Best First Sport Bikes

The Hyosung GT250R is one of the best looking bikes on the market. Though this is a great beginner bike, the GT250R has all the look and feel of a larger, more powerful bike. This modern styling makes the bike a very attractive sportbike for beginning riders.

The GT250R is powered by a two-cylinder, 249 cc, DOHC engine, perfect for beginning riders. This bike is powerful, though not overwhelmingly so, and handles great. Compared to the Kawasaki Ninja, the GT250R is said to have more power and reaches higher speeds, though it is more expensive than the Ninja.

Unfortunately, this bike has a high seat height (30.7 inches) and is a little on the heavy side (330 lbs). Some riders, regardless of height, find this bike to be uncomfortable, and shorter riders may have a hard time reaching the ground on the GT250R. Fortunately a few slight modifications can make this bike more comfortable.

While this bike is one of the most powerful and good looking beginner sportbikes, Hyosung is a relatively new company, and has not yet proved themselves in the motorcycle market. But if you’re looking for a beginner bike with the feel of a 600cc, the Hyosung GT250R is definitely the way to go.

Specs:
Engine: 4 stroke, air/oil-cooled
Displacement: 249cc
Horsepower: 30 hp @ 10,500 rpm
Ignition: Electric start
Transmission: 5-speed
Seat Height: 30.7 in.
Weight: 330.7 lbs
Horse Power: 27
Front Tire: 110/70-17 54H
Rear Tire: 150/70-17 69H
Front Brake: Dual DISK
Rear Brake: Single DISK
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 Gal
MSRP: $3,699

-Julie

This is one of the most popular beginner bikes. The ninja 250 has a 249cc, parallel twin DOHC engine, which gives just enough power, but not too much to get a beginner rider into trouble. The ninja is one of the fastest 250’s on the market, with a top speed of about 100mph and can go from 0-60mph in just under 6 seconds.

At roughly 370 lbs, the ninja is a very light bike, good for beginners learning to handle and maneuver a bike. The lightweight may make you feel a little uneasy when riding at high speeds, but with some practice you will feel more comfortable.

With approximately a 30-inch seat height, the ninja sits at a good height for most all riders. Short riders will feel especially comfortable on this bike. Tall riders may find the positioning a little uncomfortable, but probably not enough to dislike the bike.

In addition to being a very comfortable and easy bike to learn to ride on, the ninja is also priced at the lower end of the spectrum. At about $4000 brand new, the ninja is definitely an inexpensive bike. In addition, the 4.8-gallon gas tank will get between 55-75 miles to the gallon, saving on visits to the local gas station. Aside from the plastic fairing bodywork, the ninja is relatively cheap to repair and maintain.

As the Kawasaki Ninja has been around for years, you can trust that you are getting a dependable, solid bike.

Other Specs:
Front Wheel Size: 110/70-17
Rear Wheel Size: 130/70-17
Wheelbase: 55.1 inches
Transmission: 6-speed
Front brakes: 290 mm hydraulic disc
Rear brakes: 220 mm hydraulic dics
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.8 gal

-Julie