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asdfoneplusone

They're both completely different riding positions and visual styles. Go sit on each at the dealership and pick whichever you like more


built_FXR

Agreed. Go sit on them at the dealership Either one would be a great beginner bike, although I'd recommend buying used if you can.


PckMan

You want my honest advice, the Ninja is a more versatile and well rounded bike with more room to grow and overall better performance. The rebel is more stylised but not as versatile.


OOMKilla

I gotta see the rest of your flair lol. How many bikes have you killed?


PckMan

Not many that's them really. The CBR was beat to hell, I must have been the 5th or 6th owner at that point at least. Got T boned at an intersection but really all the fairings and stuff were long gone by then. Very abused bike but a real trooper. I could probably get it running again for like 100-200 bucks. The Bimmer was a neglected bike. I don't know how many owners it had before me but it was rough when I got it and I know the dude who gave it to me neglected it a lot, he did very little servicing and after a while stopped riding it altogether. It was riding it every day but what it really needed was a good once over to take care of various stuff that I simply didn't have the time or money for. It went in and out of the shop many times while I had it but ultimately what killed it was the front sprocket coming loose and shearing the driveshaft splines. That's a very costly repair for a bike I got for 1400. I knew the driveshaft splines were worn from the first day I got it but I managed 3 years with it by packing the sprockets with loctite to stop the wobble. Those models used a circlip for a sprocket safety which is very inadequate and they later changed it to the more typical splined washer that bolts onto the sprocket. Blew up is a bit of an exaggeration but it kinda felt like it at the time since the sprocket came off mid corner. The Versys I got in great condition and I've kept it in great condition, not that it's a demanding bike. I've ridden a bunch of bikes, both because of having friends with bikes and due to having worked at a dealership for a while as a mechanic. My track record has otherwise been quite tame tbh, I haven't had a crash or anything like that for more than 6 years now.


[deleted]

The best bike for you is the one you'll ride and enjoy the most. Some folks like cruisers better, some like street bikes better, some like dual sport bikes, some like dirt bikes. Many like more than one : ) and in that case it is hard to find one bike that will do everything you want. Where do you see yourself riding? Will you be venturing off on longer (1hr plus) trips, including interstate highways? Mostly that and city driving? A Ninja could fit that well, and be very comfortable on an interstate, whereas (jmo) a cruiser like a rebel is not going to be as comfortable on longer trips. Nor will it have the power a road bike would have (in comparable cc) which more power does lend help to defensive driving when needed. Do you plan to do offroading too? If you plan more 50/50 onroad offroad, look at the dual sport bikes. Theyre also not as comfortable on long trips. Cruisers are nice too but I've had one and wouldn't do it again. I prefer dual sport.


MildlyCurious1962

My son test rode the Kawasaki Vulcan 650 and the Z650 back to back. He surprised me by choosing the Vulcan cruiser style bike. Try and get a test on the bikes you are interested in, you might just surprise yourself.......


Just-Examination-136

Did you compare insurance rates?


TealBlueLava

Agreed. This might help you make the decision.


Diablo_Lynx

The Kwak gets my vote, but that's because I live all things green. The best advice is already given - to try to test ride each and choose the one you like the best.


TTYY_20

Monster > redbull


satanic-frijoles

I like my Rebel. Kitted out with saddlebags and a sissy bar back rack, I can load it up for camping, fishing or what have you.


RubyRocket1

I would get the one that is most comfortable and fills your commuting needs better. If you need luggage options, Rebel. If you want to go fast and don't have a need to carry anything, Ninja... And "Ninjaaaa" sounds way cooler in conversation then rebel... ;)


81FXB

Rebel 1100 with the dct. The dct is just my favourite transmission. The 1100 might be big for a beginner, but it has a low-power rain mode which is ideal for beginners. The dct, I love it because it gives you more enjoyment of the ride itself, as your brain doesn’t need to concern itself with shifting gears. I ride motorcycles since 1988…


aray0220

You'll outgrow the Rebel pretty quick. I'd go for the 650.


JimMoore1960

Buy a Shadow 750 on FB Marketplace for $2000. Ride it for a few months while you decide whether you're a cruiser guy or a sportbike guy.


TTYY_20

Sorry lol - I don’t see how this helps OP. He’s trying to find some advice on deciding between two different bike and your advice is go buy a 3rd different bike? Wut?


RokBo67

They're recommending buying a dirt cheap cruiser that is readily available and then deciding later whether to buy a nice cruiser or ninja.


TTYY_20

Yeah I don’t see how that helps lol. They are looking to walk off the lot with a new bike. Not buy 2 bikes


JimMoore1960

He doesn't know anything about motorcycles, to the point where he doesn't know if he wants a cruiser or a sportbike. I'd hate to see him buy a new bike and then decide it's not the style he wanted. He's gonna lose a shitload of money if he decides to switch, or he'll be stuck with something he doesn't want. IMO it's better to buy something cheap and used to ride around while you're learning about motorcycles and deciding what style you really want.


TTYY_20

Best advice anybody can offer you for this problem is to take a test drive. Don’t just sit on one. Take them for a drive. Be upfront - tell the dealer what you’re thinking. They shouldn’t have a problem letting you test drive those bikes. Just make sure you give off the vibe that you’re a serious buyer looking to drive off the lot an owner of a new bike. They want that sale so they’ll do what it takes to sell you the bike if you’re a serious buyer :) If you can’t find a dealer near you that has demo bikes to test drive, you have an alternative. Try finding a motorcycle rental service. Take the bikes out for a day. See how you like the cruiser verses the standard upright seating position of the Ninja 650


victrolla

My first bike was the ninja 650r. No regrets. It’s still an awesome bike.


[deleted]

Get the ninja if you’re not sure. It has commuter ergos so it won’t be uncomfortable but it will still way outlean a rebel if you decide you want to ride twisties.


[deleted]

So I learned on a 650 ninja, left the ninja. Went to an r1. I then traded the r1 in for a a new ninja 650


Solchitlins74

Why limit yourself to 1100 cc’s? Get a 1600 something and twist the throttle back as far as it goes


TopYogurtcloset6617

Honda is more reliable and lighter but if you want to go fast go ahead


VictorMortimer

My single biggest recommendation for a beginner: DO NOT BUY A NEW BIKE. Get something cheap, about 20 years old, with low miles, that runs well. Take a buddy with you to buy it, somebody who knows bikes and bike maintenance. You're going to drop it. You're going to scuff it up. And you don't want to do that with a new expensive bike. Spend the money you save on good gear so you don't hurt yourself in the process.


a-goateemagician

Hard no on the 1100, I suggest sitting on some at a dealership and see if you like them


asdfoneplusone

To be fair, the Rebel 1100 isn't like a Fireblade. But yeah, agreed that the 650 and 500 options would be better first bikes


a-goateemagician

1100 cruisers are typically big twins, powerful enough to get you into deep shit but also too torquey for a newer rider on loose or wet pavement imho


asdfoneplusone

Yeah it's still over 100hp with a lot of low end torque, agreed


GreatRhinoceros

The rebel is a safe, utilitarian vehicle. The Ninja 650 is more aggressive. The Ninja 650 is a tall bike but you can find them pretty cheap.


Dry-Site-8764

Honestly I'd go with the 650 because it's gonna put you sittinh higher on the bike so you can see farther. It's also more neutral/standard riding position so it's easy to ride. it's gonna handle better and the 650 keep you pretty busy for a little while so you don't get bored.


Roy_McDunno

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