Looking for advice.

[the_bandit]

For my 21 first birthday, I'd like to purchase a street bike. A full blown motorcycle. I have had experience with bicycles, mini bikes, dirtbikes, quads, and other forms of 2 - 4 wheel transportation. I will be doing research for at least 2 years before I even consider getting a bike. My plan is to get a 250cc dirbike for this birthday so I can get the feel of what a streetbike feels like if it is at all remotely the same. If anyone could give me advice on what kind of bike to start with? What brand? Any good advice before purchasing one and after I get it. Other than wearing full riding gear and a helmet, I'm a new sponge ready to absorb.

 

[crypt keeper]

Are you a guy or a girl? It matters. How big are you? again it matters Height and weight is huge for a bike. What riding style do you like? What type of bikes do you prefer?I have been ridin for 15yrs

 

[bionicarm]

Dirt bikes and street biles are two different animals. Most dirt bikes I've had aren't even street legal (no headlight, no taillight, no blinkers, etc.) The rides between the two are also totally different. Dirt bikes have different suspensions, off-road tires, and normally they are geared lower so that you get more low-end torque and higher RPM's. Not to mention they are considerably louder than a street bike. If you want to start out small, get you something like this:
http://cgi.----.com/ebaymotors/2007-...item3effa9eeff
http://cgi.----.com/ebaymotors/86-HO...item3effa8fa89
http://cgi.----.com/ebaymotors/2002-...item2a06eed067
Stay away from the 'crotch rockets'. A whole bunch of power, and a lot of trouble.
Long term, BMW makes a very solid bike. A buddy has one that is 'multi-use' and can handle both the road and some off-road conditions.
If you really want to go 'new age' or the latest craze, get you a Can-Am 3-wheeler:
http://www.motorcycle.com/specs/can-am.html

 

[crypt keeper]

You cant tell a person to stay away from a certain bike because you say they are trouble. You have no idea who this person is how they ride or how fast they want to go. I have a modded hayabusa that will do 200 mph on a long enough road and will do close to 150 in the qtr mile. Im still alive. I still have my license. I have also been riding "crotch rockets", which is the most moroinc term ever for them, for over 10 years. My point being when treated with respect and care they are awesome bikes that do anything you want it too.
BMW for a first bike? Get bent.
Newer bikes like the Kawasaki ninja 650R and older but redone every few years bike like the Suzuki SV650, also see Gladius, are perfect do everything first time bikes. With correct respect and growth they can be modified and given more power among other things that will allow a person to keep for years.
Your leg inseam needs to be known to lead you in the correct path. You can be average height 5'8 and up or shorter. The bikes vary accordingly.

 

[reefraff]

Pick up one of the street/dirt bikes and just use it off road until you are comfortable enough to ride on the street. I had a Honda XL 650 years ago. Unless you are better than 6'2 or so I wouldn't suggest that monster but a 250 would be cool.

 

[the_bandit]

At the moment Im 5' 7'' and weight about 160lbs. Im a guy. Im not looking to buy a brand new 2010 bike. Im looking for an older reliable bike that I can get the feel for before I go and invest in a brand new motorcycle. I understand there is a large difference between dirt bikes and motorcycles. I was just mentioning that so anyone knew that I am familiar with the feel and power of a bike. Like I said, this is a long term plan and I dont intend to just go out and jump on a motorcycle.

 

[meowzer]

wow....I love the responses.....so rude
My son is looking at a Can am....BUT because he has a disability and can not ride a 2 wheeler
I (am a girl and short) BUT...Use to ride a Honda CB750 custom in NY......If I got another I would go with a shodow 650 (mainly cause of height)
I think you can find some older shadows pretty reasonable too.....

 

[handbanana]

Do you want a sport bike or a cruiser?
My first bike was a 2000 Kawasaki ninja 250 ex and this bike has been hailed as a wonderful starter bike. It has the handleing capabilities of any large street bike and the new 10 modles have been massivly improved. they are small powerful (kind of) light weight bikes. around 250 lbs. very agile. great gas milage as well. the old school babys are still awesome, cheap and reliable.
My current fave bike ( I have a few) Is my 1990 suzuki Katana 600. I bought it off of CL for $250 and have done amazing things to it. Its my stunt bike now.
As for dirtbikes, If you can ride a dirtbike you can ride a street bike. Just dont put your foot down when you turn
And they have duell sports that are on road/ off road dirtbikes that are way awesome. A honda XR650 with a supermoto kit is frickin sweet!
Bikes are fun to work on too if thats your thing. I love workin on bikes. My bike looked like a wreck when I bought it and now people cant even tell what it is. ( my katana that is, My CBR is still a CBR)
Thats SOME of my .02 I have a lot to say about bikes however so i'll zip it for now.
Hey Meowzer,

on the CB750! Great bike!

 

[handbanana]

" I have also been riding "crotch rockets", which is the most moroinc term ever for them,"
+1
I hate it when peeps say " you ride a crotch rocket"?
I tell em "I ride a streetbike, If YOU had a bike it would be a crotch rocket, cuz thats obveously what you ride, crotch."

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3269115
I (am a girl and short) BUT...Use to ride a Honda CB750 custom in NY.....
What year? I had A 77 CB750K for years. Just sold it last year cause it was starting to fall apart. Still got almost a grand for it.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3269145
What year? I had A 77 CB750K for years. Just sold it last year cause it was starting to fall apart. Still got almost a grand for it.
LOL...I don't remember ...probably late 70's...cause when I had it I only had 1 kid, and she was born in 1982.....
and then I had a Yamaha 600..geesh...I can't remember the name of it

....anyway....with 4 kids, who had time to ride it

so I got rid of it.....after moving to OK....I was too busy...and the roads around here suck.....so I'd rather just drive my mustang around anyway, lol

 

[ibanez]

My suggestion is to buy an older street bike, the design you want, either sport or touring because you will probably dump it a time or two and you can do an awful lot of damage at low speeds. A lot of people start out with brand new sport bikes and dump them right out the starting gate. Depending on what you get, say an R1, and you hit a speed bump and flick your wrist, .02 seconds later your on your back and your bike is 50 yards down the road doing endo's. Personally, I feel a ninja 250 isn't a good starter bike because it teaches you to be heavy on the throttle. I would suggest, in the sport bike category, a older ninja 500 or sv650 as was stated. Or, in the other category, I would suggest something in the 500 range. As stated, a dirt bike is a far cry from a street bike, but it will benefit you some riding one. Also, I recommend taking a class. Remember, with street bikes, it doesn't matter how good and safe you are, when some idiot pulls in front of you, or rear ends you, or a dog runs out in front of you, or a million other things that can happen, some times it just comes down to learning how to take a fall and/or brace for impact.
Crypt, I would like to see some pics of the modded happybus.

 

[fishtaco]

My first street bike was a Kawasaki 500 Triple with drop bars, chamber exhaust, quarter cafe fairing and KN air cleaners, still alive somehow, even though I road that bike for about 40,000 miles some of it in Southern California hiway traffic. No advice except buy a cool bike and I hope you don't live in an area with deer.
Fishtaco