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I have a black 2008 rebel 250.

by Yvonne Lewis
(La Grange, Tx.)

I plan to move up eventually to a Harley Sportster. For new riders: What's most important riding, is to be controlled and safe. First of all PRACTICE, wear appropriate gear, and be SAFE at all times. Be grounded- literally,you need your feet on the ground. I'm 5'2", and weigh 120 #'s. I can't keep my balance while standing on tiptoe, and neither can you. PRACTICE will give you more than anyones words, but read and KNOW how to be a safe rider. Perfect emergency stopping and always look where you want to go. If you're just learning, remember that most of us didn't ride as teens, and lots of guys did. So ride the smaller bike (they did)and learn to be controlled, confident and SAFE. Read all you can about what you're trying to learn. Take a learn to ride class.Know the motorcycle, & all you can about riding, before you take a class. Issues: I'm still uneasy on the highway, My bike is topped out for speed at 65, when the speed limit is 70, and I have a hard time doing u-turns from a standstill. We're all learning. Just have fun, be safe, hope to see you on the
road!

Comments for I have a black 2008 rebel 250.

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Jul 02, 2012

I'm glad I practiced with a Rebel 250
by: Anonymous

I started out with a Honda Shadow Spirit 750 and I dropped it 4 times at slow speeds because it was too heavy for me to learn on. So I quit and sold the bike. Then I decided that maybe I want to try again. So I found a used Honda Rebel 250 and was much more comfortable riding it. I then decided I was stopping and turning better, wanted a little more power and not be cramped. So I found a used 2005 Harley Sportster 883 Custom and am loving it. I am really glad I went back and had some practice on a smaller bike. It really helped with my confidence. I know some people are fine starting with a bigger bike but I was not one of them.

Jun 11, 2012

2005 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100, red
by: Bren

I love my Shadow Spirit 1100. Good power and enough weight to feel stable on the freeway. I started with a Honda Shadow VLX 600 and was bored with it after a few months.

May 26, 2012

Starter Bike
by: Michellle

I too started with the Rebel. After about 6 weeks got bored with it. I research and looked at numberous bikes. I settled on the Suzuki c50 also. I only got my bike a few days ago but I feel so much more secure on it. Im still new to riding and I am a very cautious person. I am the type that researches something till I get it. I was so surprised about how much safer I felt on the C50. Each person has there own comfort level and I am so glad I bought mine but what is right for one isnt the same for someone else. I am glad for the skills that I learned on my Rebel.

May 26, 2012

Moving Up
by: Kathy - WA

I too had a 250 Rebel until 3 months ago. I am 5'2" and vertically challenged. I bought the SuperLow and love it. I rode the Rebel for 2 years. In the end I was able to keep up with the big boys on their Harleys. I am not an agressive rider but I learned how to get the most out of Rebel.

I did alot of shopping before buying. Those sales guys can really be a peach. I was always looking to see if I could sit flat footed. I had one salesman tell me "Oh don't worry about that. When you are riding you have your feet up anyway." I was flabbergasted!! The he went on to tell me how good he was. Needless to say we didn't buy from him.

I love the SuperLow, I decked it out with bags and windscreen and a Super Reduced Reach Seat. Now I am ready for the week long trip we have planned in 2 weeks. Super excited.

Ride the heck out of the Rebel, it creates great confidence. Happy Riding!!

May 26, 2012

Glad I didn't start on such a small bike
by: Rene L

I took the MSF course and learned to ride on a Rebel when I was 52. I was a girly girl growing up and didn't have brothers so before the class I had only ridden on the back of my boyfriends Harley. It took 3 attempts to pass the MSF class and afterwards when I wanted my own bike I was certain it needed to be a small, manegable Rebel.

Boy am I glad I listened to the experienced rider friends who advised against it. My first bike was a 650 Susuki S40 because I was afraid of getting too much bike to start, so I understand the feeling of fear and anxiety as a new rider.. I rode it for a year and moved up to my current bike a 800 Susuki Boulevard C-50t which I love. I was amazed to find how much more stability I experienced in the bigger bike. It was also amazing to have real brakes! It was also nice to have enough power to manuver if i needed to get out of a sticky situation or actually pass someone. Boy was it nice to not have so much vibration that it put my foot to sleep.

