First bike. Need something I can work on myself.

[msr942]

I bet there is a better place for this as I don't see any one else asking similar questions, if so I apologize, I didn't find it.

I'm going to buy my first bike, I've got my license and driven a few different styles of bike (during class and also with some friends).

My thoughts:

Number one criteria:  I have to be able to do most of my own work on it,  I’m not really interested in modding, rather if/when something breaks or needs to be replaced I would very much like to be able to order a part and sit in my garage and do it myself without breaking the bank – this is really one of the biggest incentives for me to buy a bike.  I’m by no means a mechanic but am mechanically inclined, if that helps as far as skill level.

I’m fairly certain I want a cruiser style bike (maybe standard… Not sport, not touring)

Size: 650-900, this is my first bike and I think this is about the range I would like to buy in.
When I asked a friend about this he got a little hung up on gas mileage, so I just want to say that I am not buying this bike for gas mileage,  if it happens to get really high mpg that will be an added bonus but not a selection criteria.

Are there any other glaring considerations I am missing?  I am really hoping for some input from people who have had bikes for a while and are like-minded as far a maintenance and repair goes.  

Open to any and all suggestions, thank you for your time.

[Fourstring]

Ease of work = last gen Concours, but it's weight will be a little off-putting for a new rider.

KLR?  How tall are you?

[msr942]

I'm going to buy my first bike, I've got my license and driven a few different styles of bike (during class and also with some friends).

My thoughts:

Number one criteria:  I have to be able to do most of my own work on it,  I’m not really interested in modding, rather if/when something breaks or needs to be replaced I would very much like to be able to order a part and sit in my garage and do it myself without breaking the bank – this is really one of the biggest incentives for me to buy a bike.  I really enjoy keeping my old truck running, fixing the lawnmower, fumbling around the garage, etc.  I’m by no means a mechanic but fairly mechanically inclined, if that helps as far as skill level.

I’m fairly certain I want a cruiser style bike (maybe standard… Not sport, not touring)

Size: 650-900, this is my first bike and I think this is about the range I would like to buy in.
When I asked a friend about this he got a little hung up on gas mileage, so I just want to say that I am not buying this bike for gas mileage,  if it happens to get really high mpg that will be an added bonus but not a selection criteria.

I plan to use the bike for fun.  Cruising around rural country roads (not far from where I live), maybe riding around town once I've gotten some more experience.  I don't need something I can take on the highway necessarily, and I do not plan to travel more than 100 miles in any one day with it.  An occasional trip to the beach, 40 miles shouldn't be out of the question.

Are there any other glaring considerations I am missing?  I am really hoping for some input from people who have had bikes for a while and are like-minded as far a maintenance and repair goes.  

Open to any and all suggestions, thank you for your time.

[KLRchickie]

How about a dual-sport?

Are your legs long enough for a KLR?

The KLR is uber-easy to work on & KLR owners are known for being extremely *cheap* .  

[Leanintree]

Your gonna get some grief for cross-posting, but it made me realize there's a new EOE (Experts On Everything) forum, so I'm not gonna narc you out.  

Ninja 500/EX500. Great bikes, simple (compared to most newer sport hardware), and enough to keep your interest for years. Not a firebreather, but you won't want to trade in 2 months into a learning curve like the Ninja250.

I'm in the minority here, but I DON'T typically endorse the Ninja250 for that reason. Even a new rider outgrows it SO quickly that they never hava  chance to learn the other pieces of being a rider... like buying tires, or chains, or brakes or ANY routine maintenance. Seems like most of the 250s I see for sale have the stock tires, and running gear on them because they don't eat them fast enough for new riders to have to change them. Which is GOOD, but also BAD from the perspective that there's a piece of the motorcycling education missing.

LT

[Blunder]

If I had any sense I'd have a KLR.  

Then there's Suzuki's GS400/425/450/500 series. They started building those in the late '70s, gradually makig them bigger over the years. Only discontinued a couple of years ago. Reliable as a stone fence and easy to work on, only a few specialized tools required. The tools are inexpensive.

Suzuki Bandit 600 is a good bike, too.

Kawasaki EX500 Ninja?

Are you looking to buy new or used?

[Specter]

Shop around for a good used Honda Nighthawk 750. It's a classic standard bike with a bulletproof motor. Can usually be found for $1-2k. No plastic fairings to break and replace. Freeway capable, city nimble, and good ergonomics. Ride one for a few months and you'll know what you want next.

[Brent099]

Shop around for a good used Honda Nighthawk 750. It's a classic standard bike with a bulletproof motor. Can usually be found for $1-2k. No plastic fairings to break and replace. Freeway capable, city nimble, and good ergonomics. Ride one for a few months and you'll know what you want next.

I agree.  I think the Honda Nighthawk is a perfect fit for what you're looking for.

[coho]

[kevin_stevens]

I agree with the Nighthawk, but would also throw in the Honda Shadow, a cruiser V-twin made for many years with equally high reliability.  

And, (let the hating commence), a Harley Sportster.  More wrenching, but everything is straightforward and parts are ubiquitous.

