Looking for my son's first road bike

My stepson Robbie has always loved motorcycles. He has always ridden dirt. When he turns 16 he'll get his motorcycle endorsement He and I had a rebel 250 project that we were building for him a while back. We were just getting into the project when he told me that it really wasn't his style of bike.

So we got rid of it and got him a new project bike. It's a 1986 Honda TLR200 or Reflex 200, it's an old trials bike that they only made for two years. He loves it.

My problem with it is that it's a 200cc single, and it's not even a little powerful for a 200cc engine. I live on Fort Morgan Rd. in Gulf Shores, Al and it's 55 mph zone. I feel like Robbie is going to need a bigger bike in order to travel safely on that highway. Something maybe in the 250 to 500cc range. So I've given the option to buy the Reflex to my little brother, who is most likely going to get it.
We already know he doesn't like a Rebel so that's out. Looking for more of a standard style bike 250cc to 500cc. Maybe even a larger dirtbike that could be converted to a Motard style. Something cheap that needs some love. Anyone got any ideas?

I would look for a Vulcan 500 or in Craigslist pretty frequently you will see a Yamaha (think) DL650 or a Honda XR650 that is a street legal off road bike.

The on/off bikes also come in a 450 series too and should be able to work.

The Vulcan 500 is a pretty zippy bike so it may be a little much. My first all street bike was a Kawasaki KZ440. I didn't have any trouble adapting that coming off an old Honda XL100.

Thinking about a ninja 500 right now. There's a guy up the street from me with 1 1/2 ninja 500's sitting in his yard...

Same motor as the Vulcan 500, but I wouldn't by my son anything that looks like it would go 150+mph even if it didn't. I just don't like what sport bikes encourage people to do.

Problem is, a Vulcan is very close to a rebel in appearance. Sounds more like he is into dirt or crotch looks. edera had a 500 Vulcan, and yes they are very torquey and fast for their size. Like tully says, your choice if you wish to encourage that line of riding. Great that he has ridden dirt first for experience, but speed for a new rider on the street....hmmm...

Some I found:

http://mobile.craigslist.org/mcy/2114073577.html

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/mcy/2112719176.html

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/mcy/2112569712.html

Ninja 500 is a great first bike. Bulletproof adn they are a 6 speed bike so they will run 80 pretty easily. I have a frined that rode from Oklahoma to Daytona on one and did it in less than 24 hours. They can be had for a daime a dazen, but get a second generation bike , it has tires that are readily available sizes and upgraded brakes.

Well we have decided to keep the Reflex. With some gearing changes it will be able to do what is asked of it. Plus Rob really wants a dual sport bike, and I got the reflex for $400.00 running and titled. There's no way I could find something else with a title for that kind of money. The plan now is to do some sprocket changes, put some street tires on it and let it ride for a while!

I am likin the look of the Kawasaki KLR650's. And I am not a huge fan of dual sports.

Brother Deviant1 I would have to keep the reflex too! It is a cool looking bike and I have never seen another one! I really like it and would ride it myself!