If not what's a nice beginner bike for someone my height. I live in Los Angeles California if that matters so streets and highways basically. I know nothing about riding but of course I'll be taking classes when I get my money together. I'm just researching now
How motorcycles fit you is entirely subjective. Every bike has a little different 'ergonomics', the spatial relationship between the seat, handlebars and footpegs. Only you can decide how well a particular model fits you. The only way to tell is to find one and sit on it and see how you feel. (My guess is that you might find a Ninja 250/300 a little cramped. But don't take my word for it, try it yourself. I could be wrong, what do I know?)
If you plan to spend a lot of time on the freeways (meaning if you plan to ride in Southern California) you might be more comfortable on something a little bigger (by which I mean more powerful). 250s will do freeway speeds but they're a little dubious at that speed, they're not really made to cruise at 70 mph.
If you don't mind cruisers, they have some advantages for big guys. You put your feet out in front of you rather than fold them beneath, so the seat can be lower, so the center of gravity is lower, so the bike is easier to handle for its size and weight. The ~750cc class of cruisers make good starter bikes--Honda Shadow 750, Suzuki C50 and M50, Yamaha Star, Kawasaki Vulcan, etc.
If you want a 'standard', there are many good ones in the 500-650cc size range, bigger and heavier than a 250 but not so much you couldn't handle it. Honda 599, Suzuki GS500 or SV650 or VStrom 650, Kawasaki Ninja 500 or 650, Yamaha FZ6R 'Fazer', etc.
I strongly believe that your first bike be a used bike, because you're likely to be very hard on it. Check out your local Craigslist.
The MSF course is also a good idea if you're just starting out. (Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You can get in touch with them through the DMV). They have a 'beginner' course that teaches you some important safety habits to keep you safe while you learn on your own (which I think is the only way). They even supply the bike, and they are all 250s so you can get an idea of how big that is.
I am in Los Angeles, I *know* our streets and freeways, a 250 will do just fine. I ride a 150 on the freeways, it is good enough, barely. A 250 is totally capable on the freeways and Interstates, anything bigger is for fun.
I wanted a 250 dual-sport, but I'm 5'8" and they are too tall. You can ride one just fine. A 250cc dual-sport is a killer city bike -- light, agile, fast enough, doesn't care if it falls down, doesn't care of rough pavement, pot holes, curbs, those silly lain telephone poles that try to stop you out of a parking lot....
You want a bike for commuting, transportation, not just fun. You will be leaving home in cold morning, back home the heat afternoon. Means you need storage for shopping, books, clothes you shed. You want to keep it, which means steel lockable boxes. A dual-sport look good with a pair of Fat-50 ammo cans as 'saddlebags' (see Major Surplus, in Carson.)
Treat me for coffee and I'll tell you how I have managed to avoid being hit in L.A. for decades.
Bro, you're so ******* tall. Get a 600cc bike or 1000cc bike. You can definitely handle it because you're tall and huge.
As with all bikes and all people you have to try it for size yourself - chances are though that you will be too tall for most ordinary road or sports bikes and need to go for the more upright adventure style if it is a small engine bike.
Here is a website that is designed to help someone narrow down their choices doe to the size of the bike.
look more at the ninja 300 and do a sproket change you can make the cruise alot smoother and im not 100 percent sure but i think the 300 is a bit taller
Totally radical... but you could try going to dealers and sitting on bikes. Silly me.
