I was researching good motorcycles for a beginner. I visited a dealership and the salesperson was showing me around. He suggested for a beginner I should look at a Honda Rebel or Kawasaki Ninja 250. I got an idea of the look and feel of both bikes. I honestly thought the rebel looked a little short for me and the ninja just slightly taller. Maybe it was in my head. I’m not a short guy. I’m 6′1" but I don’t have really long legs. He said that the he thought the ninja was much more bike for the money, I didn’t think to ask why because now that I look at it… they have the same size engine don’t they?
I think the ninja looks better, like a young persons bike. The rebel isn’t too bad, it just looks like a beginner bike (I am a beginner so that’s fine I guess). I have never owned a motorcycle before, but if I saw one driving down the road I would instantly think "that must be his first bike". The dealer was also pointing out the Shadow, but I don’t like that style. I am 20 years old and I would feel out of place on a bike like that.
Also I need storage space, do either of them have optional accessories I can attach for storing more stuff. I can wear a backpack for my textbooks I guess, but I also am an avid photographer and need somewhere to put my bag/tripod. The rebel looks like it might be designed better for the possibility. He was telling me that a scooter would provide more storage, but I would be a rolling road block on the freeway.
One more thing, I can see the bikes are different styles. Is one easier to ride than the other? Or maybe more comfortable? What are some drawbacks to both designs if any?
Ok another issue is the insurance. I might have to go with a cruiser, I was doing getting some quotes and the price difference is shocking.
For example, a Rebel costs me a $450 premium and a Ninja 250 is $1700. I guess they figure its a bike that attracts young idiots.
The Ninjette is $4700 OTD, the Rebel is $3700 OTD. Not mentioned is something like a KLX250S dual sport at $4300 OTD or the super moto version for $300 more.
Don’t know where you are, but a dual sport is an ideal city bike as it can ignore minor little things like rough pavement, potholes, curbs, and those little lain down telephone poles used to block off parking lots.
A bit larger physically than the Rebel, and possibly a bit better starter bike, the Yamaha V-Star 250, $4200 OTD. And the bike I was eying before I noticed the Savage, the Suzuki GZ250, also $4200 OTD.
A Step up, but still considered a beginner’s bike, the Suzuki S40, $5500 OTD, but a 650cc Thumper that will keep up with anyone at any legal speed and a bit more.
The V-Star, GZ250, and S40 all can mount LeatherLyke saddle bags, the two 250 use the 14 qt compact size, the S40 (with optional sissybar) the 18 quart cruiser size. I’ve had my bags for over five years and they still look good. Lockable storage is "nice". My Savage (S40) I took off the sissy bar pad and bolt a plastic milk crate on the pillion that can carry a 50 pound bag of dog food.
The Ninjette is the faster sportier bike. But you might want to talk to your insurance agent before choosing. You can get big scooters that are not rolling road blocks, but they are more expensive and heavier than comparable motorcycles.