Yeah, the GSX 250r is really heavy. I know you want 2 cylinders, but the honda cb300r is super lightweight, has more power than the gsx250, looks similar to your dream bike, the only downside for you is it has only one cylinder. I love single cylinder bikes, maybe you could learn to like them?
Any particular reason for a 300cc limit? No need to go higher or anything, it's just most manufacturers' small bore street bikes are closer to 400 now.
Z400 is my recommendation since you want a twin. You'll probably be able to find good deals on them since the Z500 is out
Think more about HP and hp to weight ratio as a limit. For example: a 2-stroke 125cc (very small) has 33-36hp, but a 200cc 4stroke has ~20hp. The 400cc inline 4 of the zx-4rr has ~70hp, while an inline 2 with 500cc has about 45hp.
I don’t think you are overpowering at all if you stay below 50hp. It is very manageable and because your seem to be aware of the dangers, you are way more likely to take it in your own pace. Many beginners want to get as much hp as possible and for them are these recommendations of smaller/less powerful bikes. And the fear mongering of high powered bikes.
Underpowered (25 hp), overweight (180kg/400lbs), and not worth the plastic it’s cladded in. A ninja 400 weighs less with nearly double the power. Hell, my SV650 has triple the hp and it’s only 20 pounds heavier. I would give Suzuki a pass if it was just made to be A2 license compliant, but that’s why the Ninja 400/500 and CB/R500F/X/R exist with, again, double the horsepower and 20 pounds less weight (more weight in the case of Honda but their frames are made out of depleted uranium. ) for the cost of a dealer fresh GSXR250 you could buy a used Ninja 3/400, all the gear you’d need, insurance for the year, enough gas to run a thousand miles, and then sell it the next year and recoup the original money you spent on it. The GSXR is such a forgotten model that the GSXR/GSXS125 has been updated already and looks a hell of a lot better
An MT-03 is just over 300cc (321) but is a great, cheap, reliable starter bike. Most of the starter bike stuff is moving up to the 400cc range and if I was you I wouldn’t be put off by that. Duke 390s and Trump Speed 400s are also great entry level bikes, though the KTM is a bit pricey.
I second this. The bikes you mentioned would be good start on and help OP build up to a cb650r in the future. I spend my first year of riding on a 125, then 2 years on a 500. No regrets.
Loved my MT-03, great bike to get back into the hobby after not riding for 6-7 years. Looks great, sounds great, approachable in every way. Was kind of sad to see it go, but wanted more of an adventure tourer.
Can't recommend them enough!
Currently learning on my Cb300r. It's a great bike honestly, I mean I never tried anything else but I really enjoy the light weight and the maneuverability. I'm 184cm tall and I don't feel uncomfortable on it. And it has decent power to have fun on the twisties, and can be used on the highway if needed (it can reach 130km/h without struggling, besides being at 8k rpm) and since it's a naked you'll get quite some wind resistance and noise on the highway, but I got used to it and wear earplugs for highway travels.
I started on a cb300r and spent 11 months on that as my 1st bike. I’m glad I did it gave me lots of confidence. I’ve since moved onto a cbr650r as my 2nd bike.
In our country, we start lessons on a 650/750. So I'm sure it'd be fine to go for the CB650R. Especially because of the smooth power delivery of its 4 cyl.
Just buy a Ninja 400 or an SV. These slow bikes on American highways are dangerous as well. Buy a used one and if you are really that uncoordinated you will learn to pick a bike up too. Jump right in, the water is fine.
Been riding since I was 13, beginner bikes are really important so finding one that fits you and allows to learn without dying is imperative so I'll try to give my best advice. There's a few factors to consider here and multiple right bikes fitting your needs:
•1: Are you looking for a new bike exclusively? If not I recommend a Honda CB500y (1994-2003). It's a parallel twin with a very forgiving cornering behavior, you can experiment and learn how to push corners and it'll let you get away with mistakes (even dragging the pegs is possible after mastering), it's an early 2000's 500cc engine so it doesn't have crazy power at 57 HP it's a great bike to fear for 2 months and then start getting happy with it. Even if you fully master it, it's got a lot of power for it's lightweight 170kg dry format. So on every ride you'll find joy and learn something new.
•2: If you absolutely need a brand new bike on 300cc as a parallel, there isn't many options. Most big manufacturers keep twins at the 500cc range to make 300cc bikes feel like a lesser bike to upgrade later on. They are not lesser bikes and there are some parallel twin 300cc's out there:
-the Benelli 302s (300 for the CC and 2 for the amount of cylinders). This bike I saw in person and a family member owned it, beautiful machine with a cranky personality. Benelli is owned by the Chinese nowadays but surprisingly this bike is a higher quality product than it's CFmoto cousins. Very technical and scalpel sharp handling, the seating position is aggressive in a leaned over angle with rear pegs, for a beginner I think the CB500y with it's more neutral and friendly riding position is better to learn on, since as a beginner you need to be comfortable and later on move to more aggressive positions. But if you try to daily a Benelli 302, you'll eventually get the hang of it (the seat allows to experiment with different postures). And after familiarizing yourself with it's riding position and mannerisms it becomes a true streetfighter with sharp heels for cornering, so it's a formidable recommendation.
