I realize that, but IMO a smaller cruiser would still be better. I guess I shouldn’t have said weight aside, but I think there are better, more manageable cruisers for a first bike, especially for women. A Yamaha VStar 250 or Suzuki Boulevard S40 would be better choices. But everyone is different, and I’m speaking in general terms. The most important thing is to take the MSF or comparable course first, then try a range a different bikes to see which suits you best.
Eh, I have a V Star 250, and I’ve pretty much “outgrown” it within three months. 20 hp isn’t a lot even for a lighter bike (325 lbs) like it. it it takes all it has to get up to highway speed, and if you have a decent headwind forget it. I don’t regret buying it because I got it cheap and can sell it at minimal loss, but I wouldn’t buy a new one.
the first bike I rode after getting my endorsement was an H-D Iron 883, and I didn’t have any problem with it.
Buying too small just means buying again.
Yep. I’ve seen a small woman pick up a Gold Wing this way.
If you weren’t a novice I’d say go for it. Since you are, I’ll say you’d be better off starting on something smaller, buuuut you’re just going to want a bigger bike eventually anyway, so just be careful.
It’s pretty much a given that soon after you start riding you’re going to be out and come to a stop a little off balance. The bike will tilt to one side, and once that thing starts it’s going to go over despite your protests. As long as you’re with someone who can help you get it back up you’ll (probably) be fine as long as you get out of the way of it. Then your bike might get scratched up though.
Advice above to take the Basic Rider course is solid. You’ll get to ride a bunch of bikes and it’ll help you understand what you can handle.
Best of luck!
I owned the UK version of this bike (Yamaha Drag Star) and it is a complete doddle to ride. The weight is only apparent under braking where you feel the front brake doing quite a lot of work. Pushing it about the garage etc is very easy, the seat is very low and the “power” (I use that term advisedly) is very easy to manage. It’s about 45hp full on and never feels out of control. A nice bike for a laid back rider.
Well if the bike drags that much (haha) I stand corrected. Sounds pretty docile!
Too bad they don’t build bikes like they used to. I had a Yamaha RD-350 when I was younger. It was a 350cc 2 stroke that hauled ass. More than enough bike for any 150 pound person, even when hauling double. 39 HP IIRC. This would have been the perfect bike for the OP.
the problem with two strokes is that getting high hp out of them generally leads to a razor-thin powerband. completely gutless until it gets “on the pipe” and then holy shit. if you’re using it in a situation where you can treat the throttle as an on/off switch they’re OK, but I’d think they’d be pretty unpleasant on the road.
The 250/300cc sport bikes like the Ninja 250 or CBR250 make about the same. Much better brakes than a small cruiser bike too. They’re a perfect starter bike because they’re light enough to be manageable at parking lot speeds, but still powerful enough to be nimble at highway speeds. The only problem is that they’re ugly, so they’re a tough sell to newer motorcyclists who aren’t into the whole sport bike thing.
Just the opposite. In fact. I loved that bike until I replaced it with a Kawasaki 900. Never noticed a problem with the bottom end with either of them. You’re thinking about the Kawasaki triple 500 I think. That thing was supersonic or parked. Nothing really in between. When they killed the 2 cycle engine, they killed a lot of good bikes.
I agree with the “perfect starter bike” but disagree with the “ugly”. The riding position, brakes, and handling of these bikes make them a better choice than cruisers. But cruisers have “the look”, for those who are into that.
Hello, OP here; just wanted to say thank you for all the advice and replies, I really appreciate it!
For those wondering, I opted not to buy this specific bike as I’d like to take the safety courses first and really get a grasp on what I’m looking for. However, I’ve been told here and also by a good friend of mine that I will outgrow a small bike very quickly, so I do plan to get a higher cc bike as my first (all safety cautions in mind, of course) and shop around for something that will best suit me.
Not to worry! I prefer my organs inside my body and rather like my face, so I do not intend to ride without a full face helmet. In my particular province (Canadian here) helmets are mandatory and I never plan to ride without one or without full protective gear (knee pads, gloves, and all).
