New to riding - comfortable riding position?

[Mtt83]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here, though I've been reading as a guest for a few months now, by which time I'll also have a full set of gear. (I'm pretty happy having skin.) I'll be taking a MSF course and buying my first bike within a few months and with that in mind, I've been wondering a lot about riding position lately.

I'm looking for a street bike that has a fairly upright riding position but from pictures it's hard to tell just how far forward I'd have to lean on some bikes .The current front-runner for my future purchase is the 2008 ninja 250 both because of the price point and suggestions on this forum, as well as other places. Looking at pictures of a ninja 500 though, the handle bars make it look like I'd be sitting more upright than the 250, but I'd have to handle more power and a higher price tag.

I'm 5' 11" and weigh 185 lbs. If anyone could suggest an appropriate bike for me to start riding on, I'd really appreciate it.

[vn2kbob]

Originally Posted by Mtt83

Hi everyone. This is my first post here, though I've been reading as a guest for a few months now, by which time I'll also have a full set of gear. (I'm pretty happy having skin.) I'll be taking a MSF course and buying my first bike within a few months and with that in mind, I've been wondering a lot about riding position lately.

I'm looking for a street bike that has a fairly upright riding position but from pictures it's hard to tell just how far forward I'd have to lean on some bikes .The current front-runner for my future purchase is the 2008 ninja 250 both because of the price point and suggestions on this forum, as well as other places. Looking at pictures of a ninja 500 though, the handle bars make it look like I'd be sitting more upright than the 250, but I'd have to handle more power and a higher price tag.

I'm 5' 11" and weigh 185 lbs. If anyone could suggest an appropriate bike for me to start riding on, I'd really appreciate it.

I would give serious consideration to the Ninja 650. This bike is something you won't outgrow very easily, if ever. But make sure you hone your skills learned from the MSF class each and every time out. Respect the bike and your abilities will improve rapidly. You are starting out right by the class. Very informative and will open your eyes to motorcycles and the public behind the wheel. This bike has a very nice riding position in my opinion.

[jets1]

i actually just got my 2007 ninja 500r new may 1st 2008. i am 5 foot 7 and 120 lbs. this bike has a great riding position if you need to buy new i would check out the a 500r which could be a little expensive (i bought an 07 so it was cheaper) or a pre 2008 250r. the only other bike i would recomend would be the ninja 650r which seems to be real upright but you gotta be tall to fit right on it and it cost a little more than the 500r and with the new 2008 250r i heard that the riding position is more forward like the supersports.

with that said i think most people will agree with me that you should really just go and sit on the different bikes because for one person a sitting position could be upright and on another it could be more forward.

[jbsmd]

Too bad price has a lot to do with what bike we get. Getting what one can afford is not the answer to what would be the best choice. The question would be what bike is best for what one can afford. It sounds like the best choice for what you might afford would be the 250. The 650 would be a better choice for what you can't afford.

[guitarstudd636]

The best choice for you cant afford is the Concourse 14!!! Just joking but I agree with the 650R if you can swing the price tag. I ride an 06 636 and have rode on a 650R and it was still fun and something I could enjoy. Even after riding my supersport the 650R would keep me content. But its all down to your wallet size in the end.

[Mtt83]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Too bad price has a lot to do with what bike we get. Getting what one can afford is not the answer to what would be the best choice. The question would be what bike is best for what one can afford. It sounds like the best choice for what you might afford would be the 250. The 650 would be a better choice for what you can't afford.

I can afford to buy whatever bike I want. Given that it will be my first bike and I'll be new to riding, the question is what bike should I buy to not waste money?

Is the riding position of the 650 more comfortable than the 250? Is that going to be too much power for me?

[Ruh Roh]

Originally Posted by jets1

with that said i think most people will agree with me that you should really just go and sit on the different bikes because for one person a sitting position could be upright and on another it could be more forward.

+1

my local dealer has a LARGE used inventory. Go somewhere and try some on

[eidian]

Another shameless plug for my "Sizing Up a Bike" thread; go to the thread below and scroll down two-thirds of the way down to see fretbuzz's 5'10" son on his 650R (and to everyone else, if you could contribute to that thread by posting your stats and pics of you on your bike, it would help answer a lot of questions for everyone):

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...g-up-bike.html

If budget is not a concern, then definitely get the 650R; it's the modern FI update to the outdated 500R. I'm 5'8" and I had a slight lean on the 500R which led to sore wrists and lower back when I would ride for more than 30 minutes on the freeway--on the Z1, I can ride for an hour and the only thing sore is my butt because the seat feels more like a wooden plank than it does a cushioned saddle. If you have longer arms, you might not have as much of lean forward on the 500R.

I know you said that money isn't a factor when it comes to purchasing the bike, but how about for tires and maintenance? Does paying $250 for the 600 mile service or $400 for a valve adjustment make your eyes pop out? How about $250 for tires that will only last you about 9k miles? If you can wrench and you want to save money on maintenance, then the 500R would be the way to go.

