750-1000 cc UJM suitable for, um, "mature" beginner?

[MichiganMan]

Just curious on the thoughts of the hivemind...  I have read the "600cc sportbikes are not for beginners..." thread, and it made some excellent points.  I've been leaning toward something along the lines of 500 Ninja, SV650, etc, for a first bike.  However, those bikes still have a lot of easily scuffed plastic.  I'm wondering if something along the lines of a relatively recent UJM might be suitable for a 40+ year old beginner?  Will that style of bike have enough dulling of the razor's edge throttle response and suspension/brakes?

[Marcster]

Will that style of bike have enough dulling of the razor's edge throttle response and suspension/brakes?

Do you mean something along the lines of an CB750? Part of the problem with 750+cc bikes for newbies is the physical weight of the bikes at low (parking lot) speeds.

If you have not taking the MSF course, do it -- it's the best way to learn -- not perfect, but better than just getting your permit from the DMV and to just start riding.

If you feel confident after taking the MSF course, a bike like my Seca II or it's counterpart, the Suzuki Bandit 600 is a great starter-to-intermediate bike that you won't get bored with -- I'm 9 months into ownership and I like it more than when I bought it.

The Suzuki GS500 or GS500f or the Ninja 500r are also great starter-to-intermediate bikes.

By the way, the SV650s has a lot of plastics to scuff -- the SV650 is naked.

Whatever you do buy, take my advice and buy either engine guards or framesliders -- much cheaper than replacing scuffed (or cracked) engine parts.  I've "used" my engine guards twice in low-speed newbie stupidity moves.

-----------

One other thing you may not have considered is a dual-sport.  Plastics are super cheap, engines are one-cylinder (and anvil-tough), upright seating position is newbie friendly, and insurance is as low as a cruiser, if not lower.

Something like a Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR, or even a Suzuki DR-Z400s.

-----------

Buy a cheap bike to learn on (even a Ninja 250 would be great), then when you know what you are doing go buy THE bike you want.  Learner bikes are always in demand, just buy used and you can get your money back out of it.

[Marcster]

The other problem with a 750cc - 1000cc bikes is that they'll be less forgiving if you dump the clutch...

[1KPerDay]

Not the best choice, but you could do a lot worse...

[Playinthestreet]

An SV650 (not the S model) would be a good bet in my book.  A 600 Bandit wouldn't have much "fluff".  I don't know what your price range is but a 4-5yr old Triumph Bonneville, or similar, has got just more than enough power to get out of its own way  

[county]

GEt a 750 Nighthawk or one of those discontinued 750 Kawasakis .... ZR7 I think, both nakeds.  

[phoenix]

Not the best choice, but you could do a lot worse...

+1

big bore UJM's have lots of torque down low (and everywhere else). Throttle control is critical.

I took out an FZ1 a few years back, and the front wheel was just skipping along on the pavement. I was not being gentle on the throttle though.

[MichiganMan]

I've been looking at bikes in the 1500-2500 range, and there are a number of "standards" in that price range.  I'm going to take the MSF this spring/summer (I believe it is required to get your cycle endorsement in MI, but I'd take it in any case).  Not 100% what type of bike I want, so that's why I was looking at something relatively cheap and able to withstand some abuse.

[Marcster]

I've been looking at bikes in the 1500-2500 range, and there are a number of "standards" in that price range.  I'm going to take the MSF this spring/summer (I believe it is required to get your cycle endorsement in MI, but I'd take it in any case).  Not 100% what type of bike I want, so that's why I was looking at something relatively cheap and able to withstand some abuse.

I paid $2K for my bike (at a dealer).

[UHOH]

By the way, the SV650s has a lot of plastics to scuff -- the SV650 is naked.

would also be my recommendation, everybody likes these bikes.  probably close to $2800.  

edit

2001 SV650 naked - on the left

[MichiganMan]

would also be my recommendation, everybody likes these bikes.  probably close to $2800.  

There are a few out on CL, I suspect more will break hibernation once the weather consistently warms up...

[Marcster]

There are a few out on CL, I suspect more will break hibernation once the weather consistently warms up...

One problem with Springtime is that it causes prices to go up...  Trust me on this.  People see that the weather is consistently warm and tack on another $500 on their bike.

[Playinthestreet]

There's one in "our" classifieds in the 2k range that looks like a hell-of-a-buy.  In AZ, however.

