The first bike I bought after taking the MSF course last year was a Yamaha V-Star 250. I had also heard people say don’t get a 250, you’ll be bored with it in no time, but I love it and plan on keeping it for at least the rest of this summer. One comment that I often get is that it looks bigger than a 250, and I think it has a little more power than the 250 Suzukis & Rebels we rode in the MSF class. The only drawbacks are that it really isn’t big enough to take a passenger along, and I wouldn’t want to take it on a long road trip anywhere.
I had a Yamaha XT225 that I was moving in the shop one day when I dropped it. I don’t even think I was on it or it was running. It just barely cleared my dad’s brand new $18k Harley, so I was glad it hit the ground instead. I also dropped the FZ6 the first month I had it. I was in a parking lot getting used to it and grabbed too much front brake as I was making a slow left hand turn. Down we went.
I took the safety course late last summer, and a few weeks later bought a used Honda Shadow 1100. I was a bit nervous about getting something that big as my first bike, but now I’m glad I did. I honestly can’t imagine riding on something smaller.
One thing I found amusing, in a scary kind of way: in the training course, out of the twelve of us going through the course to get our licences,* I was the only one who didn’t already own, and regularly ride, a motorcycle*. :eek:
If you’re asking if the bike is physically too big that is a question for seasoned riders. If you’re asking if it’s too powerful I would say no assuming you’re not a kid. The reason fast bikes are discouraged is a function of age/maturity. I wouldn’t want a teenager riding a powerful bike anymore than I would want them driving a powerful sports car. It’s too much temptation with too little experience.