QuestionI am a prospective motorcycle owner and was wondering what would be a good first motorcycle? I have very little motorcycle experience but plan to take some courses from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I have always wanted to get a bike and the recent gas prices make getting a bike even more attractive to me. I was looking at a Kawasaki Ninja but I don't know if this would be a good first bike. I am looking at getting a sport bike but am not certain what would be an appropriate amount of cc's for a beginner. I would like my first bike to have enough power to get going but not something that is going to be difficult for a beginner to control.
Thank you for your help and time,
Kenny
AnswerKenny - good question, and one that is usually asked by beginner motorcyclists. Unfortunately, there is no "one good first bike," for a beginning rider. You are lucky to be entering the sport when there are so many great choices, at varying price points.
I am a sport bike rider, and have always been - since I was a beginning rider. You just need to choose a bike that you are comfortable on - one that you allows you to place your feet flat on the pavement when stopped, for stability. You need to be comfortable with the reach of the throttle and clutch, and the riding position should be - comfortable. With respect to displacement, I almost never encourage new riders to start out with a 250cc bike. You need to have enough power to ride in traffic, and you need a bike that will be powerful enough that you won't "outgrow" it in a few months.
Almost all the bike manufacturers offer a mid-range (600 - 750cc) sport bike model. I would suggest that you visit a few dealers and sit on some bikes, just to gauge the comfort and fit.
I truly do recommend the MSF course. I think that your instincts are correct.
Ride safe,
Christine
http://www.her-motorcycle.com/
