I wouldn't see a problem with a man your size on a 250. Smart for learning, although you may grow out of it sooner than you'd like. I suggest you buy used for your first bike.

Are you looking for a sport bike? Personally, I'd stick with Honda, but Im extremely biased.

 

I'm inclined to go with a standard bike while I'm learning. My plan is to buy something used, simple and inexpensive as a starter bike. I think that several months or a year on a smaller standard bike will give me a much better sense of what I like and of which direction I'd like to go for my second bike.

 

I would go with the Honda Rebel which is a Decent Ride for a 250CC.. Get a used one though and won't cry if drop it or take a beating on the Trade In value which after a couple months you will be wanting to do ..

 

There are many other good options for a first motorcycle besides a handful of 250 cc motorcycles. The 250 class are very easy to learn on, but so are many others.

I would recommend something that is comfortable to ride, fairly light weight, is mechanically sound, and has a single or twin engine.

 

It's usually recommended that new riders who have no previous experience whatsoever should begin on something small light and easily manageable like a 250cc class bike. Do YOU have any previous riding experience of any kind?

If in the past you've ridden dirt bikes or scooters, stuff like that, AND you feel pretty confident at the controls of a bike, then you might be a candidate for something bigger.

Look at a Suzuki S40 for example. It is a 650cc bike, but it is also remarkably small and light.

Take the BRC as soon as possible. They'll provide you a bike and it will likely be either a 125 or 250cc. By the time you're done learning on the BRC bike you should have a much better understanding what you want & how big a bike you can handle

 

I encouraged my wife, and my son, to ride a 440 (inline twin, '83 Kawasaki 440LTD) for their first year, after taking the BRC and getting their endorsement. They both thanked me, two years later, stating it was the right thing to do. That bike was a blast, in town: 6-speed, light, agile, quite nimble, and it accellerated very quickly, shifting faster and smoother than any bike I have ever ridden (every time I rode it, I laughted out loud, inside my full-face helmet, it was that much fun -- until I zoomed past my turn...).

It's a very good idea to start out small, then graduate to bigger, if you have never ridden before. NordicMan's points are all very valid.

Be wary of cc's as a guide: my son's second bike, was a Yamaha FZR600 -- 92 HP! I rode it once, doing 55, in 5th. I cracked the throttle, and I was zooming at 90 MPH in seconds... It was fun, and vastly more powerful than my 750 APJB I had at the time.

I've ridden: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki, multiples of each brand. They're all excellent machines, made by some of the best engineers, and designers, in the entire world (no experience with HD, Indian, Victory, or any other brands -- sorry). As long as the bike is in good condition, it will perform for you. Be aware, however, that every manufacturer has made some poor models, over the years. Do your research on the Internet, to vet any model you fancy, so you can make an educated guess. Cheers!

 

My first bike was sweet CT90, and if it's just getting around town get one of these, no clutch but you still have to shift and they are pretty cheap used and are really really inexspensive and easy to fix.

I am now on something a little bigger though, suzuki made a 125 for a while and thats what I am using and teaching my wife on she loves! so don't be selfish and get your significant other a bike if you have one

 

Most importantly, set your ego aside and ride the wheels off a 250 for a season.... Remember, you are looking to purchase your 1st bike... you don't want it to be your last.

 

This!! :71baldboy:

 

UK start with 125

When I learnt to ride back in the 70's the UK had a limit of 250cc for learner riders. In the years since this has reduced to 125cc. There are alternative routes to get a bigger bike but in main many riders start with just that 125 limit taking their Compulsory Basic Test and learning to ride properly on the rod with such a small bike. The powers that be might convince you of the merits but as you are already considering a bigger bike than that my advice would be forget about the cc and think more about the weight and handling.

To get the feel of riding you will be better on something that is light weight and nimble. Find a bike that you feel comfortable on. Ensure that you can reach all the controls easily etc.

If you feel at ease on the bike then you will learn much faster and this will bring the confidence necessary to ride a larger machine.

