Toying with the idea of getting a bike

[morgan-tec]

I taught my neighbor to ride and we started her on an SV650S and she did awsome. She is a big girl <200lbs and now she is doing track days and group rides with less than two yrs of riding under her belt. The 650 is a very good beginner bike, not too pricy and there is all kinds of stuff for it, and depending on your insurance since it does not have a lowed faring they do not consider it a sport bike so you dont get raped for the sportbike surcharge.

[Dallas4u]

I taught my neighbor to ride and we started her on an SV650S and she did awsome. She is a big girl <200lbs and now she is doing track days and group rides with less than two yrs of riding under her belt. The 650 is a very good beginner bike, not too pricy and there is all kinds of stuff for it, and depending on your insurance since it does not have a lowed faring they do not consider it a sport bike so you dont get raped for the sportbike surcharge.

The SV650 is a gray area... I definitely wouldn't call it a very good beginners bike. If you can track it, I wouldn't say it is for an absolute beginner. That bike has some serious power. You have to think that, everyone is different... as are bikes. Some bikes are powerful AND touchy... steering, braking, handling all come in to play. Beginner bikers (ANY bikers for that matter) can make some twitchy decisions/reactions and, on a bike that will react to any little movement, that can be a bad thing. Again, I'm not saying any specific person cannot handle an SV650, or any bike for that matter... in fact I remember someone that started on a GSXR600 and rode for a couple years with no problems... but I honestly wouldn't say that was even CLOSE to a good beginners bike.

Oh, and I wouldn't recommend a new bike as a beginner bike... you know, in case it gets laid down and all!

[t2p]

You may also want to consider a Ninja 250. A used 250 Ninja is relatively inexpensive and will sell easily if/when you sell it to purchase another bike.
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They are relatively lightweight, handle well, and stop well. Fairly comfortable also.
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They run fairly well also - probably accelerate in the same neighborhood as a HD Sportster (for example) and are MUCH faster than most any other 'beginner' bike. The motor really needs to be revved to move in a respectable fashion, but it is smooth and content to run at any speed all day long. Just don't get on a 600 sport bike - and you will be content.
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I prefer the 250 Ninja over the 500. If I WAS leaning toward a 500 cc bike or similar, there are many other bikes I would (instead) consider.
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