Top 5 Beginner Sport Bikes
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250R beginner motorcycle beginner motorcycles beginner sport bikes FZR 250R good beginner sport bikes GS500 GS500F Honda Honda VF500F Interceptor Interceptor kawasaki Kawasaki Ninja 250R motorcycle motorcycle comparison motorcycles for beginners Ninja Ninja 250R sport bikes Suzuki Suzuki GS500 Suzuki SV650 Suzuki SV650S SV SV650S VF500F Yamaha Yamaha FZR 250R
When I first thought of compiling a beginner sport bike list, I thought, “Hey, what’s the big deal? I’ve been riding for a while; this shouldn’t be too hard.” But I didn’t realize how difficult it would be until I actually started to think about. I realized that the options for first time sport bike riders are truly limited. All I really have to do is go back to when I was looking for my first sport bike to remember that. I went to a few motorcycle dealers in town and I sat on various bikes such as the GSX, R1, R6, Ninja, and several other sport bikes, and they all had one recurring theme, an inherent feel to them that screamed, “Go fast!” I can see why manufacturers do this, however. It is all strategic, an effort to sell the maximum number of bikes as possible. It seems that first time riders are more prone to want something bigger, better, and faster, feelings that stem from subliminal and very obvious messages we get in society. But this is only part of the story. If manufacturers actually made an effort and offered beginner sport bikes that had that same feel, but with less umph, then they could also monetize off of the beginner sport bike niche. But that’s enough rambling; let’s move on to the bikes!
1. Suzuki SV650
I list this bike first for a few reasons. First off, I owned a 2nd generation SV650S and truly loved it. And second of all, despite its status as a 600CC + bike, it won’t get you in trouble like the other 600CC + bikes such as the GSX or Ninja. Compared to these bikes, the power output of the SV doesn’t come close, pushing about 72.5 hp and 47.2 ft lbs of torque and utilizing a v-twin engine design with electronic fuel injection.
2. Kawasaki Ninja 250R
This bike had to make the list. Kawasaki first made the 250R in 1983 and has been popular ever since. The generations prior to the 2008+ generation have all been mediocre in design and left much to be desired. But the revamped 250R is much more aesthetically pleasing, finally bringing it out of the 80’s and 90’s. And with peak torque at 16.2 ft lbs, there isn’t much of a chance for you to get into serious trouble with this bike, making it perfect for beginners wanting to get into the sport bike scene.
3. Suzuki GS500
The GS500 is a great first bike. The pre-2004 models are plain old naked sport touring bikes and have a good balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and aesthetics. However, if you want a bike that looks more like a sport bike, then check out the GS500F, a fully faired version of the GS500 that debuted in 2004 after a one-year break in production. Power is also limited with this bike, sitting at 47 hp and 29.5 ft lbs of torque. Again, enough power to have a little bit of fun, but nothing outrageous that will get you killed.
4. Honda VF500F Interceptor
The VF500F is perhaps the epitome of the 1980’s era sport bike. This is because of the unmistakable exterior styling of that generation, mainly the three tone color scheme that screams 1980s! This bike is comparable in power to the SV but utilizes a parallel v-twin setup instead of a single v-twin configuration. For power it sits at 70 hp and 31.7 ft lbs of torque. Again, enough to have fun, but not comparable to modern sport bikes running 10 seconds in the quarter from the factory. This bike was proceeded by the CBR600F Hurricane in 1987, another classic, but not suitable as a beginner sport bike.
5. Yamaha FZR 250R
I had difficulty adding a #5 to the list but decided on the Yamaha FZR 250R, a Japan only bike that was imported by illegal means in small quantities. It was designed as a race replica with a high revving, 4 cylinder engine. Power and torque aren’t that impressive for a 4 cylinder, 45hp and 18 ft. lbs respectively, but makes up for it in weight savings. It only weighs a little over 300 lbs, creating a power to weight ratio of 6.84, which is rather impressive. But don’t hold your breath on getting an FZR anytime soon as they are rather difficult to come by.
General Tips for Buying a 1st Sport Bike
- Find a bike that is comfortable to ride. If you have to hunch over to reach the handlebars, then consider something else until you become accustomed to riding a sport/touring bike.
- Make sure the bike is tame. You will not be able to handle a 1000cc bike, I promise you! I jumped on a friends GSX1000 for about 2 minutes once and it scared the hell out of me. I pulled it over right away and got back on my bike (SV).
- Get a fuel injected bike if you aren’t familiar with carbs. Having to deal with clogged carburetors is not a fun task. Spend your time riding, not trying to get the bike to run.
- Take a Motorcycle Safety Course (MSF) provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The course is about 2-3 days long, is free, and you learn a lot about various riding techniques that could save your life. I highly recommend taking the course! What’s more is that you get your Motorcycle license just for taking this course!
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3:47 pm
Nice write up. You say the MSF course is free but everywhere I check it seems to be around $200. Am I looking at a different course?
Thanks.
