Ninja 650R as a first, er, second bike, story + help needed please

duality · 09-28-2008, 06:39 PM

Hi guys, I just joined the site about 5 minutes ago and I'm excited to be in the world of motorcycling. I'm 23 and live in Phoenix.

Here is a little background:

I had a wild hair one day back in August and purchased a brand new bike. I promised myself I would not touch it until I have completed the MSF, but I gave in to temptation, and went on a ride the next day. My first ride ever on a motorcycle, it lasted 70 miles before a truck sideswiped me and knocked me on my ass. The bike is totalled and I am fine. I was wearing protective gear in the form of a helmet. I'm not looking for anyone to tell me I shouldn't have done that. I realize I made a great error and put my life in jeapordy and possibly someone elses.

Skip forward to today -
I am counting down to the MSF course, which I take this Thursday, and will be purchasing a new bike AFTER wards. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'm really interested in the Ninja 650R. I've been told by several friends and online references that it is a good beginner bike and will also serve me for a long time. I've also been looking at the Ninja 250R and the Ninja 500. I just really like the line of bikes, want something reliable and inexpensive to operate.

Do you think the 650R will be too much bike for someone with a total of 70 miles under their belt? I'm afraid the bike is going to be difficult to handle. I'm not opposed to the 250R and I know it will be much easier, but I do not want to buy/sell/buy bikes in 6 months because I purchased something I outgrew. The 500 seems like a good inbetween but I am having trouble sourcing one.

I will only be purchasing a new bike - reasons being 1. financing (I don't have great credit and no cash to buy a used bike outright) 2. warranty and 3. the difference in total cost isn't enough to really bother me.

I am open to any and all opinions and suggestions, if you have them.

Thank you very much in advance, and I look forward to being a part of the community again soon!

Dodsfall · 09-28-2008, 06:57 PM

The 650R is a decent bike to learn on.

ocryan1 · 09-29-2008, 01:44 PM

I am also new to riding and have had my 2007 650r for a little over a week. I had no prior riding experience except a few dirtbikes when I was younger. The 650r is an AWESOME bike to learn on, it's light and easy to maneuver. I have had no problems whatsoever learning to ride on it, and I am now riding on the highway and going through twisties with no problems, and I think a lot of that is due to the 650r.

Overall, I think it would be a great first/second bike for you to get and learn on. Go for it!

duality · 09-29-2008, 04:52 PM

this forum is slower than I originally thought. Thanks for the responses so far!

hsartteacher · 09-29-2008, 05:30 PM

I think the 650R is a great bike. I ride a similar bike the Suzuki 650S. It's not a bike you will out grow easily, and has enough power for highway and two up riding.

Ravenstar · 09-29-2008, 06:17 PM

I've had a 650R for about five months. It was the first bike I'd ever ridden except for the MSF one. It's a very forgiving bike. I've made a few mistakes that I've learned from, A few worse than others, And every time I've managed to make it out without a problem. I doubt I could have on some of the larger, heavier supersports. It's fast, but if you accident grab to much throttle it won't wheelie up or anything on you. All in all it's a very good starter bike.

Keep in mind though, Starting on a 250 Ninja will most likely make you a better rider. You can only go so fast though a corner, and a 250 will teach you to conserve your speed, making you a much better rider when you eventually upgrade. It's also nicer if you happen to wreck, you didn't mess up your new bike. (Everyone says that they will play it safe, It's not true. It's very very easy to make a mistake on a bike.) I kinda wish I had started on a 250, but it's too late now.

sirgilbert357 · 09-30-2008, 10:30 PM

I took the MSF course and a week later bought my 07 Ninja 650r. I dont regret it at all. This bike is great for noobs in my opinion. Its got plenty of power so you wont likely outgrow it very quickly and it is light and easy to handle. The 650r is also fuel injected instead of using carbs. With the 250 or even the Ninja 500, if you dont ride them often the carbs can get gummed up and require work to get running right again. Plus the 500 is just ugly (sorry, just my opinion). The 250 isn't that much lighter than the 650, so dont worry about it being too heavy to handle. They are all more agile than you are, believe that. As far as power levels go, if you are hot headed and have lots of speeding tickets, then you should probably reconsider getting the 650, but if youre level headed and plan to respect the bike and take your time getting to know it, then the 650 will reward that patience without boring you later...whatever you get, dont be scared of it, just respect it and take it slow. You only "learn to ride" once...

