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RoyGBiv wrote:For your first street bike I would suggest that you buy something smaller (physical size, weight and displacement) and cheaper. Craigslist is a pretty good place to buy motorcycles. I've purchased several bikes via CL and still own two that I purchased that way. There are MANY people that buy too much bike as a first bike, start riding and hate it because the bike is too much for their skill set. IMO an 850cc Italian rocket is more bike than any new rider should attempt. Get yourself a nice, used 250 to 500cc small, light bike as a starter. Once you master it, get something bigger.

When you're learning to ride, having too much motor, weight and seat height will suck the joy out of the experience. I guarantee it. I've been riding motorcycles for 30+ years and I've helped a dozen new riders get started on the 2-wheel path.

IMO, YMMV

ETA: Here's an old Hondamatic for sale... http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2964263613.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
250 cc Ninja.. REALLY fun to ride.. http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcd/2964190432.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This 650R is about the biggest bike I'd suggest for a new rider... http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2963344752.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The "R" is set up to be more upright with higher bars vs a traditional Ninja. Plenty of bike for a new rider, maybe too much, but, manageable size and weight.

Roy,

Thanks for the great advise. I had a feeling I would go with the 250cc Ninja! I love the Ninja bikes. However, is it a real Kawasaki Ninja 250R? I called and those bikes are Chinese copy of kawasaki Nijas.

And, it would be more than I need to start with.
at $1800 is very affordable and the dealer is giving a free Helmet (I will pay to upgrade to the best helmet) and gloves

I just stopped by our local Honda dealer. He had this bike a 2007 Shadow 600 with windshield and 2 small side bags, it has 9500 miles on it. Asking price $4400. I will be offering $3300 and max of $3500. The bike looks clean.
Here are the pics:












There is another 06 shadow 600 with just 3850 miles and asking price is $4100 with no extras. Not sure if I have Negotiate on the second one.

I hate to keep raining on your parade... but.. those prices are VERY high.

Last year I bought my wife a 2002 shadow 750 with less than 10,000 miles for $1,800. I put two tires on it, tuned it up and it ran beautifully. Wife didn't like the cruiser riding style so we sold it for what we had in it 3 months later.

For a first bike... something more upright is usually best. The cruiser riding position, while it can be comfy and all, is not best for learning to ride. The Shadow has little ground clearance. If you really want to learn to ride, and learn to lean, countersteer, etc., you'll quickly be scraping the hard parts on a Shadow. I was scraping my wife's mufflers constantly. Very limiting. If you learn to live within the limits of the Shadows riding style, you'll be doing yourself a disservice. Don't get me wrong.... the Shadow is a fine bike and the cruiser (Harley) style is just fine, but, I don't recommend it for a beginner.

Check out a Honda nighthawk or similar...
Here's a few 250's: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcd/2944306085.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/2956710027.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ninja 250: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/2963489829.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2962504306.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Reasonably priced Shadows:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/2930785384.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/mcy/2961353433.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good article here: http://motorcycles.about.com/od/howtost ... -Bikes.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On that Chinese 250, sorry about that... I wasn't paying attention to the details.. just surfing CL quickly.

I'd get tired of a 250 on the return trip of the test ride but that's just me.

I rode a Ninja which was bored out somewhere in the 1200-1300 range my first time taking a street legal bike on the road. I don't recommend going that route either. They handle a little different than a dirtbike to say the least.

The first red 2008 Ninja 250 was sold some 20 mins ago. Was sold with new helmet and jacket and the sell will buy a new rear tire!

How about this 2010 Ninja 250 with some 700 miles?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2961026790.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Beiruty wrote:The first red 2008 Ninja 250 was sold some 20 mins ago. Was sold with new helmet and jacket and the sell will buy a new rear tire!

How about this 2010 Ninja 250 with some 700 miles?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2961026790.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LOL @ the seller of that "upgrading" after 700 miles!

Looks like a good bike. Could be a good deal especially if you talk him closer to $3k. Older generation ninja250's can be had for around $2k. You should take the MSF course if you haven't already before getting too serious about buying.

For gear check out Bate's since you are in DFW

*REMOVED BY ME TO CORRECT THOUGHTLESS THREADJACKING*

txmatt wrote:

Beiruty wrote:The first red 2008 Ninja 250 was sold some 20 mins ago. Was sold with new helmet and jacket and the sell will buy a new rear tire!

