Just got my license!!!

[bike_n00b]

So I just got my bike license this week, pretty exciting stuff.

I took the MSF course the week previous and wanted to recommend it to every new rider. This course is what everyone needs. They walk you through every little step of operating a bike and help you feel less intimidated at the prospect of jumping on one. The skills they will teach you in the class are necessary skills if you want to stay alive, I shudder to think that some people grab a bike and hit the road with little experience because there is TOO much stuff you NEED to be thinking about when your riding.

I'm now looking for my first bike (possibly ninja 250, is this highway capable?, or 700cc cruiser) and plan on riding around my neighborhood and empty lots for a few weeks before I brave the road.

So I just wanted to give a quick update and thank the veterans on the board for recommending the class. Here's to not killing myself! :)

[Schneiderman]

Congrats on the license, and agreed on the MSF course. As for the bike, I had been of the opinion that if you are going to be highway riding you would want more than a 250, but I hear more and more than the Ninja 250 is easily highway capable. The 2008 model in particular is supposed to be able to move along pretty quick. I ride a Ninja 500, lots of expressway riding, cruising at 80+ mph, the 500 is a really great bike.

[bike_n00b]

Congrats on the license, and agreed on the MSF course. As for the bike, I had been of the opinion that if you are going to be highway riding you would want more than a 250, but I hear more and more than the Ninja 250 is easily highway capable. The 2008 model in particular is supposed to be able to move along pretty quick. I ride a Ninja 500, lots of expressway riding, cruising at 80+ mph, the 500 is a really great bike.

Thanks Schneiderman. What kind of MPG do you get on your 500?

[Schneiderman]

If I really try hard, I can get 70mpg. On average I get about 60, mostly expressway riding. Now that I'm out of school for the summer and don't have to ride the expressway, and will be riding more for pleasure in the twisties, I expect to see my mileage drop a bit.

[YamahaFan]

Cheers! Just don't ride right after, remember 1 beer = 1 hour :)
My bike is not supersport, brand new it was 98hp peak, but I guess it's around 65-70 now, plenty of power still for highway rides, get around 60mpg half/half, just don't get those nwer supersport bikes out there - too much power to handle

[bike_n00b]

In the class I was learning on a 250 cruiser, gz250 i think. I like the look of both cruisers and sportbikes, but my main concern is getting a bike that gets great gas mileage, is highway capable(i will probably be 50/50 split) and won't be too much for me to handle during my first year of riding. The 250 ninja sounds perfect IF it is indeed highway capable. I hear a lot of conflicting arguments about that.

[YamahaFan]

The thing I don't like about 250s is it doesn't have enough acceleration to get me out of trouble on highway if it calls for it, otherwise regular ride should be fine. Now, I don't know about the Ninja 250, so I can't really tell you the difference. Maybe others who own/ed it can tell.