What do you recommend?

[Ethan]

I am only 18 right now and ill be jumping into college soon enough. but i am going to be wanting a bike. ill probably get it within the next year or 2. i dont have a bunch of riding experience but i am going to want something that will have a lot of kick, for when i get more experience. Most of my experience comes from 4-wheelers and dirtbikes, which aren't to much different? I will definatly be wanting a ninja though so which size would would recommend? oh yeah... i am 5'11 160.

[Ethan]

i saw some information about a ninja 250, and it seems to be a good bike for me. but as far as the ninja 250 goes... would i be able to add a lot of stuff to it to give it a significantly larger amount of power for the future?

[DjWags]

I'm a newb without a bike myself, still in the process of buying my first. From what I have read, there are fewer performance options when it comes to motorcycles. The best way to increase power is to buy a bigger bike... That being said, the general recommendation is to take the MSF course, buy a used starter bike (ninja 250, 500 and suzuki GS500 are all good options) then sell it and move up to a real crotch rocket when you have acquired the proper skills

[Nitelord]

I'm 160 at 5' 11" also. :)

The Ninja 500 would be a very nice starter bike. I'm riding a 650r and that too would be a good bike for you to consider. Both get excellent mileage. Plenty of get up and go. Both are very forgiving bikes for a new rider, in my opinion.

Good Luck. Definitely consider used. Save your money for the mods that will follow.

[Ethan]

which year ninja 500 would you recommand? i am definatly willing to buy a used bike.

[Schneiderman]

There are two types of Ninja 500s, Gen 1 and Gen 2, Gen 2 bikes are anything from 1994 to now and they are all the same. Try to stick with a Gen 2 since the Gen 1 bikes will all be getting worn out by now, unless they have a really good owner that maintains them well.

[Ethan]

i was looking into some ninja 500's there where some very decent 2002ish bikes for a great price on cycletrader.com thats probably the route i will go when i get my bike.