You took a motorcycle safety riding class.
You got your license.
You are now looking to buy your first bike.
Secretly, you want a super sports bike to fill your need for speed.
You want to look cool on your bike, turn heads and be a chick magnet.
You have been saving for it.
You are aching for a Yamaha R6 or Zx6R.
But what holds you back is the conventional wisdom other experienced riders dispensed...
"get a smaller, used bike as a starter bike...
" Now you are confused.
Let us probe into the minds of newbie riders why they don't want a lower cc bike like a Rebel250 or Honda Hornet as their first bikes: 1.
They don't want to shell out money for a 250 cc bike they can outgrow quickly and sell it a month later.
2.
They want to buy an expensive and powerful bike.
Why? Because they can.
They say it's like riding on a two-wheeled Ferrari.
3.
They can't begin to fathom wasting time, money and energy on a 250 cc when they can buy the bike of their dreams from the get-go.
4.
They say 250 cc bikes are not really good for riding uphill.
The bike would drop speed going up.
You have to rev it up as fast as you can before hitting the hill or downshift to third gear which is not really good for the motor.
5.
They are proponents of "go big or go home" philosophy.
6.
They are not thrilled with 250 cc bikes.
They say it lacks the "wow" factor.
And here's why you absolutely need to start on a used bike with lower cc and ideally with less than 75 horsepower at the crank: 1.
250 cc bikes are light and nimble.
Easy to maneuver at low speeds and fast turns.
2.
It is a good bike to practice your riding skills.
Once you get to a point where you are confident, you can always upgrade to a bigger and more powerful motorcycle.
3.
250cc bikes are forgiving.
One accidental ham-fisted twist on the throttle won't pull you into a wheelie.
You have room for errors.
4.
They are inexpensive and it tends to hold their value should you decide to sell it later on.
It is like renting a cheap bike.
5.
As a newbie, you are going to sooner or later drop the bike.
That's okay, it won't hurt just as much as dropping a brand new bike and with an expensive mechanic's bill to boot.
6.
It has great gas mileage therefore its efficient economically.
7.
It is easy to maintain and the upkeep won't cost you an arm and a leg.
8.
Buying used and smaller bike will leave you more cash for insurance (cheap), plates and gears.
9.
On a 250 cc bike, the sitting position is upright standard which is less aggressive stance and therefore comfortable.
Unlike on a sports bike which is far forward riding position like you are humped-over the gas tank.
Though it may look awesome it won't be comfortable for long especially on long trips.
10.
Throttle, clutch and brake levers are less twitchy.
It will not flip you over if you panic stop.
11.
The 250 cc has plenty of power.
It can go 80 mph but very controllable and manageable at low speeds.
12.
There is nothing like using all 5 gears in legal speed limits.
It is easy to handle the machine particularly in heavy traffic.
There are far more valid reasons to buy smaller and used bikes as a beginner bike as opposed to going all the way and buy expensive super sports bike as a starter bike.
It is just asking for trouble.
Don't become a statistic.
Don't be sentenced to driving a cage the rest of your life in an event of a crash.
Be patient.
Develop and hone your riding skills.
Avoid road rash.
Be smart.
Be responsible.
The life you save may be your own.