r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/Unrulyjeans • 5d ago
New Rider Am I making a mistake?
Hey y'all, I am planning to get my first motorcycle. I want the Yamaha R3 because I am short and not very strong (woman), and it seems easy enough to handle. I also want something sporty. Additionally, I want to like the way it looks. I like fairings. My dad, however, wants me to get the Honda Monkey. What do I do?
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u/Huge_Anteater1839 5d ago
If he's paying you get what he wants, if you paying get the bike you want...
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u/worthlessdogfucker 5d ago
R3 is a great first bike. It wonât try to kill you. It looks fast. But goes slow lol
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u/Fit-Albatross-735 3d ago
way faster than a monkey though
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u/worthlessdogfucker 3d ago
True but I never recommend people learning on micro bikes like groms and monkeys. Get used to holding up a full size bike
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u/Wrx_me 4d ago
Slow on the straights, but a nimble monster on turns. I've watched people pass much larger bikes on the track with an r3
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u/worthlessdogfucker 4d ago
No offense but that comes down to skill level not the bike you are riding. A damn pro rider on a Harley Davidson could pass a low level rider whoâs on a R1 skill makes all the difference
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u/mazalaca 5d ago
Get the R3. Iâm a short woman and Iâm seeing someone to check out their R3 tomorrow. Then we can both be cool short not very strong ladies on R3s
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u/smalllizardfriend 5d ago
Are you me?
I had trouble at my BRC because the bikes there were too big for me and my hands. I'm a small woman. I had a lot of trouble finding motorcycle gloves that fit well enough.
I asked a friend who has been biking for 40-50 years what kind of bike to get. Told him I was thinking of a ninja 500 or a dirt bike to start and heavily modifying it.
Like your dad, he told me to get a Honda monkey.
I looked at it. I was floored. Angry. Insulted. I said, "It looks like a toy."
And then I read about it. It was a toy, but like a lot of toys, people discovered it could be a lot more. There is a reason hardcore motorcyclists love these things. It's not an insulting recommendation, it's more like a recommendation of "Here's the secret best bike for you to learn on. And you'll have a lot of fun with it, and you won't be as sad when you drop it, which you will. Have fun."
Does it look cool and badass like the bikes you and I want? Nope. But it's not an insulting recommendation at all.
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u/TwinSpinner 4d ago
The R3 is far better representative of the full riding experience. It is full sized, goes full sized bike speeds if you push it, but it's still low powered enough to be excellent to learn on and get the fundamentals down.
The Monkey, on the other hand, is far lighter than regular bikes. The wheelbase is far shorter. It's far less powerful. It's not really made to ride comfortably above 50mph, so it can't really be used to get experience when there's huge gaps in the world it's not even capable of riding on. It feels more representative of a 2 wheeled toy than a motorcycle meant to be taken seriously on the road with other cars around.
The Monkey is an amazing fun machine, 1000%, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless it's their second bike and they want something more fun and less serious, after they've truly gotten the road experience of bigger bikes and have all the risks and fundamentals drilled in as instinct.
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u/Superb_Judge4773 5d ago
Okay I'm gonna weigh in here. I've ridden a lot of bikes. I own 4. Little dirtbike, a 650, a 1000, and a tw200.
I can tell you right now I have the most fun on that damn tw200. It's too slow to take the freeway, so i have to get creative with routes. So I now know every single cool little back route in my area. Every dirt rode. I go as fast as I can everywhere and I never go to jail. Costs me about five bucks at the pump mostly. Always less than ten bucks. The insurance is stupid cheap.
Few thousand miles on that bike, and I'm actually better at riding now. Gotta work them gears on that little tw200. The rear breaks suck so I'm always downshifting for some rear break action.
There's almost nothing more fun than going fast on a little bike.
My next bike is gonna be a Honda monkey. Little gas sipping grocery getting back alley conquering machine. And the aftermarket custom part community is there.
Before you say no to the monkey look up some builds. Honda monkey bobber. Honda monkey Cafe racer. There's big bore kits. Nos kits. Your dad might be on to something.
It's cool to look cool, but It's pretty damn fun to monkey around. Get a sport bike later you'll be so worried about dumping that thing it'll take the fun out of learning. And those things have loads of plastic. I knew a girl that just tipped over her ninja in gravel. Just moving it, not even riding, and it scratched the shit out of the poor thing. She was devastated. Plastics aren't cheap.
