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Random Quote: Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
I'm looking something for hwy, why do you suggest the 500? I been reading reviews on this bikes and so far I like what I see. And for the $ I can't ask for more. I'll check the 500 and the price. Looking for a use one, 2008 with low millage. What is the life expectancy of a motorcycle, millage wise?
Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo
That 400 SM is a lot of fun, but it is an around town bike, not good for high speeds. Go with the 500, it will be better for the highway.
Don't buy a 250 its a girls bike(if your a girl, sorry) once you learn to ride you'll hate because it has no sack. If your new to riding take a class, they're available all over and you'll get an insurance discount. I'd look at a motard over the small sport bikes too. KTM makes some cool ones IMO and come with nicer parts and build then jap bikes do, also a little bit more $$$. Good luck.
Just saw your looking for something for highway, I retract the motard comment. I'd ride a few different style bike before you buy because for a long trip a sport bike isn't comfortable to most.
I'd suggest looking at a Honda Nighthawk or a Triumphs S4 or Tiger something that sits more upright, being hunched over for a long time sucks IMO, and motards are cool but generally don't have much of a wind screen and are somewhere between a dirtbike and a streetbike.
Last edited by 250 sportsman; 11-09-2009 at 07:34 PM.
Reason: MYOB
I'm new to motorcycles and I will be using it to commute. Honestly, I'm looking for something around $2500 because I don't wanna spend much $ right now because this bike will be for a few month until my family moves to the area. I looked at the 500 specs and basically is the engine, I think. The overall size of the bike is the same.
I use to ride bikes but it was when I was about 14 years old.
BTW I'm not a girl.
Don't buy a 250 its a girls bike(if your a girl, sorry) once you learn to ride you'll hate because it has no sack. If your new to riding take a class, they're available all over and you'll get an insurance discount. I'd look at a motard over the small sport bikes too. KTM makes some cool ones IMO and come with nicer parts and build then jap bikes do, also a little bit more $$$. Good luck.
Just saw your looking for something for highway, I retract the motard comment. I'd ride a few different style bike before you buy because for a long trip a sport bike isn't comfortable to most.
I'd suggest looking at a Honda Nighthawk or a Triumphs S4 or Tiger something that sits more upright, being hunched over for a long time sucks IMO, and motards are cool but generally don't have much of a wind screen and are somewhere between a dirtbike and a streetbike.
If you you are looking for a sport bike, shop around and find a used 600cc, you will not outgrow it nearly as soon. I still get an adrenaline rush jumping on one of our R6's. The 500 will bore you in a couple of months after the 250cc does. They are both beginner bikes that I do believe had women as their target market segment. Then again my wife rides an R1 and my 17 year old daughter has ridden the R6's and the R1's, but they have both ridden for a decent amount of time. Coming off of MX bikes, quad and waverunners, they both became acclimated with a street bike on an R1, but they both know self control.
As others have suggested, the MSF course is EXTREMELY beneficial and they offer the classes for several different skill levels. Please don't skimp on the helmet or proper safety gear. Like any other high risk sport / hobby, as long as you exercise some self control you can minimize your risks no matter what bike you are on. I have logged 600 mile days on sport bikes, and I personally find the riding position comfortable, especially when tucked in out of the wind.
__________________ -Scarab Sport Twin Merc 250
-A Couple PWC's
-A Bunch of Motorcycles
Look used theres always a bunch on CL in that range, I personally like a standard style bike for commuting one reason is you sit more upright so I feel like you see more and can pay better attention to whats around you.
Like the guy with the R1 was saying a nut is just as dangerous on a 500 as a 900.
I would get the bigger of the two. My first bike was a kawasaki vulcan 750 and I loved it however I grew out of it quick. The 250 will not have enough power to ultimatly do what you want to do. The 500 will. However be prepared that bikes are alot like a boat. They are money pits. Every part is a couple of hundred bucks.lol Now I have moved up to a custom chopper but every day I miss my first Kawasaki.
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"Im only comfortable with a three man brain trust." -The Janitor
USCG 100 Ton Master Captain w/ Towing Endorsement
FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit (FCC MROP License/Endorsement)
Kawasaki Ninja 250r or 500r 