09-28-2008, 06:39 PM	#1
duality Verified Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 19	Ninja 650R as a first, er, second bike, story + help needed please Hi guys, I just joined the site about 5 minutes ago and I'm excited to be in the world of motorcycling. I'm 23 and live in Phoenix. Here is a little background: I had a wild hair one day back in August and purchased a brand new bike. I promised myself I would not touch it until I have completed the MSF, but I gave in to temptation, and went on a ride the next day. My first ride ever on a motorcycle, it lasted 70 miles before a truck sideswiped me and knocked me on my ass. The bike is totalled and I am fine. I was wearing protective gear in the form of a helmet. I'm not looking for anyone to tell me I shouldn't have done that. I realize I made a great error and put my life in jeapordy and possibly someone elses. Skip forward to today - I am counting down to the MSF course, which I take this Thursday, and will be purchasing a new bike AFTER wards. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'm really interested in the Ninja 650R. I've been told by several friends and online references that it is a good beginner bike and will also serve me for a long time. I've also been looking at the Ninja 250R and the Ninja 500. I just really like the line of bikes, want something reliable and inexpensive to operate. Do you think the 650R will be too much bike for someone with a total of 70 miles under their belt? I'm afraid the bike is going to be difficult to handle. I'm not opposed to the 250R and I know it will be much easier, but I do not want to buy/sell/buy bikes in 6 months because I purchased something I outgrew. The 500 seems like a good inbetween but I am having trouble sourcing one. I will only be purchasing a new bike - reasons being 1. financing (I don't have great credit and no cash to buy a used bike outright) 2. warranty and 3. the difference in total cost isn't enough to really bother me. I am open to any and all opinions and suggestions, if you have them. Thank you very much in advance, and I look forward to being a part of the community again soon!

09-28-2008, 06:57 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,880	The 650R is a decent bike to learn on. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-29-2008, 04:52 PM	#4
duality Verified Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 19	this forum is slower than I originally thought. Thanks for the responses so far! __________________ Don't you love my wreckless impulsiveness?

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09-29-2008, 01:44 PM	#3
ocryan1 Verified Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 51	I am also new to riding and have had my 2007 650r for a little over a week. I had no prior riding experience except a few dirtbikes when I was younger. The 650r is an AWESOME bike to learn on, it's light and easy to maneuver. I have had no problems whatsoever learning to ride on it, and I am now riding on the highway and going through twisties with no problems, and I think a lot of that is due to the 650r. Overall, I think it would be a great first/second bike for you to get and learn on. Go for it!

09-29-2008, 05:30 PM	#5
hsartteacher I Ride Like A Girl Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,526	I think the 650R is a great bike. I ride a similar bike the Suzuki 650S. It's not a bike you will out grow easily, and has enough power for highway and two up riding.

09-29-2008, 06:17 PM	#6
Ravenstar Registered Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	I've had a 650R for about five months. It was the first bike I'd ever ridden except for the MSF one. It's a very forgiving bike. I've made a few mistakes that I've learned from, A few worse than others, And every time I've managed to make it out without a problem. I doubt I could have on some of the larger, heavier supersports. It's fast, but if you accident grab to much throttle it won't wheelie up or anything on you. All in all it's a very good starter bike. Keep in mind though, Starting on a 250 Ninja will most likely make you a better rider. You can only go so fast though a corner, and a 250 will teach you to conserve your speed, making you a much better rider when you eventually upgrade. It's also nicer if you happen to wreck, you didn't mess up your new bike. (Everyone says that they will play it safe, It's not true. It's very very easy to make a mistake on a bike.) I kinda wish I had started on a 250, but it's too late now.

09-30-2008, 10:30 PM	#7
sirgilbert357 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,810	I took the MSF course and a week later bought my 07 Ninja 650r. I dont regret it at all. This bike is great for noobs in my opinion. Its got plenty of power so you wont likely outgrow it very quickly and it is light and easy to handle. The 650r is also fuel injected instead of using carbs. With the 250 or even the Ninja 500, if you dont ride them often the carbs can get gummed up and require work to get running right again. Plus the 500 is just ugly (sorry, just my opinion). The 250 isn't that much lighter than the 650, so dont worry about it being too heavy to handle. They are all more agile than you are, believe that. As far as power levels go, if you are hot headed and have lots of speeding tickets, then you should probably reconsider getting the 650, but if youre level headed and plan to respect the bike and take your time getting to know it, then the 650 will reward that patience without boring you later...whatever you get, dont be scared of it, just respect it and take it slow. You only "learn to ride" once...