Easytiger needs a bike
 

I'm looking to buy my first motorcycle and I need some advice.

There are three main restrictions:

1. It needs to be less than 260cc (a state restriction on first bikes).
2. It needs to be inexpensive, preferably used.
3. It needs to be economical to run.

I'd also prefer a cruiser-style bike, but I can live with anything.

So, can anybody offer me some suggestions?

Well my first thought was a Ninja 250 but that is a sport bike. Still a good beginner bike though so I'd suggest at least taking a look at it.

I believe Honda makes a 250cc cruiser..the Shadow maybe? It's not my expertise though. I can tell you that if you get any of the major bike brands they will all be equally reliable and they will all perform well.

It's just a matter of getting out there to dealerships and sitting on some bikes. Get what you feel comfortable on.

I would also suggest you take a motorcycle safety course as you will learn a lot.

I would suggest looking at a european bike forum. I think most of the people here are in the US.

there is no cc limitation here, so there is a pretty crummy selection of bikes less than 250cc.

the only "advice" I can give would be to look into a jap bike (honda or kawasaki come to mind) they have a pretty good reputation for reliability, and I am pretty sure both companies make some small displacement cruisers.

Maybe something like a scooter. Those things are dirt cheap even brand new. get a used one for next to nothing get your first bike out of the way then upgrade right away to a real bike. but i dunno just what kinda laws there are about that sort of thing. Here you can start out with any bike.

250's are all gonna be cheap to run unless there is something custom you find or something and can be found used for cheap

As mentioned, the ninja 250 is an option
or a Honda rebel 250 or nighthawk 250.
The rebel is more of a cruiser variety.

There are likely others but the rebel and ninja are the most popular and dependable 250's I think

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely check out the Ninja and the Rebel- I think I'll lean towards the Rebel just based on its cruisery style. It'll be very nice to get rid of my damn scooter at some stage in the near future.

i know that Suzuki makes a small displacement cruiser, and I'm pretty sure the other japanese companies do as well (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products.../Default.aspx).
Looks like what you're looking for. They also have a 50 cubic inch one a V-twin, but I don't know what the conversion to cc's is.

Oh yeah, the Rebel. That's what I meant. Those things are tiny. Good bikes though, cheap to run and undoubtedly very reliable.

50 cubic inch that'd be way to big, 50 cubic inch is about 819cc...definitely alot for a beginner and above the legal limit there.

Nice bike! And waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too big, unfortunately.
Thanks for the replies here, guys; it's really helpful.

I don't know what the name outside the US is, but Honda makes a 250cc Rebel here in the states. It's a pretty popular beginner bike and still looks pretty cruiser-like.