first bike

[Child of the korn]

What would be the best bike for someone who has never even ridden a motorized vehicle before be? Im 5'8 and 133lbs, if that helps

[RC-5Juan]

I would recommend a Kawasaki KDX200 (220) or a Honda XR250 or XR400. I believe that these are the absolute best dirtbikes to start on. They are super reliable, and have enough power that you'll be able to develope your skills. Plus, once your skills improve, youll be able to hang with most other bikes.

[tR1stan]

yamaha r1. enjoy.

[Vtec44]

yamaha r1. enjoy.

it's gonna be tough riding that on dirt roads.

[BadVibe]

:laughing1yamaha r1. enjoy.:welcome

[Barrett]

it's gonna be tough riding that on dirt roads.

Don't worry, it's a lot easyer with knobbies! front is still a little heavy, so I'd just recomend getting a passanger to ballance it out some.

The suspention travel is a little short too so you have to stand up on the pegs most of the time.

But that said, you can get some mad speed! ;)

[ALEX]

What would be the best bike for someone who has never even ridden a motorized vehicle before be? Im 5'8 and 133lbs, if that helps

Plan A:
I sincerly recommend starting with a Schwinn, and riding in traffic. Once you're accustomed to "being invisible" to cars, and comfortable with a nails-breadth of elbow room while cutting traffic, then you'll adapt to a motorcycle quite easily.

Plan B:
Get a bike that's 'just' powerful enough to keep up with traffic, yet not so much so that the acceleration taxes your ability to control it. Typcially this would be found in a bike of 600cc or less (ex: CBR600). BTW you are in-luck size-wise (5'8 and 133lbs) as any 600cc bike will fit you just perfect, as they are all designed for the typical japanese male of 5-8 150lb.


I would add that no matter what your choice, you're going to drop it and damage the fairings (and possibly some minor bark removal from yourself).... It's practically inevitable, but the pain to your pocketbook can be greatly lessened by buying a cheaper used bike in the first place. Rule-of-thumb is to buy a $1k bike and $1k of gear, rather than a $2k bike and no gear.

Between a used bike and gear, you're looking at $4k to get started.


-Al

[Child of the korn]

thanks guys ill look into it

[fallclassic02]

Here we go again, someone telling a newb to bikes that a good first bike would be a 600cc sportbike....Geeeezzz...

[ALEX]

Here we go again, someone telling a newb to bikes that a good first bike would be a 600cc sportbike....Geeeezzz...

...I only recommend what I'd do myself, and as I learned on a 600, I therefore see no problem with it.

Beyond that, I find that anything less than a 600 is too slow for freeway riding these days. This was not the case 20yrs ago when everyone drove 55mph, but now with 90mph being pretty common, the 600 just barely keeps up at times, or doesn't have the performance margin (over cars) that I feel makes me safe on a bike.


--Al

[RC-5Juan]

Some people are dense. Very very dense. I guess the initial question could be worded better, but being posted in the DIRT FORUM might suggest to some folks that he isnt looking for opinions on what a good street bike to start on is. Then again, maybe im the dense one.

[kaos]

Beyond that, I find that anything less than a 600 is too slow for freeway riding these days. This was not the case 20yrs ago when everyone drove 55mph, but now with 90mph being pretty common, the 600 just barely keeps up at times, or doesn't have the performance margin (over cars) that I feel makes me safe on a bike.


--Al
I'm going to have to correct this statement. I don't believe it's entirely true and if you didn't even start on something smaller, then I don't know how you can comment on it. I'm on GS500 and I have absolutely no problem. I've kept of speeds of 90-100 all the way up on the 14 to Palmdale. I typically cruise at 80 all day long and I have enough in reserve to pass others if need be.

Granted it doesn't pull like my current car, but it's sufficient. I rarely get passed on the highway. I like to make sure I'm always a little faster than traffic that way I'm not in any blind spots for too long.

Let me put it to you this way. I used to drive a 96 eclipse, auto. Slow yes, but more than enough to keep up on the freeway. I even took it to LACR once and I pulled off a blazing 17.8 second 1/4 mile. I took my GS500 I pulled of a 15.1. Oh yeah, my bike is completely stock down to the sprocket and I've only been to the strip twice, so I suck at riding my bike. If my bike is too slow for the freeway, then you better take out a shit load of cars because my bike will kill some of them.

But no biggie, I just don't want people thinking that a 500 or even a 250 can't be ridden on today's freeway. I hope I'm not coming across as an asshole.

And sorry for whoring up your thread, I realize you are asking about dirt bikes.

Edited, my intial tone was overly harsh.