Anybody ride a motorcycle?

[Tatsh]

Looking to start getting into riding, but don't know what bike I should get first. A lot of people say the ninja 250r is an awesome bike, but mind you I'm 6'1, 250 pounds, so was thinking about starting on a yamaha FZ6R...anybody got other suggestions?

[janders]

i,ve had a lot of motorcycles in my day and my favorite all around bike has been a kawasaki klr650...built for a tall person and great for backroads and urban riding and just as at home doing 75 on the super slab..i have 38000 miles on mine and its never had one problem....the ninja 250 is a good bike but a bit underpowered for a guy your size especially on hills...i also get over 60mpg

[Klink10]

I'm a Brit bike owner and fan so I would be partial to those. I do have a Harley and 2 Yamaha XS 650's however. It sounds as though you want to lean towards the Japanese side and I understand. If you have a dealer nearby, check out the Triumph line of sport bikes. Good luck and ride safe.

[fnkngrv]

Yup...if you are looking for a crotch rocket being a guy your size the best choice would be a 600cc...not a 250. One of the biggest things you need to be sure that you take into consideration is that if for some reason you dump the bike you can put it back up. I have had a 600cc that I could not get standing straight when it dumped just because of how the center of balance of it was and weight distribution....really sucked.

[zachryboles]

i suggest an older harley 883 that can be picked up from any craigslist for 5-6k if you want something your not going to be pissed at dumping(which you will) get any 250 and learn till you feel good then sell it towards your new and awesome ride.

[UTVitz]

I grew up on a dirt bike, but quit riding till about 10 years ago and started out on a CBR 600F3-not bad, a little slow on take off, though. Best advise I'd offer is invest in a safety training corse-they are worth their weight in gold and the advanced corse I took at a local high school on a weekend saved by bacon a few times from what I learned to watch for riding on the street. After the CBR I moved up to a Ducati 916 and really enjoyed the power and torque. For someone of your weight and size I'd look at either a 500cc-which kawasaki makes a nice one, or jump into a 600cc with caution. Forget the 250-it only works well for people under 170lbs to even maintain a freeway speed.

[kustom play]

street legal dirt bikes are the way to go

i have a honda XR and its a blast

[Tatsh]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm pretty much down to 3 choices now:

Yamaha FZ6-R
Suzuki GS500-F
both of which people say are beginner friendly..

or take a riding course, then go with a gixxer (Suzuki GSX-R 600).

Hopefully start riding next season!

[alch3miss]

I just sold my 2006 GSXR 750- It was my first bike, im 5' 11 180 lbs.. I absolutely loved it, but because of economic misfortunes just sold it. good luck and ride safe.

[alch3miss]

I took a motorcycle riders course- the handle and maneuverability was excellent on the bike. But in the end its all about your comfort level in the bike you choose.