beginners bike ?

[1100XX]

My son wants to buy his first motorcycle. (street bike) He is 23 years old, 5' 8" tall, 170 lbs. and he really wants a sport bike. I am trying to talk him into starting with a standard type of motorcycle (SV 650) but he has his mind made up for a sport bike. He has no experience at all riding any motorcycle. I am going to be teaching him, by starting out in a school parking lot, on a Sunday. (no cars in the lot) Please reply with some input, makes/models, or anything else that might help. Thanks, John

[Windblown]

Why not tell him to take an MSF class first?  They supply the bike and he'll get a little experiance.

As far as a bike to buy? Something used & cheap. He will drop it eventually, probably sooner rather than later. If he wants a sporting look he could go with an SV650s instead of the standard.  Anything with moderate power and not too much weight is a good option.

[OrangeSVS]

The SV650S is a reasonable choice.  Note that a lower fairing is available as a factory aftermarket part, so you can get the full sportbike look.

If he's that gung-ho for a sportbike though, I'd be concerned that his head isn't in the right place when it comes to street riding.  I might consider a Ninja 500 or GS500F.

If you have the financial means, I'd offer him a deal along the lines of "Put 10,000 accident-free miles on a Ninja 250 and I'll pay half for any bike you want under 750cc's".  Get that kid out riding day in and day out, desperate to pack on the miles and before you know it, he'll be a hell of a competent rider.

[jadziadax8]

The SV650S is a reasonable choice.  Note that a lower fairing is available as a factory aftermarket part, so you can get the full sportbike look.

If he's that gung-ho for a sportbike though, I'd be concerned that his head isn't in the right place when it comes to street riding.  I might consider a Ninja 500 or GS500F.

If you have the financial means, I'd offer him a deal along the lines of "Put 10,000 accident-free miles on a Ninja 250 and I'll pay half for any bike you want under 750cc's".  Get that kid out riding day in and day out, desperate to pack on the miles and before you know it, he'll be a hell of a competent rider.

+1

That's a great idea.  I would also caution you that he is 23 and an adult.  You basically can't stop him from going out and buying a GSXR750 if he really wants one.  The best you can do is suggest he take the MSF class.  The stuff he hears about safe riding might be heard and processed better if it comes from someone besides his dad.  You could also send him to ST.N for a little counseling.

[stridervfr]

For sport bike look and nice V twin, comfy riding position and something that should still be fun for years to come my vote is for the  Kawasaki Ninja 650 R. About same power as an SV but full fairing.

[OrangeSVS]

For sport bike look and nice V twin, comfy riding position and something that should still be fun for years to come my vote is for the  Kawasaki Ninja 650 R. About same power as an SV but full fairing.

But not a V-twin.    

[county]

Statistically begining riders do best, first, when they take a class, second, when they teach themselves and finally when someone else teaches them.

[chimera]

Statistically begining riders do best, first, when they take a class, second, when they teach themselves and finally when someone else teaches them.

O.K. I gotta ask: According to what statistical source?


Nitpicks aside, the above idea about paying for part of a crotch-rocket AFTER logging bunches of miles on a reasonable bike is pure genius.

[hugerider]

O.K. I gotta ask: According to what statistical source?

It's in "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough. I think he got that statistic from the Hurt report.

[dr dralion]

I'm not a parent (someday I hope), and I see the idea of offering the "10K by 250cc" Challenge a great idea.

I'd really recommend the MSF class and tell him to spend some money on quality gear.  I see so many folks with a $10-15K bike and minimal safety equipment.  Dress for the crash, not the ride.

As far as bike recommendations - the Ninja 500 or GS500F are better starters than a 600 or 750.

Keep us informed!
Kevin

edit - start used!

[NWTrtle]

The nice thing about the GS500F is it looks like a sport bike.  The Ninja 500R is a great bike (I bought one) but it does look dated and not as sporty as many other bikes out there.

[Cal24Master]

My son wants to buy his first motorcycle. (street bike) He is 23 years old, 5' 8" tall, 170 lbs. and he really wants a sport bike. I am trying to talk him into starting with a standard type of motorcycle (SV 650) but he has his mind made up for a sport bike. He has no experience at all riding any motorcycle. I am going to be teaching him, by starting out in a school parking lot, on a Sunday. (no cars in the lot) Please reply with some input, makes/models, or anything else that might help. Thanks, John

My son started riding on the street when he was 18, after several years of riding in the dirt.  I have a couple of suggestions for you.  First, make it clear to your son that he is responsible for paying for his own insurance.  Then have him call the insurance agent and get a quote for the GSXR 1000 he wants, and a SV650.  I did that with my son and when he found out the insurance for the sport bike he wanted was about $3000/year and the SV650 was about $700/year, he decided the SV was actually a pretty nice bike.  He has had his for about 4 years now.  

Taking the MSN course is also an excellent idea.  It is the easiest way for him to get his endorsement, and he will learn a lot.

[TTaM]

My son started riding on the street when he was 18, after several years of riding in the dirt.  I have a couple of suggestions for you.  First, make it clear to your son that he is responsible for paying for his own insurance.  Then have him call the insurance agent and get a quote for the GSXR 1000 he wants, and a SV650.  I did that with my son and when he found out the insurance for the sport bike he wanted was about $3000/year and the SV650 was about $700/year, he decided the SV was actually a pretty nice bike.  He has had his for about 4 years now.  

Taking the MSN course is also an excellent idea.  It is the easiest way for him to get his endorsement, and he will learn a lot.

I think you mean MSF course. Plus, if he completes it, he will save on insurance. My first bike was a Katana 600, a great bike to learn on. I still haven't bought a full on sport bike because at 26, I still can't justify paying more for insurance on an $8K motorcycle than my $25k sports car.

[Triple88a]

TTaM, what kind of coverage is that?  My buddy (22 yrs old) had an 00 gsxr 600 and was paying under 200.

[lionlady]

My son wants to buy his first motorcycle. (street bike) He is 23 years old, 5' 8" tall, 170 lbs. and he really wants a sport bike. I am trying to talk him into starting with a standard type of motorcycle (SV 650) but he has his mind made up for a sport bike. He has no experience at all riding any motorcycle. I am going to be teaching him, by starting out in a school parking lot, on a Sunday. (no cars in the lot) Please reply with some input, makes/models, or anything else that might help. Thanks, John

I've only got two suggestions: Have your son call around and get insurance quotes on the bikes he's lusting after. Second, in PA the Basic Riders Course is FREE!! Sign him up! Maybe you can offer some sort of monetary help when he passes the class. Keep in mind that regardless of how skilled you are at riding, you can only pass along what you know. The MSF course is laid out to maximize skill building. Each exercise has specific skill goals that build on the previous exercise.

Have you considered how YOU will feel if your son crashes/is serioiusly injured after you're done teaching him? Most 20 somethings don't have the patience to hear "all" we parents have to teach.

P

[TTaM]

TTaM, what kind of coverage is that?  My buddy (22 yrs old) had an 00 gsxr 600 and was paying under 200.

$200 a month, 6 months, year? When I was quoted on a sport bike, I was easily looking at $800+ annually. This was for full coverage. On my current bike it is $250 a year for full coverage.

I'm a 25 y/o single male, by the way

[Triple88a]

i think it was 160 a year.  I think he was liability but honestly i have no idea.  He didnt have a license, he had a permit.  Could that be why?

[Hotbrakes]

Even better than a used SV650 would be to get him into dirt riding.  Just a cheap 125cc dirtbike will teach him plenty and shouldn't be hard to sell once he's no longer enjoying it  .  I recommend that everyone do it in the dirt before trying to dodge dive bombing cagers.