What kind of beginners motorcycle should i start out with? Ninja 250? suzuki katana ?

There are several factors to consider when you are a new rider looking to purchase your first motorcycle:

1) Engine size

Motorcycles are like ladders - you want to take things one step at a time.

A new rider regardless of their previous experience with motor vehicles (dirt bike, snow mobile, atv, etc) should keep their first bike's engine size under 650 cc's and ideally 500 or less. A motorcycle's throttle and brakes are very sensitive. You need to master operating the controls as well as your balance, decision making skills, etc first before upgrading your bike's power. Sure you may find a 250 boring after a few months - but have you truly mastered it?

2) Cost

Motorcycle riding cost a fair bit of coin. Not only do you have to consider the cost of the bike itself but also your gear and insurance. You mentioned you are nearly 17. I will save you the shock when you are on the phone with your insurance agent - until you are 25 you are going to be paying through the nose for insurance (your yearly fees will most likely be more than the cost of your bike). If you have the money - great. Make sure to factor that into your budget. Consider it part of the bike's cost. Same goes for your riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, boots).

3) Bike style

This is a personal preference. Although you will find a lot of people (myself included) recommending the ninja 250 as the prefect beginner bike - you may not want a sports bike, you may like cruisers instead. If you live in a rural area - a dirt bike may be more suitable to your riding style. Try several types of bikes (if you can muster a test drive out of the owner). Sit on them in the show room - see what's comfortable for you.

1) engine size under 500cc

2) look at the total cost of the bike (bike, insurance, gear, maintenance)

3) find a style that suits you

3)

Good luck and safe riding

The Ninja 250 is consistently rated as one of the best beginner bikes around. It can handle the highway, but it will be tossed a bit, as will any other bike. I wouldn't recommend riding on the highway any time soon; you need to get a strong feel for the bike before you try the highway.

Another option would be the slightly larger Ninja 500R (older models are called the EX500). Still a good beginner bike, but a little more substantial. Try a few different bikes and see what feels comfortable. Fell will be among the most important factors. You need to feel comfortable and secure on a bike. Good luck!

>> Many people told me get a ninja 250 and there nice bikes but can they handle the highway? I would be going 60-70 mph.

The Ninja 250 can go 110 mph. it is the king of 250 class motorcycles. Most other 250cc class (especially at $3000 range) will top out at 70 mph MAX.

Yes it will be thrown around at high speed. But any light bikes will do so. But as a beginner you need something light.

good Luck...

Ninja 250 is the one to go with. There a lot of fun, not too fast, handle great, and if I was 17, I'd be all over it. You will get tired of it though, and will be ready to step up to a 600 in less than 3 months, guaranteed. But yes, for a very first bike, go with the Ninja 250. Don't lay it down, so when it comes time to sell, you'll get practically what you paid for it..since they're (I was told) hard to get these days.

I personally like the Honda Rebel 250. I suggest you go down and try them out...at least sit on them and see how they feel and then go from there.

Take a motorcycle safety course!! :-) and have funnn

Oh with your size, they can certainly handle on the highway. But you will probably want something bigger soon.

For larger bikes, I prefer the Sportster low (cause I'm short). But the Shadow Aero is not bad..I didn't like the feel of it , gas tank too wide and the weight didn't seem distributed right to me.

So, maybe go check out some of the larger 650, 800 bikes? But I think you'd be fine on the Rebel until you get a bit of riding under your belt. Personally , I'd skip the middle ones and go Rebel then Sporty :)

I'm 6'5 and ride a CBR600F4i, being too big is not near as much of a problem as being too small. If it is your first bike I would suggest not getting a bike that new. Get something used and cheap so you can drop it and not feel to bad and if you become a good rider you can sell it without too much loss and move up to a more powerful bike. building your skills is more important than looking cool even though both those are extremely cool looking beginner bikes

i say ninja 250 for a beginner bike

I say Ninja 250 since its average class in its bench............

250R is fine the 500R wouldn't be bad either.