I have no issues with the look of sport bikes (quite like them, actually), but don’t fancy leaning over constantly. I’d rather have an up right bike or a cruiser with handle bars a little lower than shoulder level so I can ride comfortably. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Just wanted to say a general thank you to those who mentioned techniques for lifting a downed bike; when I get mine it will definitely be something I practice over soft mats as well as the stepping-away-from-the-bike maneuver. Comforting to know it’s possible, and also a good reality check in regards to getting pinned and stuck.
Apologies for the long post and thanks to all again for taking the time to reply!
Riding motorcycles is a recreational endeavor. It’s not a “socks and underwear” purchase. On average most riders buy a new (to them, at least) motorcycle about every two years. You can pick up a recent 250 or 300 and ride it for a year and as long as you don’t total it you’ll get most of your money back out of it when you sell it next season to buy something different.
…and it will still have been too small and you will have bought again. Cite on your “most riders” claim, please.
The ergonomics on the 250/300 sport bikes actually are fairly upright, much more similar to the old standard motorcycles than to a higher displacement sport bike. (Also, in the last couple years Honda, Kawi and Suzuki have started making straight-bar versions with less plastic that for all practical purposes are standard motorcycles.)
I mentioned the “ugly” thing because I sort of “inherited” a Ninja 250 from my SO who got it as a starter bike but just hates the look of it. She ended up replacing it with an older 650cc cruiser thing but freely admits that the Ninja was a better bike in every single way other than looks. I personally love the little bike (although sport bikes aren’t really my thing style-wise either) and it’s sort of become my go-to around town and minimalist road touring bike. The bike is admittedly a little small for me ergonomics-wise (I’m over 6’ and 200 lbs) but in terms of power it has no trouble getting me down the road at 80+ MPH all day.
All the comments about “growing out” of a 250 I think very much apply to the little 250 cruisers, but not so much to the sport bikes. The thing is that the small cruisers are basically built as cheap trainer bikes mostly for the North American market whereas the 250/300 sport bikes are primarily built for overseas markets where they’re considered perfectly reasonable daily riders. As mentioned, they brake and handle vastly better and have close to twice the horsepower. The small cruisers are kind of dodgy on the highway but the sport bikes will do pretty much everything you’d expect a bike to do; especially as a smaller person you’d only really grow out of it when you decide you want something more specialized down the road.
I am with the start with a smaller bike camp. Maybe rent or borrow one.
Having ridden motorcycles for over 30 years and hundreds of thousands of miles. They are exciting, fun and dangerous. I have taken the basic and advanced MSF courses. Plus racing courses.
Practice emergency braking in an empty parking lot. Note that 70% of your braking power is with the front brake. Learn to control a smaller bike, then move up. Confidence in what you can do and what the bike is capable of doing is very important.
My main rule is never ride after a drop of any intoxicating beverage. You need 100% of your capabilities. There are too many unknowns out there.
I believe you are demonstrating good thinking when you say that you will wear motorcycle specific clothing, and desire to take the MSF courses.
Enjoy the motorcycle life. You can’t beat the view. I have found that most motorcycle riders are a good bunch.
And keep us informed.
My starter was a Yamaha 650, but IIRC weighed around 400-450 lbs. Have ridden (and dropped) much larger bikes. In my experience, adrenaline (and embarassment) plays a large factor in lifting your bike off the ground.
:rolleyes: We’re in IMHO, buddy.
Actual riders who accumulate miles and consciously seek to better their skills get new bikes frequently as they progress or want to try something new/different/better/shiny/more fun. People who just keep a bike in the garage will keep the same thing for 10+ years and never feel the need to change because they’ve never mastered what they have.
Cite on your “too small” claim, if you feel like it. I’m a lot bigger than the OP and I love riding 250’s.
Yeah…whatever. You have nothing to back up your earlier claim. I’m sure you are the biggest, baddest 250-riding muthafucka around, though. 