One last point of note. I am a Senior Observer with the Institute of Advanced Motorists and I used to have a friend, Bob Young, who sadly died that was a Scooter rider. Young lads would turn up to begin their advanced riding course on high performance sports bikes and I'd send them out with Bob. They would look disparagingly at Bob and thing what can this 70 year old guy teach me. Then Bob would get then onto a country lane and offer to do a demonstration ride. Invariably he would leave them standing in amazement.

What I'm trying to say is that you must really know how to handle your machine and it doesn't really matter what that is. Don't get hung up on the engine size because there are many other factors.

 

Not sure if this has already been said, but if you buy a used 250 (or there abouts) in decent shape and keep it in decent shape, you can often sell it after a year or so for almost what you bought it for.

So get almost free use (except for consumables and maintenance) of a bike for the time you you have it.

Pretty good deal!

 

250s are great, the Suzuki S40 is a 650, but a single so power delivery is very forgiving.

I learned on a 500cc single myself. The CCs aren't as important as the HP. Anything under 50 hp is probably a fine starter bike really. (e.g. my 500 made 35 on a good day, where the ninja 250 makes ~25 - pretty sure the Zuki GS500 twin makes right at 50).

 

A really big man would just look funny on a smaller bike which is why I got a decent sized cruiser.

 

A really big man does not need to worry about what he LOOKS like on a bike of any kind......

 

Im 6'0 240lb (I lift weights :71baldboy and I started out on an 84 Honda Shadow VT700. Its a standard foot position cruiser, weighs around 500lbs with 64hp and I think 40lb of TQ.

My opinion, heavy enough to learn If you wish to navigate a big cruiser bike, yet powerful, nimble, and high revving enough if you wish to graduate to a sportbike.

Thats what I learned on, and now Im riding two bikes: a Harley Davidson V Rod, and a Kawasaki ZX-10R

Personally I dont think anyone should start on a Honda Rebel or 250cc Sportbike unless you're female or a physically small male.

 

Personally I dont think anyone should start on a Honda Rebel or 250cc Sportbike unless you're female or a physically small male.

And you think this because........?

 

As long as you don't let your ego sway you, then get what "fits". Your ego can get you in trouble. What happens later when more experienced riders push through the curves? "Learn" to ride another day. That's why smaller bikes are suggested. If you aren't man enough to take a little joking, you may not be man enough to know your limits. And that works both sides. Woman enough as well. You simply cannot let the ego rule.

 

It's important to pick the right tool for the job. Whats a good fit in all aspects for one rider isn't going to be right for another.

It wouldn't really make sense for someone to buy a 900-pound touring motorcycle if 90% of the time they used it for commuting less than 3 miles to work. Alternatively, it wouldn't make sense to buy a 250 Rebel or Ninja if most of the riding done was several hundred miles a day on the interstate.

When purchasing a motorcycle, some things should be carefully and honestly considered:

1) Is the motorcycle safe to ride at my current skill level?

2) Does the motorcycle physically fit my body where it can easily be handled, pushed around, and ridden without discomfort?

3) Does the motorcycle fit the type of riding I will do most?

4) Can I afford the cost of the motorcycle, maintenance, and insurance?

 

So, my daughter the Tai Kwon Do expert tells me that if you are good enough, you can compete with a pink bo staff and still win the weapons competition. Much the same kind of thing can be said about the bike you choose to ride. If you take the effort to really get good at what you are riding it will work for you. Make no excuses for what you are riding. Real riders will never give you any trouble over your choices.

 

Msf brc

i was used to riding dirt bikes before i got my first street bike. the BRC that the motorcycle safety foundation has is an awesome course. they really go through everything. from do,s and dont,s controls, types of bikes,lanes,judgement,etc. the rider course takes you through the basics in baby steps. an by the 3rd and last day u feel the basics for a general bike. the course provides 3 types of bikes dual sport,cruisers and sports bikes all of them are 250cc. the only thing after the course is to hone your skills. weeks after alot of practice and getting comfortable on a cruiser. i bought my first bike which was a 2005 suzuki boulevard s50 and i absolutely love it.