Good First Bike??

[mthydro]

My girlfriend is getting into riding and we are looking for an entry level bike for next year. Just something she would ride around on for a season and possibly sell off the following year. 95% of our riding would be on secondary highways (80kmh speed limit). We currently have the option of these 2 bikes:

2013 Suzuki TU250X
or
1975 Honda CB200T.

I do like the classic looks of the older Honda's, but the Suzuki is fuel injected, newer (obviously) and has a better front brake.

What do you guys think??

[Kev m]

Assuming price is not an issue.

Suzuki - for the EFI and brake!

And/or whichever she prefers.

[mthydro]

There is only a $500 difference in price and one is nearly 40 years newer. Looked at the Honda yesterday and will be checking out the Suzuki this weekend.

I'd like to add another Guzzi to the stable, but may have to wait until she has atleast a season under her belt ;)

[Kev m]

There is only a $500 difference in price and one is nearly 40 years newer. Looked at the Honda yesterday and will be checking out the Suzuki this weekend.

I'd like to add another Guzzi to the stable, but may have to wait until she has atleast a season under her belt ;)

Honestly that's a good way to approach it.

Jenn rode for a year on a BMW R65 (her choice, I knew better than to argue the point) before she decided she WANTED a newer or brand new bike. Ironically she WENT to look at an R1200C (yeah, also her choice) and thank God it had Corbin Beetle Bags on it and looked HORRIBLE) cause she went straight to the HD dealer and decided she wanted a Sportster...and later a Ducati. FWIW I tried to persuade her toward a Goose, and she kinda likes the V7, but not enough... oh well.

[neverquit]

The Suzuki S40 (formerly the LS650 Savage) is a great starter bike.  It weighs about the same as the TU250 or a Honda 250 but it has lots of low end torque which means she will not have to do all that much shifting.  Also, the saddle height is low and it is a fairly quick bike and is fun to ride around town.

[biking sailor]

What she likes, not what you like!   ;D

Seriously, it is important for her to get a bike that she likes to look at when walking away.

If she likes retro, then fine. I would say though that some of the new 500cc bikes are very beginner friendly, have enough capability to be held on to for a long time, and are quite fun to ride. I picked up a new Honda 500x to commute and let the wife use on short trips to Arkansas. She can do the twisties much faster with higher level of confidence over her Breva. It is comfortable, light and handles very good for the suspension price point, and will also pass cars on a two lane with less drama than a 250 would.

It is now her choice to travel on. She says it reminds here of her old little Ninja with a lot more power.

[rboe]

When I read this my first thought was the Suzuki TU250. But Honda has the CBR250/300 that would also make good choices.

There are some dual sport 250's, if she is able to handle the seat height, that would work out pretty good too. But you run the risk of her liking the dirt.....  ;D

[geoff in almonte]

Whatever she ends up with buy cheap.  Buy used.

It's not a question of if it will fall over, it's when.

Good Hunting!!

G

[mthydro]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

She likes either older bikes, or newer bikes that have a retro look, hence the Tu250

[mthydro]

Here are some shots of the bikes:

Honda CB200T


Suzuki TU250X

[oldbike54]

These threads are always fun , kinda exciting to think of someone getting started in our sport  ;-T

  Dusty

[Aaron D.]

For a $500 difference, I'd strongly urge you to get the Suzuki. The main feature of the Honda when it was new ( and I rode a few when they were new) was that it was a cheap starter bike. It had very few other things to recommend it back then.
So price is roughly equivalent, but it will almost certainly need something to make it reliable.
Get the TU.

[Dilliw]

What she likes, not what you like!   ;D

This is  great advise and something I messed up a few years ago.  

Kim had gone to Carl's shop where he had a CF Moto 250cc moped that looked like a cruiser.  She loved it because it had an automatic transmission but I knew very well she could handle the clutch; she was raised on a farm and drove my Wrangler around for years.  Instead I bought a project Hawk GT and fixed it up thinking she would enjoy it.  She rode it ONE time.

Let her pick...

[Shorty]

Get her the Suzuki. When she has outgrown it, you will have a new toy for you. I'd love to have a TU250x.  ;-T  Here's a video of a guy running his 250 up a long local hill. Looks fun.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WtjzQqVa9I

[mthydro]

These threads are always fun , kinda exciting to think of someone getting started in our sport  ;-T

  Dusty

Yeah, its fun to see her getting into riding. She's been a passenger on my bikes the past few years, and has really enjoyed it, especially this past summer in the Lake Como area. We are already starting to plan our first trip for this upcoming summer. Trailer the bikes from Toronto to Cape Breton, NS. Ride around the Cabot Trail, ferry over to Newfoundland and ride around that area for a few days. Should be a good time

[rboe]

EFI is worth the price of admission (hard lesson taught by a 1973 Honda CB350 four). Plus, some bits of the old machine are hard to come by.

