New Ninja 650R... First Bike?

Hi, all.

Let me provide some background.  I'm 28, active duty Air Force (deployed right now), mature and levelheaded almost to the point of being a bore, nondrinker, nonsmoker, and have had the motorcycle bug for about 8 months.  The only bike I have ever ridden was a friend's '97 CBR600 F3, but I wouldn't even count that as it was merely a trot around a parking lot.

I have very few bike-riding friends, and would not consider riding with them for quite a while, because of the experience difference, and the fact that I would have to be going faster than is comfortable "just to keep up."  Before doing anything concerning two wheels, I am going home (when on leave) to take *at least* the beginner MSF course and earn my motorcycle endorsement (TX).  Please know that I am taking my training and lack of experience seriously, and plan to ask lots of questions at the MSF, which leads me to my next part and the ultimate question.

I was originally looking at a 600 supersport and "going easy" for a while, but I've cooled off of that lately and am looking for something (1) fun to ride and (2) with full or almost-full fairings.  Performance and adjustability mean little to me; it's mostly about the *joy* or riding, but looks do count.  Lately I've been considering taking 8-out-of-10 people's advice and getting a Suzuki SV650 or GSF500R.  But something has come up, new for 2006, that has caught my eye: the Kawasaki Ninja 650R.  It is a 650 inline-twin that Kawi is specifically promoting as an SV650 competitor.  It has full fairings, the "almost a supersport" look, but also the looks of comfort and rideability.  Kawi also says it aimed it at novice riders and up.  Ahem, so, looking away from the press release....

I understand there can be no perfect answer for this question.  You guys do not know me, and no matter how someone says they'll behave on a bike there's always the chance they'll jump on an R1 and kill themselves, or throw away your advice and get what they want anyway.  Still, that's not me.  So, what I'm asking is given the information above, and your perception of my maturity, how many of you would say, "yes, I think he understands what he's getting into, and he'd be okay starting on this bike, especially given that he's already planning to take the MSF first."

Please, honest and blunt answers!  Thank you for your time.  

I would take the MSF course FIRST using THEIR bikes (the private MSF course, not the military one because I think you HAVE to have your own bike for the military course), then you will have a better way to gauge yourself on your own abilities.  You have to learn how to shift a 6 speed constant mesh sequential transmission well, use a clutch well, front brakes, rear brake, etc.  And that's not even getting into the different handling characteristics of each TYPE of bike.

Learning how to do these things is much easier on a low powered bike.  My first bike was Kawasaki Ninja 250, but I got the thing up to 115mph.  Plenty enough to kill yourself even though it has *only* 28 horsepower at the rear wheel.

I work with an Air Force guy who rides a Ninja 250 to work every day.  He loves it.

Think of those old looking bikes as "retro", then you won't mind what they look like so much (retro is BIG in Japan).  You'll find that most mature motorcyclists wave or give you the thumbs up no matter what you are riding.

Hope that helps.  Good luck!

P.S. so I guess what I'm saying is that I'd buy the Ninja 250R if I were you.  

A ninja 250/500 or Suzuki GS500 (or a small light weight cruiser) are better starter bikes, but I know the feeling all to well of wanting something brand new.  If you have to go brand new and simply won't get a ninja 250/500 or GS500 (btw dont buy those new, get them used to save yourself some money since you probably wont keep them long), I think Kawis new 650 would be a good choice.  I can't wait to see the magazines do full tests on these things and compare them to the SV.  I think the SV will have more performance, the SV650 will have more horsepower but it doesnt have the full fairings so I think it should sell well for Kawasaki...I wasnt sure about the looks at first but I think it looks pretty cool now, especially for not being a hardcore race replica.  

If you really are level headed and are doing the MSF course a 650 twin might not be a bad started bike. But I might wait until you hear more about the new Ninja 650, it in particular might be more than a starter bike, wait for the reviews. The 250 is really light, look at the Ninja 500EX, you can learn alot on that as a starter and it's not crazy over powered.  

Personally I think you the new 650 is an excellent choice.  

With a GS500F in my own collection, I would definitely recommend going with the Ninja 650R- If truly it is in the same class as the SV650, you really can't go wrong (assuming you will ride within your means and take your time to develop the skill to master riding it).  The 650 twins make ample power but deliver it in a manner that lessens the learning curve for a beginner. Like others have stated, its probably not a bad idea to take the safety class and take your time in the saddle. At least the 650R will grow as you do offering performance once your skills progress to a level where you can exploit it.
Keep us posted.  

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With a GS500F in my own collection, I would definitely recommend going with the Ninja 650R- If truly it is in the same class as the SV650.

The 650 twins make ample power but deliver it in a manner that lessens the learning curve for a beginner.

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Honestly as long as you are level headed I believe a new 600 is OK. I know im gonna get my ear chewed off by some of the other guys on here but B4 i get that let me say that a new 600 rece rep bike is definately NOT for every new rider. I took my MSF course and B4 that read up on riding technique for over a year B4 i got my bike and it has been a wonderful experience. As long as you keep you ego(and testosterone) in check you would be fine. But back to the question at hand peope on here always seem to be suggesting the SV650 for beginners so the new ninja 650 should be a viable choice as well. I know the sv650 offers and S model with full fairing that looks really sharp as well.  whatever you choose ride safe and ride smart hope to see u on the road!  