So I believe of course that whatever bike you start on needs to be a comfortable fit and whatever you ride practice, proper gear, safety and a proper amount of respect for the bike and the road are critical but someone who is a new rider and has only ridden a Rebel really has nothing to compare it to. So that comment came across as a bit too preachy for me. I think for most people a Rebel is going to be a bike that you outgrow very quickly - kind of a waste of money. just my two cents.

May 26, 2012

Bigger isn't better
by: Dawn

While I am not into the "starter bike" method. Quite frankly, whatever you start on is your "starter bike".... I took the class on a 250 like everyone else. The bike I used as my first bike was (what is now) my husbands old GS500E. Nice and light, easy to maneuver. I ended up dumping a bike because I rode when I wasn't entirely comfortable, and I ended up popping the clutch during a turn and lost control. No injury except to my pride, but I learned. Took me a good 3 years to ride again after that, however, I refused to say I wouldn't ride because I was scared. I got back on, and told myself, that if I did chose to not ride, it would be because I chose not to. I bought a Yahama 650 Classic. Great bike, and I LOVED it! But... I also grew out of her. I brought her in for an oil change and bought a used 1100 classic! I thought she was a little big for me, however, (and now I can say I agree and it's true), I was told that I would get used to it quickly, I just needed the time and confidence. VERY true!

Within a year, I brought the 1100 in for an oil change, and I fell in love with the bike that is now my Beast! Everything I wanted in my 1100 and then some, I have in my Beast! Within 3 years of being back in the saddle, I had moved myself up to the Stratoliner Deluxe 1900!!! I was scared out of my mind just to ride her off the LOT! However, I believed in myself and that I had made a good choice.

Don't let ANYONE tell you what you can or can't do. More importantly, DO NOT let yourself talk you out of what you can and will do with just a little confidence. Never outride your ability. Never take your bike for granted. My Beast has shown me many a time that I need to sit back and chill out. Respect what's between your legs AND your ears. Go with and trust your gut. Believe in yourself enough to try without getting cocky. Just because I have done it, does not mean I give advise for someone else to do it. When it comes to riding, only you know what YOU can do.

May 26, 2012

Starter bike
by: Kelly C.

I agree... I had 1 season with a Rebel and I was ready for a bigger bike the next year. Learning to be safe and confident on a smaller bike worked for almost all the girls I know who learn to ride. I had a friend who went from a 250 Rebel to a 1100 Harley and she didn't ride it much because it was too big of a jump for her and she didn't feel safe.

I went from the Rebel to a Honda Shadow VLX (600) and it's been perfect for me. Some say to go up to an 1100 now, after riding for 8 seasons on the 600. I don't know if I can, because when I stood the 1100 up, it was too heavy for me.

I guess what worked for me is what I felt confident on. If you don't feel safe and confident, then don't do it. The only one you should listen to is yourself. YOU know your limits, not the Harley salesman or anyone else trying to get you to do what you don't want.

Keep the rubber side down -- Kelly

May 26, 2012

Excess power
by: Anonymous

I understand the need some feel to start with 250's. I'm glad I didn't. I would have wanted to get rid of it in a couple of weeks. One thing about power, just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it. And when you want it or need it, it's there.

PS My only experience with a low cc bike, besides my rider's safety course was a little 50 cc dirt bike which I ran straight into a phone pole.

May 25, 2012

myth?
by: Anonymous

Most riding instructors recommend you start with a lower cc bike to get use to the throttle and balance, Harley salesman just in it for the sale I think I'd listen to the instructor not the salesman.

May 25, 2012

Starter bike myth
by: Anonymous

We were conned into "starter" bikes too. The Harley guy told us that there is no such thing. If you can hold it up and stand up with it, you can ride it. Harley Sportster Superlow sounds like the right bike for you. My friend is 4'11" and her is perfect for her.

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