Motorcycles - Need suggestions from riders

[pbwalker]

Well, after several years of "I'll get one eventually" or "Maybe next year", I'm at the point where I want to get bikes for my wife and I (she won't let me get one unless she gets one! )

What I do know: We want cruisers. We're not even looking at sport bikes. They don't appeal to either of us...we want "hogs" (if that's even the right term).

I am not looking at Harleys...at this point, being first time riders, I don't want to pay a premium for the name when I can get a good used Honda or Yamaha for a lot less. If, in 5 years, we find ourselves hankering for new bikes and we love riding a lot, then I'll look at them.

My biggest question is what size bike to get. I see folks saying a 250 is a good starter, others saying to get as big as you can afford / ride. I don't want to get a bike that will end up being too small once I get the hang of it and am riding more. Is a 250 a decent starter / 5 year bike? I don't plan on it being my daily commuter...more for Hill Country rides with some friends. No speed demon stuff...typical Hill Country FMs / RRs.

So, riders...where do I begin? Do I look at a 250 for my wife, and something a little bigger for me, so I can hand it down to her and only have to buy one bike in a few years? Do we both start with 250s? 650s? I understand it's a lot like a gun and you need to try them out / sit on them / etc., but I don't want to waste time on unwise shopping.

Thanks!

[Hot Texan]

I wouldn't get a 250cc cruiser for a beginner, unless they are only going to ride around town. Something in the 500 to 750cc range is more versatile and should still get great gas mileage. I also prefer buying used in a private sale, but some people are more comfortable with stealerships.

Either way, before you buy motorcycles, take the MSF Basic Rider class or the Riders Edge equivalent.

[TxRVer]

Are you and your wife first time riders or have a little experience? Are you looking for something to train on that you won't mind dropping a few times? Believe me, you will drop it if you're just beginning. If your wife is small in stature, a 250 can be a good starter. If you're large, a 650 will be small. If your average the 650 could be a good starter and then pass it on to your wife. Also the Kawasaki 900 Vulcan could be a good starter. It's very easy to ride. You'll soon outgrow a starter bike and want something larger. For a starter bike, I'd get something cheap that's not in perfect cosmetic shape and trade up when you get comfortable. This is only my opinion and opinions will vary.

Even if your wife is small, a 250 won't last long before she wants something bigger. A 250 isn't a bike you want to ride for more than an hour or so. That can be said for 650s as well.

Whatever you do, start out by taking a rider safety course. The benefit is worth the cost.

BTW, hogs are Harleys.

[ajwakeboarder]

Generally when people talk about starting on 250cc bikes they are talking about sport bikes. Sport bikes are light so a little power goes a long way. Cruisers are heavier so they generally need more power. I started out on a 600cc yamaha FZ6. Its a hybrid between a true sport and a cruiser. I haven't had a problem with it yet, and it's almost as light as a normal sport bike. Take the motorcycle safety course. It will help a lot. Have fun. But no matter what you get, always watch other drivers. They won't watch for you!!!

[JP171]

250's are good for small people to start with, beginners sport bikes. go with a 750 range bike, don't need big bikes nor undersized. as far as cruisers go 750 is a good starting point. as far as the MSF it is REQUIRED to obtain a Motorcycle license and no its not an endorsement anymore. so go take it ride safe!

[E.Marquez]

If your set on cruisers..

Look for something like 2009 Suzuki Boulevard S50.

Very low seat height, and center of gravity. Has enough power to actually get out of it's own way (something a 250~500cc cruiser will not)

Very reliable

[gigag04]

My advice - take a GOOD MSF class and by used, easy to ride, lighter bikes, you can flat foot.

Build up your skills on something cheap to drop.

Oh and wear all your gear, all the time.

[pbwalker]

MSF is on our list before we even go shopping for bikes! I'm not going to end up as a donor cycle driver due to my own lack of training.

These will be our first bikes and neither of us have experience driving. The MSF course we plan to take is a two day, bikes included...so we hope to lay down their bikes instead of ours.

My only trepidation with private sale is finding that one bike that has hidden issues. I don't have the mechanical knowledge or wherewithal to even begin to know what to look for. With dealerships, there's a single head on the chopping block, so to say.

Is something like this a "good deal" upon initial glance? http://www.cycleridersatx.com/new_vehic ... ov=2291746" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or this? http://www.cycleridersatx.com/new_vehic ... ov=2716726" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any good "motorcycle finder" websites that can point you in the right direction based on what you want?

Thanks so much for the info so far!

[Skiprr]

My advice - take a GOOD MSF class and buy used, easy to ride, lighter bikes, you can flat foot.

