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I'm not a new rider, but I am requesting beginner advice, as a friend of mine is just finishing their motorcycle safety course and will be looking for a bike. As I'm the only person they know that rides they're reaching out to me for advice. I wasn't sure where on the forum to posit the question, so I figured I'd start in the Sportster section where I spend all of my time. They're being smart about how they're approaching the purchase by taking the safety course, looking for a used bike, and staying away from high powered sport bikes. However, when I started riding (like an idiot on a GSXR750), a ninja 600 or similar wasn't too bad of a bike to learn on. Now that I'm doing research, I'm learning the later model 600cc sport bikes are nothing to mess around with. I want to get some opinion on good sport style bikes that a 5'4" beginner can handle. I'm thinking of attempting to convince them to go for a Buell Blast or something similar. I'm not sure I'll be able to talk them out of something in the sport bike realm, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I’d be looking at something less than 750cc range.
in my area they use 250’s for the class but they are two small realistically for the road in most cases.
Triumph make some really nice singles
My son (he is 5'4") had a Suzuki SV650 as his first 600+ cc bike. It was really nice.
It is a V-twin configuration so it's fairly slender. It's more of a commuter
style bike, not a crotch rocket. They are fairly cheap too, but finding one
could be a challenge as they did not sell a lot of them in the US. I guess
everyone else wanted the crotch rockets... Here's a picture.
I agree with the SV650, that's what I initially went to in my head. Luckily there's a 2005 with 2500 miles on it in my area for $3,900. I was reading up on it and it may still be a bit much for them. However, if they're insistent on staying in the 600cc range, that's what I would push for especially since that's right in their price range.
I'm with you on the 883, it's a comfy ride and decently maneuverable with a low seat height. I've read a few different opinions on forums and have found that others seem to disagree and I can't figure out why.
I'm with you on the 883, it's a comfy ride and decently maneuverable with a low seat height. I've read a few different opinions on forums and have found that others seem to disagree and I can't figure out why.
look for a sportster 48, they seem to be a little shorter in stature.
I agree with the SV650, that's what I initially went to in my head. Luckily there's a 2005 with 2500 miles on it in my area for $3,900. I was reading up on it and it may still be a bit much for them. However, if they're insistent on staying in the 600cc range, that's what I would push for especially since that's right in their price range.
Sounds a bit high to me for a 2005, even with "low" miles. FWIW, my son found his as a leftover/unsold
2017 SV650 brand new in 2019 for ~$5200 out the door....
The 48 does have a pretty low seat height, but the power and style don't quite work with what the individual is interested in. I do plan on trying to talk them into a cruiser of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath. They're young and want that sport bike look.
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