The ninja 650 looks like a great bike. It looks comfortable and capable enough to keep you entertained for years to come. That is what owning a motorcyle is all about for me. I purchased a cbr600f4i in may as my first bike, but i have been riding dirt bikes and motorcycles on closed courses for years. The cbr could be a real handful for a novice so i like your choice i would love to take one for a ride. chances are this bike will be everything you expected and more. Motorcycling is supposed to be fun and how much fun would it be if you spend 30% of the time worrying about throttle control? Just ride to your abilities and enjoy the little ninja that could.  

I-4 engines are a lot less forgiving than a twin or single.  Personally I would like to see every new rider start off in the dirt with a good single, but it isn't possible for most people.  That said, a good dual-sport single would be my next choice for a starting bike, but they are limited to inner city and back roads.  Highway riding is completely out of the question, so that option doesn't work well for most people either.  Next would be a good medium displacement twin, and since I hate cursors in the past I have always suggested the GS500.  This bike has been around forever, has a huge amount of aftermarket support, it's fast enough for the highway and strong enough for the twisty roads.  You can spend a year learning to ride it, then the first winter learning to mod it, get a good 2nd year out of it then sell it for about the same you paid for it (assuming you buy a used one to start with).

Next would be a SV650, but most of the time I suggest it to someone with dirt riding experience, or reentering motorcycling after some years of being off a bike.

Now the Ninja 650r is about to hit the market, and I have got to say that I like it!  At least what I have seen and read about it so far.  I'm still waiting to see one in person and to read some reviews before making final judgment, but it looks very promising.  I think I may buy one myself for a track/around town bike.  

A couple of more things I would like to point out is that being military a MSF course is required before you may ride a bike on base.  (along with boots that cover the ankle, full finger gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirt, and a brightly colored vest with at least 36 sq. in. of reflective material.

But before you get back stateside, I would read Sport Riding Techniques.  You can get is from Amazon.com.

And some bases offer the Basic rider Course (BRC) which will provide you with a bike to learn the very basics on.  And some have the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) which is slightly more advance riding techniques like counter steering and rear wheel slides.  Take the BRC before buying a bike, than take the ERC within a few weeks.

I wish you luck and hope you enjoying riding as much as I do.  

If you approach this like it sounds you are going to with training and caution, then I would say a 600 supersport bike would be just fine! You really seem to have a good grasp of the dangers involved and it sounds to like you have your head and heart in the right place, just pace yourself and be careful, you certainly don't need to do anything unsafe.

That being said..The new R6 is a fine choice as is the new GSXR.

Air Force huh? I was in the Air Force for 12yrs. myself!  

A new Super-Sport would not be fine.  It takes more than a level head to ride a motorcycle.  It takes skill.  600 cc Super Sport bikes take more skill than about any other class of motorcycle to ride.  You have know idea of the number of people I have met that bought a brand new GSXR/CBR/R 600 and wound up either...

1) Scared to ride it because they almost crashed and got out of motorcycles -8
2) Crashed it and couldn't afford to fix it and got out of motorcycles  -4
3) Died within a year -1

Read the sticky at the top of this board, it's all there.  If a person is level headed, they will know that a high performance Super Sport bike is not fine to learn on.  

Deacon....That is my OPINION, that is what he asked for! I didn't respond to him so I could argue with you. I disagree with you, and just how many people have you met that have been afraid to ride a new 600? A@&HOLE  

but your option (in my option) is wrong and dangerous...

I have 18 years of road riding experience at ~ 10k miles a year for a total of around 180K miles of street riding.

I was a rider coach for the military ERC for two years, training ~ 150 riders of all levels.

I have seen new riders seccessfully learn to ride a 600cc Super Sport.  As a matter of fact I have seen a new riders start out of 1000cc super sport bikes.  But the greatest amount of success I have seen has been from riders that started out on 500cc or smaller bikes.  They are able to learn faster and it's easier to apply what they learn.

Now I would like to apologize for coming off like a know it all "A@&HOLE".  It was not my intention to insult or degrade you or your option.  I just suggest that no one listen.  

Well I apolagize for the comment(as3hole) but your riding experiance or mine dosen't make either of us right or wrong! I too have several years of experiance(17yrs @ well over 18K a year) but I'm not here to compare resumes either! Personally I started out on a 1987 GSXR 1100 AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW GENIUS, I'm still alive!!! What the problem is with this forum is all of us take this type of thing way to seriously!! This poor guy was just looking for several objective angles and when somebody gives him one, right or wrong(and who's to deceide who's right?) some of you freaking people take it personally or look for a way to completely get off the subject and stroke your ego! Do you really think this guy or anybody else cares how many miles a year you ride? I don't, just as I'm sure you don't give a damn the miles I put on in a year or how many years I've raced......blah, blah, blah! The point is this HE MAY OR MAY NOT BE READY FOR A NEW 600, but are really going to tell me and him with your infinate wisdom that your right and I'm wrong? Whoa, DEACON said don't so I guess the topic should be complete because he knows everything there is to know about what somebody he has never met is ready or not ready for!!!!!