Need a suggestion on a 500CC bike for my son....

[gordorad]

My son is 14, and I would like to teach him how to ride.  He is 5'10, 145.  Still growing quite a bit.  I'm thinking a 500 would be a good starting bike......Thoughts??  Too big?  Too little? 

What's out there, (street bikes) that are good for newbies?

Thanks.

Gordo

[Jack]

I started on a 100cc street bike in the 60s.  I had my first big wreck within a year taking a curve too fast.  Still have back aches over it.

Its is your boy so use your thoughts about the size.  Size doesn't matter as long as the boy can handle it responsibly.

Brand?  Honda, of course, for reliability

[Valker]

My son rode a 500 Ninja for several years. It was a great bike.

[Thespian]

250 - 300 Enduro to start. Good short range commuter when he is of age, - free way. Light enough to handle well in the dirt. Everyone should start in the dirt.    

[R J]

IMHO, a 500 is too big for a 14 year old, especially if he hasn't ridden before.

My daughter-in-law decided she wanted to ride her own bike, we bought her a 500, it was too big for her and she is pretty hefty.

Came from a family of 9, and they were all boys except for her.   So she knows how to handle herself.    Ended up we found and old 72 350 in Craig's list.  Said it didn't run, bought it for $50 and hauled it home.   30 minutes later we were running up and down the driveway on it.

She says shes glad we got her a smaller bike to learn on.    She sold the 350 to one of her brothers and picked up a 500 Kog-a-sock-key.   Runs like a little scalded dog if ya twist it hard enough.

I can even ride it, went for a short spin on it a couple of days ago.  Almost run out of gas.   Found she had been riding it on reserve ever since her 1st fill up. It died when I rolled up to the gas pump.

[gordorad]

I guess the 250's are an option.  Would that be the Rebel's??

[Thulsa Doom]

+1 on the dual sport.
They practically bounce when dropped. Bark busters will save the levers. It will go down for sure. May as well get something made to pick back up and ride home.
Honda CRF 230 would be a good choice. He doesn't have to keep it forever, just long enough to learn and sell to move up.
IMO only bad things can happen on too big a bike when just starting out. It's experience that allows us to handle the big-uns.

[gordorad]

But are those street legal?  Can they be licensed for street riding?  Not much point in getting something to learn on if it can't be ridden on the roads.

[solo1]

In generalities, the smaller displacement the shorter the wheelbase.   At his height,  a wheelbase of at least 55 inches should be about right.  Too small and he will feel cramped.   Depending on the bike 500cc could be just right or too much.  A 500cc sport bike too much, and a 500cc cruiser maybe too little.  
Seat height is important.  Flat footing is a must!  Weight is also important, probably best not to exceed 400 or so pounds.   A good used bike would do well.  Lots of older bikes are smaller in displacement.

It all depends on what he thinks would be in his comfort range.  Obviously, no 1000 cc monsters here as he doesn't know enough to handle a big displacement bike.

[Thulsa Doom]

But are those street legal?  Can they be licensed for street riding?  Not much point in getting something to learn on if it can't be ridden on the roads.

http://powersports.honda.com/2009/crf230l/street.aspx

[gordorad]

I agree......I think 500 is plenty.  But a 250 he might grow out of very quickly.  

 I'm met a girl on my last trip.  Tiny little thing.  Probably 5'3, 110 pounds and she handled a 500 just fine.  He will continue to grow the next few years and will probably exceed my height of 6'2.  (hopefully not my weight! )

[czuch]

The '72 350 is perfect. Thats what I had, and my next was a 750. Gotta learn little.
Good for him. Teach him so he dosent learn on his own and get hurt.

[Jess from VA]

The in line twin 500 LTD kawi and Yami 650 V*, Honda VLX 600  (or even the one lung Suzuki S40) would fit the bill, if he is a quick study.

But I am a fan of starting someone on a 20 y/o 250 twin (or a street legal dual sport) for under a $K if you can find one.  Learning on a bike that will fall/get dropped and get dinged and who cares is a big plus (worrying about dinging up a newer/nicer albiet small bike, detracts from the learning curve and confidence building a new rider needs).  And even if he's ready to move up in only months to a year plus, you can usually sell it for about what you paid for it.  The only negative on many old bikes is that the clutch is often hard to slip for smooth takeoffs (more like an off/on switch). Plus, in the unlikely event he decides riding is not for him, your initial investment is small.

