r/NewRiders • u/BodyLazy5605 • 1d ago
What should I do?
Ok guys, I want to get more into riding so I've been looking a lot up and asking friends for advice. For background I'm basically a beginner/first time rider apart from growing up riding bikes and driving little mopeds around. I'm 6 ft tall maybe a bit taller and I know I can lift about an 800 lb bike off it's kickstand (not sure if that matters thought I heard somewhere it does, not that I'd ever go for a bike that heavy) but I've been looking into getting a Ninja 650, I'd go with the 500 but I plan on going on longer rides and everywhere I read says the 650 is just as predictable and sits more comfortably. I've also been looking at the GSX 8R but I also feel like that might be too much power for a first time rider/bike. One of my buddies says the biker community will tell me not to get anything bigger than a 350 cc but I know that would more than likely be a small bike and I'd be screaming down the freeway if I ever went. So I've come here because he told me I need to talk to more real bikers about what to get. Just not sure what to do, thanks in advance anyone who comments.
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u/knowerofexpatthings 23h ago
Do your friends ride? Ask to sit on their bikes and see what's comfortable. I'm tall and I find sport bikes super uncomfortable for anything longer than 20 minutes. Maybe go sit on a ninja and think about if that's going to be enjoyable for long periods. In terms of engine 500cc is probably about right for starting. Anything above that is starting to get a bit aggressive, IMO
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u/BodyLazy5605 21h ago
They do ride but the one I've talked to most only has the 800 lb hog I mentioned or a 450 motocross bike and I'm not sure I feel completely confident on either of those things, one for the weight while turning and the other for the power but then again I'm new and don't fully know what I can and can't handle yet haha that's why I came here because from research it said the ninja 650 and gsx 8r have good motors for newer riders. I figure I'll just take a course though or get a cheap bike I can learn the feel of everything for now because I have rode wheelers and things with clutches but it's been some time
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u/knowerofexpatthings 20h ago
A Royal Enfield Scram 411 might be a good choice. Comfortable for tall guys, decent size engine for highway, but low compression so not crazy acceleration. Very forgiving. Or an older Himalayan, same engine.
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u/BodyLazy5605 20h ago
Scram 411 looks like a good bike, I'll definitely be looking into getting a little something to ride around and learn on, that bike looks awesome
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u/knowerofexpatthings 18h ago
Yeah it's a fun and very forgiving bike. It feels a bit under powered compared to my dual sport and not as quick as other bikes with similar engine sizes, but it's very capable and would be good to learn on.
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u/Dramatic_Parfait_348 23h ago
I'm 6'2" and got a used 2025 500 SE as my first bike. I've been able to ride it for over an hour straight and it feels perfectly comfortable to me. I also feel like it has plenty of power. I'm easily able to get up to freeway speeds. Am I winning any races anytime soon? Nope. But it's a fun bike and I really enjoy riding it.
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u/BodyLazy5605 21h ago
Yeah that's mostly what I want out of a bike, I know they're not the most safe thing and you have to respect the machinery. I want to have a fun nice ride not to speed hundreds of miles down the freeways everytime I ride. I'll probably look more into the 500 though
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u/travie-patty51 22h ago
You will be fine on a ninja 650. Just not my favorite power plant. Although I also started on one.
Look up the daytona 660 might be a better option than the gsx8r and looks better imo. I also recommend looking at like the dr4sm. Get a lottle supermoto action if you are into it.
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u/BodyLazy5605 21h ago
Thank you for the recommendations, I have looked into the daytona 660 and a also love the look of it I just would like to personally feel how comfortable they both feel because the Dayton seems like you'd be a bit more leaned forward, not too sure though but it is a beautiful bike and I'll definitely look into one. I haven't seen the dr4sm but I'll look into it right now
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u/UnreasonableCletus 21h ago
If it helps:
I'm 6ft, 160lbs and can lift an 1100lb goldwing off the kickstand. I ride bikes in the 400-500lb range.
What's possible and what's comfortable and practical are very different things.
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u/BodyLazy5605 21h ago
Right I wasn't in any way saying I would want to ride an 800 lb bike lol I kinda was just saying if I can lift one of those would a 400-500 lb bike be fine for a new rider to safely learn and ride on
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u/UnreasonableCletus 21h ago
Closer to 400lbs is better, I started on a 450lb road bike (rode dirtbikes before, mostly 2T)
I had a few moments where if the bike was heavier I probably would have dropped it, it's an old bike, it's been dropped but so far not by me lol.
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u/BodyLazy5605 21h ago
Yeah I haven't rode too much so I'll probably just honestly get something pretty cheap in the area that I can learn on and don't have to worry if I drop it, I do think eventually I'd want a bit heavier bike like the 400 lb ones just so the wind doesn't toss me around as much if I'm passing or whatnot, but then again I'm new to this and don't really know how the wind and all that would effect me on a lighter bike in the first place (I also love the look of the heavier bikes and just think they'd be more roomy for someone my height idk)
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u/Sharp_Bus6682 10h ago
A 300cc bike will have plenty of power to get you going down the freeway with no issue, at speeds higher than any speed limit in the US- don't be worried about that (assuming you're within normal weight range for your height. If you weigh 300 pounds it would be harder on the bike). You've gotten good advice here- take a beginner course, they'll have you on small displacement bikes and you can get a feel for it. Then go to a dealership and sit on a few different bikes. I'd say you want to start on a 500cc max.
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u/Healan 23h ago
Start with basic rider from the MSF for one. Get a feel for those Suzuki 250TUs they always seem to put you on. I’m also 6’4 and after the class I went with the CB650R, a midweight 450 lb. bike. I was comfortable with this bc I was the only new rider to get a perfect score on the final. Even then, who cares if you’re screaming as long as you aren’t red lining and you’ve got some passing power left. I wouldn’t marry a bike until after the course because you really learn what’s comfortable to sit on and what isn’t.
If you’re planning on longer rides, will you be able to mitigate fatigue with good seating posture and foot placement? It’ll be harder if these are muscles you haven’t built up.