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As stated above the best thing you could do is take the safety course, you will learn the basics and then some. There are people out there who have been riding for years and still learn something new taking the course.
Also I would suggest starting off with a smaller cheaper bike. You could really have your hands full with the bike you are looking at.
Also as stated above ,more power is safer doesnt sound like the best advice to me. It doesnt take much throttle movement to get you in trouble. Especially being a new rider.
Good Luck.
Excellent points. I'll add that he might want to look for a bike with a lower riding center of gravity with an upright riding position. (i.e. a cruiser as opposed to a crotch rocket).
I bought a TL1000R sportbike as my second bike,first was a VF750C cruiser.
There was a couple of years between the two and I had no problems really.
The idea that a bike is 'too powerful' is a bit strange to me,YOU as the rider control that power.
You will go only as fast as YOU choose.
That said actual weight of the bike might enter into things,the C90 weighs over 600 pounds.
It also gets pretty bad fuel economy for a bike and has poor range....
I invite you to search out an old Kawasaki H-1 (1969) vintage, take it for a spin, give the throttle just a little bit extra in first gear and discover why the bike was aptly named "The Widow Maker" . Granted, an experienced rider knows all about throttle control but I believe the O.P.is a beginer. My point being is that there are plenty of bikes on the market that will get an unexperienced rider in a lot of trouble real fast.
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Consider that it's almost inevitable that you will drop your first bike, usually some stupid 3MPH parking lot shamozzle. I'd recommend a good, cheap used bike to gain some experience before seeking out your dream bike. Buy right, use for a year or two and probably get most if not all of your $$ back when you're done with it.
I think the best advice is, take the class first, read up some more, decide what kind of riding you want to do, then buy a bike. The big cruisers are for the most part not at all like the old H-1 Kawasaki, but may not be the very best for a first bike.
Think about maybe a dual-sport, you are tall enough that the high saddle should not bother you, and you can do some of your learning in the dirt, and may want to keep this starter-bike when and if you decide to get something bigger a little later on.
There is a lot to be said for at least a used bike to start out with, that said put some good tires on it, replace anything like the chain that can get you killed if it fails (pretty much any wear part on the bike) You can find well-cared for older bikes pretty cheap, if you look.
Like others have said take the ckass first, when you do buy a bike take it to a parking lot and practice the things they teach you in class, handling the bike in a panic situation is so important, I suggest a small cheap used bike for starting out. I've seen guys crash their new bike in the dealers parking lot.
Be safe, buy a full face helmet and good gear.
Sounds like you had your mind set before even asking the question. Go ahead, get the "big boy", good luck to you.
My first road bike when I was a 6'2" 165# 16 year old was a used full dressed Goldwing. I had ridden dirt bikes and on/off road bikes sense I was 5 (not mini-bikes, real dirt bikes). I had the Wing 2 months before I put it on it's side one day. I then went down to a 750 to get used to the feel of the road, haven't dumped another one in the past 27 years. Listen to what is being said here in response to the question you asked.
A good used standard bike from the 70's or 80's for about $1000 is the way to go. My first bike was a 1982 Yamaha vision 550cc, it was plenty fast and cheap too. Taking the class is great idea as well. Good luck.
i did the big bike thing for my first bike. i bought a used '95 honda magna. its only a 750cc bike i said. then i found out it was faster than you would never believe. it was quad carbed, piped and and ready for action. after a few years ridin i finally got comfortable with it. i could smoke a 900gsxr with out missin a beat. i even killed my buddies 1100 honda. he didnt stand a chance!!! i looked pretty dumb on it though, im 6'4" and 230lbs. kinda big for a 750, but i had alot of fun!!!!
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. Granted, an experienced rider knows all about throttle control but I believe the O.P.is a beginer. My point being is that there are plenty of bikes on the market that will get an unexperienced rider in a lot of trouble real fast.
