Learning to Ride, a Bike that is....
 

So, I was poking around with the fiancee..... and She and I thought it would be cool to look at Bikes, well She really likes the looks of the Ninja's and there are some decent deals in my area, (i think), so I thought about taking a gander, I know that I will be required to take a course, as well as take a test to get my cert. but I was looking to see if any of the lovely members here ride ninjas?

I am about 275ish, and 6 foot tall (please no fat jokes, heard them all) and she is maybe 5 foot and about 105ish, Now, Primary use of the bike would be me commuting to school with a secondary use as commuting us about 60 miles some weekends during the summer months....

I was looking and the two I liked the most were the 250, and the 650...

250 = cheap and some reviewed as the "BEST LEARNING SIZE" bike out there...

650 = cheaper than other 600's and just as "good"

Now, would it be best to go smaller and learn, rather than jump on the 650? I also understand that the power to weight ratio is gonna be shat with my fatass... (p90x starts when we move ;) but thats another story)

I just wanted to get some opinions from riders (also note I did look in the beginner bike section, and found some of it helpful, but the ninja is sooooo sexcey to me, I can not resist it.....)

Thanks :D

If you are goig to get a 250 to learn on, find one really cheap; because you will grow tired of it quickly, and want to step up. I learned that after starting on a 125. I got it for free, but I still want something faster and more capable. I'm just waiting to have enough money for a 600... Still.

You don't want a ninja if your back is tempermental. Everyone I've talked to about bikes says they're not fun after about 20 miles. Go for the CBR600RR if you're looking for a sport bike. I've been on the back of one of em and they're pretty comfy. If not, find a decent cruiser. And personally I think they look better. Lastly, with your size (I'm up there with ya), a buddy of mine told me to start with a 600 or 650 and that I could hold one down easily enough, then jump up to a 1000 when I got familiar and comfortable with it. So soon as I get some money, I'm grabbing a CBR, then I'm jumping to a 'Busa.

Hope this helps.

I think you'd have more fun on a harley instead of a rocket if you just want it for commuting and some summer trips. Check out the Dyna Superglide. As the for the size of a rocket if you want one, a couple buddys started out with 600's to learn on and got tired of them after a couple months and they went to 1000's and love it.

Now whats the reasoning to start at the smaller displacement? Is it because of the extra weight of the bike or just that much more power?

it's a lot of extra power one of my friends tried to start out on a 1,000 and he couldn't ride it at all so he sold and bought a 250 to learn on.

But a friend of ours has a 2002 Honda VTX 1800 and that thing sure is fun to ride on.

a 600cc bike usually makes about 100 hp, and a 1000cc usually makes 160+hp, and a 1000 isn't much heavier, either. I would say once you get your endorsement(if you need one in your state) then go and try some bikes. Just sitting on them alone helps a bit.

I am 5'11" and weigh @225. I purchased a 2008 Ninja 250 (new) and had nothing but troubles with the tranny. After fighting with the dealer that I bought it from for a couple of months (Kawasaki kept telling me to deal with the dealership), I took that P.O.S. to the Harley dealership and traded it in for a 1200 Sportster. Now, my point is: not only did I get the comfort of a "cruiser", I also got the pep and response of a sport bike due to a 1200cc motor vs. weight. No arched back + straighter legs = more comfortable ride. In short, I love the Harley better! I don't plan on ever buying anything other than a Harley.

i went from a 1000cc v-twin sport bike to a cruiser and i like the cruiser much better for cruising, on the sport bike if i wasnt pushing the limits it wasnt fun

http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/251889/

I am 6'5" 280. If you have good self control I would buy a larger bike. The ZX14 or my choice a Busa. Anything smaller just won't be comfortable.
The reason I say go bigger is you have more respect 4 your bike as a newb. You will not want to ride any distance on the smaller bike by youself. Let alone with a passenger. Ask me, I put 99,183 miles on my 03 Busa.:icon_bike: