Help me!
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4,253 Posts
Welcome Saturnom!
I am 5'6", and the 250R was a perfect fit for me, however the important thing is your inseam measurement, some people have shorter legs than others, so this is definately something to consider. My wife is about 4" sharter than me and she also handled the bike well, mind you she made some changes to the seat to make it a little easier to touch the ground with both feet.
Head into a dealership, sit on one and see how it feels.
We can't say if you can handle the bike, that is up to the individual and how responsible they are.
Take an MSF class and learn how to ride a bike before buying a bike, and we also recommend buying a secondhand bike initially since if you happen to drop the bike, you will not be so devastated if you damage it.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!
I am 5'6", and the 250R was a perfect fit for me, however the important thing is your inseam measurement, some people have shorter legs than others, so this is definately something to consider. My wife is about 4" sharter than me and she also handled the bike well, mind you she made some changes to the seat to make it a little easier to touch the ground with both feet.
Head into a dealership, sit on one and see how it feels.
We can't say if you can handle the bike, that is up to the individual and how responsible they are.
Take an MSF class and learn how to ride a bike before buying a bike, and we also recommend buying a secondhand bike initially since if you happen to drop the bike, you will not be so devastated if you damage it.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!
I'll tell you what I tell my 15 y/o son that wants a cycle - drive a car for at least 1 year before before riding a cycle on the street. You need time to learn how the street works without being on 2-wheels. I've got over 30 years on the street, and I feel there's a lot to be learned before jumping on a cycle.
Then I'll make him take a MSF riding course. Even though he's been riding on the dirt since he was 4, he still needs specific training from someone other than myself.
You also need full gear, not just a helmet or a jacket or gloves.
Don't plan on buying anything close to new for your first cycle. Get something decent, work on it, put new tires on it (important!), and learn to ride a little at a time. Dirt riding is the best way to learn IMO.
Jay
Then I'll make him take a MSF riding course. Even though he's been riding on the dirt since he was 4, he still needs specific training from someone other than myself.
You also need full gear, not just a helmet or a jacket or gloves.
Don't plan on buying anything close to new for your first cycle. Get something decent, work on it, put new tires on it (important!), and learn to ride a little at a time. Dirt riding is the best way to learn IMO.
Jay
I assume so, it's usually considered an "endorsement", but it's been a long time.
Again, I seriously wouldn't recommend learning the rules of the road and learning to ride a motorcycle at the same time.
Jay
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123 Posts
Sage advice.
Drive a car for a year.
Get good quality gear from head to toe. ( not cheap )
Then get a used bike that you'll enjoy, but that you can afford to lay down. (I guarantee, you will drop your bike a least once in your first year). Everyone does.
Then go out and get the bike you're going to love.
I'm sure this seems an impossibly long time to wait. It's just one old rider's opinion.
Drive a car for a year.
Get good quality gear from head to toe. ( not cheap )
Then get a used bike that you'll enjoy, but that you can afford to lay down. (I guarantee, you will drop your bike a least once in your first year). Everyone does.
Then go out and get the bike you're going to love.
I'm sure this seems an impossibly long time to wait. It's just one old rider's opinion.
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8 Posts
The only problem is, where i live is pretty far from the nearest dealership and the next time i go its either get the new bike or not get anything at all. And im not exactly loaded down with cash so i cant just buy a used motorcycle and then later buy a new one. Unless i could find a used bike for VERY cheap. So i think ill just not start off in a car or truck and train specifically on my bike, that way ill have less of a chance of messing up my new bike.
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1,230 Posts
Good thread.
My .02. I agree with learning the streets by driving. I am sure people have gone straight to bike before car. One Hugh factor would traffic conditions in your area. The less the better. Age, Discipline, maturity also play a factor. I would definitely advice taking the mad course and not learning on the streets. You will need a motorcycle permit to take the course. Think safety first, and at all times. Buy the best ear you can afford. Take your time do it right and you will ride a long time.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
My .02. I agree with learning the streets by driving. I am sure people have gone straight to bike before car. One Hugh factor would traffic conditions in your area. The less the better. Age, Discipline, maturity also play a factor. I would definitely advice taking the mad course and not learning on the streets. You will need a motorcycle permit to take the course. Think safety first, and at all times. Buy the best ear you can afford. Take your time do it right and you will ride a long time.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
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4,253 Posts
Ok, so we have already figured you guys know each other, that clears up a few things.
Buying a good second hand bike does not mean you have to buy a new one 6mths or even 12mths down the track. You will hate yourself if the first time you ride your brand new bike with no experience and you drop it in the driveway!
We are trying to give you the help you have asked for all over the site, what you do with that information is entirely up to you.
