Just got my motorcycle license. Time to get riding. I'm a beginner.

Was Looking at the KTM Duke 390



Or the Honda Rebel 500



I just want something fun to cruise around in. No crotch rockets

EDIT: I'm not limiting my choice to those 2. They just seemed like good choices. I am open to suggestions

The geometry of the KTM might as well be a crotch rocket, as far as comfort goes...

...the rebel would be more fun if you were to ride the strand, but that KTM is obviously going to be more fun in the turns.

Have only heard good things about the KTM.

I learned on a rebel, but it wasn't my favorite

Both honestly are sweet bikes and seen my two choices in either category of bike.

They are definitely completely different bikes though so I think more so you need to determine what style of bike you want first.

Also maybe consider getting a quicker one. I started out on a 650cc and immediately wanted to upgrade 6 months later. Don’t be afraid of more powerful bikes as long as you don’t go balls to the wall.

I raced an R6 for a number of years...love riding on the track.

Riding a race bike on the road is risky as fukk if you ride aggressively, tho (which IMO is the only reason to have one).

The KTM isn't going to have the horsepower to get you in that much trouble, but it's going to be a well handling bike that might get a little too fun at times (Brb hit a sand patch, some oil, a dog running out in the road, etc).

The KTM is BUILT to lean it over, the Rebel isn't, so there's less incentive to ride aggressively, and the above obstacles are not as big a factor.

Yeah I'm afraid the Duke 390 would be too slow. I'm not too concerned about aggressive riding.

get a Kawasaki zx 6r

all those bikes you chose are slow as fukk

I'm a big fan of Triumph but they're a little more expensive than the bikes you listed. BMW makes a couple bikes in the 5-8k range that are supposed to be really good.

I would probably go for that Rebel 500, looks real comfy, a good entry level street cruiser. That Duke is a more aggressive bike, but it's one that I would think about getting myself. I guess it comes down to what you want, comfort or something more like a cross between a sport bike and a dualmotard.

I would have a serious look at the Kawasaki Ninja 650. Don't let the "Ninja" throw you off, it isn't a crotch rocket. It looks similar to a crotch rocket but is more upright sitting and the handlebars are pulled back. It is a very comfortable seating position. It has a parallel twin engine that delivers nice torque. It isn't overpowering but enough to enjoy highway speeds and small enough to cruise around town. You get the handling and braking of a sport bike with the comfort of an adventure touring bike. And they are pretty cheap with good luggage options. Great all around bikes. I started on a cruiser and would not recommend it, they are heavy, underpowered with poor handling and braking. They are the worst starter bikes IMO.

are you planning on buying this bike new and keeping for a while? or buying used of craigslist and then swapping it out for something bigger/better the next season?

My recommendation is to not buy a donorcycle. My recommendation is based on seeing and treating hundreds of people involved in donorcycle accidents.