From the experience a local buddy has had, I'd advise against the Royal Enfield. QC is still too spotty, otherwise a tempting bike to get.

[oldbike54]

Yeah, its fun to see her getting into riding. She's been a passenger on my bikes the past few years, and has really enjoyed it, especially this past summer in the Lake Como area. We are already starting to plan our first trip for this upcoming summer. Trailer the bikes from Toronto to Cape Breton, NS. Ride around the Cabot Trail, ferry over to Newfoundland and ride around that area for a few days. Should be a good time

What a GREAT place to ride . For what it is worth , I vote for the Suzuki , no points to fiddle with , probably as trouble free a MC as anything built . Better suspension and brakes , better lights , just a wonderful starter bike , and as stated , when she outgrows it , a fun toy for you .

  Dusty

[rzimmerman]

My Girlfriend at the age or 48 is riding for the first time. Found this Shadow 650 for $1500 ready to go. She was looking at Royal Enfields before choosing the Shadow.

[creaky99]

While I am VERY partial to Honda ( I've owned a bunch), between the two I think I would have to go for the Suzuki for the EFI and brakes...and it looks pretty good too. If it was my lady, I would also be looking at a Honda VLX 600 Shadow, looks great, easy to handle.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Honda-VT600C-Shadow-VLX-DLX.htm

[Doppelgaenger]

Since you're in Canada, why not go with a CBR125?

[oldbike54]

Since you're in Canada, why not go with a CBR125?

Cool little bike , but the GF is the one who is riding the MC , and she has expressed an interest in the TU Suzuki or
CB 200 Honda . Geez , are you guys trying to cause a break up  ;D

 Dusty

[JProdun]

TU! Had one and loved it!

[biking sailor]

Pardom my thread drift, but...

Any of you guys ridden a Grom?

[DCWCALI]

As much as it hurts (no Ninja 250 in the hunt) to say Suzuki will be a better bike, with better brakes and fewer troubles.

[oldbike54]

Pardom my thread drift, but...

Any of you guys ridden a Grom?

Why yes I have , why do you ask sir ? ................... ..












It was a ball , kind a modern , sophisticated , high performance (well , in relative terms) mini bike  :D

  Dusty

[rboe]

GROM would not be a bad choice; except it is not as good looking as the TU, and smaller. And it would cause a breakup.  ~;

[biking sailor]

Why yes I have , why do you ask sir ? ................... ..

It was a ball , kind a modern , sophisticated , high performance (well , in relative terms) mini bike  :D

  Dusty

Just wanting to know impressions here, as many Guzzi riders are real hardcore MC enthusiast.  I'm suprised at how many serious sportbike riders are showing up at the meets with them.  My Son loves them.  He is even considering selling his Street Triple to get an older (cheap) Wee-Strom and a new Grom.

PS, I would not really recommend a Grom as a beginner bike.  Too limited in what it can do, except in the "stupid fun" department.

[oldbike54]

Just wanting to know impressions here, as many Guzzi riders are real hardcore MC enthusiast.  I'm suprised at how many serious sportbike riders are showing up at the meets with them.  My Son loves them.  He is even considering selling his Street Triple to get an older (cheap) Wee-Strom and a new Grom.

PS, I would not really recommend a Grom as a beginner bike.  Too limited in what it can do, except in the "stupid fun" department.

Yeah , not a good starter bike , more of a really fun play bike for parking lots , or maybe a skate park , not that an old guy like me would ride a mini bike in a skate park  :o Wasn't me officer , was my evil twin  ;D
Another really fun little machine is the Ruckus , especially the BIG Ruckus .

  Dusty

[biking sailor]

Yeah , not a good starter bike , more of a really fun play bike for parking lots , or maybe a skate park , not that an old guy like me would ride a mini bike in a skate park  :o Wasn't me officer , was my evil twin  ;D
Another really fun little machine is the Ruckus , especially the BIG Ruckus .

  Dusty

Funny you should say that...  My oldest wants a Grom to play with and my youngest, who rides my CBR600RR and thinks it's his, wants a Ruckus for campus commuting.

Darren

[Perazzimx14]

Buy the bike you like best or is the easiest to resell. After a couple of rides she"ll loose interest and you be stuck with the bike. Ask me how I know.