Duke 390 or similar

[rachid]

I am looking for a starter bike. I have 1 year of riding experience, but my first bike was an R6, which i crashed a couple times. I haven't ridden in a few years since then, but I want back into the scene. I want a bike with a more upright seating position, I'm 6'1" 190 lbs. Also I won't buy a bike without ABS. I really like the Duke 390, are there any other bikes I should consider? I plan to pretty much use it for urban commuting.

[asp125]

Also consider the Ninja 300, now that the Ninja 400 is out, there should be some good deals on leftover 2017 Ninja 300's.

[liberpolly]

Triumph Street Twin if you're into retro - perfect city bike, IMHO. And, seconded Ninja 300. Honda CB500(R, F or X).

[Missy B]

Had a student with a Versys 300 X. He is about your size, too. Loves it.

[Joseph Hanna]

I am looking for a starter bike. I have 1 year of riding experience, but my first bike was an R6, which i crashed a couple times. I haven't ridden in a few years since then, but I want back into the scene. I want a bike with a more upright seating position, I'm 6'1" 190 lbs. Also I won't buy a bike without ABS. I really like the Duke 390, are there any other bikes I should consider? I plan to pretty much use it for urban commuting.

Kinda a weird sequence of events here 😎. I get the R6 as I’ve been on a couple. A genuinely brutal 600 sport/super sport performing bike. I know you wrecked your R6 twice. I know you want something more upright than your previous R6 which you wrecked so now you’re interested in a KTM 390 (or something similar) as a “starter” bike?

Perhaps (at least for me and before I start suggesting motorcycles) you could clear up this timeline? Seems a bit unusual as is😲

[AlwaysLearnin]

I know you want something more upright than your previous R6 which you wrecked so now you’re interested in a KTM 390 (or something similar) as a “starter” bike?

Perhaps (at least for me and before I start suggesting motorcycles) you could clear up this timeline? Seems a bit unusual as is😲

🤔Sounds to me like someone who recognizes that maybe their first choice in motorcycles wasn't the correct one for them and that stepping back to something a bit more forgiving and beginner friendly might be the way to go for a SECOND shot at starting out riding.

But who knows, I'm not the OP and could be way off in my guess. 😕

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[NORTY]

Welcome to the site!

[rachid]

Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and suggestions. AlwaysLearnin has it right. I started riding with an R6 as my first bike and scared myself out of the sport, that was back in 2013. I only rode that one crash-filled season, then got rid of the bike. Now I want to start riding again, but I recognize my mistake of starting out on that bike so I want to get a beginner friendly bike.

I do like the look of the CB500F, but its a cool thousand bucks more than the duke, and almost 100 extra pounds. Aside from that I think the seat height and ergos on the duke will fit me better. Most other bikes in the category are either too sport-bikey or too cruisery for my tastes.

[Missy B]

I have had the CBR500R since June. It looks sport bike but the seating is very upright. Bike is smooth as hell...and fun as hell. But for me it's a short trip bike because of the wind noise and my Strom is just more comfortable for me.

[liberpolly]

I do like the look of the CB500F, but its a cool thousand bucks more than the duke, and almost 100 extra pounds. Aside from that I think the seat height and ergos on the duke will fit me better.

Don't buy new.

[dc_Minnesota]

Buy used or new is a personal choice and as long as you are aware of what that means, it won't affect what type of bike to buy (unless they don't make what you want any longer or it's a new model). If resale and worrying what a drop or two might do to the value, used might be better. If that isn't an issue for you, new is great. Personally, I am a new bike guy.

The Duke 390 should be an awesome bike. I don't know if it's changed recently, but my KTM required a bit more TLC than my Yamaha so you might need to account for shorter maintenance periods and a bit more costs.

[NORTY]

Any chance getting a 250 enduro?

That would be the most "forgiving" for a newish rider.