Though a dual sport will be a very tall seat, I like the idea otherwise because he can begin with no license off road on private property, and slipping and sliding in the dirt is maybe the best way to learn to ride, and they are designed to fall over, unlike street bikes.

Part of your decision making should include driving around to dealers and just having him sit on new and used bikes to get the feel of them, standing them up and seeing how he fits (but don't let a salesman work on you or sell you anything, unless you get very lucky with an old used one).  Most all good deals on old but serviceable bikes will be private.... Craigslist, cycletrader.

Another thing to consider is to take him down to an MSF course while running around inside the box in a parking lot.... just to watch.

I taught my 5'5" wife with great athleticism but absolutely no mechanical ability or experience shifting/clutching anything on a 20 y/o Honda CM 250.  It looked bad but ran great, cost and sold for $800.  It got dropped a half dozen times at stops or slow rolls and who cared?  Seen so many wives started on brand new Sportsters it's ridiculous.... lousy, torqy, shaky bike with a heavy clutch and lousy riders (and husbands).

FWIW

82-84 cm250 (exactly like this one, but mine was way cruddier)



Her 2d bike, 600 VLX Honda

[Gryphon Rider]

The Ninja 500/550 is an excellent starter bike in that it has enough power for the highway and looks like a sport bike, but is mildly tuned and has a reasonable riding position.  Ninja 250s and Honda CB250Rs are also excellent starter bikes, but have nothing left when at highway speeds, which might be okay for a hormone-controlled teenager.  Hyosung also makes 250cc motorcycles in cruiser and sport versions.  For cruisers/standards, there is the Honda Rebel 250 and the Suzuki SV40 (650cc), or you can travel back in time to the mid-70s to mid-80s to find a plethora of small to mid-sized standards, and Honda had Shadow 500s and 600s later than that.

Dual-purpose bikes of small to mid displacement have been available from the big 4 Japanese manufacturers for years, many of which would be ideal for a teenager.  Think Yamaha XT & WR; Suzuki DR & DRZ; Yamaha Super Sherpa, KLX, & KLR; Honda XLR, XRL, CRF, and others that don't immediately come to mind.

Jess posted as I was typing, but you can see we're on the same page.

[MacDragon]

Well, he is young... but at 5'10", he's a big boy.  A 500 should be fine, but I'd get him a cruiser or a standard to get him into that mentality.  Getting him a streetbike might just get him hurt.  If he's that tall and big, you might even get him a Honda VLX 600 or something like that.  

[RainMaker]

I bought an old Nighthawk 450 twin for my son when he turned 16.  It was a little beat up when I got it and was a lot more beat up when we sold it.  He did drop it a few times, slid on gravel, etc. but we didn't care about the bike getting beat up because it was the "trainer bike". 

At 14-15, a 250 may work better.  A young man's hormones make them do crazy things at that age and a 500CC bike may be too inviting to race.

[jer0177]

Haven't seen it mentioned yet, but a Buell Blast might not be a bad idea to at least look at.  500CC, thumper, taller seat height.  Buddy of mine started on that bike, and he really enjoyed it.  I looked like a gorilla on a tricycle when I rode it, but I do that to most any bike I'm on. 

[gregc]

  I agree with learn in the dirt.  When you learn on dirt , you get to experience alot of situations involving control, and correction, both in braking and turning. Those moments are few are far between on the street. But you you have those issues on dirt you learn how to get yourself back under control in a much better enviroment, then out on the street in traffic. Or if you don't get it under control, a crash in the  dirt is much better then in the street.  A dual sport would be perfect, and they come in lots of different sizes.

[Alien]

I'm a big fan of 1970's Honda CB 360's and CB 500's.  They're cheap, durable, easy to fix and have a conventional riding position.

[hairyteeth]

I'd go with the 250 Honda, dependable, safe. Heavy enough and powerful enough for a starter bike. I used a 250 Rebel to take a MSF course a few weeks ago,  easy to learn on. Then easy to re-sell and trade up.
Hairy

[GreenLantern57]

What are the motorcycle restrictions in MO? A lot of states have CC restrictions according to age. You can get him an old 250 cc Honda dual sport that is street legal and they are light. Looks like after 16 he can ride any CC he is man enough for.
OK< this is from the Missouri DMV--------------------------------

Applicants Younger than 16
You must be 15 1/2 years of age (15 years and 182 days) to apply for a motorcycle instruction permit. This permit will only be issued if you have successfully completed an approved motorcycle rider training course (MRTC). You must also pass the Class F and Class M written, vision and road sign tests, and have the written consent of your parent or legal guardian if you're a minor.