Buying a bike is not something to just jump into. There are plenty of 250R's out there for sale second hand, thats how I got mine casue I couldn't afford a brand new one. Two weeks after I got itand I dropped it at an intersection. I was devastated, but no where near as upset when I dropped my brand new 650R in the driveway a couple of weeks after I bought it. It's gonna happen no matter how much you think it wont.
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5,699 Posts
Sound advice, and when riders old enough to be your parents give advice and you don't listen to it, you're proving your ignorance.
I waited 5 years to buy a bike. I made every mistake in the book. I should have listened. It's been a hard, but very enjoyable (and also very expensive) 7 years since I got my first bike...
These guys aren't providing this advice because they like to type....
I waited 5 years to buy a bike. I made every mistake in the book. I should have listened. It's been a hard, but very enjoyable (and also very expensive) 7 years since I got my first bike...
These guys aren't providing this advice because they like to type....
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8 Posts
Ok well im not being ignorant because i would follow the advice... IF I COULD. But you dont seem to understand that ive been saving up abt $6000 my whole 15 year old life. So basicly, its either buy the new ninja and have a good new bike, or buy an old used one and have a piece of junk all my life.
OK, you're not really listening to what I'm saying, but...
Never, ever, buy a new cycle for your first (or ever finance a cycle). And if you eventually do buy a new cycle, never, ever, buy the "Extended Warranty/Service Contract"!
Dropping every penny of your $6000 on a new cycle and gear isn't a smart move for a new rider. Buy an older Ninja 250 or a newer one that has some damage and/or needs work (if you really have to have the latest version).
You aren't looking at the options clearly if you think you HAVE to buy a new cycle.
I hate typing...
Jay
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123 Posts
Zast, buying a used bike is does not mean a piece of junk. There are lots of used bikes out there, from both dealers and private sales, that are as good as new - with the added benefit that the engines are already broken in for you.
If you look around on cycletrader.com or even eBay, you'll see what I mean quickly. Most of the bikes out there in the used market are either owners selling because they personally don't/can't ride anymore, or they've moved on to their next bike.
Most of the time, the machines have been well looked after.
Take a look at mine. I still get people stopping me on the street and calling "bullshit" when I tell them my bike is 20 years old. I'm it's eighth owner, and you can still see your reflection in the panel work as though it was a mirror. A big, snarling, black bullet of a mirror, but.....
...you get the point.
In the end, like one of our colleagues north of this post said: what you do with the advice is up to you. It's not like we're going to show up at your door and hold you down until you agree with us. (we don't do that, do we guys? .....Guys?)
Just friendly talk from riders who have been exactly where you are, and now have the benefit of hindsight to say " if I had to do it again...."
Good luck in whatever you choose. I think it's customary here to ask for you to post some pictures whenever you do get your ride.
If you look around on cycletrader.com or even eBay, you'll see what I mean quickly. Most of the bikes out there in the used market are either owners selling because they personally don't/can't ride anymore, or they've moved on to their next bike.
Most of the time, the machines have been well looked after.
Take a look at mine. I still get people stopping me on the street and calling "bullshit" when I tell them my bike is 20 years old. I'm it's eighth owner, and you can still see your reflection in the panel work as though it was a mirror. A big, snarling, black bullet of a mirror, but.....
...you get the point.
In the end, like one of our colleagues north of this post said: what you do with the advice is up to you. It's not like we're going to show up at your door and hold you down until you agree with us. (we don't do that, do we guys? .....Guys?)
Just friendly talk from riders who have been exactly where you are, and now have the benefit of hindsight to say " if I had to do it again...."
Good luck in whatever you choose. I think it's customary here to ask for you to post some pictures whenever you do get your ride.
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5,699 Posts
Yup David, you got. It's all gravy here at NN. Good advice is good advice, no matter how you spin it, but people DO have the option not to take their advice, it is their life, money and bike after all. 
And yes, pics please of whatever you choose to do.
Zas, you're showing your age. Trust me, many of us have been in your situation. One day you'll be sitting at a coffee shop, a bar, or at a keyboard writing these exact same words as I'm writing, so I'm not gonna waste any more time. You have the advice you need. Either exercise your brain and choose to figure out how to apply it your situation, or discard it. We're not trying to convince you, please don't ask us to help you rationalize a poor decision.
And yes, pics please of whatever you choose to do.
Zas, you're showing your age. Trust me, many of us have been in your situation. One day you'll be sitting at a coffee shop, a bar, or at a keyboard writing these exact same words as I'm writing, so I'm not gonna waste any more time. You have the advice you need. Either exercise your brain and choose to figure out how to apply it your situation, or discard it. We're not trying to convince you, please don't ask us to help you rationalize a poor decision.
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