First bike rs250?

[Neil]

I am getting my license in December and have been looking at possible first bikes. I like the look of sports bikes and have considered a ninja EX250R or Hyosung GT250R but would rather have the rs250. I know it's a powerful bike and not an ideal commuter (read links to reviews people have posted here). The reason I prefer it is I won't need to upgrade to another bike for a long time. I have thought about getting an fzr150 at first and getting practice riding but I don't really want to do that. Also the rs seems like it will hold its value longer than other newish sports bikes. I know in the USA some people start on ninja 650s and live.

Is this a stupid idea? Is it possible to learn on a rs250 without killing yourself?

[2much]

As long as you're mechanically minded, go for it. They are a great bike and will only go as fast as you twist your wrist. They're not as pratical as a 4 stroke but that's half the fun, and respect the brakes, they have some bite.

[CookMySock]

Depends what you want to do.

If you want to learn all the tricky stuff, the larger workload of coping with the RS will take all your concentration and you wont learn a thing. You will be better off with a nice smooth vtwin that doesn't take up all your attention.

If you want something breathtaking to belt in a straight line and forget about cornering, get it.

If you can cope with both, then do it. But you will have to be someone special to do that.

Steve

[SMOKEU]

Buy something cheap like a CG125 or AX100 for your first bike. You're less likely to fuck yourself up on one of these and there are no fairings to replace when you drop it.

[jaymzw]

I'll be the first to suggest a Busa...
Wont need to upgrade for a long time with one of those either

[sil3nt]

Like 2much said your only ever going to go as fast as your wrist takes you. If you understand that 2 strokes have higher maintenance costs and are ok with it then go for it!

[bogan]

also, think youre sposed to warm up two stroke before you ride (mx anyways), to get the oil in all the right places, cyd be different fo roadbikes. But thatd prolly be inconvinient on a commuter

[Insanity_rules]

Get a Ducati and be done with it. Go on you know you want to. Seriously though have you ridden much yet ie MX bikes or something? If your a stone cold learner then the RS 250 isn't really a good idea.

To give you a real picture, I used to own an RG250 (Classic Suzi two smoke similar to the RS)and I swear that it would have given my current Ducati 900 a fairly good run for its money

[Edbear]

They're a race bike that happens to be road legal with more power than my old Suzuki T500.

You rebuild the motor every 18,000km. Very fast, awesome brakes and handling. A very quick way to kill yourself.

If I had the spare cash to run one I'd love one, but then I've been riding bikes since 1970... I'd still be wary of it until I was very familiar with it.

Get a VTR250 Honda or Hyosung. The little Honda is a great bike that won't scare you but has enough performance to be fun even for an old codger like me. The RS is twice as powerful...

[Neil]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[FzerozeroT]

Do it, I upgraded from an SV1000 to an NSR250, heaps more fun racing the IL4 1000's on this

[Neil]

If you want something breathtaking to belt in a straight line and forget about cornering, get it.

Yes that is what I want. I probably wouldn't try any tricky stuff no matter which bike I bought. Mainly because I would rather not come off on the road with oncoming cars and I know people who have had serious crashes. My theory is as long as I don't drive crazy the rs's

awesome breaks and handlings

make it less likely that I'll crash.

[Insanity_rules]

If your a new rider but want a good throwable bike to learn on I'd go a VTR or a Hornet. Good for developing confidence, great handling and still quite satisfying when your a bit more skilled. Plus they hold their value like almost nothing else.

[Edbear]

Another option if you want a sporty 250 is the little Kawasaki Ninja. Looks the biz, and goes quite well...

[marty]

I had an RS250. Had been riding a CX500 on a 6L for a year, then needed to get a 250 to finish my licence, so settled on the RS. I did 20000kms on it in 18 months.

Day 1, nearly went over the bars on the front brakes.

For the rest of the time I had it, I rode it like I stole it. Had more than few moments on it. Stepped the back out multiple times when coming on the pipe around a roundabout.

There's no way it wants to cruise around at 70k. Engine is too highly strung. Too much weight on the bars.

I rode multiple 250s. The naked VTR with a nice zorst was by far the very best all-round machine out there. If I needed a bike now for commuting, I would have one in a flash.

If I wanted a bike to cane around around on and misbehave leaving blue smoke everywhere and worrying that it was going to biff me at any time, or sieze up on me at 200km/h, or worrying about dropping it and scratching that lovely fairing and swingarm, then I'd get another RS.

I'm glad I didn't get one, nor do I or recommend one, as a first bike.