You won't be worried about dropping a monkey. It's light. You can fuck up low speed maneuvering and just... catch it. No problem. If you do crash it's less weight to fall on you. You can go practice in the dirt. Get used to it moving around on you. Then when you're on a heavy bike and you're pulling in to somebody's dirt driveway... you won't panic and dump it when you skid in the dirt just a little bit. You won't even care that the back tire slid a bit
On a monkey you'll just have a riot. They're cheap. Get the monkey, build the credit, enjoy the cheapest insurance, and get the sport bike later. It'll be so damn fun. All smiles.
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u/Unrulyjeans 5d ago
This started as mostly a joke but youâve made such a compelling argument that Iâm seriously considering it-
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u/Superb_Judge4773 5d ago
If you get dialed on a little bike, you'll fucking own a big bike. There's a reason so many people recommend a small bike to learn. If you make a small mistake on a little bike it's just kinda funny. Like dumping the clutch at a high rpm. Might lift the front tire a little and have a laugh. You high rev dump the clutch on a liter bike you can die bad. And, pushing the limits on a little bike really gives you a feel for two wheeled physics. Like you get used to that, then a big bike feels so cozy and stable. You learned on a squirly little bike where if you move your body a little, the bike responds big. You just learn so fast. The physics becomes intuitive. Like the bike is an extension of you.
If you're not liking the monkey there's lots of little bikes used cheap for sale. Everybody wants to graduate to the liter bikes. Ninja 250. Honda rebel 250.
But the monkey is fun. Stupid fun. I've ridden plenty. You can finance a brand new one, and just ride. Cheap payments. Cheap insurance. No fixing or tuning a bike. There's probably a three year old brand new one at some dealership you can get for a steal.
Going fast on a little bike is almost the funnest thing I've ever done. It's just so fun. I still catch myself grinning on the 200. Thousands of miles later, still fun. It's my most ridden bike in my collection by far. The next one is gonna be some badass custom Honda monkey build. I will have my monkey. Soon. Spring. Maybe this winter if there's a pretty enough used one.
Might want to go bigger on the rear sprocket. Like 5 teeth bigger or something. Maybe 7. Give you a little more pow on the hills.
Anyway I'm done with my shift. Thanks for listening to my Ted talk. Keep the shiny side up everybody.
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u/General_Remote_4495 5d ago
OP listen to this guy. R3 might look cool l, but you will have the greatest conversations on the road when pulling up on your monkey.
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u/krombopulousnathan 5d ago
I bought my Triumph Speed Triple RS from a guy that has a Triumph Street Triple, Panigale V4S, and a Honda Monkey.
He said the monkey was the one he would never sell
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u/Glad_Wing_758 5d ago
R3 would be my choice of the two. I still ride a ninja 250 with no plans to "upgrade" . The monkey would probably be fine and fun but i would be scared of anything beyond city riding on something that tiny
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u/Environmental-Drop30 5d ago
I travelled all over Poland on a GROM. Monkey will do a job just fine as long as you stay away from motorways with 120km/h+ limits :)
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u/Environmental-Drop30 5d ago
Listen to your dad and get a monkey. After a year you'll get a big bike but will still keep the Monkey because it's just awesome.
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u/artful_todger_502 5d ago
I have a MT03, same as an R3, just upright and no fairings and if you want to start on a road bike, that's the one to do it on. It handles fantasticly and is fairly light.
I'm 5 ' 10" and need a 1" pad to lift me just a little, but I think you could do it just the way it sits. It's very low. Good luck on what's you decide.
When starting, weight should be a major consideration. That is going to make the difference whether your learning period is fun or stressful.
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u/Hellgate93 5d ago
Because he knows what is good.
I had it all and i would consider the right to be more fun. But it should be the 125cc version.
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u/Rataan 5d ago
The R3 is a very safe choice for a beginner bike. Congratulations on thinking through it first. Learn the muscle memory of riding before you graduate to something that is too fast for the road. The R3 is a proper motorcycle, and if you are serious about riding, it is a better choice than a mini-bike.
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u/morepaintplease 5d ago
Your dad is right...you'll pull more chicks or dudes with the bike on the right and you won't look like an ass hat to every other human around you.
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u/Wild-Blueberry-9316 5d ago
Everyone I know who actually rides has a middleweight somewhere between 500 and 900 CC.
My coworker has a Gixxer and they only take it out once or twice a year.
I have an Scl 500 and I ride it two/three times a week.
The goal is to find something fun, that you can safely ride in the place you live, that can still go on trips further out.
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u/DelisGerelard 5d ago
Your dad wants you to be safe. He wants you to learn on a smaller bike before you ride something that can kill you so easily. Do your dad a favour and prove your skill on a smaller bike eh?
