Starter Motorcycle
 

So, if you're 22 yr old son wanted to buy a motorcycle (no previous riding experience), what would you recommend? He's looking at Ninja 300's...

Dang, he's not in India, so it's only 3... ;-)

Lots of choices: Is it for fun, commuting, taking a long distance trip? Whats the budget?

A used suzuki SV650. They can be had cheap and are able to be fun for a novice rider all the way to a expert racer. The first generation is carbureted, the second is fuel injected. Performance is pretty much unchanged over all the years. Parts are plentiful and cheap on ebay.



pic of my brother on his first gen 1999 SV650 at road America with ducati bodywork fitted.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1522312946.jpg

No previous riding,,, A Honda 125 for the first year.

Dont give a 22 year old a sport bike.

Make sure he takes the motorcycle safety course, taught me many things I didn't know, opened my eyes to what it really means to be safe.

Theres no way i'd be alive if I had a bike at age 22. That said I think the danger of other drivers is higher on a bicycle.

If he wants practical slow mopeds are great. If he's thinking ninja... Polly not a good idea.

If he must get a sport bike, get one that fits... a ninja 300 is too small for a 6' casual street rider. Sv650, Honda hawk... a shiny new bike can be ego trouble for a new rider.

If he doesn't have his license yet MAKE him take motorcycle lessons it will be money and time served wisely . A few years ago when I wanted to get back in the game I took the course because I was rusty . A guy in our class quickly decided bike riding was NOT for him . He just couldn't get the hand/foot coordination down and dropped the bike multiple times , he left bruised and bloody by lunch time . Riding on the street is serious business and not to be taken lightly .

With no previous riding experience, a 250 would be the largest I would recommend, AND MSF(motorcycle safety foundation) courses.

It is easy to get into trouble on a street bike(even a 250)

Start him out on a small dirt bike. This will teach some reactionary skills in regard to sliding, braking and quickly avoiding obstacles. Then move him to the street bike.

I agree on the MC safety class. They also assist in the licensing for the rider.

Here in Colorado they also administer the written test and all you have to do then is go the DMV and pay the fees and you get the MC endorsement.

seconded! The best street riders I know all started out on dirt bikes.

The Honda Rebel 300cc or if your son is a big guy then get the 500cc looks like a good beginner option. Although I do agree a small dirt or dual sport bike is the way to go for starters. Mine was a Kawasaki KE100.

Agree wholeheartedly with the safety class.

And make sure to make your son budget for riding gear! Probably around $2-3k for Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Gloves, Boots.........this is more important than the bike!

Thirded.
The best street and track riders I knew were all dirt bikers originally.
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Also, learn how to STOP!!!

i was 22 when i got my honda 500 Interceptor. i didnt die.

if they still make the SV650 do that..it was a wonderful bike. i taught a tiny japanese woman how to ride on one when she bought it cold turkey. i had to ride it back for her from the seller.

it is easy to ride..managable torque for easing away with crappy clutching skills.

and KUDOS for helping the kid get his first bike..i know many kids that had to HIDE it from their parents from the get-go. :)

I have a SV650 sitting in my garage, unfortunately it's my ex-wife's and last I checked she didn't want to sell it. They are great bikes. Good handling, lightweight, and stable at speed. I would recommend a dirt bike first but if they're going to start on the street I'd recommend a small sport bike since they do all street stuff better than anything else. I would avoid any cruiser type bike since they handle like crap and are unstable, at least the small ones are.

That said, I see you're in Houston. I would not ride a motorcycle in Houston.

I hid my first 2 street bikes and wrecked them both!