Naked 250cc?

[sazr]

Hello,

This is my first post!

I'm a 23 years old male, never ridden a motorbike before. Still haven't got my license yet. But I'd like to get my (full) license and buy a bike by the end of summer/beginning of autumn.

I have made a list of bikes I like, I really don't know much about bikes, and I've been choosing basically by their appearance (which I know is probably not the best way for a smart buy). The list is this:

- Ducatti Monster (this one I like the most)
- Suzuki Gladius
- Honda CBR600F Hornet
- Yamaha XJ6
- Kawasaki ER-6n
- Kawasaki Versys
- Aprilia SHIVER 750
- Triumph Street Triple

It seems I'm into what are called 'Naked' bikes. However, I have been reading through some threads (still a lot to read, so much info ), and it seems that the general opinion is to get a smaller used bike prior to really investing into something bigger. I was thinking maybe around 250cc?

So, my first question is: is there any "smaller" naked bikes, that resemble the ones in my list?

I ask this because I'd still want to ride something I like… Maybe I should add that I am 1,75m and 84Kg, which Google tells me is about 5'8'' and 185 pounds in imperial. So I'm not very tall, thus something lower, would be nice. The bike would be used mainly in urban scenarios, for commuting between home and work, and with some weekend rides with my girlfriend. Obviously, it should be really *SAFE* and easy to ride, because I'm a big newbie.

Price is not much of an issue, since I intend to get my money back (or at least most of it) when I sell the bike for a new one.

Which brings us to my second and third questions. Unless it turns out that I don't enjoy riding bikes, I'll probably be upgrading to a +600cc such as the ones in that list. So:

2) How long should I wait before upgrading? (just a rough idea, I know that in the end it's up to me to see how I'm feeling towards my riding skills)
3) Which one of those (in the list) would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for your attention, and please keep in mind that I'd like something SAFE and EASY to ride

P.S. Since I'll be taking my lessons on a 600cc, wouldn't I be "losing" the little skill I gained buying a smaller bike?

[barrkel]

I know both the monster and the ER6n have fairly low seats; they're also narrower than inline 4s, and a narrow seat helps a lot in practice with distance to the ground. My GF rides an ER6f with lowering kit, and she's about 5'2", and manages fine enough.

You should really visit bike shops and sit on all the different bikes you're considering getting.

I wouldn't necessarily start out on 250cc. If you're not riding much in cities, you're better off with a bit more power for the open road. A mild 600-class like the monster, ER6n or XJ6 would be fine. The XJ6 is heavier than the other two though. If you've got short legs, a lighter bike is nice to have. But don't buy your dream bike first thing, as you'll probably drop it a few times.

If you are going to be riding a lot in the city, I'd advise getting road sense with a scooter for a few months first - less faff while you get used to everything coming at you from all directions.
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[Andy_Pagin]

I wouldn't bother thinking about 250s, they're basically just 125 frames with a bigger engine, and not that much more powerful. Nowadays a 600 is the standard engine size for a big bike.
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[Slacker24seve...]

Most of your choices will be fine. The Street Triple is the most capable bike of those, by far, but also the fastest and scariest. The Z750 is big and heavy and fast, not especially noob friendly because of this.

Monsters always strike me as a silly fashionable midget's bike. I've tried an older, non spicy version and was unimpressed, new ones may be better. The Gladius was styled by Ann Summers. The Versys gets great reviews but is a bit taller than the rest.

By a process of elimination, that leaves the Hornet, ER6N and XJ6. The Hornet is faster and a bit sportier and thirsty and offers more potential for hooning about. Needs bigger and more expensive tyres, but conversely that means more choice. The ER6 is good but research carefully, some have had bits falling off. Don't know enough about the XJ6 but everyone loves them.

If you've got your heart set on a 250, you can get a 250 Hornet; they are underpowered and over tyred and there's no reason at all to get one over the 600 but they have gear driven cams and sound wonderful. Revvy little bastards
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

SV650? Basically the bike that preceded the Gladius.

You could go Ninja 250 and rip the fairings off, but that would be expensive and slow....KTm Duke200/390?
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[thepuma]

I think you need to pass your test first before thinking about bigger bikes. What you want now may not be the same as what you want in 6 months time when youve had some lessons on a bigger bike and passed your tests.
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[Matt94]

Suzuki inazuma 250, also the bandit/hornet 250.
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[-Matt-]

Naked bikes does seem the interest

At 23 same as me if you feel you have a sensible head on you considering the options id go for a mid range 500-600. A 250 will probably feel sluggish like 125s do sooner or later so why deal with hassles reselling and looking to upgrade etc?

Im 5.9-5.10 and 60kg you arent short in bike terms i can flat foot on most. At worst id think you slightly tip toe. However girlfriend on the back - id wait a good GOOD while. Even after 4 years riding having a pillion threw me bigtime it makes it all very different. As a new biker take your time. Be sensible itll come with a bit of time

[sazr]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the great answers. Just to clear things out, I really ain't got my heart set on a 250cc, the only reason I was considering it is because most people suggest to start on a smaller bike.

If it were up to me, I'd go straight to a 600cc naked.

I guess it is still a bit early to be talking about this stuff, as thepuma stated, it's best to wait for me getting my full license, doing the test, and getting a feel of what riding a bigger bike feels like. Then I can decide better if I'm comfortable going straight for a 600cc. (truth be told, my lessons will be on a 600cc, so I'm hoping I'll get a pretty good idea...)

[Derivative]

Keep in mind that your riding style on test will be significantly different to when you buy the bike.

I rode like a mobility scooter on test. 0-40 in 10 seconds shifting at 4k rpm.

It took a few months before I was comfortable with going WOT through the gears and that's on a 500.

[uploader]

[-Matt-]

Id say as puma said do your tests etc and see how you feel on the off chance you just dont like biking. But otherwise as you said 'if it was upto me' - it is. If you go jump on a 600 with no sense or respect for it youll only have yourself to blame and suffer the consequences. If you have your head screwed on which it would seem you do to be concerned to ask these questions rather than 'hi im new i want a sports bike that can do wheelies easily', take it easy, appreciate youve skipped stages many do it will be a great experience - id of thought

[Efes123]

I'm guessing you're not in the UK, so I'm not sure about the licensing situation. But in the UK you need to be 24 before you can have full power, which I believe we changed in order to be inline with the EU. Have you checked your licensing rules?
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[TheSmiler]

[sazr]

Maybe I should've mentioned, I'm in Portugal. Here we can drive up to 600cc after 18, and >600cc after 21. Or so it was when I goy my driver's license 5 years ago... hope it hasn't changed to 24, it would a big buzz kill...

Thanks for all the insight, I'll be waiting for my lessons and test (already on a 600cc) and see how I feel about it. If I decide I should start smaller, I'll be sure to look to some of the options you guys suggested here.

Thanks!

[noobRider]

I think once you've had your lessons and test on a 600cc bike you won't want to go for anything less capable. You know the look of the bike you want, have fun sitting on a few and choosing

GL on the test.
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[Az]

Hornet 250 (if u can find one)

But tbh from speaking to others, it's more about the person no the bike, if ur sensible and have good self control you should get a bigger bike such as the ones u listed and take it easy until ur confident enough to open her up or... To save headache of buying and selling bikes get one of ur listed bikes and buy a restrictor and when ur happy take the restrictor off, then u have the bike u want but with the power u feel u should have.

Good luck with ur tests when u take them

(Haven't read previous posts, so if someone's already said what I've said sorry for saying it again)