And to add to what cman said about gear- here's what I laid out for a first bike:

3k for the bike
~1k in new tires/brakes/etc
500ish in gear
200ish for the MSF course/tags and title fees

That's the f4i of course. My *technical* first bike was an 03 Ninja 250- I paid 1400 for that and only put in a little time cleaning it up/doing an oil change, that sort of thing.

 

Oh are they! For some reason I was thinking they were FI. I also just don't like the way they handle- once I got the f4i cornering snapped into place for me where it didn't on the Ninja.

 

I enjoyed riding my 06 250 for what it was, a nice easy to ride light bike that could get me anywhere i needed to go.

 

Yea same for me, I think it was that the shape/size of the back tire on the ninja that made it harder to corner on a steeper angle, but wtf do I know (big noob here). Also I'm not ******* on the 250, if I wanted to get a commuter bike (no freeways) it would be perfect. I was just looking for something sportier.

 

Yerp. I'm not going to knock it for what it is- I rode mine for a month or so before trading up. We're still debating keeping it for a track bike or something.

 

Here's my "first bike" layout, just did it in March:

2k for the bike (though he was asking 3k)

~$500 in new tire/brakes/filters/carb parts/etc

$700ish in gear (Honestly, I buy the more expensive stuff for the look and fit. It's not necessry to spend that much. If you race cars, you probably already have a good helmet and jacket ***I HOPE.***)

200ish for the MSF course/tags and title fees


If you're going to race, anticipate another $1k in upgrades, assuming you're doing them yourself. That's one of the best parts about bikes: performance parts are cheap as hell.

And seriously, wear your gear. Nobody admires those ****s who ride around in flip-flops and no helmets. That's the quickest way to spot a douche who just bought a bike so he could look cool. Nobody looks cool in flip-flops.

Elfling, however, has one bad-*** pink boot she's been trotting around in lately.

 

get a 600 you will want too sell a 250 or anything smaller a month after you ride... get a 600 and start slow.

 

I agree, if your going to go small ya might as well get a Moped. But if you already now the Mechanics of riding a motorcycle, go with at least a 5 or 600, you'll appreciate it more.

 

If you learn how to corner on a ninja 250 well then you will be years ahead of most people. They can carry lots of speed through corners when done right. I bought one when I talked both my friends into them. I liked riding it but the ergo's were killing me 6'1" 200lbs.

CBR's just aren't good starter bikes. If you are bigger and can't fit well on a 250 then get a gs500 or the ninja 500. Maybe a older sv or something. The thing is 250's are easy to buy and sell for a profit also.

Not a shot just a fact if you get a 250 then say it isn't enough and hop on the F4i and break your leg then you should have learned throttle control and such on the 250. I read the story and I am sorry you broke your leg but you wouldn't have done that on a 250 doing what you did.

 

I learned how to ride on my F3 w/o any problems. I do however consider myself to be a very quick learner but everyone has their own pace. If the 600 is what you want, I would go for it, you don't always have to ride a fast bike fast (its hard, but realistic). Just be careful and build your confidence before you really start to ride it. Either way enjoy what you get