How about this 2010 Ninja 250 with some 700 miles?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/2961026790.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LOL @ the seller of that "upgrading" after 700 miles!

Looks like a good bike. Could be a good deal especially if you talk him closer to $3k. Older generation ninja250's can be had for around $2k. You should take the MSF course if you haven't already before getting too serious about buying.

For gear check out Bate's since you are in DFW

I agree with Matt... I'd be looking at closer to $3K for that, but these are pretty popular bikes so the asking price may not be that far off... Sounds like this guy is the second owner at 700 miles... seems a bit strange..

Matt's advice is also good about taking the MSF class... They'll provide a bike (Wife had a Nighthawk 250 for her class). You can get a feel for riding something middle of the road (ergonomically) and decide after the class if something sportier (Ninja) or more cruiser (shadow) is your preference.

FWIW, I've never had anyone tell me they hated their Ninja 250. I've never owned one, but have ridden one twice. They're fun bikes with lots of attitude but a motor that is n00b-friendly. Enough to get in trouble, but still manageable.

If you're in a position to go with a "starter" bike, then upgrade in 6 months or a year, great...
If you're really trying to go with something that you can learn on and then keep for a few years, I'd recommend something in the 500-600cc range. That's pushing the limit for me as a starter bike, but manageable if you have the motivation.

I will hold off an purchasing till I bag the MSF and M-endorsment. Then, we will see either 250cc Ninja or something in the line of Shadow. I will earn my strips on smaller bike and then pick up a good bike, then maybe the elusive redesigned 2013-2015 Goldwing is my dream 2-wheeler that comes true.

Good plan. When you start riding, at some point in time your motorcycle will end up laying on its side. Maybe you'll get lucky and just drop it in a parking lot like I did, but there are many people who aren't so. Either way, it is much better to drop your starter bike than your dream bike. Another thing to consider is that if you don't have much experience riding you may find that your taste in bikes is not what you expected. When I started looking for a bike I thought I wanted something like a V-Max or HD, but after riding around on a $3k used bike I ended up with no interest in those at all. I'm glad I didn't spend $15k on a HD to later find that they are very uncomfortable for me.

Beriuty, for a first bike you may want to consider a dual-purpose, ie- a street-legal dirt bike. You can go off road and learn the basics and what to do/what not to do when you get out of control, etc. Plus, you may find that you prefer the standard riding position versus that of a cruiser or a crotch rocket.

PUCKER wrote:Beriuty, for a first bike you may want to consider a dual-purpose, ie- a street-legal dirt bike. You can go off road and learn the basics and what to do/what not to do when you get out of control, etc. Plus, you may find that you prefer the standard riding position versus that of a cruiser or a crotch rocket.

That is a good idea too. I may scourge some 250 street legal dirt bike whilst having some track time and eating some dirt as I go.

Something like this one: http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/mcy/2951804530.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a 2005 XT225 that I don't ride any more..... My kids have outgrown their starter bike and they don't seem too interested in moving up, so, maybe I should sell you my XT...

After you take the MSF class, if you decide that you are interested in an XT, let me know. The XT is a great bike... very tame, reliable, excellent gas mileage (70++) and easy to ride. For a dirt/street bike, the seat height is very manageable. I've had mine up in the mountains in Colorado at 11,000 feet on trails and on paved roads running 70 MPH. Really a versatile bike, but not nearly as exciting as the little Ninja.

Good luck and ride safely!

If that's the type of bike you're wanting, go this route: http://powersports.honda.com/2012/cb1000r.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RoyGBiv wrote:I have a 2005 XT225 that I don't ride any more..... My kids have outgrown their starter bike and they don't seem too interested in moving up, so, maybe I should sell you my XT...

After you take the MSF class, if you decide that you are interested in an XT, let me know. The XT is a great bike... very tame, reliable, excellent gas mileage (70++) and easy to ride. For a dirt/street bike, the seat height is very manageable. I've had mine up in the mountains in Colorado at 11,000 feet on trails and on paved roads running 70 MPH. Really a versatile bike, but not nearly as exciting as the little Ninja.

Good luck and ride safely!

You would be contacted after MSF course.