Motorcycle Update

First of all, let me say how greatly I appreciated your comments on the other thread, and none of it will ever go to waste! If I hadn't found myself in here and hadn't been for you kind folks... yeah, I probably would've gone for CBR600RR or GSX-R600. I live in Miami, Florida, and you have no idea how popular CRB600RR is. One of my friends back in highscool went straight for it with no prior motorcycling experience. Has been riding it since for 2 years safely, he's very careful and responsible. So thanks for your advice.

Anyway, there aren't too many 250 CCs lying around in the States I guess. I used the search feature at cycletrader.com, and it only resulted a handful. 1 or 2 in entire Florida, and none anywhere near where I live. Similar predicament for local cycle trader magazines. Most of what you see is cruisers and 600 CCs and above sports bikes. So left with only one option, I went to see local motorcycle dealers.

I tried to see the Kawaski Ninja 250, and to me, I don't know. Ironically, someone with no motorcycle experience at all, the Ninja 250 seems inadequate for someone of my stature. I am only 5' 11", but to me it seemed a bit pudgy. Looking at the instrument panel and gripping the handle bar, my visual perception felt elevated ;). I have no idea how taller guys ride this beast. It felt uncomfortable assuming the position of riding, setting my feet on the pegs. And when I had both my feets in the ground, it reminded me of my good ol' 24" Huffy, which is not what I expected from a sportsbike. Aesthetically, need I say more? It is a menace to all other bikes in that stop. And I don't mean it in the Hayabusa way. It seemed like a pocket rocket....

For the moment being, may be I have to put up with it and get a used model.

I realized many of you also recommended SV650 to new riders with no experiences at all? Granted it's 645 CC, is it plausible for a new rider? What makes this, shall I say, potentially less dangerous than GSX-R600? I mean what makes the v-twin engine less powerful than 4 cylinders?

I think SV650 and GS500 also deserves a look into. I have to go to a Suzuki dealer and check it out, but I'll probably end up getting a much older version if I do (which means it won't have '04 fairings) or Ninja 250...

How many years old does it have to be for the insurence to be dramatically cheaper? Either way, I intend to get the bikes first and sign up for MSF. I figure I need a bike to practice on while I am taking the classes, otherwise how else would I pass the riding test?

Anyway, thank you so much for your help. Sorry if this post was tediously long to read.

I'm 5'10", and while I have never ridden a 250 except for the MSF course, you may find the GS500 more comfortable. I gots me some LONG ASS legs, and I fit on a 1991 just FINE. :) Give that a shot.

Thanks, I'll probably get a GS500 if I manage to find one somewhere.

Anyway, I went to the dealerships again, '04 bikes are suave, real suave. :). They let me start the throttle, and for a moment there, it was really tempting. I checked out few of the Hondas and Suzuki, but more or less, they all have forward lean to get a good grip of the bar. I heard someone here mention that there is upright position on sportbikes as well, well it doesn't seem so. The only difference I noticed, some are widely arched, where you'd have to lay your stomach on the gas tank to get a firm grip on the handle bars, legs are way back, and the head is much lowered to the level of windshield. So what's the difference? Thanks.

That "forward" posture is to reduce drag. The less of you out in the "open" for air to catch on, the less your coefficient of drag... less drag means less friction which means you can ride faster. ;) Of course, this is only the case at the "extreme" speeds, but the technology runs true for pretty much any speed.

no no no, sorry, lol, I suppose I phrased the question wrong. what I wanted to point out was what's the difference in the bikes? because I know it's leaning forward for aerodynamics and better windflow. but the ones that are upright, where would the pegs be positioned or if handles are closer to the gastank, etc. I haven't seen those in the dealer shop, I suppose they didn't have it. ya it was unnecessary to ask now that I think about it.

but I think it's a bit redundant to put that much racing emphasis for a street sportbike, even if it's race-inspired. because serious racers tend to get seperate bikes or get two bikes, keep the cozy one for street, and the bad ass one for track with all the street trinkets stripped. I think Japanese companies should start what Aprilia initiated, have street bikes as well as street legal track bikes such as RS 250, 125, etc. And concentrate a bit on making the streetbikes a bit comfier. My father in his late years gained slight back pains because of it; and his bikes were more or less upright, thanks to 70s-80s era.