8:29 pm
Hey Maddon,
In IL (where I live) and some of the surrounding states it’s about $20-$25 and even offer your $ back after completing the course! But I did hear in some states it’s quite a bit more expensive. I also believe that it varies depending on who is holding the course. Different organizations have different pricing. Do some more research and ask on the forums to see what the best rates are. And even if you can’t find anything for less than $200, I still highly recommend it for amateur riders.
But it’s been about 2 years or so since I’ve taken the course so things may have changed. Good luck and be safe!!!
9:18 am
You’re right on the money with this article, keep up the good work!
7:40 pm
Excellent post as always
10:07 pm
Question to everyone. I am 6’6 and going to purchase my first bike. Will a gsxr750 be a good bike for me? I looked at Kawasaki Ninja ZX14 that i liked. Is that too much bike for me to start off with?
11:07 am
Clint, no. No true “sport bike”, and especially not a true sport bike with 600cc or higher is a good first bike.
In order to get good at riding a sport bike you have to survive long enough to do so! In order to do that you need a bike that reacts more tamely when you make mistakes… which you WILL do.
People seem to assume “hey I’m a bigger/taller guy so I should get a bigger bike. That’s NOT how it works. Being taller gives you an advantage on the smaller bike but very little benefit trying to control a racing bike because it isn’t about physical size it is about learned behavior.
It seems simple enough to sit and think about how to control a bike but the learning phase includes controlling instinctive reactions, being able to subconsciously operate the bike so your mind can remain more focused on drivers, obstacles, road condition, etc.
1:22 pm
The VF500F was a V-Four. No such thing as a “parallel V-Twin”
1:41 pm
I don’t really have any motorcycle experience i never rode a dirt bike or anything. I’m looking to buy ninja 250, and just want to know if it will be difficult for me to ride, or should i get dirt bike experience first. All of my friends say it’s easier if you have dirt bike experience.
10:46 am
Im looking to get a Suzuki GSX-R750 as a first. It’s powerful, but not THAT powerful. It’s a bike that doesn’t breakdown too. Its a great bike because once you get experienced, you don’t have to go looking for a more powerful bike because its already powerful.
A Ninja 250 is basically a scooter. I’ve been told that people who get a 250 always wish they got a more powerful biek
10:35 am
The comment above is interesting because it’s coming from someone who hasn’t ridden the Gixxer750 yet… reviews are one thing, but reading about the bike and riding the bike are two completely different animals. 500cc is about as big as a beginner needs; more than enough power to get out of it’s own way, not enough power to get you into serious trouble.
And while 250 sounds small, it isn’t. Bikes are LIGHT. The Ninja250 (and the Honda VTR250 from the late 80s) are really great bikes. Just look at the forums devoted to these bikes. Any well-engineered bike can be fun, you just need to know how to ride it. Power/displacement is NOT everything.
5:05 am
Quote:
AM Says:
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:46 am
Im looking to get a Suzuki GSX-R750 as a first. It’s powerful, but not THAT powerful. It’s a bike that doesn’t breakdown too. Its a great bike because once you get experienced, you don’t have to go looking for a more powerful bike because its already powerful.
A Ninja 250 is basically a scooter. I’ve been told that people who get a 250 always wish they got a more powerful biek. ” Unquote
Do not believe that for a second. A GSXR 750 is a powerful bike. I seriously would not suggest it for someone without riding experience. Most people that get a Ninja 250, do wish they had a more powerful bike. After theyve had it for a while. Keyword is AFTER. Go with a 600 at the most for a beginner. I wouldnt really even suggest that. Better to learn first on something smaller, than to die because you want to impress people. Not saying thats all you want to do.
2:05 am
the GSXR 750 is nicknamed “widow maker”
2:39 am
I’m 5’4 125 and female I want to learn how to ride a street bike and am planning on taking the classes but what is a good bike for a beginner of my size?
2:45 am
get a HONDA crb
12:15 am
I really love Suzuki GS500 Motorbike because this motorbike speed very fast.
9:38 pm
Ok so I live about 20 minutes outside of town and about 8 minutes to the first paved road.that means I spend about 8 minutes on a dirt/ gravel road, and then the rest is paved. I was really looking into the Kawasaki ninja 250r, and was wondering if I would be fine riding on the gravel road? It’s full of pot wholes and is really rough to drive on. Also I only weigh close to 130 pounds and am 5’5. Is the kawasaki a good bike for me???
12:08 am
Uhh… VF500F Interceptor has a V4 engine.
11:01 am
i think the best looking begginers bike would be the megelli 250r sadly living in the uk has the downside of not being able to get hands on one but one bad thing is it is most likly the slowest 250 probally not by far
11:25 am
Ducati 848…yea!! Ride fast, live fast!!
6:46 am
Im looking to buy my first bike in a year or so and i am really in love with the ninja ZX14r. I jumped on one in the show room and loved it. if i just take it at a moderate speed and learn with the bike i should be ok right. i just don’t want to buy one bike then get bored with it then have to search for a new one. im 6 foot 290 lbs i dont plan to race but i want a nice bike.
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