Hi guys,

I've been looking to get a bike for quite some time now but have no experience with bikes whatsoever. I am looking at the Ninja 250r and would obviously get the necessary gear, which IMO is worth more than the bike. Are there any other bikes I should be looking at? I love the way the 250r looks (modern/edgy) and am looking to stay under 5 grand or so. I am also looking to go no higher than 500cc.

Also, is there anyone in the Berkeley area who has one or is very familiar with bikes and can show me around? I'm living in Berkeley but am from SJ.

Thanks in advance!

Eric

 

Also, how common is it for riders to ride with earplugs? Wouldn't this put a damper on being aware?

 

Take an MSF Beginners class before you buy.

Don't bother with the 250, if you already have set the limit at 500, just get the 500 and be done with it.

 

About half the guys I ride with every day on my way to work wear ear plugs and I've done it once or twice. It's a bit too quiet for me but you can hear horns just fine.

 

People put really loud pipes on their bikes, then ride with ear plugs.

 

get the 500

the 250 can be somewhat dangerous - if you need to get out of someone's way with the gas, and don't downshift fast enough to get it into the powerband... you may not be fast enough to avoid danger with the gas
you'll be able to sell a used 500 for what you got it for
it has 55hp vs 250's 33, and it looks better, and is closer in weight to a 600 (if that is what you want to "graduate to later")
the 500 was my first bike, and I still miss it sometimes

 

Wind noise on motorcycles is a real danger to your hearing. You should ALWAYS wear some form of ear plug. I wear custom silicone plugs and they let in more traffic noise than better-damping foamies, while also being more comfortable and faster to put in. Best price on custom silicone plugs is at gun shows, figure $30.

 

There isn't a danger of wind noise if you have a proper helmet.

 

Wind noise will make your ears bleed..... and swell your brain, and make you impotent if heard for long enough time. Heard of a few rare cases of people having seizures... be safe - wear the plugs....

 

3ngin33r1, that is simply not true. One of MANY example statements from responsible m/c press.

From http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-hel...elmet-noise.htm --

"We believe that high quality, correctly fitted earplugs are essential for motorcycle riding, and we wear them on every ride without fail. High levels of noise are proven to be very stressful and can cause a loss of concentration, and the noise can quickly and permanently damage your hearing, and hearing loss is irreversible."

I have seen several attempts to measure noise reported over the years (mics put in helmets), such as at http://www.isvr.co.uk/at_work/m_cycle.htm and every one of them measured higher-than-safe noise levels.

Don't spread bad advice!