Ah, played that perfectly

[A Former User]

Have been casually looking at cars (used, but pricey) when my wife could see as she walked by or sat next to me. This morning, I said, "Maybe I should just get a motorcycle instead of a new car." She fell for it and said that sounded like a good idea! Mwaaa ha ha.
Now to overcome some hurdles. First, I have never had a motorcycle and need to learn how to ride one. lol
Second, I need to pick out the right one for a beginner. (Picture for your time. Ninja!)

[MasterMario]

@haveacarortwoorthree Take a motorcycle class. They are great and as an added bonus many classes will count as your driving exam for your license.

Ninja's (500cc and under) are great beginner bikes. I am a huge advocate of light underpowered bikes for a first bike. It makes you learn to ride the machine first and really understand how to handle it.

People who go to powerful bikes right away tend to go slow through corners and then power out on the exit, riding an under powered bike doesn't give you that option so you are forced to learn to ride it closer to its limits.

[Krusty Walnut]

I would choose a more upright bike for your first bike. Any Honda CB series 500cc and lower makes a great first bike. My brother bought a sv650s as a first bike and sold it right away because the riding position is too hunched down and visibility is hard if you are new to motorcycles. He's now looking at a KTM Adventure 390 to get back into motorcycles. Plus, make sure you explore your expectations of what you want out of the motorcycle. An adventure bike is very different from a sport bike or cruiser. If you plan on commuting, then that also changes your motorcycle options. A safety class is a must and it also lowers your insurance premiums.

[doodon2whls]

@haveacarortwoorthree
I came in to comment, but the other boys already steered you in the right direction...

1. Buy a 'smaller' motorcycle and master the core skills on that. Smaller definitely does not mean less fun. Be sure to purchase something you comfortably fit on. If you have a short inseam, don't start with a Supermoto bike with a 33" seat - that ain't gonna work.

2. Absolutely sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation BRC course and complete it. Then practice practice practice the core skills. I was an MSF certified RiderCoach for 5 years. I believe I saved lives teaching those classes.

3. Be sure to come on Oppo and update us along the way. There are many avid rider on here that can help !

[Qaaaaa]

@mastermario Yeah, take a class. @haveacarortwoorthree what state are you in? I can personally vouch the Ohio's DPS run course (Basic Rider Skills) was great. Classroom instruction and two riding days. They teach you how to ride a motorcycle. It was like fifty bucks, too, and the skills test you take at the conclusion of the course satisfies the requirements for the riding license the state would give. So for under a hundred bucks you've gotten temp license, learned to ride a bike on someone else's bike, and gotten your bike endorsement.

[onlytwowheels]

https://www.msf-usa.org/

[Roadkilled]

FortNine has a good video on choosing a first motorcycle.

[doodon2whls]

@doodon2whls Followup for what it's worth...

V-Twins like the SV650 are a little more forgiving in terms of stall resistance and improper gear selection since they have a little heavier crankshaft and more low end grunt versus a single (Duke 390, 690)

I have ridden both SV650 and Duke 690 and they are both excellent motorcycles. There are numerous others that are also excellent in that 'half liter' class of bikes. Do some research and DO NOT buy the sexiest flashy plastic, please. They are expensive to repair when you tip over - even at zero miles per hour.

[nermal]

@haveacarortwoorthree Add another recommendation for the MSF course. You can take it before you get a bike, get your license after passing, and a discount on your insurance. A lot of states are subsidized so you don't even need to pay for it.

Before buying something, shop around for insurance quotes on different models. Will you be paying cash or financing it? If doing a traditional loan, most banks require full coverage insurance. For a new rider on a sportbike that's going to be ridiculous. Fortunately most manufacturers will do a "store credit card" type thing that doesn't require full coverage insurance, since it's a credit card not a loan. To put it into perspective, I have 10+ years experience with zero accidents, and full coverage on a new ZX6 would cost 1/3 the new price of the bike.... every year.

Sometimes the naked version is better than the sport version from that perspective. Something relatively boring like a Versys 650 or Honda NC750 should be quite reasonable. That said, don't get too rational with what is ultimately a very irrational purchase. If cost isn't a problem, go with the one that generates the most "fizz" and deal with everything else later.

[HFV_Junkyardin]

@haveacarortwoorthree if you can go take an MFS coarse you don’t need to have any experience, or your own bike going into a beginner class. Also in some states it counts as a licensed test so you don’t have to schedule a separate DMV test. And it can lower your interest rates.
Absolutely worth the 300 bucks.

[AdverseMartyr]

@mastermario I think you want to specify that a you mean a 500cc or smaller ninja. The firebreathing ones up over 1000ccs are not what I would call underpowered.
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/MadTemptingBluet-max-1mb.gif

[MasterMario]

@adversemartyr Yup, meant 500cc and under, probably should have made that more clear.

[A Former User]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[100percentjake]

Take the MSF course and then buy whatever 500cc Honda fits your style. Rebel 500, CB500R, CB500F, CB500X. Cruiser, sportbike, standard, or dualsport. The engines are bulletproof, incredibly user-friendly, and quick enough to be the only bike you ever need without simultaneously having enough power to hit 140 in the blink of an eye or whiskey-throttle your way up a tree.

The CB500F pictured is my pick, personally. Comfortable neutral riding position.

And if you get bored down the line these engines respond very well to an exhaust+tune.

[100percentjake]

Personal preference, but I hate single-cylinders in street bikes. It makes sense in a dirtbike or dualsport where you want all the low-end grunt for offroading but stuff like the KTM 390s, Honda CB250, etc. just beat the piss out of me after 20 minutes on the street. My Ninja 300 is far more comfortable and smooth.

[tysmagic]

real smooth play there - nicely done