Motorcycle for beginners

kc5deb · May 9, 2006

With the recent increase in gas prices, and the still high payoff of my truck, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle.

I've always been one to buy the best and/or fastest of what I want, but, I think in this situation, I need to start off slow. Especially since I've ridden twice in my entire life...

I want something that looks good, but, nothing that can hit 90mph in 2nd gear. I'm guessing something under 500cc's would be plenty.

What are some good options some of you bike enthusiats would recommend?

I'm not wanting to spend over 3-5 grand, and it doesn't have to be new, but, I would like something I don't have to work on everytime I want to ride it.

Octane · May 9, 2006

Id go with a 650cc cruiser. A Yamaha V-Star or Honda Shadow would be a good choice.

99silveradoz71 · May 10, 2006

I picked up a 98 Suzuki Marauder 800 in 2004 that has served me well as a work commuter thus far. I ride 22 miles each way, about 15 on the interstate and it moves out pretty well and was a great deal for the money. I'm just shy of 9000 miles on her now. She had 3800 when I bought her.

May 10, 2006

How big a boy are ya?!? For starters, I'd go with something in a 750cc range. With this much displacement, you'll have a happy medium. It'll give you plenty of power for you and any accessories you may want to add later and will have good road manners around town and good range in case you want to get it out on longer trips where you'll be cruising around 70 or so. Some great choices are the Honda Spirit 750 or the Kawasaki Vulcan 750. The Vulcan 800 is a more Harley-esque bike that's also a good choice.

Edit: If I could afford it, I really dig the Yamaha Roadstar Warrior!

pm26 · May 10, 2006

A great starter bike? Definitely this one.

Compact and lightweight, just perfect for a beginner.

Wingnut · May 10, 2006

tutusbaby · May 10, 2006

With the recent increase in gas prices, and the still high payoff of my truck, I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle.

I've always been one to buy the best and/or fastest of what I want, but, I think in this situation, I need to start off slow. Especially since I've ridden twice in my entire life...

I want something that looks good, but, nothing that can hit 90mph in 2nd gear. I'm guessing something under 500cc's would be plenty.

What are some good options some of you bike enthusiats would recommend?

I'm not wanting to spend over 3-5 grand, and it doesn't have to be new, but, I would like something I don't have to work on everytime I want to ride it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with the previous reply....Yamaha's 650 V-Star is a really good starter bike and will last u awhile. Doesn't get blown all over the freeway either. Excellent reliability too. I started out on a 650 about 5 years ago. Just got a 1100 V-Star 'cause I got an bargin on it. I think my 650 is smoother though. You won't be disappointed with it unless you're very tall 'cause the bike sits low to the ground. That's why it is preferred by beginners, women and short statured men

Octane · May 10, 2006

Id personally go with a Sportster 883 if I were getting a starter bike, but I know you could get a Japanese cruiser for less money.

The nice thing about the hog is that you can ride it for 5 years and pretty much sell it for the same amount of money that it cost you when you bought it new.

May 10, 2006

I love Harleys but for dependability, you can't go wrong with a Japanese bike.

May 10, 2006

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whoa! It's got a Briggs and Stratton!

Worktruck · May 10, 2006

To bad your not closer to Maine. I have a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE 750 I'm selling. Great bike, easy to ride, more than 50 mpg. Easily carries the wife and I and we're not little people. Has drag pipes on it but I have the factory pipes too. Also put forward controls on it cause I have long legs. Also if you want to ride tha street and get dirty once in a while I'm selling my 04 Suzuki DR 650 too. Don't recommend the Dr as a first bike though. She's lightly modded ( Two Brothers Racing pipe, stage 2 jet kit, K&N filter w/ air box mod, 14 tooth counter sprocket and new Dunlop street legal knobbies) and has a ton of tourqe, a blast to ride but can get away from ya in a hurry. BTW selling them both to get a new Harley. Lucky me.

Octane · May 11, 2006

I love Harleys but for dependability, you can't go wrong with a Japanese bike.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True, but Id feel a much greater sense of pride in riding an American-made Harley over an imported Honda.

Nothing against Honda (or any other bike), but I like to buy American whenever possible.

ElephantNest · May 11, 2006

I have the V-Star Classic 1100 and love it. The 650 would be perfect for a beginner, unless you are really tall, or weigh in over 175, then I'd get the 1100.

Shaners · May 15, 2006

The bike I would being eying up right now if I were to pick up another one is the Suzuki SV650S. The 2003-newer are fuel injected (older models have carbs).

It is a liquid cooled 650cc EFI v-twin in a sportier chassis. It has a very light weight (370ish dry), and great horsepower @ 70HP. It consistently scores at the top of its' class in all the motorcycle mags.

My biggest problem is that the wife says that I have to sell one of my other bikes if i get one of these.

Worktruck · May 16, 2006

My biggest problem is that the wife says that I have to sell one of my other bikes if i get one of these.

I have the same problem, so I told the wife, I said "Wife, if you want new shoes you have to get rid of some of the other ones first." She laughed and bought em anyway. Think that would work for me and a new Harley?