Motorcycle owners - advice me on my first bike and some questions
I always wanted 2 wheels, but was reluctant because I always hear about deaths and so on.. Pretty dangerous hobby. Anyway I decided to give it a go as I know myself that I am careful driver/rider and not much into over speeding or any other antics.
So I am reading that the first bike should be sterrtbike/roadster as it is easiest one to ride on the city streets. Something like XJ6 is easy to handle and recommended for beginners: http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...Studio-001.jpg Do you agree? Second question - Am I right that the core difference between streetbike like this and sport bike like R6 is that R6 is more for speed on highway + not that comfortable sitting position + clipons instead of real "wheel" which make it harder to navigate (takes more space to turn around for example?)on the streets? Third question: Besides steet bikes I also fancy cruiser style bikes: http://loopele.com/wp-content/upload...cle-photos.jpg http://cdn.yamaha-motor.eu/product_a...Studio-001.jpg How do they compare to street/roadsters? I assume it is completely different driving style? And not as easy to handle for beginners? Thanks |
Honda CB 500x - also a good beginners bike
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gal...013%20%201.jpg i wouldn't recommend a chopper for a beginner |
Lots of nice beginner bikes, but I wouldn't buy anything unless it has HONDA stamped on the side of it.
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Got my son a GZ250 about 6 months ago for his first bike. It's been a good learner as far as riding as well as tinkering. Just enough to keep him on the roadways and off the highways. :) He's turned it into a bobber now.
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try to top that :2 cents::2 cents: |
Take a safety class, I saw people go in that have never been on a bike and do well b y the time they left in just two days.
Find yourself a Harley Sportster, you can find a used one for less than 5k and will have a bike that is pretty comfortable to ride. All be it too small for me. Then from there, you can sell the sportster for what you paid for it and get what you really want!! I can get you a deal on a sportster in Los Angeles area if you are close Then there is the new Indian Scout, like the sportster with 1200 cc, this will do anything you want and look cool http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content...-1-590x393.jpg |
Get a "starter" bike for you to learn on.
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This what I ride
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...f337239160fc09 |
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I will be going with Xj6 or similar. |
get a automatic bigger scooter to learn first
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You dont want an old man bike. Too heavy, they dont stop quick, dont corner good, and harder to get chicks. Get a nice sporty bike. Light, easier to ride and maneuver around stuff. Its best to have a light bike when you first start out that you sit upright on. Some great bikes: Hypermotard (ducati) KTM 690 DUKE ABS ABS is awesome to have on a bike at any level, but especially for a beginner. |
My current ride.
http://www.mrpheer.com/pics/bluestreetglide.jpg I've owned 30 bikes. All kinds. Cruisers, sportbikes, touring, sport-touring, dirtbikes, and dual-sports. If you want something sporty, get a Honda CB300F, Honda CB500F, or Kawasaki Ninja 300ABS if you want a new bike. Or just do yourself a favor from the beginning and grab a Suzuki SV650 if you want a good used bike that you wont ever get tired of. Take a motorcycle safety course. Buy a good helmet and wear it. Wear pants, riding gloves, a good riding jacket, and motorcycle boots. Not a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. If it too hot for your gear, it's too hot to ride. Trust me you'd rather sweat than bleed. And get medical insurance. If you cant afford insurance, you cant afford to ride. |
It depends on what kind of riding you see yourself doing.
Sportbikes are for the more "racing" style of riding, ass up higher than your hands, high speeds, tight turns etc. just make sure your organ-donor card is filled out. Cruisers are for more relaxed riding, you are leaning back with your feet further forward, just seeing the sights. In between is the retro type of streetbike, Honda put out a reissue of the historic CB series the CB 1100, thinking about getting one of those little canyon-cutters myself :winkwink: http://powersports.honda.com/2014/cb...20cb1100_pmt_p http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/pho...a_CB1100_3.jpg The advice I always give a beginner who wants to get their first bike and start riding is search craigslist for a used Honda Rebel 250, it's not fast or sexy but it's cheap, easy to handle and learn on, easier to pass your license test on, and you can sell it for almost what you paid for it 6 months down the road after you decide what kind of bike you want to spend the bigger money on. And since Vendzilla posted a pic of his bike I can't let that go unanswered. Here's mine :) http://i.imgur.com/ZmbAFS0.jpg |
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Hypermotard is like a supermoto style, I do not fancy them, looks almost like dirt bikes... Just do not like the style :) KTM Duke looks sexy: http://www.2wf.com/wp/wp-content/upl...3/06/Duke3.jpg Although it is 1 cylinder bike, I read that 4 cylinders would be better for city riding. Or not? |
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Ninja being sports bike and rest if them being street/roadster bikes? As you can see in my second question - I prefer sitting straight instead of "sports style" and also maneuvering in the city is harder with sports bike. |
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I've never met anyone that owned a Suzuki SV650 and didnt like it. I've met several people that sold theirs and wished they had kept it. I think that would be more your style. My favorite was the 2006 without the sport fairing. |
Theres good advice here the best being FIRST take a riding class.