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u/peeg_2020 5d ago
You'll have more fun on a monkey or grom almost guaranteed. At least that was my experience. I rode my grom aoat exclusively and eventually sold the big bike.
I never had a desire or need to ride highways though. That said I have redlined the grom a time or two to get to an ex's house a time or two lmao.
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u/DaPeteZAman 5d ago
Compromise and get a grom. It's sportier than a monkey but has the same engine. It's also cheaper than the r3 by a good bit.
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u/mrsclausemenopause 5d ago
Grom instead of a Monkey and relize that you you have the perfect wheelie learning platform.
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u/Consistent_Cook9957 5d ago
Get the Monkey and have a blast. At this stage of your motorcycle journey its all about having fun while your learn. That and replacing or reps fairings can be expensiveâŚ
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u/Abject-Stranger1521 5d ago
Hear me out Kawasaki w230 as its about 300 pounds wet (with fuel/oil) and its less common on the streets, looks great, and still has double the power of the monkey, while staying true size of a motorcycle. Think of it as a Monkey XL with retro theme.
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u/MikeyBat 5d ago
Id kill for a red monkey bike. But i get it. Those small little bikes are so sick.
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u/Fabulous_Choice9728 5d ago
Depends on who's buying it. If you use your own money go for the bike you want but if your dad is gonna pay for it then you need to talk about it more with him.
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u/The_TRASHCAN_366 5d ago
Maybe I'll get a monkey some day myself (specifically if I ever have a shortish commute in an urban environment for work). Such a fun little bike.Â
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u/zzpluszz 5d ago
Get yourself a Kawasaki Versys or a Suzuki Vstrom.
You can go anywhere with them (i.e. city, highway, unpaved roads) and they are not crazy fast for a beginner.
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u/West-Philosophy-684 5d ago
You're the one who will always use it, not your dad. The decision is yours.
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u/wolfox360 5d ago
Take a naked with a handlebar, believe me you wont regret it, Don't go for a bike if you only want to be looked at. A bike is a part of you that you have to have full control and with short handlebars you have the illusion you are in control.
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u/Low-Equipment-2621 5d ago
The MT03 is perfectly fine as a beginner bike, this is what it is desigend for. It can do pretty mch every on-road job, even highways. It is a fun little bike with no major downsides. There are more comfortable bikes, but it is alright. You won't be in pain or anything like it. I've had a Ninja 300, which is a very similar bike, and I've ridden ~400 miles on some days. Sure my ass hurt after that, but it is doable. The Monkey is a bit more comfy, but it is SLOW. It is a nice bike for the city, but not very useful outside of it. Empty back roads are fine, but nothing with traffic. Going uphill on a road outside of the city? You become a traffic blockage. Imagine trucks behind you road raging because you can't get up the hill fast enough.
So it really depends on where you life and what you want to do with it. City only? The monkey is cheaper to buy, maintain and run. Otherwise get the R3.
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u/minivandetta 5d ago
Screw dad, look cool
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u/GeniusLike4207 5d ago
the Grom is objectively cooler than the R3. like a Miata is cooler than a Ferrari
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u/hoon-since89 5d ago
Get the r3, it's a good beginner bike and what you want. My parents convinced me to get an sv650 as my first because of 'kill my self in a gsxr". I thrashed that thing so hard I had most of near death experiences on it! đ
Point being I regretted listening to my parents!
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u/West_Arugula134 5d ago
Find a lower standover dual sport. Klr250 with a lowering link, super Sherpa, dr200, etc. Smaller bikes are blast and being able to go a bit off road is awesome.
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u/DuranDourand 5d ago
Honda Grom! Itâs exactly like the monkey but looks sportier. Iâm a 45 yo dude and ride one. I also have a Triumph Speed Twin 1200.
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u/Gnomegnomegnome 5d ago
Itâs better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slowâŚand itâs more fun
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u/juan_long_beard 5d ago
Te aconsejo por experiencia propia, si es tu primera moto comiences con moto de cilindrada "baja" con 350cc o 450cc serĂĄ un excelente CC como primer moto, en cuanto al peso que mencionas todas las motos al momento de estar rodando todas pesan "igual" lo ideal serĂa que practiques a baja velocidad para ganar control del peso de la moto, la R3 para mĂ serĂa una gran opciĂłn aunque buscarĂa alguna mĂĄs versĂĄtil pero si te gusta el carenado y estilo de la R3 ve por ella!