[duceduceexplorer]

 I'm going to take the MSF this spring/summer (I believe it is required to get your cycle endorsement in MI, but I'd take it in any case).  Not 100% what type of bike I want, so that's why I was looking at something relatively cheap and able to withstand some abuse.

MSF isn't required in MI, with that being said its a great idea that you are doing it. With many shitty roads in michigan and being a beginner, i say get something with a good suspension that will absorb the bumps potholes well. i cracked a front wheel on my RC51 last summer on I-94 in belleville. There are ALOT of great bikes on CL in michgain, tons to choose from. Like many others i think the SV650 is a great beginner bike, i know 2 friends that bought them as a beginner bike, and its a great model bike. Not too much power to get you in trouble, and just enough to have tons of fun. And as always its always more fun to ride a "slow bike fast" then a "fast bike slow" it all really depends on what type of riding you want the bike to do and what types of roads you will be traveling most often. Where abouts in MI are you?

[kyzrex]

My son's 1st ROAD bike was a UJM...1981 Suzuki GS550E....bought from a guy in Benton Harbor, Mi. for 450.00 off e-bay.  Spent another 200 dollars putting tires on it and getting the carbs cleaned and set.  It was an excellent bike for him to begin riding the roads on IMO.  Cheap enough that if he did drop it, it was no big problem.  Felt real good up to 55-65 mph on back roads.  Fairly nimble and not real heavy.  Rode it for a year or two and sold it for 1200 on e-bay to someone in Toledo.  

I've currently have a 2001 Kaw ZR7-S.  MY reentry bike was a Honda 750 Nighthawk.  I think that both of these bikes are pretty good bikes to step up to from a 350-500cc.  But I would say go with the Ninja 500 or similar 1st.

[Frankienuckles]

There is alot going for "cheap" bikes to start out with.

[FiremanBob]

I would say your best bargains would be Honda V45 Sabre or Suzuki GS 650 or 850.  Of these, the Sabre will give you more smiles per dollar.

[mist]

My first street bike was a '86 Yamaha 700 maxim. I think that the Honda Nighthawk is similar and probably a great starter bike. Do not dump the clutch when you are just starting out. Learn throttle control on a bike like this and it will serve you well. Then go for the busa,vmax,hypersports. Patience is a virtue. good luck and have fun.  

[Zerosum]

If you're thoughtful enough to ask the question, you're probably okay.  If you've made it to 40, I imagine you've had all the stupid beaten out of you by now.  

You might be able to find a 1st Gen ('99-'02) SV650 in your price range.  A mature, mechanically proficient novice can't go wrong with an SV.  The nice thing about twins is that the enigne is more compact.  An I-4 is a wider, heavier "lump" of metal to carry around.  

If it has to be an I-4 UJM, the CB750 would probably do you fine as well.  Never ridden one, but I have sat on one. They're comfy.  Just know that its a heavy bike.

Yamaha made a UJM called the YX600 Radian back in the late 80s.  Those were swell bikes as well.

[MichiganMan]

If you're thoughtful enough to ask the question, you're probably okay.  If you've made it to 40, I imagine you've had all the stupid beaten out of you by now.  

You might be able to find a 1st Gen ('99-'02) SV650 in your price range.  A mature, mechanically proficient novice can't go wrong with an SV.  The nice thing about twins is that the enigne is more compact.  An I-4 is a wider, heavier "lump" of metal to carry around.  

If it has to be an I-4 UJM, the CB750 would probably do you fine as well.  Never ridden one, but I have sat on one. They're comfy.  Just know that its a heavy bike.

Yamaha made a UJM called the YX600 Radian back in the late 80s.  Those were swell bikes as well.

I'm there (40) and then some.  There's also a couple of VF500's out there, older bikes ('85, '86) but the idea of breathing some life into an old ride has some appeal to me.  Did the same thing with my last boat, spend probably 3 times as many hours cleaning/fixing/messing with it as I did running it.

[Frankienuckles]

I think fixing older japanese bikes can be ok as long as you know what the particular model that you are bringing back to life can be bought for in good shape. Try not to spend more than the bike is worth in total(fixxer upper + parts + labor), parts can add up real fast and then you have spent $1500 for a bike you could have gotten for a grand in ok shape by shopping around.

[Busy Little Whiner]

It's not so much the amount of HP as much as the dedication to the
rigors of training...

If you have seconds thoughts about hopping into an airplane and flying
off then no one should be able to talk you onto a motorcycle without
proper training...

Now do you want to begin flying jets or would prefer a nice docile
trainer???