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So ive finally made the decision to get into bikes after trying to push away my interest after several years ive always wanted to learn and ride but something was holding me back. My plan now is to take the msf course and i might even do a 2nd msf course afterwards get my permit/license test ride some cruisers and maybe this year or erly next year get my first bike.
Ive done some research and the cruisers ive been looking at have been the kawasaki Vulcan S , honda Shadow 750 , honda Rebel 500 , kawasaki Vulcan 900 , or honda ctx 700. Ive gone to a few dealer/used dealers and sat on the rebel , shadow , vulvan s and vulcan 900. I loved how the vulcan s and shadow 750 felt , most ppl have given me a very consistent answer/opinion that cc size for starter cruisers would be like 500-700. Me being 5 9 , 180 lb and what i want to do with whatever bike i get i dont think 250 would be wise and i was told also that the vstar 650 would also be a good pick for a first bike. I also sat on the 750 harley street and did not like the look of it at all.
What are your thoughts on starter beginner bikes? I will probably get used 2k-6k range i can handle
all those bikes "cruisers" are good intro bikes. if you flick the throttle by mistake, it will be forgiving. if youre into cruisers I do recommend all those.
however my 2 cents being a new rider as well...but I daily everyday now and racked up 8k miles in such a short time I can relate. I would recommend a cheap dual sport. top of that, you will see why lots of people switch to dual spot ;p... learn on the dirt or grass first if optional. its not that intimidating when going slow and you can take it ont he street when your confident enough; its how I learned and no regrets. a lot of nEW Riding dirt also makes you a better and safer street rider. It really opens up your feel for a bike
I was like you for YEARSSSS i wanted a bike, never lived up to it. now I have one and no regrets. so happy I bought one...now I have 3 lol.
I would get like a cheap dr350 or klx250 .. maybe even a drz400 plated...though drz400 does have a good amount of power and torque. once you feel confident on turns and have throttle control down packed, go get that bike on what you want. be patient as well, skills will come.
if you're dead set on skipping this part, all those bikes will do fine but get one you can possibly grow in and wont get bored of in the long run if getting new. used, then get one you best feel comfortable in. Practice around neighborhood. practice reactions and anticipation skills (cars pulling out, backing out, kids running etc) trains you well for the street just at lower speeds.
also....wear armor..you will never know when you will take a spill. chances no, but you never know that gravel will be around the corner.
on top of MSF course, I also recommend at some youtube training videos. how to drive safely and how to be street smart on a motorcycle. they give very good examples in lane position and really open your eyes on what to look for. no worries eventually looking out for things become 2nd nature once you embed it in your brain! really practice road sense. I see so many accidents and a cyclist could have easily avoid just by positioning and anticipating.
No idea where you live, but I'm going to second the post above.
Learn off the street to live on the street.
And I'll add, after 40 plus years of riding, and years in the motorcycle business (I've ridden nearly every bike made between 1990 and 2000), the Suzuki DR 350 is one of the finest bikes ever built. In my stable of over 20 bikes, its still the "go-to" when I need it to start, get me where I need (or want) and do it with no worries about making it home. I wore out a '90, and am working on a '97 now. Moved over all the nice kickstart stuff from the old one to the newer one. Dual Sport, Dual Start.
Ride on dirt. Learn to counter-steer. Stay alive.
But, sadly, the texters are going to kill us all. Motorcycles will fade into history like chariots.
My suggestion is to start with something smaller and more manageable, go used but not too old (unless you want to spend more time wrenching than riding) and, if possible, get a bike with ABS.
The Rebel and Vulcan S are good choices if you can find a lightly used one on the cheap.
so I just sat on this bike the weekend and man was I impressed , I have a 30/31 inseam and it wasnt too bad sitting on the stock seat height , only thing would be to practice and get used to the top heavy trait
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Motorcycles will fade into history like chariots.
