Well, it's only been a year... This is what he ended up with... 300 Ninja. Nice little bike.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551765396.jpg

I agree with those who suggest starting with a dirt bike of 125 to 250 cc's. Dirt riding is just fun and requires/teaches great skills. One of the most important things to learn about street riding is how defensive you have to be 100% of the time.

I started my daughter and son on small dirt bikes when they were kids......which is the best if can be done. Gives them more pure bike handling ability before they ever hit the road.
If your starting late like your son, I think the best way to do it is like a few of the posters have said before me. Start him on a dirt bike with lights. We have a Husqvarna SM450R which is a purpose built supermoto with smaller diameter street wheels and tires. It's a blast to ride, has great handling, good acceleration, and a very natural riding position that keeps the kids head up with a good field of view. The kids love it because it's loud.....which makes it seem a lot faster than it really is! But they don't have that killer acceleration that our bigger liter bikes have that leads a new riding to a quick demise.
Plus it he does have a tipover, it's no big deal......pick it up, brush it off and keep on going.

My first street bike was a Harley Davidson sportster 883 I bought myself for my 30 birthday. I lived in Manhattan at the time and survived. I thought it was a great first bike. But if he is looking at a ninja then he probably prefers sport bikes. My last bike was a ninja zx7r 750 that I loved. I quit riding and frankly would attempt to talk my son out of it if I had a son but I get it. My parents couldn’t talk me out of it either. I don’t know your son’s judgment or abilities so it’s hard to say but I see no issue in just getting whatever bike he prefers. They are all deadly and the texting idiots out on the road don’t care if it’s a 150 or 650

If he were me he would get a Triumph Daytona 675

Didn’t notice the thread was old and he got a bike already.

WI too. Road America has a great two day course and when you are done, stop at a DMV and get your MC endorsement sticker.

Hopefully a pro rider can chime in here, but I saw a Youtube video describing the dangers of dropping a leg on a street bike during turning and wobbling.
He said the feet and knees need to stay tucked into the frame at all times as a single unit.

I didn't see the picture of the 300 Ninja when I posted. Wonder how I missed that. That's a good sized bike for a first street bike. Wishing him luck during his first thousand miles and beyond.

He's just commuting a few miles from his apt to school and back. It's been about 6 months since he bought it. So far, so good. He did say highway riding was a little nerve-racking due to the lightness of bike. Big trucks are a challenge.

That's a sharp-looking bike! I'll bet it has enough speed/power for all he will need.

My youngest daughter (who I taught to ride 2 stroke mx bikes as a kid) bought a used Ninja 250 as her first bike. She did fine on it for the two years she owned it. I rode it to work a few times. Best handling bike I have ever been on. So light and maneuverable.

Married with children now.... no more fun toys for her.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551969331.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551969331.jpg

my good friend had a ninja 250 for his first bike i think it was a 2001 or near that. Id hardly call it a sport bike that thing was slower than my bosses scooter. But he loved it drove it cross country several times

Our daughter is looking for a dual sport in the 250/350cc range if any of y'all see one for sale in SW WI or NE IA.

She started on dirt bikes and doesn't like the way street bikes feel. Plus, she can ride the trails with me.

Dual Sport / Enduro 250cc

My son got his used as well. Plenty of good used bikes out there. Looks good in black.