a good Motorcycle for a beginner?

You, sir, are lucky to be alive.

I think the Ninja 250 is a great starter bike. I don't own one, but my roommate does along with a 600 F4i, and I get to ride the 250 for free whenever he wants a riding partner. It's great to learn on. And there is some definite truth to the fact that he's a better rider for have started on the smaller bike. He's much more confident on his 600 now.

 

throttle management... right but I want a bike that if I fuck up throttle management I don't kill myself... atleast while I'm learning.

Like I said... I'll never be that guy blasting off at stoplights...

but thanks for your comments and advise

 

i was just sayin that its not the bike so much is the person. I agree a ninja 250 is an excellent little bike. if you go one step further to the 650 or a good used SV650 you will also be very happy. a ninja 250 screams on the highway. a little bit bigger bike will give you more flexibility. The sv650 also has very low center of gravity with the v twin, very nimble, great gas mileage very little maitenance. lots of aftermarket and the vtwin sounds awesome with a pipe

 

whats a reputable helmet brand?

 

Arai,though expensive. Shoei is almost as good and cheaper.

IMO my head is worth more than a $100 helmet.

 

makes sense... is there a good brand that averages less than $500 a helmet?

 

Shoei goes for under $400. Go to a couple of dealers and try some brands on. They all feel a little different. Weight makes a difference too, a heavier helmet will tire your neck out faster than you might think. You don't need a superlight race helmet though. Something with decent sound protection.

 

Scorpion... I always get snell helmets. they are rated for higher impact resistance than just DOT approval. My scorpion helmet saved my head in a 65mph digger once when hit by a drunk driver!

they have special visor that does not fog AT ALL. not like some of the copycat companies

 

thanks guys

 

Finished BRC yesterday... gonna go pick up my permit this week...then bike shopping. When the certificate arrives I'll go get my license