I was thinking about a honda cbr??? I would stay away from a 4 cylinder sport bike for your first one. Depending on your height maybe a Suzuki SV650. V twins have a very easy to use power delivery and won't have the power of the same displacement 4 cylinder sport bike. Pick one with a lower center of gravity, lower seat. Ok I have answered this question a gazillion times and this time I'm going to cut and paste it so I don't have to type lol.
I was exactly like you. My older model mercedes sucks gas like its going out of style so I started looking for a bike and I got a Kawasaki Ninja 250.
I don't like the metal chrome CRUISER style bikes it reminds me too much of Fonzies bike from Happy days and too old fashioned.
I like the Sport bike style like the Ninja 250 by Kawasaki. I like the fairings and the sleek look. So I started looking for bikes and new bikes were easily $5000 or more such as $8000 or $6000 etc..
Even a new bike for $3000 easily hits over $4000 if you buy it from the dealer as they add TAX and License and all the other b.s.
Not to mention the maintence you have to do immediatly after you buy it and the boring slow break in period where you can't ride fast for umtteeeenth miles that seems like forever.
Plus I didn't have thousands lying around so I looked and looked and studied and here is what I found.
There was only 1 bike that was a sportbike in the 250 class (Great for beginners who also want to save gas) that was available in the U.S. I couldn't believe it! There isn't any others so I looked at the Ninja 250 by Kawasaki and was intrigued.
I bought it and DID NOT regret my decision. It was the perfect bike for what I wanted to do. Long drives about 30 miles on streets and to save gas. No other sport bike gets better gas mileage than that one.
Now..if you are new to riding there is one thing that is every bikers enemy, they hate it , they dispise it, they do everything they can to their bikes to eliminate the problems it causes and that thing is....... WIND
Wind is not so much of an issue on non windy days and you are riding about 45 or 50 mph on streets or higher on some streets.
Wind DOES become a factor when you hit the freeways and most folks do not drive 65 its honestly more like 75 to 80 or even higher.
So for guys that ride the freeways the most they tend to get heavier bikes as it makes a big difference in keeping the bike more stable on the freeways.
However with the Ninja 250 the darn thing is so awesome on gas you don't need no friggen dog gone freeways! To hell with the freeways you can even take the streets and it still gets better gas mileage than most bikes lol. The thing literally hates gasoline.
Many new riders are not prepared for this WIND issue so they get a bike not thinking about it and then they dread riding on freeways.
So there are 2 answers to your question to answer it properly. There is not 1 bike that is good to get there are several but I will give you the choices and I have studied a lot of them.
Right now I ride a zx-10 which tends to be on the heavier side but I mostly ride it to work ALL FREEWAY so its better than a Lighter bike for me and it stays steady on the freeway. It doesn't get blown all over like lighter bikes.
So here is a list of great bikes. I will include the best bikes for the money and will not get into higher priced bikes but everything is based on Sport bikes and safety and low cost.
BEST NEW BIKE FOR THE MONEY
Kawasaki 250 year 2008 See link below when done reading this to see video and specs. Would not recommend this bike for long freeway riding although it can go on freeways legally but its a light bike.
BEST USED BIKE THAT IS LOWEST COST
The Ninja 250 used is a great bike you can get it for $1000-$2000 all day long on ebay.com or craigslist.com
2ND BEST USED BIKE THAT IS SECOND IN COST
The Ninja 500 is more powerful and better than the 250 on freeways and you can find them all day long $1500-$2500 or more.
BEST USED BIKE IF YOU CAN AFFORD $3000 APPROX.
The best used bike in that price range is the Suzuki SV and you will find that it comes basic with zero fairings or just a few fairings but you can find some with full fairings which means there are more plastics around it to swoosh it through the air better.
LOW COST HEAVY BIKE FOR FREEWAYS USED
The suzuki Katana is about 500 lbs but stays planted on the freeways and is 600cc or more. You can find them used $2000 approx. Not recommended for new user as its very heavy but great on freeways for straight riding. Not good in the twisties like the ninja's.
IMPORTANT ADVICE YOU WILL NOT REGRET TRUSTING ME ON!: If you plan on riding freeways often do not get a 250 or 500 cc bike unless the distance you are riding is a short distance ie: 5 or 10 miles. Instead get a heavier bike. If you were able to ride on the freeway on a light bike and then ride on a freeway with a heavier bike you would see and feel the dramatic difference.
The top link shows a video of the new 2008 Ninja 250
The second link shows a riders review on the USED ninja 250 First - Take the rider education class, and then
Buy Japanese starting with Honda, like a Honda Rebel 250. You need to think about how you want or intend to use your motorcycle (commuting only, short trips. long trips, "poser", etc.). If you are vertically challenged, then seat height may limit your choices to more of a cruiser style of bike. I consider 250 cc as a realistic minimum engine size for an entry level "motorcycle" (assuming that you are not 6'-5" and 350 pounds).
If you think that motorcycling will become more than just a passing fancy, try thinking about not just the first bike but the first 2 bikes. If you have at least average to above average aptitude, then you will out-grow a 250cc fairly quickly, and want to move "up".
Depending on how well you did in the class, and what you interest and confidence levels are, you might think in terms of a mid-size engine (450cc to 500cc) as your first (It will last you a little longer). But it really is good advice to build your experience in stages. This is the way most of us do it, and it is a good way to go.
Lastly I would discourage the idea of a sport bike type of bike for your first bike. The street is not the place for "racing", and the development of your basic skills should be your focus. And something with a wider, longer handlebar is easier to ride.
Good luck! :-) The MSF instructor above is right on.
I would recommend something at least in the 600cc range. 250cc are great, but you will grow out of it very quickly. any sport bike is much, much easiser to ride and control than any cruiser bike.
the Honda CBR is a great bike, even riding one as a beginner that bike will make you look like a pro riding it I agree with the Honda way of thinking. I purchased a 2006 Honda Shadow VLX (600cc) and it has been a great first bike. Not too small as the Rebel may be. I'm planning on purchasing a BMW this coming spring and the Honda was a great bike to get in the game on.
I STRONGLY recommend taking the MSF course and keeping the proper riding mindset.
Cheers! | 