fighting over which bike to choose for beginner

fighting over which bike to choose for beginner

by Meg
(GA)

Hello ladies! (& gentlemen),

I'm as green as they come, minus a little dirt bike riding & taking a spin or two on my husband's old 250 Rebel. While I haven't been riding my whole life, I've had the desire for many years... Just about as long as I've been able to drive a car. So, we're lookin' at about 9 years that I've been dying to start riding. I had the opportunity to start riding about a year ago & gave it a shot, but the Rebel that I mentioned wasn't the best fit for me. The riding position felt more than a little awkward. Long story short, my husband traded his Rebel so that my son could have a dirt bike that is to big for him, even now and without asking me how I felt about giving up my shot at riding. His father, in turn, gave my husband his 1100 BMW (quite a jump from a 250, I know). Now for my dilemma - I finally have the opportunity to purchase my first bike. Having sat on more bikes than I've actually driven, I know that the sport bike styles suit my frame better, comfort-wise. I've had my eye on the kawasaki Ninja 250 or 250r. My husband and father in law are calling me everything from a wreckless moron to an "ignorant woman" for not wanting to spend several grand on a (very large) dirt bike (street & trail) or a trike. They obviously want me to learn on one of the above. I've spent several weeks researching & driving to different dealers to try different bikes out for myself. The Ninja fits.... & it's what I want. It's top speed is 105mph, but keep in mind that I'm not planning on taking it above 60-70mph. I want to become an experienced rider, not die trying. My obvious problem is ending this argument without sacrificing what I truly want & feel that I'm more than capable of mastering with time. Can anyone help me figure out how to handle over bearing men in my life?? Please & thank you!! (Please keep in mind that my hubby & his dad don't always try to control my decisions like this.... But this one is a biggie, if you ask me). I can't wait for your suggestions.... I can't explain how badly this is hurting us. I need him to have faith in me. Thank you so much for your help :)

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fighting over which bike to choose for beginner

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Sep 17, 2011

Thank You
by: Meg

Thanks yall :) We got it sorted out & he's in the process of negotiating with someone selling a 2010 Ninja 250 for me to ride. Can't wait!

Sep 04, 2011

Ninja250
by: Susanne

I personally love the Ninja line. The 650r,500,and the 250 are nice bikes. The 250 is a great sport bike. I had the very discussion with my husband over which bike to buy. I bought the 650r and he liked it so much he bought one too. Everyone has such hard time believing just because it says it's a sport bike doesn't mean it has to be ridden like one. The Ninja is reliable and a all around nice bike. 1,500 to 2,000 is a average price for one. If you can find a dealer that will allow a test ride before buying I'd go there. There are a few out there still. It was a game changer foe me. Remember it's your bike if you are forced into bike you hate you will hate riding it.

Aug 24, 2011

Suggestion
by: Maria G.

Hi! Why don't you take the course first, and then decide what bike you want to buy? You will be better equipped to make your own decision (and you should definitely make your own decision).

Aug 23, 2011

I suppose I've worn out my welcome
by: Meg

Judging by the lack of responses to my last comment, I suppose I've asked too many questions. Nevertheless, I appreciate what has been said. Y'all take care.

Aug 19, 2011

Am I pushing too far?
by: Meg

Hello again :)

From reading your comment, Robin, it looks like you think a 250 is a realistic choice for a beginner? Like I said, please keep in mind that I am getting my MP, taking the BRC & the Experienced Course later on down the road as well. I don't want to get a big dirt bike when I already have a small one to begin with. Plus, I'd outgrow it within a few months & have 2 trade it. Just feels like a step worth skipping. My next real question is how low is too low? I've managed to find someone that is selling their bright red 2010 Ninja 250 with only 1,800 miles for $2,100. His original price was $2,500 but my husband sees the guy everyday at work & has been waiting him out to see if he'll drop down to $1,500. If he goes down to $1,500, I know we'll buy. I'm just wondering if asking him to go that low is realistic, or better yet, if it's fair. I know it sounds weird.... Someone that feels bad about getting a deal that hurts the other person, but here I am. If you were to look on Craigslist, there are 250s selling for $2K all over. Even a dealer charges $2,500. Just seems like he should go lower, but I don't want to rip anyone off either. In yalls opinion, what's a fair price & what would be considered a great deal? $1,800? Thanks in advance. I really appreciate the input.

