250 or 650??

I love riding with friends and have been wanting my own bike. I'm small (5'2"/110lbs) and I think I should start with a 250 (ninja or rebel). I've been told that just because a bike has more power, you don't necessarily have to use it and I'd be fine with say a SV650 (which I think is sweet as hell) but being a new rider, what makes more sense? I know you hear this from guys all the time, but do the same rules apply for girls?

As we've stated before, you can kill yourself just as dead with a .22 pistol as you can with a .44 Mag, you just have to try harder. The same goes for motorcycles. A cruiser bike may be more suitable for you for this reason. As far as power, a Ninja 250 can get you in almost as much trouble as an SV650 can, but it would be a little more forgiving since it has so much less power. The most important thing for you at 5'2" is seat height. An SV650 may be too tall for you to sit comfortably on. Unless you ride strictly around town, skip the Honda Rebel 250, as any speed above 50 and it will vibrate you to death. Cruiser style bikes to consider (unless you want new) are the Honda Magna V-30 and Shadow 500/750, Suzuki Savage, Kawi Vulcan 600. Standard bikes to also look at are the Honda Nighthawk 450-650, Suzuki GS 450/550, and Kawasaki 440/550 LTD's. Any one of these bikes would make you an excellent starter bike that you won't outgrow in a couple months.

i have a friend who just bought a 250 sportbike to start on and less than 6 months later she's already talking about how she wished she'd gotten the 650. i'm all for starting small but you may wanna look into a sv650 or a 500 or 650r ninja. and richtazz is right about the height thing. she's about 5'5" and she had to have lowering links put on so she could sit comfortably on the bike.

A Ninja 500 or GS500 may be a better choice if you are worried about "needing" more power, but at your size, I can't imagine a 250 being too little any time soon. Heck, with 4 years under my belt at the time, I took a friend's Ninja 250 out for a spin and had an ABSOLUTE blast! If you think a 250 is a good idea, go with your instinct... worry less about what others suggest. I have NO regret for starting on a 500, but I'm also 8" taller than you... and we'll leave out how much heavier I am! ;)

We've got a Ninja 250 in our stable of motorcycles (1 of 7) here at the house. Nice little bike. Crazy revs for such a little thing.

i started on a 250 and i'm 6'4 and 100kg (220lb) and yes, i had too for our licencing restrictions. it was certainly quick enough for me to shit my pants. my main reason for upgrading was size.

at track days, there are always smaller guys and girls on 125's, 250's and 400's who kick butt on the guys on 600's and 1000's in the corners. (pity about the straight though)

Hey guys, I'm 5'8" and about 145lbs. I was thinking of buying a used Honda VFR 400 as a first bike. Good idea or not? I've also seen some good (and really old) 600cc machines go for very cheap on ebay, would it be a good idea to go in for one of those?
I asked this in the sticky post earlier but didnt get a responce. :frown:

I agree with the others about the height of the SV650. I rode one, and it's quite a bit taller than the Ninja 250 or 650.
I enjoy my Ninja 250, it's not boring to me. There's times I wish it had a little more power, or was a little more comfortable, but it's a blast to ride hard into the corners with the little engine screaming!

Ninja 250 "Faster than most cars....slower than most bikes"

Hey guys, I'm 5'8" and about 145lbs. I was thinking of buying a used Honda VFR 400 as a first bike. Good idea or not? I've also seen some good (and really old) 600cc machines go for very cheap on ebay, would it be a good idea to go in for one of those?
I asked this in the sticky post earlier but didnt get a responce. :frown:

sorry dude, the stickies don't get visited by regulars as much as they should. sorry we missed your post.

i like the VFR 400, if its in good condition then go for it. assuming its the same as we had down her, i loved the single swing arm.

steer clear of ebay unless you can go and see the bike.

Thanks M8Y, I'l definately keep that in mind. I should be buying one within the next two months, I'll keep you guys updated. Cheers!!!

I agree with Aussie, the VFR400 is a nice bike. It's big brother (the VFR750/800) had won most motorcycle magazines best all-around bike for how many years straight? Go for it and ride!

honda rebels are rediculous....I don't know how you could have any fun on them. You can't cruise for the sake of cruising and you can't tear up corners with it either. I don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new one anyways.

honda rebels are rediculous....I don't know how you could have any fun on them. You can't cruise for the sake of cruising and you can't tear up corners with it either. I don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new one anyways.

the same reason some-one joins the navy...... they like the motion of the ocean. all sloppy and unpredictable.




and the attraction of men in toight shorts.....:runaround:

th
and the attraction of men in toight shorts.....runaround



You've got a toight body... toight like a toiger!:grinno:

You've got a toight body... toight like a toiger!:grinno:

As the saying goes... "This thread is doomed!!!" :banghead::grinyes::runaround::popcorn:

the same reason some-one joins the navy...... they like the motion of the ocean. all sloppy and unpredictable.




and the attraction of men in toight shorts.....:runaround:


SLICE! You're cold as ice aussieidiot! :iceslolan

The EX500 is no longer called the EX.... it's now just the Ninja 500R.

As for the comparo.... the Ninja is not just a little faster... it's A LOT FASTER!


The ninja is water cooled... the GS is air cooled

The ninja is a 4 valve per cylinder motor, the GS is a 2 valve per cyclinder motor

The ninja makes 50rwhp, the GS makes 40rwhp

The ninja is a full 498cc, the GS is a 487cc

The ninja tops out at around 110mph, the GS does 99mph.

The ninja runs a low 13 second 1/4 mile, the GS runs a mid 14 second 1/4 mile.

The ninja revs up to 11,000rpm, the GS revs up to 9,500rpm.

I've been riding for almost 6 months. I bought my first bike around april. Against most recomendations I bought a 900cc. While mine isn't a full blown sport bike it can still go fast enough to kill me, and I remember tjhat everytime I go out haha. I was going to get a 600cc sport bike but was afraid I'd outgrow it which is why I finally opted for the 9. I think I might be outgrowing the 900 now haha.

Anyway back on topic you are pretty petite so I'd say maybe a ninja 500 would be a good compromise I just looked at one this weekend for a friend however she is a little taller than you. 5'2" might be tough on a sv. Just keep looking around and sit on a few see what feels comfortable to you.

I wouldn't worry about speed or power too too much cuz it only goes as fast as you want it to. A little self control goes a long way on a motorcycle.

I've been riding for almost 6 months. I bought my first bike around april. Against most recomendations I bought a 900cc. While mine isn't a full blown sport bike it can still go fast enough to kill me, and I remember tjhat everytime I go out haha. I was going to get a 600cc sport bike but was afraid I'd outgrow it which is why I finally opted for the 9. I think I might be outgrowing the 900 now haha.

Anyway back on topic you are pretty petite so I'd say maybe a ninja 500 would be a good compromise I just looked at one this weekend for a friend however she is a little taller than you. 5'2" might be tough on a sv. Just keep looking around and sit on a few see what feels comfortable to you.

I wouldn't worry about speed or power too too much cuz it only goes as fast as you want it to. A little self control goes a long way on a motorcycle.
Anything I get will probably have to be lowered somewhat. I like the power of like say GSX1000, but I'd just get in trouble. I'll be really looking in the off season so I'll be ready for spring