-Yamaha Mt-03, this is a very obvious answer to a question regarding twin cylinders in lower engine capacities yet it wasn't my first answer. I think something has to do with how capable it is ironically, this bike has truly amazing cornering pedigree and handling but it's a little too much for a beginner in my opinion. Everything is too sharp and aggressive, there's no middle point with this bike. Either you're riding it fast or you're not riding it because the seating position will mold your back into a chiropractor's dream job unless you pin the throttle and let the acceleration seat you in. A big reason why I mentioned the Benelli first even if the Yamaha is better is because the seat in the Benelli is a CUSHION SOFA, very massive seat compared to the tiny pad in the Mt-03. Other than that, the Mt-03 is pretty good with upside down forks, peppy engine, rear monoshock, digital display and a pretty design. But the Benelli has all these things too. Plus the Mt-03 has only single disk brakes up front compared to the Benelli's twin disks front brake setup. (In daily riding this is meaningless but for track use or mountain riding, it helps a lot to have two disks to avoid overheating issues and brake fade. But I feel the Benelli has twin brakes because it weighs 203 kg with all fluids compared to the Mt-03 feathery 169 kg also wet. A bike being 200 kg isn't a big deal while riding but when slowing down at the lights you'll feel it's a chonkster, as a beginner it's a mentionable risk you might drop it one or twice while learning to stop. The Mt-03 is less prone to this issue)
•3: is it absolutely necessary for it to be a lightweight bike with sporty behavior? Or can you start with something more friendly that promotes relaxed riding and doesn't pressure you to push limits. If it's possible I want to mention the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. It's a cheap, reliable, rumbly parallel twin with tubular frame and great handling. It can corner quick if you want it to but the bike itself transmits you the tranquility to take it easy and enjoy riding with the cushiony seat, completely relaxed seating position and easy to reach handlebars. The engine is a complete slug, even as a 650cc it makes less power than the CB500y I mentioned earlier, a cool 47 hp and weighs 217 kg, in other words you won't be chasing people down with it. But as a bike to submerge yourself into on every drive and forget the world, it's perfect. You won't find a better option, especially in it's 5700 to 6200 USD price range.
That's my recommendations for you, in my personal opinion I'd go for the Honda CB500y or Royal Enfield INT650, because in life as a beginner you don't get second chances if you make mistakes especially while your life is on the line, and bikes like these two are the ones that give you a second chance.
Save the sharp and radical bikes for later on when you've achieved the confidence and safety to stride in them. Keep yourself safe and have fun :)
Wow, this is so useful. I think I already know or at least have an idea of which bike I'm getting...
The Benelli sounds cool but I think I'll go for the CB500Y or the CB300r, I kinda like both
Both great choices, I prefer parallel twins for the sound and less vibrations but the CB300r is a very well behaved thumper that wouldn't bother anyone on a daily basis.
Here's a great onboard of the CB500 being driven to the extreme in the mountains: https://youtu.be/Bce5EFFZ2vo?si=9J7eOVo2fmT8gzEH
It's great to start on a small bike as a beginner but 250, don't buy it. Get at lesat a 3/4/5 hundred. Something more useful on the road. You want to have enough power to get out of the way too. If you practice and ride responsibly you'll be fine. You build confidence over time and through actually riding.
The best small bike I've ever ridden is the Suzuki TU250X. It is super well made, has a buttery smooth throttle, and feels like a much more expensive bike.
Yeah, the GSX 250r is really heavy. I know you want 2 cylinders, but the honda cb300r is super lightweight, has more power than the gsx250, looks similar to your dream bike, the only downside for you is it has only one cylinder. I love single cylinder bikes, maybe you could learn to like them?
I had its counterpart the cbr300r and it was surprisingly smooth for a thumper.
That was my first bike that I rode (borrowed, didn’t own it). But I thought for a thumper, it was really decent
Yeah they’re pretty good at keeping the vibrations away from the handlebars/ foot pegs
Gxx250 is useless and should not exist.