SECOND you need to determine what kind of riding you will want to do because only that will determine what kind of bike to buy. If you want to do long all day rides you need something comfy, you dont want to be hunched over it. Finally I know that Harleys all the rage but unless you can do the maintenance yourself do yourself a favor and forget them, they are expensive to maintain and in my experience they constantly need work. Any of the Japanese bikes are a better choice unless you like doing motorcycle maintenance. I'm partial to Suzukis myself. |
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Go to a few different dealers and sit on a BUNCH of bikes and ask questions... When you sit on the right one you will know! It will feel right. :thumbsup
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I do 80% of my riding in San Francisco. So I am a city rider which is very different than how and where most people ride. I split lanes, ride on sidewalks, and dodge crazy peddle bikes, pedestrians and cars. I find a motorcycle where you can sit up right is the best option for city riding. Cruisers you lean to far back and they are hard to maneuver. Sport Bikes you are too far over the gas tank to be dodging stuff, seeing road hazards and stopping all the time. I second or third what everyone said about taking a safety class. Best $200 - $300 you will spend on your riding career. |
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YOu are right. he will drop his bike :1orglaugh Frame Sliders are a solid investment. More than pay for themselves if and when the bike is put down. :thumbsup |
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I do all my own repairs and maintenance, and I've had to work on my Japanese bikes way more than my Harleys. Harleys are simple machines with simple maintenance schedules. http://www.mrpheer.com/pics/gixx2.jpg |
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My current http://i59.tinypic.com/ou1vle.jpg |
I'd suggest not buying the bike until after you take the course. Course provided bikes here are in the 250cc size and typically standard riding position so you will get a feel for what size motor you will feel comfortable with and get a feel for the standard riding position. It will help narrow buying choices. And always wear good gloves.
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I already know what kind of bike I want - street bike/roadster. And I know what kind of bikes I don't want - sports bike and cruisers. |
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I read through a few things that some people posted but figured I would just skip down to my opinion. Don't go so small that you will out grow your bike to fast and of course don't go to big at first either. 600cc should be about perfect. If you go to a sport bike get a GSXR 600 or a 600 CBR, My First bike I think is a great starter bike, Not sure if they still make them or not but I had a 600 Yamaha yzf (not a crotch rocket). Upgrade your exhaust right away so people know your around and don't just pull into your lane. Most bike accidents are caused from other people on the road.
Don't forget that everyone goes down at some point! |
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I RIDE my Harley daily. My Buddy Has had his 1978 FLH (AMF) Harley for over 30 years and he still rides it as well... Keep them maintained like ANY bike and they will last... :) |
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and 1 or 4 cylinders don't make a difference in the city - 1 cylinder just sounds better ;) edit: I used to ride Yamaha XTs - 250, 550 and 600 - also just 1 cylinder - i like that a lot |
I hope you all get motos. I need a liver. Don't forget helmets are for pussies and speed is just something to exceed.
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The only work I do to my 15 year old Harley is change the oil, replace a tire when needed.
What's good about a Harley, is bike nights at the local pubs or all the chrome that lights up. Harley makes a damn good bike, saying it doesn't shows how little you know about the company. You can own and ride the same Harley for 30 years and it will still be cool, ride the same Jap bike for 5 years and it will look old! |
Testdrive the different styles first of all... They are very different. No reason not to get a cruiser as a starter bike.
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I've owned a few bikes, and my most favorite bike ever is great for beginners. If you're able to find one, they're affordable too. IF...you're able to find one.
This bike was WAY ahead of it's time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NT650 http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ahn/HOTM/1.jpg |
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I took most of these guys advice this past winter and they were pretty bang on for what i needed to do including starting with a smaller ride. i did all the reading, went over hundreds of safety vids on my own, did the course (which is fun as hell anyway) and learned a lot. Unfortunately the course didn't cover much regarding defensive driving. Most problems on the road can be avoided by anticipating problems before they happen. Riding around town on a bicycle has taught me more than enough over the years so if you have any cycling background i find it can come in handy. maybe someone knows the statistics better than i do, but are accident statistics skewed any by racing bikes opposed to cruisers? |
for many years we used to joke about Harleys that spent more time standing in the emergency lane than driving...
but i am pretty sure that got better since the 90ties |
You missed talking about the most important factor, what's your experience level? There are two types of riders, those that have wrecked and those that are going to wreck.
Learning the repercussions of going to fast and deep into a turn as an adult on a street bike are much different than doing the same as a 12 year old on a dirt bike. Driver error on the road, in traffic, can be a cruel way to learn. If you have zero experience you have zero positive habits and no natural reflexes based on experience. If you've never ridden before get a good used on-off road/dirt bike and put the miles on it. Then branch out into the world of cars and drivers who don't see you. Here's another tip: you will challenge your bikes capabilities and right now your skill level is pretty low. Don't over buy at this time or the bike can get you in over your head. |
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Taking a vehicle to it's limits is natural and racing bikes encourage a rider to test these limits vs a bike like a Honda or Harley cruiser. . |
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Cruisers I think would be safer because of the way they are ridden. At drivers in cars can hear you better with the louder pipes. Quote:
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I love cruisers too much myself. older the better |
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i started on a sportster, went to the shadow. i like both, prefer the honda actually (i'm not a harley hater, just preferred the shadow over it). i wanted the ducati for zipping around the city, quick stuff. but l-pink has a point... sounds dumb, but until you wreck out or crash, which hopefully isn't serious, you won't respect the bike. luckily i learned my lesson on a honda cbr 250 enduro:2 cents: |
That's a nice bike... :) :thumbsup
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