If you're looking to get your first bike this year, now is a good time to start looking. Prices on used motorcycles are going to start rising along with the outdoor temperatures and it looks like some great beginner bikes are popping up at the dealerships.

And yes, I did say used bikes. If you're just getting started, do yourself a favor and get something that has already been "broken in" by someone else, and I 'm not just talking the engine. If you're new, you're going to drop it at some point and that will most likely be sooner than later. Now don't take it personally, we've all done it (and not only when we were new riders) and why de-value your shiny new purchase when you can get a bike where someone else has already taken the "New Price" hit. Here's a few things to conisder when making that first motorcycle purchase.

Get a used bike.

As I mentioned above, don't subject a brand new bike to newbie mistakes. The value of a brand new bike drops fast and will fall even faster if it gets damaged in a crash or a drop. You also don't want to subject your wallet to replacing parts on a brand new bike. Having a bike that's a few years old (or older) means it will be easier to find used parts to replace the broken levers, mirrors, and turn signals, saving you money as you learn what not to do with your new bike. You could also decide that riding is not for you (god forbid) and selling that new bike will certainly be a "lossy" proposition versus selling one you purchased used.

Don't over-buy.

If you're new to riding, you don't need a fire-breathing Yamakawazukonda 1300ssRR as your first bike! I cannot stress this enough. There are plenty of bikes that are good to learn on and can still be fun to ride. I know for some people it may be an ego thing or they think "I can take it easy, no problem", but seriously, there's a very good chance you're going to get hurt and possibly take others down with you. Now you don't need to necessarily stop at a certain engine size, but rather balance engine size, age of the bike, and style to find what works for you.

For instance, a new CBR 600RR makes about 118 bhp and weighs around 360 lbs wet.  That's a lot of power in a lightweight bike and I couldn't recommend a new rider consider this as a first bike. However, a mid-1980's Honda Nighthawk 650 has a larger engine but made only 63 bhp when it was new and weighs a hundred pounds more than the CBR. As long as one is comfortable with the heft of the older bike, the power to weight ratio makes for an easier to control motorcycle, but one with enough power to be fun to ride long after the new rider has improved their skills.

Don't get emotional

Pretty much the same advice anyone will tell you about any major purchase, but motorcycles seem to have a way of provoking  a stronger emotional response than most other vehicles you may buy. If you have a good friend that rides, get them to help you find a bike and go with you to check it out. Most riders love checking out other bikes and that friend can help add a dose of rationality if needed.

As a matter of fact, I can't think of a single friend of mine that rides who wouldn't leap at the chance to look at bike. We love this kind of stuff. I browse the used bikes section of every local dealer weekly if not more often and look at Craig's List daily to see what cool bike I'm not buying (only due to lack of space and cash). I did this before I started this site so it's not just for my work here ( I called this work, ha!  ).

You know, after reviewing the previous paragraph, maybe another rider isn't the best person to take with you, but you get the idea. Take some support along if you have any doubt about your self control regarding purchasing your bike.

Some Examples

Finally, here are some bikes that I have found locally that would considered good starter bikes. There are undoubtedly more but these are the "highlights".

Honda Rebel 250 - This lightweight cruiser is great for smaller riders who need a low seat and something easy to wrangle. Right now there are several of these for sale including one over at America's Motorsports and three (!) of them at Honda of Cool Springs. Pricing ranges from about $1,800 to $3,000.

Kawasaki Nija 250 - The quintessential starter sport bike! At this time, no other manufacturer is sells such a small displacement sport bike here in the US. These bikes are light and are a blast on a twisty road and can reach speeds in excess of 90 mph. America's Motorsports has two used ones right now for about $1,700 and $2,000.

Suzuki GS500 - The GS500 gives you a more upright seating position that the Ninja 250 or 500 but still has the sporty look. The 500 parallel twin engine has been around a long time and is simple to maintain. The large fairing offer decent protection making the GS500 an excellent commuter bike. Mid-South Motoplex currently has a "nearly new" pair of these bikes for a little under $5,000 right now.

Some other bikes that would also make good starter bikes include:

Kawasaki Ninja 500 - The Ninja 250's bigger brother offers over 50bhp in a bike only slightly larger than the smaller 250. The Ninja 500 is perfect for new riders with a bit more inseam who may feel the Ninja 250 a bit too small. The 500 has smooth throttle response despite its dated design still handles well and is fun for riders of any level.

Small Dualsports - Small dual sport bikes make excellent first rides for the budding rider. Bikes such as Kawasaki's 250 Super Sherpa and the Suzuki DR200 combine the lightweight of a dirtbike with a lower seat height and street legal lighting. These bikes tend to be forgiving to the new rider as their light weight makes for easy handling and their "dirtbike" roots make them less prone to damage if they do hit the ground.

Got some other ideas for good starter bikes or other info you think should be in here? Leave us a comment or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Good luck on your purchase and keep the rubber side down.