KeS

[OrangeSVS]

Sportster (naked)

Bandit 600 (naked)

GS500 (naked)

SV650 (naked)

Ducati Monster (naked)... you'll wrench more on it, I guess, but then you'll learn more.


Are you seeing a theme here?    


For a first bike, getting something without plastics can never really be a bad choice, most would say it's even a good choice.


As for hating on a Ninja 250, I guess it really depends on your perspective and what you want from riding. I've had a 650cc, a 400cc, and an 1140cc... and I kinda think it's be fun to have a Ninja 250. I don't think I'd be taking it on high speed trips, but I doubt I'd get bored with it around town. But maybe that's more a reflection on me having enough experience on bikes to appreciate it for what it is... it might take a beginner a few more bikes before they realize why it would be appealing to folks like me. And I guess at this point, it's all about your moto-education. So I can see the point about it maybe not being the best first bike.. but on the other hand, if you shop around you can probably buy it for cheap and turn a tiny profit off of it in 3 months.

[Sprintboy]

+1 for the Honda Shadow or a Honda Magna.  Although this is a sport touring website, exposed engines are much easier to work on and Hondas are near bulletproof (I've owned 4).

[Kneescrubber]

BMW airhead.

[Uncle Leo]

KLR 650. Cheap to buy, very easy to maintain and farkle when the mood strikes, and it will, fun to ride, and it doesn't limit you to street only. Parts are everywhere and are inexpensive. Its detractors are mostly folks who have never had one. It's a great do it all bike that makes getting into the game fun.

[rbwilliams2]

Sportster (naked)

Bandit 600 (naked)

GS500 (naked)

SV650 (naked)

Ducati Monster (naked)... you'll wrench more on it, I guess, but then you'll learn more.


Are you seeing a theme here?    

Agree completely.

A naked bike is a lot easier to work on.
You'll probably drop the first bike. A naked bike won't have all that expensive broken plastic.
A naked bike is just a lot more fun to ride.

[Papa Lazarou]

Ease of working usually means a twin or a single. Do you want new or old?

Moto Guzzi are dead easy to work on. Even I can do it.

Royal Enfield ditto.

HD Sportster-except the heads don't stick out either side, like a Guzzi.

The new Kawasaki w800 should be pretty easy.

Then, there's a whole range of Japanese singles and twins. Or old classics.

Remember, carbs are easier than fuel injectors. Twin shocks easier than mono shocks, etc. Having a garage helps too.

[scottzilla]

I bet there is a better place for this as I don't see any one else asking similar questions, if so I apologize, I didn't find it.

I'm going to buy my first bike, I've got my license and driven a few different styles of bike (during class and also with some friends).

My thoughts:

Number one criteria:  I have to be able to do most of my own work on it,  I’m not really interested in modding, rather if/when something breaks or needs to be replaced I would very much like to be able to order a part and sit in my garage and do it myself without breaking the bank – this is really one of the biggest incentives for me to buy a bike.  I’m by no means a mechanic but am mechanically inclined, if that helps as far as skill level.

I’m fairly certain I want a cruiser style bike (maybe standard… Not sport, not touring)

Size: 650-900, this is my first bike and I think this is about the range I would like to buy in.
When I asked a friend about this he got a little hung up on gas mileage, so I just want to say that I am not buying this bike for gas mileage,  if it happens to get really high mpg that will be an added bonus but not a selection criteria.

Are there any other glaring considerations I am missing?  I am really hoping for some input from people who have had bikes for a while and are like-minded as far a maintenance and repair goes.  

Open to any and all suggestions, thank you for your time.

Bikes are generally reliable and easy to work on.  It's not like you have to re sleeve the pistons every month, you know?  Oil changes, adjust the chain, tire changes, the occassional brake pad replacement and adjust the valves every now and then.  IMO, Every motorcycle owner should be able to do this stuff (Except adjust the valves-I don't touch 'em )
My bikes never go to the dealer-ever.  I'll fix it myself or drag it out to the curb for garbage pick up.

There are lots of entry level bikes to choose from.  I say pick up a used SV650.

[jbs80106]

I think you'll narrow down your choices further if you have a budget in mind?

Also, one criteria you left out is fairing/windscreen or no?

My first bike, an 82 Suzi GS650G....under $500 bucks.  New rubber.  new battery, cleaned the carbs and ran.  Standard bike, older so parts can be harder to find, but definately a DIY fixer.

2nd bike, 88 BMW K75S  (750) with smallish fairing.  A bit of a PITA as have to take off the lower fairing to change oil, clean the air filter, etc...but do appreciate being out of the full blast of the wind at 85 mph....

Weekend rider or commuter?

[1KPerDay]

I second the Nighthawk 750 or EX/Ninja 500.

Add the Harley 883 sporster... change the oil/filter once in a while and ride it forever. replace the belt every 80,000 miles whether it needs it or not.

[Justin]

Gen2 Hayabusa or ZX-14, preferably with Turbo, NOS or big bore kit, since you will grow into it eventually

Seriously though, I second the Honda Nighthawk and GS500/ninja500. I do not suggest an SV650 as someone did above for a beginner. Although it only has 650cc, I find it to have surprising torque, and the back end breaks free easily.