Need help making a decision...

I'm looking to get a bike within the next two years and am torn between a cruiser and a crotch rocket.

I have no prior motorcycle riding experience but I am planning to start learning within the next year. I did though grow up riding dirt bikes on the weekends on some trials and the road.

I was planning on getting a Ninja 250 for my first bike for: 1. the small engine = good beginner bike and 2. the gas mileage; but I have learned recently that a cruiser is a better bike to learn on because your body isn't leaning as far forward as on a Ninja. Also, insurance is cheaper with a cruiser than with a crotch rocket? (have yet to look up rates for bikes)

Since I was planning on getting a Ninja, I have no knowledge of cruisers and was wondering if some of ya'll can provide some input on any or all of the above criteria. The help is appreciated!

 

I tend to agree with whippersnapper, although any good 250 will make an excellent beginner bike. What do you see yourself riding in a few years... a cruiser or sportbike? I think you will find with a cruiser a bit more at ease transitioning from driving to riding (IMO) but if you envision yourself riding a sportbike, go with a 250 sportbike as your first ride. There are so many options nowadays. Good luck!

 

honestly idk what i can envision myself riding. i'm still in college so i want to learn on something easy and something that wont break the bank. as soon as i get a job when i graduate, that's when i'll start considering a permanent bike purchase

 

Find yourself a 99-02 Suzuki SV650. Not SV650-S. it's a nice "standard". Not a cruiser, not a sportbike. Very docile and easy to handle, great performance, great mpg, dang near bullit proof,...And you wont get tired of it in a month like a 250. Wife had one, and a 750, now she has 2 SV's and a big cruiser.


Her '00 SV650 (she has a SV650-S too) Love these things.

 

Is there a motorcycle safety course in your area you can take?
I would suggest that first.
Even though you have experiance with dirt bikes the course will teach you a lot AND as a bonus they should have a couple different styles of bikes to choose from so you can maybe try out a ninja and a honda rebel or something like that.

 

U should get a smaller version of what you will eventually want.. For example if you want a crotch rocket then get the ninja 250. It is a sport bike and will ride like one however you do sit more up right it still handles like a sport bike though. If you want to get a cruiser then get a smaller cc lighter cruiser. Just because you are new to bikes dont think that if you want a sport bike you cant start with a 600.... you will just need self control. I had a friend that had never ridden a motorcycle a day in his life (dirtbikes included) and after a couple hours in a large empty parking lot he had the basics down. Good luck... oh and either way you go i would get used because there are two types of riders.. Those that have been down and those that are going to go down.

 

I disagree. Just because you start off on one doesn't mean you can't switch the other. I ride standard/naked bikes but I have no problem riding a cruiser, sport bike, dirt bike, supermoto... whatever.
And as far as starting off on a 600 and just exercising control, I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure there are a few people out there who do this and do just fine, like your friend, good for him and them. But overall I would imagine there are a far greater number of people who go out, get a 600 and wreck or worse. It never hurt anyone to start off on a smaller bike and move up or to take the class.
I not trying to start an e-fight/pissing contest here or anything, I just wanted to offer my $.02.

 

and just to clarify for the OP, when I say 600 I mean sportbikes like the GSXR600, CBR600, ZX6R and so on... The SV650 like ZRX1040 suggested would be a great first bike.

 

this may be a little late, hahaha but i ride a shadow 750 ACE. it fits good in my trd off-road short bed. and it is WAY more comfortable for long rides than a sport bike. i have ridden a few of my friends bikes and don't particularly like crotch rockets, but that's just my preference.. my shadow i have done rides of up to 1,000 miles at a time without pain (just my ass hurt) hope this helps....

 

your right it doesnt mean you cant switch... but if someone is a new rider why would he want to learn on a 800# cruiser then switch to any of the 600 cc sport bikes. they ride completly different. it just makes sense. either route that he takes going to a safety course is an excelent idea. you get knowledge and the insurance discount. i have riddin just about every jap 600 and 1000 and most of the italian super bikes and minus the mv agusta i feel comftorable on all of them... but i dont like ridding big ass cruisers like a full baged harley.

 

ok yeah I can see that.
I was just assuming that since the OP was talking of a 250 ninja he would look at a honda rebel for as a cruiser. I wasn't thinking of the 800 pound stuff.

 

yeah i agree the honda rebel would be a good choice.. but since we are speaking of honda they just came out with a sport bike 250 this year. looks like a cbr600rr but just like the ninja has a way skinnier back tire. also i do agree that a lot of people go out and buy 600 and 1000s and wreck them right off the showroom floor. i have seen it a lot and had marines that worked in my shop that did it. you have to be honest with yourself when you are buying a sport bike cause they arent as forgiving as cruisers. i mean the touchiness of the clutch and throttle. one slip and you just 12 o clocked your brand new bike.

 

A used sv650 would be an awesome first bike. Get one that's already been dropped a few times because you will drop this bike.