But the 650R still gets my vote.

[jukief]

OK, here's a cruiser gal sneaking into the sportbike forum. I just couldn't resist.

If you want a comfortable, upright sitting position, the cruiser is the bike for you! Have you taken a look at the Meanstreak? Great, comfortable low center of gravity with a great upright position like the cruisers but handles more like a sportbike. Just a thought...

OK, I'll sneak out the back door now.

[evmo]

Originally Posted by jukief

OK, here's a cruiser gal sneaking into the sportbike forum. I just couldn't resist.

If you want a comfortable, upright sitting position, the cruiser is the bike for you! Have you taken a look at the Meanstreak? Great, comfortable low center of gravity with a great upright position like the cruisers but handles more like a sportbike. Just a thought...

OK, I'll sneak out the back door now.

Now, now no need for drastic measures. The darkside has dibbs on him already.

[jukief]

Actually, just today I was thinking that it would be nice to have a little sportbike for running around town. Something like a Ninja 250. But I don't have the $$ or the space in the garage. It would be SO nice to have both types of bikes, though.

[jbsmd]

Sorry, I mistook your mentioning "price point" and "higher price tag" as one of your concerns. For your height and weight, sit on a 650, see if it fits. I don't see where you live, but here in Ca. the 500 is not being sold new because of smog requirements. (that's what the dealer tells me) The 650 is fuel injected, more upright and about 3k more than the 250. As far as power, just don't make it go fast, till you get the feel of your bike...what ever you get.

[Mtt83]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Sorry, I mistook your mentioning "price point" and "higher price tag" as one of your concerns. For your height and weight, sit on a 650, see if it fits. I don't see where you live, but here in Ca. the 500 is not being sold new because of smog requirements. (that's what the dealer tells me) The 650 is fuel injected, more upright and about 3k more than the 250. As far as power, just don't make it go fast, till you get the feel of your bike...what ever you get.

No worries. I updated my location, but I essentially live about 22 miles outside of DC. I'm not sure about smog reqs here, but all cars have to pass an emissions inspection every 2 years.

[guitarstudd636]

Well IMHO the 650R would just be the way to go for rider comfort, power, reliability and all things in between. Plus the 650Rs are looking pretty sweet these days. I forgot who make sit but I saw a GP style exhaust for it and bet it sounds nice. If this is going to be a lasting investment for many years the 500 and 250 will get boring and stale.

[Mtt83]

I was warming up to the idea of getting a 650R after hearing how "whiny" the 250R sounds compared to it, but the 650 doesn't come in candy plasma blue like I was planning to get on the 250. Would an aftermarket exhaust make it more tolerable?

[skewterdewd]

Originally Posted by Mtt83

Hi everyone. This is my first post here, though I've been reading as a guest for a few months now, by which time I'll also have a full set of gear. (I'm pretty happy having skin.) I'll be taking a MSF course and buying my first bike within a few months and with that in mind, I've been wondering a lot about riding position lately.

I'm looking for a street bike that has a fairly upright riding position but from pictures it's hard to tell just how far forward I'd have to lean on some bikes .The current front-runner for my future purchase is the 2008 ninja 250 both because of the price point and suggestions on this forum, as well as other places. Looking at pictures of a ninja 500 though, the handle bars make it look like I'd be sitting more upright than the 250, but I'd have to handle more power and a higher price tag.

I'm 5' 11" and weigh 185 lbs. If anyone could suggest an appropriate bike for me to start riding on, I'd really appreciate it.

The Versys has probably the most upright position of all the sport/street bikes, if that's what you want. It has the same type of motor as the 650r, retuned for more mid-range power, and a much better front fork. It's kind of odd looking, but it gets high marks as a fun all-around ride. Check out the reviews. Only comes in red.

Cant go wrong with the small twin for a first bike. There's a reason why its been around for a million years...

[Falx250r]

The 500 or 650 is better for you than the 250 I think, I am about your size and felt pretty cramped on the 250. Also if you want that plasma blue, the 650 came in it in either 06 or 07.

[Ituen]

Originally Posted by Mtt83

I was warming up to the idea of getting a 650R after hearing how "whiny" the 250R sounds compared to it, but the 650 doesn't come in candy plasma blue like I was planning to get on the 250. Would an aftermarket exhaust make it more tolerable?

Find a used 650R in Candy plasma blue.

[messer00]

I love my 650... I recently put on some lower bars for a more sporty look (but not super sport low) and the bike is now perfect. Not so low that it kills your back, but low enough to actually take advantage of the windscreen.

[evmo]

Originally Posted by messer00

I love my 650... I recently put on some lower bars for a more sporty look (but not super sport low) and the bike is now perfect. Not so low that it kills your back, but low enough to actually take advantage of the windscreen.

When I sat on a 650 the first thing i thought was "Woah this feels like a dirtbike!" If I were to get one I would definitely get some lower front bars.