Please help shopping and only have a slight idea of what I want!

[keld1774]

Hey guys new to the forum! I'm shopping for my first bike, I'm getting signed up for my motorcycle safety class. I'm trying to find the bike that's going to be the best for me. I'll tell you about me if it helps I'm 6 ft 200lbs. I'm looking for something good for cruising around town and that will still be able to hit up the highway. I drive about 15 min to work every day most of that trip is on the interstate. I really like the style and price of the Hyosung 250 just to give you an idea. As far as my price range I'm trying to stay under 4k. Thanks in advance for your help work your magic!!

[Easy Rider 2]

I really like the style and price of the Hyosung 250 just to give you an idea. As far as my price range I'm trying to stay under 4k. Thanks in advance for your help work your magic!!

If that bike also fits you OK, then look at Suzuki GZ 250's also. I think the Hyosung is a Chinese "clone".

Style (and even price) is not NEARLY as important as getting a bike that "fits" you and you are comfortable with.

At your size, you probably could handle a cruiser or standard up to the 750 CC range.......but the smallest thing that fits is best for a first ride.

[keld1774]

Awesome thanks. I like that style too, I'm just now getting into shopping for a bike so I am the definition of a noob. I've sat on a few different bikes and I like sitting in more of the up right or slightly upright position just comfort wise.
My main thing is I don't want to get something that's "too much" for me to handle.
For example if I dropped I want to be able to pick it up by myself.
Also I don't want to give it too much gas and pull a back flip.
So any suggestions of certain bikes or manufacturers would be greatly appreciated! Overall I just need to find out which bikes I need to go look at and see which one "fits" me best.

[Jesterrace]

Avoid the Chinese/Korean bikes (ie Hyosung) like the plague. Cheap quality parts and questionable availability makes them a poor choice and not as many people will work on them. Stick with the Japanese manufacturers (Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki). If you can fit comfortably on a Hyosung then you will definitely be comfortable on the Ninja 250 and it is of much better build quality and better specs (it also has a 6th gear). It's a british video but they compare the two here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqDzeCVkX0

[keld1774]

So do you think a 250 would be enough for me?

[Jesterrace]

You are right at about the borderline for one, but given what you are using it for it will probably be okay. I would recommend the Ninja as it will be the most powerful 250 of the bunch. Just take it easy on the throttle and it will be easy to learn on, but will have the extra power and performance there when you want it to move after you get more experience.

[keld1774]

Sweet, that really helps thanks a lot everyone!

[Easy Rider 2]

I would recommend the Ninja as it will be the most powerful 250 of the bunch.

Agreed.....IF the ergos fit the rider in question.
Most do, a few don't.
As always, never buy ANYTHING without a test ride, even if it's only around the parking lot.

[Jesterrace]

Agreed Easy Rider. Definitely test ride the thing first.

[keld1774]

I will be sure to do that!

[markk53]

Hey guys new to the forum! I'm shopping for my first bike, I'm getting signed up for my motorcycle safety class. I'm trying to find the bike that's going to be the best for me. I'll tell you about me if it helps I'm 6 ft 200lbs. I'm looking for something good for cruising around town and that will still be able to hit up the highway. I drive about 15 min to work every day most of that trip is on the interstate. I really like the style and price of the Hyosung 250 just to give you an idea. As far as my price range I'm trying to stay under 4k. Thanks in advance for your help work your magic!!

If you're doing the dealership thing, listen to what the salesperson is asking you... or telling you. If they aren't probing to see what riding you've done to learn your experience, if they aren't asking questions to see what your own self confidence is, if they aren't asking what you like, and especially if they corral you up to one specific model in spite of your asking about others - you're in the wrong place. It's about you and what you want, along with what they find you should consider. If they are good at their work, they will be able to explain the pros and cons relative to what you like and want.

Key point to consider on the freeway travel - does traffic force higher speeds. I know where I used to live a vehicle could comfortably run at or slightly below the limits on the Interstates and limited access highways. Where I am at now you are forced to run at or above to both be safe and comfortable on a motorcycle. Take that into account. Also is there a back road way to get to work to avoid the freeway that will be relatively safe and maybe entertaining. I always ended up with a longer ride to and from work than my drive would be. It was about that bit of fun in the morning and afternoon and only added a few miles extra. Try one of those routes some day so you know if you could run a smaller bike comfortably at a bit lower speed if that's preferable. So you leave 5-10 minutes earlier - it's worth it.