TomLee

iTrader: (3)

Anyone here familiar with street bikes? I want one to ride to school and work, considering most of them get great gass mileage. I dont need anything super fast or fancy. Any recomendations? I craiglisted "streetbike" and alot of Kawasaki Ninjas fit the price of around $2000, but im not sure how reliable they are.

OneJay

iTrader: (14)

The ninjas are super reliable. I had a 250 myself and the abundance of replacement parts was absurd. Let's just say they are like the Civic of motorcycles. My 250 averaged 70mpg as well.

neurocity

iTrader: (17)

Suzuki GSXR750 and 1100 are very decent used bikes. Honda VFR800 and CBR1100 are very forgiving and have linked brakes, good for a novice.

One of my favs and If I find one its mine!!! 1997 Yamaha YZF1000
Kawi 600 and 900 Ninja's over the 750. Day to day use speaking.

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

Are bikes hard to learn and ride??

RI-Lex

iTrader: (4)

Is like 5-spd manual, now handling is a whole different thing takes yrs to learn lean angles, body positioning etc... I love riding GSXR 750 here

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

None of these are good beginner's bikes. Too big, too heavy, too powerful.

Start with the 250. If it works out, and you like it, THEN move up to something more powerful (and less fuel efficient).

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

If possible, stick to the lower CC bikes. Insurance (at least State Farm) charges based on CC + type of bike.

neurocity

iTrader: (17)

Nope...Just have to trust the tires, and your sense of balance. Take a class, start small...work your way up. I learned on dirt bikes young, I've fallen a lot, definitely damage goods now (shake my hand once, and you can feel the result of supermaning off a KTM into a pine tree.) I have respect for bikes and power now. I get on a Hayabusa...I know that in 3 gears this bike can liquefy me. Knowing that I can dust 90% of everything on the road...is enough.

I'm sure our resident Ducati man will pipe up...MSPT rides all the time.

Search "Motorcycle" and "Sport Bike" threads here in the Clubhouse...More than a few articles.

ErseOne

Years? I heard its like handling a bicycle, but with a motor.

neurocity

iTrader: (17)

True...I was thinking more for me I guess. The VFR800 is the "Diet Coke" of a sport bike. That thing is so forgiving its unreal. The CBR1100 is fast as hell, but very comfortable and easy to maneuver. I am 6'4" so I guess I need to take that into consideration.

But yea the GSXR750 is raced out, and the zuki1100 is just a drag bike...bad choices

RI-Lex

iTrader: (4)

except it weight 380+lbs keep thinking that LOL, try going into a turn at 70+mph like a bicycle

jdoggg1

It is my opinion that the Suzuki SV650S is the best streetbike to learn on. It is a 650 v-twin. It makes decent power and gets great gas mileage. They're cheap and very reliable, plus parts are easy to come by if something actually does break.

I think its a better option than a 250 for a couple reasons. A 250 is a GREAT commuter bike, but its just not much fun. They are very slow, and ugly unless you are looking at the newest Kawi's. In only a few months you'll probably want to step up to a more mainstream bike. The SV on the other hand is powerful enough to keep most riders satisfied for quite a while, but nothing like an I4 crotch rocket that can quickly overpower your skills with its peaky powerband. In the right hands an SV650 can keep up with supersport bikes at trackdays I'm very glad i picked up the SV as my first bike before moving on to my R6s.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Bikes are extremely easy to learn and ride.

However, the traffic that surrounds you is extremely difficult to master and manuever about. You have to learn how to predict what people will do, and what your reaction options will be.

That is the trick -- learn to survive the road, and you'll be ride for a very long time.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

And I highly recommend the SV650 as well.

That was my first bike. And I loved it.

If fact, I want to get another one. The Ducati is not the most sensible commuter due to higher maintenance and insurance costs...

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Most $2000 bikes on Craigslist are Ninja 250s.

You can get a 2003-2006 Ninja 250 for that price with very low mileage (less than 10k miles).

They are great for learning and commuting, but it's not an "exhibition" bike. Yeah, it can still pop wheelies and such, but it's not the type of bike that you're gonna impress anyone with...