Aug 17, 2011

250?
by: Robin

I agree with the other posters. Start small and cheap, knowing you'll probably outgrow a 250 within a year. I got a Honda CB250 Nighthawk for $1500. This bike is light, agile and aesthetically neutral. I can go anywhere from here - it's a great learning bike. Can't go much over 60 though!
I say make your decision based on spending as little as you can on a learning bike - and use that year to save up for the bike you start dreaming about as you figure out what kind of biker you will be. There are millions of beautiful bikes out there that you don't even know about yet! :) Have fun and ride safe!

Aug 16, 2011

thanks
by: Meg

Thanks yall. I really appreciate everyone's input. All I know about the Ninja's top speed is what I've read. I'm trying to become as knowledgeable as possible (as much as possible without actually riding) as I can so I can hold my own in this argument. The real problem seems to lie with my father in law. Since that's the case, I'm fine. His input isn't as important to me as my husband's. I forgot to mention that I want to take the BRC before ever even attempting to ride in traffic. Also, to answer another question, I have absolutely no desire to go off-roading. I have the dirt bike for that. I mostly want a small bike so as not to try to take on too much in the beginning, to go back and forth to classes/work and to go for joy rides with my husband. Typical driving. Nothing along the lines of stunt material. I think I'm just going to wait for my dad in law to cool down and back off, then me and hubby will go get my 250 :) If anyone knows of a better sport bike for beginners, I'd still appreciate the suggestion though. Have a great one yall.

Aug 16, 2011

beginner bike
by: Lynn - Florida

This topic seems to come up quite frequently here. My only suggestion is to buy a good used starter bike & don't spend a lot of money. If you plan on doing dual purpose riding (dirt & street) then by all means go with that style bike. Once you get some experience & try different bikes, you will have a better idea what type of bike is for you.

P.S. I recently bought a used 250 Ninja & ride it around town. I love it! It is light and very easy to ride, especially if you've ridden dirt bikes. (I also ride a big cruiser for road trips.) There is NO WAY the 250 Ninja will do 100 mph. The bigger Ninjas definitely.

Anyway, just don't get pushed into something you don't want.

Aug 16, 2011

street novice too
by: Anonymous

I have been riding dirt most of my life. I ride sand, dirt, mud, jump logs, etc. There is very little I wont try but when it came to riding the street the whole concept of traffic scared the crap out of me (can you imagine?). When I choose my street bike I went with what my muscles knew so the controls and the way the bike handled was similar to my dirt bike. This let me focus on my street fears without focussing on how to ride the bike.

I bought my Yamaha 250 dual sport used for $3,100 knowing that I would probably only ride it one season but felt like I needed that time to get more comfortable on the street. It is a great commuter and will go 65 but it is not a freeway bike....that's ok because I am not ready for freeway riding.anyway. That will come with my next bike which I have already picked out and will probably purchase next spring. (BMW 650 dual sport).

I personally don't like the stance of sport bikes....its not comfortable for me. I like to sit up straight so I can see better but if that is where you think your comfort level is the go for it.....just make sure you are not going that direction out of spite towards you husband....I do the whole "don't tell me I can't" with my husband to. To me a ninja
seems like a lot of bike for a new rider - I personally would
buy something used that is a little more basic and ride it
for awhile and the upgrade but that is just my opinion.

Good luck with your decision.

Aug 15, 2011

Question
by: Lois

Who will be riding this bike? And do you want to ride off road?
I wanted a ninja 500 my husband talked me into getting what he thought was the "best" beginner bike that was a suzuki TU250 nice little bike I out grew it in months. I was riding a bike I began to hate because I let someone else tell me what to get. Years later 3 bikes later I now have my Ninja 500 plus a Moto Guzzi Cafe. Moral of the story buy what you want and are comfortable with, your the one thats going to ride it not him. Also remind him it's easier to trade in a cheaper bike for a more expensive one if you decide you want something else. Trading up is easy trading down can be painful.

Aug 15, 2011

Right and Wrong
by: Anonymous

The benefit of a dual sport is that the tire is larger, you would be able to run over a curb and potentially maneuver out of it. On a sport bike that won't be possible. The benefit of course of a ninja 250 is that its cheap, so if you drop it, no sweat... Its also a smaller investment, so if you decide you don't like it, you're not out as much cash. I would look for a used dual sport- best of both worlds- cheap, can drop it, and will help you survive any unexpected detours. Good luck! And a trike isn't really a motorcycle, but if you'd feel safer that way, get ready to spend A LOT!

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