I am looking into getting my first bike, but as you can imagine am as confused as can be right now..

I have driven bikes before for short periods of time, but lack any knowledge of what I should look at getting for my first bike. I am just looking for something that will be fun to drive and don't want anything that is going to be way over what I need.. I just want to start small.. I also don't know what to look for in getting a used bike, so buying tips would be great.

How much do you want to spend? Sport bike? Cruiser? Naked bike?

If a sport bike is what you want then dont go larger than 600cc

If you want a cruiser then go no larger than 750cc.

If you want harley then look as simle as a sportster to a dynaglide....motor size is irrelevant unless your worried about insurance. Go sit on the bike and see if the actual bike is too heavy for you.

Terry

Find a local MSF course and take it before you even think about going to the dealership.

Clicky

Originally posted by BurnBarfield
I am just looking for something that will be fun to drive and don't want anything that is going to be way over what I need.. I just want to start small..

Then look into 500's. My 500 had enough push to get up and go, and possibly be stupid on. But when i jumped up to mess around on a 600, it was just rediculously powerful compared to a 500, unless you plan on racing it. 500's are priced well, look into a used kawasaki 500r, or a suzuki gs500f. You can probably snag one about 2-3 years old with less than 3-4,000 miles on it for about 3k. Dont buy a bike brand new, theres no point on a first bike.

yeah, what kinda bike you want has alot to do with us helping you out as well as if you plan on keeping this one or trading up right after. i have the kawisaki ninja 500r and its great. people twice my size can ride it with ease. and used ones come up all the time. if you want something with a little more zing but not stupid fast their 650r is a v-twin and very managable. even though it sounds big its nothing like a 600ss inline-4. with standard/cruisers i think engine size has alot less to do with choice as you wont be riding skyward with an errant twist of the wrist.

i say go take the MSF course, but i wont preach to you about taking it before you go look/buy. i had mine 3 months before i went to my course. a few hours in the parking lot each day really helped me for the course. i was light years ahead of most in the class. and i wont tell you to go used, because i didnt. i bought brand spankin new.

i WILL preach and say at least wear the bare essentials when you ride. jacket, gloves, helmet, boots. and check out www.newenough.com for gear. they have AWESOME service and have tons of great deals. i picked up 2 very nice jackets a few weeks ago for under $75 shipped

I will preach. :) Definitely do MSF first. You get to lay their bikes down if you fuck up, which saves you a lot of money. You also get ~10% discounts from retailers once you have the card, and you can usually skip the state DMV test too.
http://www.msf-usa.org/

But yeah, I think my Ninja 500R was a great beginner bike. I've already started looking at faster bikes, but to start out and work on my skills it has been ideal.

Dude When did you get a bike? We should go riding!

I for one am a strong supporter of the YOU WILL fall methodology. Start small and light and work your way up.

Most used bikes are not that expensive and you can turn around and sell them for almost the same price.

Ill admit however that I started on my 600,but this was after some of my friends and I pitched in to buy an old bike and took turns practicing in.

Like mentioned, GEAR!!! it gets expensive, but still cheaper than a hospital stay and skin graphs!

As for what to look for, there are tons of guides on the net and even in books. Easier to read than what I can type for you. Bike wise, it depends on your personal use and models etc.

in California the MSF does exempt you from the DMV test ( although the test is just a line of cones and a 10 ft circle).

It depends on what your in to a sportbike, cruiser, or something in between (standard) I went the standard route and got me a 91 Kawasaki Zephyr 550. Good luck trying to find one in your area though :(

It also depends on what your going to be using it for. My dad has a KLR250 and its a great bike for zippin around town or some dirt roads if you got em but it doesn't have the balls to play on the freeway for long.

If you plan on doing a lotta long freeway riding get something with a windscreen or fairing.

Here's some bikes I recommend:
Kawasaki Ninja 250-600cc, 250s a good starter because it cheap, fast, light, and more than fast enough to go on the freeway revs really high.

Honda Rebel- its a small cruiser still got power to go on the freeway

Anything around the 500-600 area would be good for a beginner its enough power where you'll get used to it quickly and won't get bored too quick.

something nobody has said yet, but is supposed to be a very good beginner bike that actually looks good... suzuki sv650. theres an S model with an upper fairing, and a naked model with no upper fairing, so depending on what you like you have a couple of options. no lower fairing on either, so when you drop it, you don't have as much plastic to get fixed. it's also a v-twin, so there's good low end power, unlike the inline 4s that have a more peaky power band. everyone says that the sv650 is a great first bike. it's what I'm looking to get for my first bike (after i buy a house :()

take a MSF course, get your gear (helmet, jacket ect). then get yourself a used Honda cbr f4i (2001-2006). best beginners bike IMO. had mine for 2 years almost. very forgiving bike, can be quick when you want it to be. has the comfort to ride for miles, Honda reliability. theres a guy i know that has a 04 with close to 100,000 miles on it and has never had single problem with it, and he redlines it every chance he gets haha.