Build up your skills on something cheap to drop.

Oh and wear all your gear, all the time.

And build up your skills on quiet, comfortable roads or trails. Avoid big-city traffic, at least at first.

My first bike was a Honda 250cc when I was 14 (was overseas). Laid it down twice, once was an impressive curb-hit-and-flip. That'll teach you the importance of safety in a hurry.

The flip-side (no pun intended): small, light bikes feel more like bicycles. They're very maneuverable but, by definition, the center of gravity is high. The engine isn't heavy, and you--one of the heaviest elements--are sitting atop the bike. Perfect for motocross or mountain riding because you can whip the bike around easily.

For comfortable cruising, you want a bike with a low center of gravity: heavy engine, low seat. This doesn't feel like riding a bicycle; it feels like driving a car.

The upside: it's smooth. When on the move, it's like sitting in a comfy chair.

The downside: it's heavy and not very maneuverable compared to a lighter counterpart. On the highway, you still have more maneuverability than most cars...but not by much.

[gemini]

Since you have 0 previous experience riding.... pay extra special attention during your MSF course!
Buying used from an individual? Have a friend with some basic bike knowledge go with you to help
check out the bike. Check for signs it (the bike) has been dropped or laid down. See if there is
anything obvious that's been repaired/replaced. A starter bike like what you said you're looking for
shouldn't brake the bank. Just be wary. (sometimes Craigslist might have something)
Once you have your bike, practice the "small" stuff. Tight u-turns, Smooth stops and starts around
your neighborhood and/or an area in which you are already familiar. Take your time getting comfy
wih your new ride. Most drops happen at very, very slow speed or when stopped. They just happen.
You'll soon outgrow a "starter" bike. Don't sweat it, sell it and move up.
Before you buy anything, you might want to invest in renting a few different bikes to try out. That
will give you a better idea of what you might like or dislike. Most rental places have everything from
Honda's to HD's to BMW's. Just depends on the shop. Good luck and ride safe.

[talltex]

Is something like this a "good deal" upon initial glance? http://www.cycleridersatx.com/new_vehic ... ov=2291746" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or this? http://www.cycleridersatx.com/new_vehic ... ov=2716726" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any good "motorcycle finder" websites that can point you in the right direction based on what you want?

Thanks so much for the info so far!

Those are both nice bikes, but I wouldn't go to one that big if you've never had any riding experience...those are HEAVY bikes with LOTS of power. I'd recommend something in the 650/750 range for first time riders. They will have all the power you'll feel comfortable with when you crack the throttle and weigh in about 200 lbs less than a full dressed 1500/1700.

[gigag04]

PB - aren't you in the Houston area?
Take me with you or get with me and ill help you shop. I know of a 600 shadow with little use that my buddy has had sitting. Many people will tell you to get a bigger bike - but in my experience they can't ride what they have very well.

[RPBrown]

My advice - take a GOOD MSF class and by used, easy to ride, lighter bikes, you can flat foot.

Build up your skills on something cheap to drop.

Oh and wear all your gear, all the time.

I agree with GG on this. I've been riding over 40 years and I took the MSF course with my wife a few years ago so she would have someone she knew with her. Not only did it teach her how to ride, it reminded me of some things I had forgotten as well as teaching me a few things.

As for the bike and what size, I would recommend shopping around, sitting on a few and see what you both can easily sit flat footed and raise from the stand to an upright position. I would not get a cruiser with less than 600 cc. I was 11 when I learned to ride and that was on a 250 which is what most MSF classes use (I looked like a pregnant giraffe on one at the class) so that will give you an indication of what size a 250 is.

Also. buy used. Much cheaper and you wont have to pay the set up charges. But, take someone along that knows something about bikes.

After your class and after you get your bikes, I would reccommend some parking lot time to get used to the new rides and to get comfortable in your own minds before you hit the city traffic.

Good luck, good riding, keep the rubber side down and remember that the cars all have someone that "cant see you"

[E.Marquez]

PB - aren't you in the Houston area?
Take me with you or get with me and ill help you shop. I know of a 600 shadow with little use that my buddy has had sitting. Many people will tell you to get a bigger bike - but in my experience they can't ride what they have very well.

Yes take a friend that knows bikes.. just make sure he knows at least as much as he think he does.... several to a few dozen bikes over 20-40 years of riding time.. Not the guy with one bike in the garage, had it for 6 years and has 1800 miles on it.. but will tell you all day ... he is the experienced rider cuz he has been doing it for SIXYEARS.... .... Many of those out there...as well.