If you are younger than 16, the following restrictions apply:

Cannot ride a motorcycle with an engine with a displacement of 250 cc or more. Cannot carry passengers Must ride within 50 miles of your home. May only drive during daylight hours. A motorcycle instruction permit costs $3.75 if you're younger than 16; $2.75 goes to the training course.

Applicants Ages 16 and Older
If you are 16 years of age, you can apply for a motorcycle instruction permit without taking the motorcycle rider training course. You'll still need to pass the vision screening, road sign test, and Class M written test in order to get a permit.

All Missouri motorcycle instruction permit holders have the following restrictions:

No passengers Daylight driving only The cost of the permit is $1. If you apply for a license or a permit at a fee license office, you will also pay a $2.50 handling fee.

If you don't already have a driver's license, your permit will be a Class F permit with a Class M endorsement.

[YoungPUP]

+1 on the dual sport.  Yamaha makes a nice super motard type bike in the 450 range. The nice thing about the D/s  for learner bikes is that parts are cheap. Makes it easier to put it back together after those learning "experiences."

[3fan4life]

I started my son out on a 450 Nighthawk





It proved to be a very good "starter" bike for him.

[john]

" My son is 14, and I would like to teach him how to ride.  He is 5'10, 145.
                 i feel ya dad            
        he can ride on the road, off the road , go anywhere , park anywhere (and get serious hurt) on a 125cc dirt bike ...                
           500 cc is ask'in for grief ...                      .02

[BWANA]

IMO, a slightly used 250 is the best choice. The power to weight ration is enough to keep him happy while he's learning.When he grows out if it, you will get most of your $ back.

[bscrive]

My first bike that I had legally on the road was a 450 Nighthawk.  Great bike to start on.  I had it a couple of months until it got stolen.  I then bought a 750 Interceptor which I ended up loosing my license on it for speeding.  My next one was a 750 Magna, drove that one for years.

[tonyfan70]

I'd go with the 250 Honda, dependable, safe. Heavy enough and powerful enough for a starter bike. I used a 250 Rebel to take a MSF course a few weeks ago,  easy to learn on. Then easy to re-sell and trade up.
Hairy

The only problem with those at least where I live is this...people seem to want $500 less than what they bought it for NEW!  My g/f wants to learn how to ride and we've looked at several of them.  She's not even 5 ft tall so she's got short legs. But even for a trashed rebel people want insane prices.  We are thinking it would be money better spent to lower my 98 Magna and get the seat shaved (shes 3 inches from flat footing it) and have her take the bike class at the local college using their rebels. That way she can polish her skills and not have to trade up to a bigger bike later on.

As long as she rides it under 4000 rpm it's a pretty docile bike. Right???


BTW... I learned how to ride on my first bike, a 1974 XL100.  Nothing like crashing in the woods on a bike seemingly make from lead.  That's a lesson that should be learned early...how to pick up your heavy assed bike.

[3fan4life]

As long as she rides it under 4000 rpm it's a pretty docile bike. Right???

My son's third bike was a V30 Magna (500cc):




The first time that I got down on it I immediately rethought my decision to let him ride it.

AND THIS WAS AFTER HE'D BEEN RIDING A 650 V STAR.


IMHO A Magna should NEVER be anyone's first bike.

[cookiedough]

IMO, a slightly used 250 is the best choice. The power to weight ration is enough to keep him happy while he's learning.When he grows out if it, you will get most of your $ back.

Agree,  a honda rebel or nighthawk 250cc used in good shape around 2 grand would be great and if not wrecked, could easily get 1500 bucks back to sell once he outgrows it say 17-18 years old.    Don't go too big but if you find a good deal say on a honda shadow 600cc I wouldn't pass it up either since he will not outgrow that anytime soon. 

14 is pretty young to start off on a road bike first time (best to do dirt bike first I think) but I started off at age 18 right out of high school on a honda magna and kept that for 10 years - great bike but too much I think for anyone under 16.

[gordorad]

Thanks for all the suggestions.......I'm just starting the thought process.  Starting to look now for next spring.  He will be 15 then.  It could take a while to find the "right" one.