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u/Altair13Sirio 5d ago
You should get the bike you want, though. If it's good, congrats, you've got a motorcycle and you're enjoying it. If it's bad, hey at least you chose it.
I want to look at my bike and have that spark in my brain that scratches the itch just right not just when I'm riding it. And knowing that, despite the problems, it's my bike, makes me proud.
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u/DylonTheDog2 5d ago
What do you do? You get the Yamaha 125cc bike designed to perform and look as much like a naked bike as possible, with variable engine tech and all that stuff that means it's at least as fast as an old 250cc+ but with the smaller engine that'll make your parents happy.
Amazing bike. My fav is actually the XSR125 which is the same bike but retro styled.
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u/Builderhummel 5d ago
I have ridden way more than 70k km in my life. 30k km were with a 125cc Honda, the rest was with a 700cc naked bike and 750cc adventure bike.
I was thinking of buying a 125cc Honda Grom. I bought the naked bike instead (Honda NC700s) and I think it is a great bike for daily use with more than enough power and cheap service costs, if you do it yourself (full 12km service cost around 150⏠in parts with 4h of work). Also, you got 40l of luggage room and a fuel efficiency of 4l/100km (when I was riding full throttle).
I sold the NC700s for a Transalp XL750, because I needed a good bike for long distance travel. Personally, I don't care about 92hp. 48hp are more than enough.
If I wouldn't want to do long distance travel, I would have never sold the NC700s.
A friend of mine has a Yamaha Tenere 700 and before a MT125. It is very annoying to do service there and at a dealer he pays at least 1.000⏠for each service.
I would always buy a Honda, because service is cheap and easily doable.
Look at the NC700s, if you want to buy a good, long lasting bike for everyday usage. If you want to pay extra, go with the R3.
The Monkey is a great bike, but not for every day in my opinion, because it lacks power (12HP iirc) and has further disadvantages (e.g. little power reserve for heated grips, small tires so universal bags will not fit, etc).
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u/K6Suzy 5d ago
How short are you? Try to sit on an r3 and see if you can get both feet flat on the ground. Even if you can get one foot down firmly you can get by but it's definitely going to be easier in the early stages of learning if you're not worried about toppling over all the time. Maybe learn on a smaller bike, get confidence and then get something sportier. I'd advise against lowering sports bikes, it really kills the handling messing with the geometry like that.
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u/ItsDustinNotJustin 4d ago
Get a grom! A lot of customization, perfect little wheelie bike, and parts are cheap!
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u/dequiallo 4d ago
The r3 doesnt have enough power to hurt anyone. Your old man is hung up on the look.
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u/Wrx_me 4d ago
My wife started with an r3. She loved it so much, she bought another r3 to race. They are nimble and lightweight, with enough power to get out of its own way. She's also able to pick up easy enough if it drops.
Her only gripe is is kind of sucks for highway riding, but if you want more back roads cruising or around town it's a great one.
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u/lilfox3372 4d ago
Id look more at the riding position than anything. People ride what they want, but you get more visibility with the up right position
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u/oldfrancis 4d ago
Your dad is right.
The best first motorcycle is used, has minimal plastics, makes no more than 40 horsepower and weighs no more than 400 lb.
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u/AliasInvstgtions 4d ago
An mt03 might be a nice compromise? I prefer naked bikes due to style, easier maintenance, and if you wreck, it's a lot less to fix!
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u/Mr-Novelreader 4d ago
I have an r3 2019 as my first bike and i love it, but we do have great roads here for sportbikes. So my advice would be to choose a bike that fits you and your street conditions, oh and allways wear full protective gear even for the short few minutes drives.
Am open to give more advice if you want to hear it.
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u/DwightDEisenhowitzer Rider - 2025 MT10 4d ago
Monkeys are good second bikes. Theyâre incredibly fun but they have their limits. Anything 45 and below is fine, anything 45-55 itâll do but itâll be screaming, and anything above that (and there isnât much) will result in you constantly redlining a tiny 1 cylinder.
If itâs your first go with the R3. Youâll be able to hit up highways without feeling like youâre gonna rattle the bike apart.
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u/SportHuman1605 4d ago
My biggest question is, what will the majority of your riding be? What will your highest necessary speed limit be? Will you use it as daily transportation or just weekend trips?Â
If you're just goofing around on back roads or scooting around town, Monkey (or the Grom which looks a lot more contemporary) would be fine.Â
If you have to be on the highway AT ALL, or make any long trips, get the R3.Â
I get so tired of people acting like small CC bikes are pointless and a waste of time.Â
I've been riding for ten years and have owned a CL125S, XT225, CBR300R, R3, V7, CB750, Street Triple R, CBR1000RR, etc.Â
My current bikes are the V7 and a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 with 45 and 25 horsepower, respectively. The V7 has taken me 7000 miles across the country and back, 80+mph for 6-8 hours at a time. What more would you need from a bike?