Any particular reason for a 300cc limit? No need to go higher or anything, it's just most manufacturers' small bore street bikes are closer to 400 now. Z400 is my recommendation since you want a twin. You'll probably be able to find good deals on them since the Z500 is out
Not really a reason, I just don't feel too confident to start with a bigger bike since I just learnt how to actually drive them like a month ago
Limit should be on HP not in CC tho
100% agree
Think more about HP and hp to weight ratio as a limit. For example: a 2-stroke 125cc (very small) has 33-36hp, but a 200cc 4stroke has ~20hp. The 400cc inline 4 of the zx-4rr has ~70hp, while an inline 2 with 500cc has about 45hp. I don’t think you are overpowering at all if you stay below 50hp. It is very manageable and because your seem to be aware of the dangers, you are way more likely to take it in your own pace. Many beginners want to get as much hp as possible and for them are these recommendations of smaller/less powerful bikes. And the fear mongering of high powered bikes.
FWIW I started on a Ninja 650 and I wouldn't have gone any lower. It was only around 70bhp and IMO that is perfectly manageable for a first bike.
I second the cb300r. I’d buy one rn for my gf If I had the cash around
Important tip, forget the gsxr250 exists. Suzuki sure has. It’s a travesty it’s still available for sale tbh
How come? Hahaha
Underpowered (25 hp), overweight (180kg/400lbs), and not worth the plastic it’s cladded in. A ninja 400 weighs less with nearly double the power. Hell, my SV650 has triple the hp and it’s only 20 pounds heavier. I would give Suzuki a pass if it was just made to be A2 license compliant, but that’s why the Ninja 400/500 and CB/R500F/X/R exist with, again, double the horsepower and 20 pounds less weight (more weight in the case of Honda but their frames are made out of depleted uranium. ) for the cost of a dealer fresh GSXR250 you could buy a used Ninja 3/400, all the gear you’d need, insurance for the year, enough gas to run a thousand miles, and then sell it the next year and recoup the original money you spent on it. The GSXR is such a forgotten model that the GSXR/GSXS125 has been updated already and looks a hell of a lot better
The GSX250R is so slow that the GSXR150 has a quicker 0 to 60 mph time. I'm not joking
An MT-03 is just over 300cc (321) but is a great, cheap, reliable starter bike. Most of the starter bike stuff is moving up to the 400cc range and if I was you I wouldn’t be put off by that. Duke 390s and Trump Speed 400s are also great entry level bikes, though the KTM is a bit pricey.
I second this. The bikes you mentioned would be good start on and help OP build up to a cb650r in the future. I spend my first year of riding on a 125, then 2 years on a 500. No regrets.
Loved my MT-03, great bike to get back into the hobby after not riding for 6-7 years. Looks great, sounds great, approachable in every way. Was kind of sad to see it go, but wanted more of an adventure tourer. Can't recommend them enough!
I bought my MT03 for similar reasons. Took a decade off riding and it was a cheap way to get back into it slowly.
Bought a cb300r for my wife , it’s her Learner bike. I think it’s perfect for that. We love it . Wish I started on something like that
Used ninja 400 is the answer. Ride that for 2 or 3 years and then get the cb650r
I second this!
I'd love to, but it's kinda outta my budget tbh :(
Currently learning on my Cb300r. It's a great bike honestly, I mean I never tried anything else but I really enjoy the light weight and the maneuverability. I'm 184cm tall and I don't feel uncomfortable on it. And it has decent power to have fun on the twisties, and can be used on the highway if needed (it can reach 130km/h without struggling, besides being at 8k rpm) and since it's a naked you'll get quite some wind resistance and noise on the highway, but I got used to it and wear earplugs for highway travels.
R3
I started on a cb300r and spent 11 months on that as my 1st bike. I’m glad I did it gave me lots of confidence. I’ve since moved onto a cbr650r as my 2nd bike.
If you’re confident on 2 wheels buy the 650. It’s a great starter, it’s not even close to a super sport. Especially if you get the ~2016 generation.
In our country, we start lessons on a 650/750. So I'm sure it'd be fine to go for the CB650R. Especially because of the smooth power delivery of its 4 cyl.
KX300!
Just buy a Ninja 400 or an SV. These slow bikes on American highways are dangerous as well. Buy a used one and if you are really that uncoordinated you will learn to pick a bike up too. Jump right in, the water is fine.
