enjoy my riding.

Btw sweet ride Jampy. I would love to take a look at it sometime.

 

[DemonPig]

SV650S is your best option for cheap enjoyment. Not much beats a V-twin for fun factor. And it has the "sporty" look that you like.

Used, last gen Ninja 250 can be found for $3,000 btw. Make sure you look outside GTA as well. Prices drop quick the further you go away.

Which insurance companies have you checked? Sounds like SF. What else?

 

[Roomie]

Not sure what you're looking to spend but a friend of mine has a ninja 500 (I believe it's a 2009) similiar to the one in the pic below. He loves it. Satisfactory power, at least enough to not get bored. It's fairly light and has a comfortable seating position. Might be something to consider as well?

 

[Kedo]

Don't forget the Suzuki GS500F.....looks great with enough power for the highway and it is also good on insurance.

 

[Bagel09]

"I would definitely would want the bike for more than one season, more like 3 or 4. And for that am worried that a 300 might not cut it. But my friend has a 250 he loves it. "


Just from my experience and I'm not in anyway saying this goes for everyone, but I rode my 250 for one season and was ready to upgrade to something bigger by the end. The only thing that stands in between in insurance...blahh.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

The chance of a brand new rider damaging their bike is very high. Whether they crash, fall over, it falls over (side stand in the heat), family hitting it in the garage because they're not used to a bike in there, etc.

I'd recommend you pick up a used bike. Ninja 500 or GS500 are both excellent on insurance, cheap parts, easy to work on, bullitproof, and have plenty of power to keep you interested. There's plenty of excellent deals on good condition models and often if you find a good deal you can ride it for a couple years and still sell it for what you paid for it.

 

[conundrum]

"I would definitely would want the bike for more than one season, more like 3 or 4. And for that am worried that a 300 might not cut it. But my friend has a 250 he loves it. "


Just from my experience and I'm not in anyway saying this goes for everyone, but I rode my 250 for one season and was ready to upgrade to something bigger by the end. The only thing that stands in between in insurance...blahh.

I've had my CBR250RA for a season and yeah, I'd like to upgrade to a CBR600RRA (and will either this year or next), but I'm still fully enjoying the 250...I'd just like...more, considering I can afford both the price and insurance on a SS when I do choose to upgrade.

Also, keep in mind the Ninja 300R puts out close to double that of a CBR250R (and is around 2 seconds faster to 60), is pretty close to the same hp as the CBR500 and Ninja 650R (also keep in mind weight), and 299cc means lower insurance. If I were to buy again, and the Ninja 300R was available, I definitely would have gone for that (although I'd still want to test ride the CBR500R).

Anyhow just my 2 cents.

 

[Bagel09]

Also, keep in mind the Ninja 300R puts out close to double that of a CBR250R (and is around 2 seconds faster to 60), is pretty close to the same hp as the CBR500 and Ninja 650R (also keep in mind weight), and 299cc means lower insurance. If I were to buy again, and the Ninja 300R was available, I definitely would have gone for that (although I'd still want to test ride the CBR500R).

Anyhow just my 2 cents.

Agree 100%, when I was bike shopping Kawasaki only had to offer the 250,which isn't a bad bike but the CBR just seemed more updated and I don't regret going with it.

 

[TVNick]

Stay away from the Honda CBR250 as it has engine stalling issues on some bikes you may get a lemon like mine and Honda cannot fix because they cannot reproduce the fault. 2400km has happened 5 times.

 

[rorider]

When i first started back in 2005, I got a Suzuki GS500 which I got rid of after only about a month, then I moved on to an F4i, which to be honest was a bit too much for me, especially when riding with my friends, which had years of experience compared to me. I ended up lowsiding while trying to keep up with them.
So far, one of the friendliest bikes I've ridden, which are low on insurance, great aftermarket for accessories and parts and very good resale value is the SV650 and of course super fun is the SV650. You just can't go wrong with this bike.
Now I'm riding a Honda 599, another great all around bike, imo.

 

[presley91]

I was facing a similar decision to you last month when I was buying my first bike. I ended up choosing the Ninja 300 and do not regret it. I plan on holding it for 3 riding seasons before selling it. I feel like it is powerfull enough to not get boring. I just started riding it though so that might change. I'm curious to hear about your final decision.

 

[StealthMonkey]

When i first started back in 2005, I got a Suzuki GS500 which I got rid of after only about a month.

Hey rorider, why did you decide to ditch the GS500f so quickly? I've been looking at them used, love the look of them naked.... should I be looking somewhere else? thx

 

[rorider]

Hey rorider, why did you decide to ditch the GS500f so quickly? I've been looking at them used, love the look of them naked.... should I be looking somewhere else? thx

In my case, it was mostly because I felt it was a bit underpowered and wanted to have similar SS bikes as my friends did at that time. Honestly, in retrospective, I should've stuck with it for at least a season.

 

[Paul1000RR]

SV650S is your best option for cheap enjoyment. Not much beats a V-twin for fun factor. And it has the "sporty" look that you like.

Used, last gen Ninja 250 can be found for $3,000 btw. Make sure you look outside GTA as well. Prices drop quick the further you go away.

Which insurance companies have you checked? Sounds like SF. What else?

+1

Looks like an ss, much better seating position, fast enough that you wont get bored for years to come and cheap insurance.

 

[Bagel09]

Stay away from the Honda CBR250 as it has engine stalling issues on some bikes you may get a lemon like mine and Honda cannot fix because they cannot reproduce the fault. 2400km has happened 5 times.

+1 forgot to mention that about this bike, I skim through the Honda forums sometimes and it's flooded with this issue. A lot of people are frustrated with their CBR 250R, and Honda apparently hasn't done squat for them.

 

[Deleted member 40275]

+1

Looks like an ss, much better seating position, fast enough that you wont get bored for years to come and cheap insurance.

Oh **** - I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with Paul...

I personally think the sv650's don't look like sport bikes at all.. they look long, thin and anemic.. and IMHO worse than my ****** ninja 250.

I understand it's got tons more power than a 250 but I'd never consider one just due to how it fairs in the looks dept. Now the ninja 300 on the other hand

EDIT: I know I'm gonna get **** for this because there are tons of you with the sv650's but it's just a personal opinion - I just don't prefer the styling. I'm a full fairing kind of guy. I really don't mean to be a dick. My 250 looks like ****, goes like **** and is slow as **** if that makes everyone feel better

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