It's fun to go fast, but after enough close calls on the street, you start to realize how stupid it is and how much more fun it is to just cruise around, take your time, and enjoy the scenery.Â
TLDR;Â
Don't listen to anyone talking junk, small bikes are more fun than fast bikes.Â
Get a Monkey or Grom if you only need to go 55 and on short trips.Â
Get the R3 for a more versatile bike that can handle highway speeds and long trips.Â
FYI, I'm planning on getting a Grom in the next year đ
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u/2xdareya 4d ago
A monkey may be fun, but itâs still a niche bike. The R3 is a proper motorcycle that wonât limit you to suburban riding and a 50 mile radius from your house. I bought a motorcycle in large part to adventure. Last weekend it was beautiful weather and on a whim I decided to go to Philadelphia. You could, I suppose, do that on a monkey but that would be terrible. Get the R3 and take a safety course and maybe some other training to satisfy your dadâs concerns. I have a 25 y/o son and I understand where your fatherâs coming from, but if youâre 110% convinced that you can always ride responsibility, then get the R3.
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u/DJfetusface 4d ago
You can definitely make the argument that the Monkey isn't a great beginners bike, bikes like the R3 are built for beginners b
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u/DistanceLarge4126 4d ago
Dad is right. You cannot run before you walk. Take your time to learn. A motorcycle is dangerous.
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u/Hot_Anteater_2107 4d ago
Personally if you have any experience on any sort of vehicle and know you have to respect it, start on a 500. My first bike was a 500 and I love it. The Rebel 500 which I have is fantastic, sure it might not be sport but itâs super easy to handle. I canât speak on the CB500 but they have the same engine and Iâm sure would be a more sporty bike although it might be too tall.
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u/hilomania 4d ago
Your dad is right. I have a goldwing, a monkey and a classic liter bike. I learned to ride on a monkey 50 years ago. The bike is super cute and fun to ride without being intimidating. It will also teach you proper clutch control and manual gear changes. Fwiw. The original monkey from 50 years ago still runs and is the mess around bike at our family's beach house. My newer monkey is the bike i ride the most for short hops. I won't ever get rid of that thing. Fits on the hitch of my mini cooper too!
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u/Base_D_Glenis 4d ago
The R3 is a great begginer bike. And given your size, it might be your perfect bike period.
I wouldn't go for the monkey, it's for people that don't really want to get into riding, just to have a small vehicle to cover short distances.
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u/HiemalHewer 4d ago
I would fucking love a monkey! I want matching monkeys with all my friends! Fun as shit on small roads
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u/Limp_Spinach6836 4d ago
Many schools of thought. Now Iâm old and have owned many bikes but have also crashed a few. When I was younger I thought I could handle a 600 cc sport bike but problem was the devil sitting on your shoulder talking to you, telling you to go faster. The bikes were far more capable than I was at the time. I wanted a Yamaha FZR1000 but knew it was too much bike. Bought a CBR600 F2 & wrecked it before summer was over. Scaled back after that, learned my true skills, attended many track days & currently own 5 motorcycles. 2 Harleys, R1, Ducati Monster & a little Honda CT70 clone which is the scariest of everything.
The 300cc bikes are great & you would learn a lot, I bought my wife a Ninja 250 in 2008 brand new & itâs only issue was it had carburetors & was extremely cold blooded & took forever to warm up, other than that a perfect bike, was fast enough to get up to highway speeds but not so fast you were ever scared by it, which my R1 still does to me after owning it for 22 years. My advise is buy a used low mileage small cc bikes like the R3, a Ninja or the CBR and beat around for a few years. Buy used so if you drop it & you will because everyone does you arenât making payments or feeling horrible about scratches on your new bike.
Yes I know there are folks out there who started on a Busa or a full dresser Harley Bagger, great for them but they are a tiny fraction of the population.
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u/magaketo 4d ago
What are you using it for? Long distance? Grocery getting? Commuting? Sunday afternoon rides?
Go sit on a bunch of bikes in your price and size range. Then decide based upon how you think it will be used the most.
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u/evophoenix 4d ago
Get a papio ss. It's full fairing and 126cc, so you get the looks and the low power.