The VTC600 aka 600 shadow is a great starter bike as well.. At about 39 HP.. it'll do fine in town and on quite back roads .. but at almost 500 lb curb weight.. that motor which was designed for an adventure bike (Transalp) weighing 200lb less and tuned to 52 or so HP...... the VTC600 will be lacking power to safely ride on today's freeway.. when your ready for that.

MSR training, yes please do,,, and find a course that is recommended... BY A rider that took THAT course and now has a few years and 10 thousand miles on the road.. that is the person, that relatively new rider that can tell you the quality of the course. That newish rider will have continued to learn as they rack up miles.. they will realize what was missed, or just out right wrong with the course.. combine that with If you know an experienced rider as well, ask them to watch the course and give an opinion. Like CHL instructors, there are good MSF instructors , many ok ones, and more then a few very poor ones. And though the course of instruction, methodology, and teaching design is not the best, it is the best for what is available here in Texas... and an ok start for new TX rider.

Learning to ride a motorcycle.. and learning to ride a motorcycle on the street are two different things.. those who try and do both at the same time have accidents, by them self's, and with cars....... I see it every week.. sometimes 2 or more a week.

Would you take a new shooter to the range for an IDPA match and teach them basic gun safety, how to open the cylinder or drop the mag, reload, sight alignment and target acquisition, unload, clear reduce stoppage.. or would you take that new shooter to a safe place in the back yard, and with snap caps do the same.????????

Same deal as learning to psychically ride a bike, and learning how to ride on the street and survive.

If you really want to concentrate on learning to ride FIRST,,,,pick up a couple of small plated dual sports, CRF230, XT225, and many others... ride them at your MSF course (learn on YOUR bike,,if you can) ride them around the house, short trips to the store...when you do a stop and flop (forget to put your feet down at a stop), use too much front brake in a slow, parking lot maneuver and fall over, don't see the depression, curb, hole and find nothing but air under your foot when you go to put it down,, plus many other new rider mistakes....little to no damage will be down IF you even hit the ground.. low seat, low weight, full on flat footed stance,, most times a new rider can "Catch" the bike.

Once you learn the physics and mechanics of riding.. pick up your first "real" street bike (like the S50, or VTC600) and ride it for a year, or until your comfy... Then take the MSF ERC course....once done with that... go buy your next bike.

Lastly...... new riders do NOT HAVE TO FALL while learning, or in there first year.. that is an excuse made by those incompetent to teach, and those new riders unwilling to listen, learn and ride on as they are comfortable with. That said, yes new riders fall.. sometimes,,, but it is only a foregone conclusion when as an excuse.

[The Annoyed Man]

My advice - take a GOOD MSF class and by used, easy to ride, lighter bikes, you can flat foot.

Build up your skills on something cheap to drop.

Oh and wear all your gear, all the time.

I agree with GG on this. I've been riding over 40 years and I took the MSF course with my wife a few years ago so she would have someone she knew with her. Not only did it teach her how to ride, it reminded me of some things I had forgotten as well as teaching me a few things.

As for the bike and what size, I would recommend shopping around, sitting on a few and see what you both can easily sit flat footed and raise from the stand to an upright position. I would not get a cruiser with less than 600 cc. I was 11 when I learned to ride and that was on a 250 which is what most MSF classes use (I looked like a pregnant giraffe on one at the class) so that will give you an indication of what size a 250 is.

Also. buy used. Much cheaper and you wont have to pay the set up charges. But, take someone along that knows something about bikes.

After your class and after you get your bikes, I would reccommend some parking lot time to get used to the new rides and to get comfortable in your own minds before you hit the city traffic.

Good luck, good riding, keep the rubber side down and remember that the cars all have someone that "cant see you"

I echo this and add: You should be able to find LOTS of used, good condition 600-800cc class bikes for sale by owners who are doing EXACTLY what you will likely want to do—sell your smaller bike and get a bigger one after you've been riding for a while. I never owned any cruisers myself. I always bought sportbikes/standards, but whatever your taste, you'll ultimately find that there is no substitute for displacement in the engine bay. Just don't go straight there.

Another related axiom of motorcycling is that junkyards are full of liter-class bikes bought by novice riders and then totalled. Bikes aren't themselves inherently dangerous, but the world in which you ride them is, and your safety depends entirely on your own wisdom and experience......and your skill level. If skill is lacking, the moderating effects of wisdom and experience become greatly diminished. A bike that will do 0-60 in 3 seconds will get you into trouble a whole lot faster, and leave you less time to get out of it than a bike with a 0-60 time of 6 seconds if your wisdom gene has mutated.