What is a great beginner motorcycle?

My father recently purchased a 2005 Triumph Tiger 955i but will not let me ride it until I gain more experience. I weigh 230 pounds and have $3000. I was thinking a cruiser or a dual purpose bike. What do you guys think?What is a great beginner motorcycle?
dual purposeWhat is a great beginner motorcycle?
Cruisers are relatively easy to ride.





I read somewhere, years ago, that most buyers of new Harleys are either new to motorcycling, or coming back to it after years (raising kids, probably). I thought 'Why would newbies want such a big, heavy bike?' Until I rode one. Despite their size and bulk they are very manageable. Their low seat and low center of gravity makes them very stable and 'user friendly'. Plus they are made for a relaxed, laid-back riding style, which is probably much safer for a newbie. Or anyone.





A dual purpose bike is towards the other end of the spectrum. They have longer suspension travel, to go off road, which raises the center of gravity and make the bike a little more tippy.





So I'd say a cruiser was just right. Not a Harley, necessarily, they're fine bikes but way expensive for what you actually get. I'd get a Japanese machine. I'm a Honda person myself but all the Japanese brands are good.





Your dad's Tiger is a strange and wonderful machine. It's a real handful, though, big and heavy and high. It would be VERY easy for a newbie to drop, and you wouldn't want to see your dad cry, would you? 8^) You would be much less likely to do harm to the Tiger, or to yourself, if you had some cruiser hours under your belt.
I suggest you go with a cruiser. In my book the only kind of cruiser to get is a Harley. With only $3,000 though your options will be limited. You will have to consider an older used bike, or consider the $3,000 as a down payment on a new bike. The $3,000 might get you a used Sportster. The other option is to still stay with the cruiser style but look at the Jap cruisers. They're usually cheaper, but you get what you pay for. I don't think you'll be as happy as you'd be with a Harley, but the important thing is to get on a bike and ride.
For $3000, there are several 250cc dual purpose bikes from Kawasaki that are good, but I personally found their height to be a real problem when trying to do low speed road maneuvers. All the major Japanese bike makers have a 250 cruiser for a little over $3000 new. A lot of them end up on craigslist used for less.





I disagree with others that say a 230 lb person is too large for a 250cc bike. They're capable of supporting much more than that. Their performance isn't phenomenal either way.
I' d say, though not in ur style options, that by far the ninja 250 is the most perfect beginner bike, though i haven't owned one i have read in multiple forums that due to its size and power handling characteristics that its perfect for any size beginner and after owning one u should be able to hone ur skill level to be able to handle a 600-750 sport bike if desired or whatever choice in bike style, by the way i don't really prefer kawasaki and am more of a suzuki fan 1st due to its sportiness and track record or honda fan 2nd due exceptional reliability, though kawasaki nina 250 still seems to be the better starer or beginner bike for most everyone.
Dual purpose bikes are street legal dirtbikes. They are fun, but you will want street bike experience. I suggest with your budget you get a 92-03 (last year they made them) Hond Nighthawk 750. They go for $2500-$3000 and are fun, reliable, and comfortable to ride. They also have an awesome and easy resale.
Folks this guy weighs in at 230lbs ...some 250cc will hardly pull him. he needs a 1100 shadow or something like that to start out with and then take a course and be damn careful till he gets it under control. Actually i think a harley is the easiest bike to ride there is because of the low end torque and the easy take off they have ..
Why doesn't McDonald's have partitions between the urinals
Harley 883
if ur just lerning you should buy a yamaha ttr 125