'06 650R ninja

[kdub]

Looking to get my son his first street bike.  He has some ds riding experience.  Was looking at a new '06 650R thought it might make a good first bike.  Anybody have any experience with these?  Any other suggestions? kdub.

[Black Ice]

Decent first bike...the Kawi Z750 is pretty good as well, also the SV/DL650.  How much experience has he got?  Can he stay his throttle hand?  If he knows that bikes are dangerous and is responsible, I'd say his choice of first bike is limited only by what style he wants, and not necessarily by displacement.

[Kiwi]

If it's his first street bike I highly recomend a Ninja 250. You can pick up a used one for around $1500. It's fast enough, cheap to insure and if he wrecks something it'll be cheap to fix. After he has a season or two behind him, he can start looking at bigger bikes.

That said, the 650r seems like a great bike. It's on my short list of next possible bikes.

[Squareman357]

If it's his first street bike I highly recomend a Ninja 250. You can pick up a used one for around $1500. It's fast enough, cheap to insure and if he wrecks something it'll be cheap to fix. After he has a season or two behind him, he can start looking at bigger bikes.

That said, the 650r seems like a great bike. It's on my short list of next possible bikes.

+1.  Or the Ninja 500.  If you want something just a bit flashier looking, the GS500F looks a bit like a baby Gixxer and might be more exciting for him.  You say he has a bit of "ds" experience.  Dual-Sport?  Street or dirt only?  I'd look for something a bit smaller, cheaper, and tamer for a first bike unless he's been riding on the street a few years.  

[prezac]

hey i actually just bought my first bike, and i had no experience other than taking the TEAM Oregon class at the local college. my first bike is actually a 2003 Kawi ZZR600    it all comes down to how prepared you think your son is. im 20 and i dont know how old he is but a 600 would probably b fine   the ninja 650 is supposed to be a great bike that someone actually recommended that i buy, i just didnt have the money for a new bike at the time, and they are a pretty comfortable bike i know that for sure. well just wanted to through out the opinion of a beginning rider hope it helped

[JoBu]

I think the Ninja 650 would be a great first bike for your son.  With the new frame, better suspension/brakes/motor/etc, I believe it would be easier to ride and more confidence inspiring than a few other starter bikes.  Plus, he wouldn't outgrow it anytime soon.  I started my g/f on a Bandit 600S.  It was buzzy with weak brakes, vague suspension, an unbelivably flat powerband.  She only did a few rides on it before we moved her to an SV-650S.  What a difference!!  Much better bike and she immediately improved.  One thing she mentioned was that the SV was so superior to the Bandit, she was able to focus more of her energy on her skills than on the bike (I hope that makes sense).  The Ninja 650 was on the short-list as a replacement to the Bandit as it is a bit smaller and more narrow than the SV.  But...we were able to get a brand new SV-650S for $4900, so...

Anyhoo, sorry for rambling on.  I wish you much luck finding a great bike for your son.  Nice to see he shares your interest.  I'm sure there will be some great memories made on the road in the upcoming years.

Cheers,

Joe

[swimmer]

I've got a 650R.  It's my second motorcycle.  I had a ninja 250 before that.  I actually found the 650R to be a little easier to ride in some aspects because some of the controls are a little more modern and user friendly.  I don't think there is a big different in weight between the two (haven't actually checked) but the 650R is taller.  If he plans on doing longer trips on it then the 650 would be a better bet.  I don't have much to compare it to but it seems pretty smooth in the 70-80 mph range. If he is still pretty young (<21) the 250 may be a better first time bike as perhaps he is not as careful as someone older might be in which case the lesser hp and cheaper purchase price might be the way to go.  It all depends on his personality I guess.  The 650R gets good mpg ( I avg. around 60) and the insurance was only about $60 more per year than the 250 but then again I am in my mid 30's with great credit and a perfect driving record.

I put on a lower set of handlebars and it really improved the way the bike fit me and also got me more behind the windscreen.  It also made the bike feel more responsive to steering inputs.  

The only thing I can knock the 650r  for is a fairing buzz problem at around 4200 rpm.  There was a service bulletin on this and the dealer installed a fix kit which only helped mine a bit so I have had to do some further work and no it only appears sometimes and when I have some more time I am sure I can get rid of the buzz all together.  Some people don't have a problem with the buzz.  

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.  I've got about 5k miles on mine since June and have had no problems (other than the buzz).

[wrightme43]

I have a ninja 250. Its my first bike. I enjoy the hell out of it. If he is interested in it, www.ninja250.org is a great place to learn about it.
I believe it is a good bike to learn maintence on, riding skills, its comfortable, plenty fast, stops well (with stainless frnt line), looks nice, and is a lot fun, in a low cost package.
I paid 2400 for a 05 with 1565 miles on it, with a extra set of tires and oil and filters for two changes.
Then again, I am 32, own my business, have a pretty girlfriend, and nothing to prove. I just wanted a good solid learner bike. From my reading and riding, I think I got the best deal in motorcycling for a newb like me.
It also holds its value well. If I had it to do over, I would buy the same bike.

Now I really really really want a 06 VFR in white. I am just not experinced enough to have one yet.  

[BlueRidgeKat]

Looking to get my son his first street bike.  He has some ds riding experience.  Was looking at a new '06 650R thought it might make a good first bike.

I agree it would probably make a good first bike. What I dont agree with is the "new" part. I dont think anyone should get a "new" one of any kind for their first street bike. Try to find a used 650R or a  used one of the 500's mentioned above and let him ride the hell out of it for at least a year. If he drops it, it still hurts but not as much as dropping a "new" one. After a year you can still sell it for about what you gave for it. Then look into getting a "new" one if he still has a interest and has mastered the used one.

[DarylCincy]

Looking to get my son his first street bike.  He has some ds riding experience.  Was looking at a new '06 650R thought it might make a good first bike.  Anybody have any experience with these?  Any other suggestions? kdub.

 I say the Ninja 250 is the best choice, I've had mine for 12 years and I wish it was my first bike it would have been much easier to learn on than any other street bike I've ridden and I have rode a few EX (Ninja) 500's I like the Ninja 250 better and will keep mine forever. So Buy a 250 save alot of money for gear and accessories.

-Daryl

[Grainbelt]

I started on a GS500, now have a Ninja 650R. Power delivery is better on the 650, but there's also a lot more of it. It will do throttle wheelies in first if you simply crank it WFO at 5k. Agree with previous posters that the 650R is difficult to fit sliders to, and there's a lot of plastic to damage even in a low speed drop (think oil slick at a stoplight, etc.)

I'd say go older and used, have him get comfortable, and sell it for what you paid for it. GS500/EX500/EX250 are all great choices. I'm still glad I spent over a year on the GS before moving on. The GS is similar in size and weight to the 650R, but is noticeably easier to ride at low speeds - not sure if it is tire profile, tire width, or just perception on my part.