Best Ride For You

Archive for the ‘Starter Motorcycles’ Category

The Suzuki TU250 is a newer concept for the 250cc motorcycle class. Cruisers like the Honda Rebel and sport bikes like the Ninja 250 have dominated this class of motorcycle for many years. For those that wanted just a standard 25occ, the choices were limited and the styling was limited. The newer 250cc Honda Nighthawks were the closest bikes and if you didn’t like the 80′s styling, you were out of luck.

Image via Wikipedia

Now Suzuki introduces the TU250. At first glance, it reminds me of a Triumph, but there’s also some 70′s Japanese motorcycle look  in there. Only the looks are retro though. This bike has modern fuel injection that makes it easy to start and increases performance. It also handles well with a great chassis and suspension.

The TU250 is only new to the United States. Suzuki has been selling it in other countries with success for many years.

For beginners, this bike is wonderful if you’re tall enough for a seat height of just over 30 inches. Many will find this much more comfortable than the very low 250cc cruisers. The stand configuration is more stable than cruiser configurations too. It weighs 326 pounds, so it’s quite manageable for most riders.

For experienced riders, you’re not going to get many performance thrills of course. Although it’s fuel injected, it’s a lower compression than some of the sport bike 250′s. The lower compression does indicate a motor that will probably last longer. For commuting, this little motorcycle will do find and the TU250′s mpg is good. I’d like to give you a good number, but with fuel injection on a 250cc motor, the results are going to very wildly. I light rider riding conservatively can expect 75mpg+, but a heavy rider going fast may not see 60mpg.

Related articles

• Road Test: 2011 Suzuki TU250X (nationalpost.com)
• Finding A Bargain Motorcycle
• Best Motorcycle For Gas Mileage

Customized Sportster Image via Wikipedia

The classic Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the most under-rated motorcycles. It’s an “entry-level” Harley-Davidson that has easily survived since 1952 due to it’s price, style, and versatility. Once Harley-Davidson reached a point where it was considered a status symbol, well, an entry-level status symbol isn’t going to cut it. Many started calling it “The Girl’s Bike” and claiming that it wasn’t a real Harley. Not a real Harley? It’s one of their best sellers and plays a major role in attracting many riders to the brand and it’s a great performing motorcycle. If it wasn’t a real Harley, I wouldn’t want a real Harley.

So is it the best ride for you? Here are some of the good things about the Harley Sportster, some many other Harley riders prefer not to discuss.

• It’s inexpensive and it’s still a Harley-Davidson. You get the same rumble and roar with the added benefit of a great handling motorcycle that with a few modifications, can be a comfortable touring machine.
• It’s easy to modify. Like all Harley-Davidsons, there is a huge aftermarket for them. Different exhaust, seats, handlebars, luggage, etc. are all easy to find. Even high performance modifications for the engine are easy.
• They last like a Harley-Davidson. Sure, they break more often that foreign motorcycles, but they are easy to rebuild and repair. It’s not unheard of to find owners with 500,000 miles or more on one.
• They hold their value too. Just like the big bikes, it’s never difficult to find a buyer willing to pay close to new purchase price for a Sportster that is well cared for.
• The Harley Davidson rumble. It’s got it.
• The only Harley that will work for new riders. It’s still not a great starter bike, but if one must have a Harley, they are well-balanced and lighter weight.

The Sportster may not be a good bike for the following reasons:

• Double up riding for larger people is tough. The Sportster simply doesn’t have the weight capacity or the frame design for a touring couple that has any size to them.
• It’s not a smooth ride. Not horrible, but not as smooth as many of it’s lower priced competitors.
• Not the best for very tall people. Sit on one and try it out for size.
• Status. Sportsters only offer a little. I admire them, other sensible riders admire them, but people that paid double or triple for that Harley name, not so much.

There are literally thousands of combinations available from Harley-Davidson. There are 2 different engine sizes, the 883 and the 1200. They are the same engine block, but the bore and stroke is different. No other motorcycle allows for this level of customization and much of it can be done with only moderate mechanical skills. Simply adding custom Sportster saddlebags can turn it into a nice touring bike that’s also great for running errands.

The Sportster is one of those motorcycles that a potential rider knows they’ll like as soon as they sit on one. Harley Dealers love to show them off and free test rides are common.

Honda Rebel starter bike. Image via Wikipedia

Starter motorcycles are the 250 c.c. motorcycles that I see many people start to learn on. They are light, easy to control, and affordable. The most popular is the Honda Rebel, so I’ll go with it for my pick as the best starter motorcycle. If you want the sport bike look and feel, go for the Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Here’s the problem with the Honda Rebel. It’s low! To low for many tall people. It also doesn’t have the power that a slightly larger motorcycle would have. The same could be said for the Ninja 250. For just a little more money, you could buy a Suzuki GS500 and have a very manageable motorcycle that you will not outgrow quickly. Carefully consider your options before buying. If you get it wrong, the small starter bikes do hold their value very well due the demand for them.

If you are a responsible rider, the GS500 is not powerful enough to really get you into trouble, yet it will be powerful enough for long highway speed rides once your skills are up to speed. The key decision factors to a starter motorcycle are:

1. Can you touch flat footed on the ground?
2. Is the motorcycle light enough for you to handle and pick up if dropped.
3. Can you afford the insurance and payments? Sport bike styles are always more expensive to insure.
4. Can you get a decent resale value when you trade up later?
5. Is there a model that can be both a starter bike and a long term bike that fits me? If so buy it.

I use these examples because they are the most popular. Check out the comparable models for price and other features you like. It’s not uncommon for a Suzuki or Yamaha 250 to cost less new than what a used Honda Rebel costs, and these other brands are quality motorcycles too.