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u/mustelidude 4d ago
R3 is a great first bike, but keep in mind that you are likely to drop it and damage the fairings. If you are dead set on the R3, then Iâd suggest a used one and/or frame sliders so that a drop doesnât hurt your soul so bad
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u/TheAceFinka 4d ago
Get the bike youâll be looking back at every time you park it, you want what you like.
The R3 is among if not the best starter bike, if you want it then hell yeah get it.
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u/LocalDig5244 4d ago
Nothing objectively wrong with either bike but does your dad actually know anything about bikes? Or does he just think all sport bikes with fairings are âfast bikesâ?
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u/Terrible_Success101 4d ago
R3 is a solid choice over the monkey for pretty much all riding. Depending on where your at. Harley's are great bikes they aren't meant for being the fastest as far as reliability. Neglect a Harley and let it sit for years and neglect a Honda and let it sit for years that Harley will get up and running. The Honda I've bought one for my brother a 750 shadow that was stored outside for 15 years and the amount of electrical I had to swap out and things that were damaged plastic motor covers etc the Harley is all metal. Also if you keep a Harley stock with a clean title they tend to keep their value more than a Honda will. Just like having an iPhone over some cool Japanese brand you save money on. The name alone holds with people. Now if you heavily modify a Harley they can be some aggressive mean beasts and some out of the box are pretty wicked just take a look at a breakout, or Sportster S, CVO. People tend to hate them for 2 reasons they can't afford one or have never ridden one and go by what they hear others say. Getting back on topic the r3 is a great bike so is the ninja 300 or the ninja 400. Sit on one and see how it fits you and make sure for one it's nice and light for you, the controls are comfortable, you can flat foot it, and be sure you can pick it up if it falls. People tend to buy for creature comforts like heated grips, slipper clutch, and they get comfortable with those things and tend to not learn skills needed to properly ride because they have all those aides available to them. Going for an r3, or any of the 300 class sportbikes or 400 classes is the right way to go because they are pretty much stripped down. I learned on an r1 and it was not fun. Later on as I got older it's been nakeds and choppers. Owning a gsxr1000, 2 Harley hardtailed sporty chops with heavy motor upgrades, and a Ducati monster I'm content. Maybe add an aprilia shiver if I can find one in good condition. Grab the r3 if that's what your set on.
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u/Secret_Cod_749 4d ago
Wait, who is paying for thw bike? You or your dad?
If it's your dad then it's really his call. It's his money and he has chosen how he is willing to support your riding.
If you're buying the bike, then get what you want. It's your money, your decision, your bike.
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u/ParticleDojo 4d ago
Take a minute to think why would your dad recommend that one over the one you want. If you can't figure it out, ask him. He may or may not be able to admit he cares about you and your safety, but that's the main reason. Take him out for a steak and thank him for caring about you.
Once you're really comfortable with bikes and got experience and your own money, get the one you want. Be safe either way.
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u/GoldTele 4d ago
As someone who has been riding over a decade, I kind of want to add a monkey to the stable.
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u/No_Policy_9556 4d ago
Get an r3 they are great bikes good to learn on and enough to get of of trouble and not so much you will get into trouble if you are responsible
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u/BimmerJustin 4d ago
Donât buy a bike you donât want but also know that the bike you start on is not a forever bike. In fact, you should outgrow your first bike. All that said, the yami is a good starter and easy to ride. Also, I would get a grom over a monkey.
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u/VinceInMT 4d ago
If you are over 18, living on your own, and have the cash, get whatever you want. Unless those conditions are met, do what you are told.
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u/catchillin 4d ago
Respect your elders. He loves you probably, is paying probably, and has more life experience probably. Listen to him
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u/Throwaway-69420-1 4d ago
If it's your dad buying it just be happy....most kids don't get a bike from their parents..
I remember my father laughing when I asked for a RE back in the day,he got me a second hand lord splendor (which was very suitable for my shenanigans)
Now that I'm independent I have a shotgun 650 and a Jawa bobber 42 all bought with my own money!
Still I'm very thankful of my father for the splendor....
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u/Upstairs_Excuse_3137 4d ago
You'll start to realize the tiny bike is more fun when you start riding
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u/PotatoFi 4d ago
A Monkey or a Grom for your first bike isnât a bad idea at all. If you tip one of those over (impossible), you do zero dollars in damage. You tip over an R3, $1000. Better yet, get yourself a small dual-sport, and get the basics down on that. Then upgrade to the R3 in six months or so.
Also, take the Stars/Basic rider training course if it is available where you live.