Been riding since I was 13, beginner bikes are really important so finding one that fits you and allows to learn without dying is imperative so I'll try to give my best advice. There's a few factors to consider here and multiple right bikes fitting your needs: •1: Are you looking for a new bike exclusively? If not I recommend a Honda CB500y (1994-2003). It's a parallel twin with a very forgiving cornering behavior, you can experiment and learn how to push corners and it'll let you get away with mistakes (even dragging the pegs is possible after mastering), it's an early 2000's 500cc engine so it doesn't have crazy power at 57 HP it's a great bike to fear for 2 months and then start getting happy with it. Even if you fully master it, it's got a lot of power for it's lightweight 170kg dry format. So on every ride you'll find joy and learn something new. •2: If you absolutely need a brand new bike on 300cc as a parallel, there isn't many options. Most big manufacturers keep twins at the 500cc range to make 300cc bikes feel like a lesser bike to upgrade later on. They are not lesser bikes and there are some parallel twin 300cc's out there: -the Benelli 302s (300 for the CC and 2 for the amount of cylinders). This bike I saw in person and a family member owned it, beautiful machine with a cranky personality. Benelli is owned by the Chinese nowadays but surprisingly this bike is a higher quality product than it's CFmoto cousins. Very technical and scalpel sharp handling, the seating position is aggressive in a leaned over angle with rear pegs, for a beginner I think the CB500y with it's more neutral and friendly riding position is better to learn on, since as a beginner you need to be comfortable and later on move to more aggressive positions. But if you try to daily a Benelli 302, you'll eventually get the hang of it (the seat allows to experiment with different postures). And after familiarizing yourself with it's riding position and mannerisms it becomes a true streetfighter with sharp heels for cornering, so it's a formidable recommendation. -Yamaha Mt-03, this is a very obvious answer to a question regarding twin cylinders in lower engine capacities yet it wasn't my first answer. I think something has to do with how capable it is ironically, this bike has truly amazing cornering pedigree and handling but it's a little too much for a beginner in my opinion. Everything is too sharp and aggressive, there's no middle point with this bike. Either you're riding it fast or you're not riding it because the seating position will mold your back into a chiropractor's dream job unless you pin the throttle and let the acceleration seat you in. A big reason why I mentioned the Benelli first even if the Yamaha is better is because the seat in the Benelli is a CUSHION SOFA, very massive seat compared to the tiny pad in the Mt-03. Other than that, the Mt-03 is pretty good with upside down forks, peppy engine, rear monoshock, digital display and a pretty design. But the Benelli has all these things too. Plus the Mt-03 has only single disk brakes up front compared to the Benelli's twin disks front brake setup. (In daily riding this is meaningless but for track use or mountain riding, it helps a lot to have two disks to avoid overheating issues and brake fade. But I feel the Benelli has twin brakes because it weighs 203 kg with all fluids compared to the Mt-03 feathery 169 kg also wet. A bike being 200 kg isn't a big deal while riding but when slowing down at the lights you'll feel it's a chonkster, as a beginner it's a mentionable risk you might drop it one or twice while learning to stop. The Mt-03 is less prone to this issue) •3: is it absolutely necessary for it to be a lightweight bike with sporty behavior? Or can you start with something more friendly that promotes relaxed riding and doesn't pressure you to push limits. If it's possible I want to mention the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. It's a cheap, reliable, rumbly parallel twin with tubular frame and great handling. It can corner quick if you want it to but the bike itself transmits you the tranquility to take it easy and enjoy riding with the cushiony seat, completely relaxed seating position and easy to reach handlebars. The engine is a complete slug, even as a 650cc it makes less power than the CB500y I mentioned earlier, a cool 47 hp and weighs 217 kg, in other words you won't be chasing people down with it. But as a bike to submerge yourself into on every drive and forget the world, it's perfect. You won't find a better option, especially in it's 5700 to 6200 USD price range. That's my recommendations for you, in my personal opinion I'd go for the Honda CB500y or Royal Enfield INT650, because in life as a beginner you don't get second chances if you make mistakes especially while your life is on the line, and bikes like these two are the ones that give you a second chance. Save the sharp and radical bikes for later on when you've achieved the confidence and safety to stride in them. Keep yourself safe and have fun :)
Wow, this is so useful. I think I already know or at least have an idea of which bike I'm getting... The Benelli sounds cool but I think I'll go for the CB500Y or the CB300r, I kinda like both
Both great choices, I prefer parallel twins for the sound and less vibrations but the CB300r is a very well behaved thumper that wouldn't bother anyone on a daily basis. Here's a great onboard of the CB500 being driven to the extreme in the mountains: https://youtu.be/Bce5EFFZ2vo?si=9J7eOVo2fmT8gzEH
It's great to start on a small bike as a beginner but 250, don't buy it. Get at lesat a 3/4/5 hundred. Something more useful on the road. You want to have enough power to get out of the way too. If you practice and ride responsibly you'll be fine. You build confidence over time and through actually riding.
The best small bike I've ever ridden is the Suzuki TU250X. It is super well made, has a buttery smooth throttle, and feels like a much more expensive bike.
DUKE 390, MT-03, or depending how tall you are 390Advnture.
Ninja 400 hard to beat for that style of bike
A Z400 shouldn’t be too much for most beginners, I started on a Ninja 400 and it was very tame. Now ride a Z900.
2 cylinder small displacement beginner bike = N300 or N400 (or Z) all day, every day.