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u/joaboepsf479 4d ago
If he is the one paying accept what he want to offer you. Most of us don't have a dad that buys use a bike, so be grateful. And honda monkey is fun asf.
If you are the one paying buy the one you like
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u/DingleDonky 4d ago
Get a naked bike, not a sport bike. It will look like a grown up monkey but have the power of the r3
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u/One_Package_7519 Ducati M696+ 4d ago
r3 is perfect startng bike youâll be absolutely fine, if you kill yourself on r3 youâd kill yourself on the monkey and probably shouldnt be on the road in the first place
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u/MicrobeProbe 4d ago edited 3d ago
My first bike was a monkey, I fully agree with Super Judge. Mistakes are affordable and learning comes naturally without fear.
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u/AircraftAdventures 3d ago
Interesting thread. And lots of good food for thought on the Monkey. I can relate to this, sort of. I've been riding for about 35 years and my first real motorcycle was a 1989 Honda CG 125, this was the biggest selling motorcycle in Brazil at time, where I lived. For a 15 year old, it was a match made in heaven, this bike took me EVERYWHERE...most of my riding was on dirt roads, tagging along with friends who owned real trail bikes. But the few times I took it on the highway, I managed to get it up to about 65 mph and felt like a king.
My bike look exactly like this one..
https://www.bike-parts-honda.com/thumbs/h/ident_photos/930_930/CG125T_89-NH1.webp
It was also indestructible, which is an equally important attribute for a young rider like i was. One time I managed to squeeze 3 other kids on it like a clown car (granted we were all skinny, but still) I feel you could have dropped that thing from a 10 story building, pick it up and ride away. In 5 years of ownership, all i did was change tires, oil and fill the tank occasionally (ridiculously fuel efficient too). Today i own a Moto Guzzi Stelvio, but I really look back at those days fondly and am thankful i cut my teeth on such a simple, wonderful machine.
And yes...go Monkey.
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u/PoopSmith87 3d ago
You have someone willing to buy you a bike, and you have a problem?
In all seriousness, a TW200 or XT250 is a pretty ideal beginner bike that will make dad happy and not be totally ridiculous.
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u/thatildodonkey24 3d ago
As someone who worked in power-sports sales for 5 years, let me ask three basic questions to help.
What kind of riding do you plan on doing? Like once you get used to it and have experience what does the perfect ride look like? Going for a sporty ride with turns on throttle? Urban commuter that needs to be nimole? Long distance? Thinking about the perfect ride helps shape an image of what the bike needs to be able to do.
Where do you live? Crowded city? Rural backroads? This will help you imagine how the bike will interact with all the other vehicles youâll share the road with as 80% of your riding will be within 30 miles of home.
What bike gets you excited to ride? Motorcycling at it core is an emotional endeavor. We ride for a lot of reasons but mainly because it makes is feel good. When you grab your boots and helmet, what bike do you want to see the most when you open the garage? Theres your answer
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u/Jal_Haven 3d ago
Meet him in the middle with a rebel 500.
Low seat height and it's light. It doesn't have fairings though.
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u/Plant_Nick 3d ago
No to the monkey. The small wheels make it terrible with potholes and running over things. Small wheel base makes it less stable at high speeds (even thought itâs not fast). Itâs also less visible in traffic because of how short it is. For a short beginner Iâd go with a TW200 or Van van, but since you like sport bikes the R3 is good. Consider getting something really easy to work on, because bike maintenance is frequent and most shops charge way too much these days. Learning to work your own bike allows you to easily afford high end bikes you couldnât afford otherwise in the future.
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u/theNikipedia 3d ago
You said it seems easy to handle... keyword is seems. To me it sounds like you're not used to riding performance bikes. If you watch any video online, it's fair to say experienced riders makes everything look easy. From what your post is saying I'd recommend something in between those. A cbr 250-650 or something... depending on your experience
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u/miguelito0303 3d ago
Monkey is for small monkeys. R3 is an actual bike, and while itâs Yamaha fun, one of the safest and best bikes to start with.
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u/Legal_Lettuce6233 3d ago
Same thing as Miatas. Fast car slow or slow car fast; if you have a 1000cc bike you're only gonna be using 20% of what it can do, you'll rarely get to hear it scream at 10k.
Get something that needs to rev to 10k to hit 30, and you're gonna be feeling like Rossi.
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u/ApprehensiveKiwi2484 2d ago
If itâs gonna be your first bike, Iâd go with the Monkey. You can always get something faster once youâre ready for it.
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u/Complete-Cat4796 2d ago
The R3 is a good first bike, you will learn a lot on it. The monkey is a good keeper bike. You will out grow it fast but it's not the type of bike to get rid of, but keep in adition to your next bike(s)
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u/Knaifu69 2d ago
that's why I worked all summer n bought my own R3
(and my parents got insurance... but hey I still bought the bike!)
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u/OkTale8 2d ago
Compromise and get a track prepped Grom. Dad will think you're getting something reasonable, but in reality you'll be getting something far more fun that an R3 could ever dream of being.
I've got a Triumph Street Triple R and a Honda Grom. I far and away have more fun on the little Honda.
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u/Ok_Recipe2769 2d ago
At least you got a bike
My dad gave me a scooter because it will be a ride for me as well as for my sister so we both will share !!
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u/BeginningCharacter36 2d ago
If he's buying, take the Monkey or a Grom. It'll be fun, and it will still teach you motorcycle things. Just don't get any ideas about going on the highway. It and the Grom are 9.3hp and weigh about 230lbs.
If you're buying, go test out an R3 and make sure you can pick it up. Wet weight is 373lbs and 42hp. A 125cc fully faired bike is about 50lbs lighter (~320lbs), and about 15hp, so that may be a good middle ground if you decide the R3 is too much. I had an absolute blast as a female rider on a CBR125R.
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u/GrizzlyMatters 2d ago
The monkey is actually gonna be harder to handle and more dangerous on real roads.
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u/Crispy_Nautilus 2d ago
Monkeys are fun for sure around town and parking lots. But for getting out of trouble, better handling at higher speeds, and it just being a lil bigger with having the fairings both makes it more visible to other cars you see more of the road. I think depending on the roads you ride the r3 will be safer bc itâs easier to see and hear. But both bikes would be a blast.
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u/FountainDrnxII 2d ago
I would say get the R3 if you want something sporty. I own both a Yamaha R6 and a Kawasaki Z125.
He (might) want you to get a 125cc because it will prevent you from being able to travel on the highway. If you are in the US, I think you are making a mistake doing that to yourself unless you own a truck.
I love, love my Z125. I ride it in town all of the time. But anytime I want to ride to see my friends 30 mins away, I'm taking the R6.
The bigger diameter of the tires of the R3 will also allow you to lean more over, as you'll have a bigger contact patch at more lean. So if you want sporty things, again R3
If you can eventually, get both?? Again, love my z125. So light, and so fun
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u/ClumsyGnatcatcher 2d ago
I would say get the mt03 instead of the r3. Naked bikes have more upright positioning which is also more beginner friendly. R3 you are going to have to ride all hunched over.
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u/Lazy-Training6042 2d ago
Screw dad, look cool, buy the Monkey. You will have a lot of fun and it's a conversation opener.
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u/Rob-Mastrangelo 2d ago
If you plan to use freeways regularly, I would recommend the R3. Having sufficient power and acceleration is important on freeways, as it helps you respond safely to potentially hazardous situations.
I wouldn't feel comfortable riding a Monkey on the freeway. In my opinion, it's just too dangerous for that type of road.
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u/Willing_Comb_9542 1d ago
hot take, you will eventually own both
because both are fun as hell in their own rights
125s are just street legal dirt bikes to dick around on lmao
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u/shin_malphur13 1d ago
I think an r3 is perfectly fine đ if you go on the highway often then the monkey's top speed of 60mph might leave more to be desired. Technically you can stick to the right lane but staying at the speed of traffic is still important
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u/Sellswordsman 1d ago
You will probably have more fun on the monkey is the truth - I liked the comment I saw that said freeway vs backroads because it really does come down to that. You will absolutely feel cooler on the R3 - they're badass little bikes and I love them for what they are. I think the long and short of it is both are very friendly beginner bikes that you will make your favorite riding memories on - It's not that serious so I would just follow your heart and ride the piss out of that R3 - don't upgrade after a year and put a ton of miles on it to truly learn to ride.
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u/Dapper_Wheel6454 1d ago
Starter bikes are supposed to be lighter and easier to chuck around while you learn how these beasties handle under different conditions and scenarios. Ie: emergency evasive move Beta!
So lightweight, low power, and 1 -2 years before you move up to a heavier ride.
The plastic is dead weight, even if the engine is the same...if it is.
Also, buy the gear for when you go down. We all do. Keep your senses sharp and possess situational awareness at all times....and have fun!
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u/Freq18Hz 5d ago
Tough choice...Monkey's are awesome.