Need opinions on a starter bike.

[Scottyfizz]

Great advice everyone. You should hear some of our conversations on this matter. At the very least Sheri has all the riding gear and the right mindset. Practical know how is nil,but that's why she will be taking the MSF course.

Thanks all.

[jfurf]

Here are some basic rules that I have followed throughout my 28 years of motorcycle riding, that have basically kept me out of trouble...

2. Avoid cities and heavy traffic at all costs.

I guess all those riders in New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles are complete fools.  

Honestly, I think it's downright dangerous for newbies to start riding from a mindset of fear or of certain road situations being "off limits" or too dangerous. They need to build confidence, and riding in city traffic is really good for that. I built my skills up commuting here in Atlanta and I learn more on a typical day fighting through heavy traffic than I do in a weekend of dicking around in the mountains.

[Squareman357]

I guess all those riders in New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles are complete fools.  

Honestly, I think it's downright dangerous for newbies to start riding from a mindset of fear or of certain road situations being "off limits" or too dangerous. They need to build confidence, and riding in city traffic is really good for that. I built my skills up commuting here in Atlanta and I learn more on a typical day fighting through heavy traffic than I do in a weekend of dicking around in the mountains.

+1.  After all the initial riding learning was done, commuting to work in downtown Chicago taught me a lot about watching cars and what they're going to do, when they are going to do it, and how to either avoid it or not put myself in the position to have to avoid it.  Not to mention buses, trucks, cabs, and crazy ass jay walking pedestrians LOL!  After you're riding sufficiently to the point of no longer looking for, or feeling for, the controls, and using the controls is second nature, some city traffic is good exercise.

[omnivore]

I have recently become enamoured with a great starter bike. I a actualy cnsidering selling the Gixxer 1000 for one.



I went to Wolf BMW and looke dne over and sat onit etc. Too snowy for a test ride, but I sure like it, And I am very short. I can tippy toe both feet, which is better than I can do on most bikes.

It weighs 330 lbs (ish) and makes over 50 hp. Ver comfy, light, seems that it would be nimble and an absolute riot.. And it looks like  Ducati Monster on crack!

[Squareman357]

I have recently become enamoured with a great starter bike. I a actualy cnsidering selling the Gixxer 1000 for one.



I went to Wolf BMW and looke dne over and sat onit etc. Too snowy for a test ride, but I sure like it, And I am very short. I can tippy toe both feet, which is better than I can do on most bikes.

It weighs 330 lbs (ish) and makes over 50 hp. Ver comfy, light, seems that it would be nimble and an absolute riot.. And it looks like  Ducati Monster on crack!

What is that??  Is that Canadian only?

[MadOzodi]

What is that??  Is that Canadian only?

Nope, it's a BMW G650 Xcountry.  Single cylinder and one BEEFY fork.

[jfurf]

I have recently become enamoured with a great starter bike. I a actualy cnsidering selling the Gixxer 1000 for one.



I went to Wolf BMW and looke dne over and sat onit etc. Too snowy for a test ride, but I sure like it, And I am very short. I can tippy toe both feet, which is better than I can do on most bikes.

It weighs 330 lbs (ish) and makes over 50 hp. Ver comfy, light, seems that it would be nimble and an absolute riot.. And it looks like  Ducati Monster on crack!

I took a test ride of one a few months ago. MAD fun! Would be a GREAT starter bike, especially a used one. Very light and low. Fun bike to toss around and probably a decent dirt/gravel road bike too.

[burnergold2B]

Go with a Ninja 500 twin, or even the Kawi Versys 650 if you fit. You can grow into either of these bikes and will respectfully keep up with hubby on day-rides.

Being 5'4" what have you sat on that fits you so far?  

[Kootenanny]

I have recently become enamoured with a great starter bike. I a actualy cnsidering selling the Gixxer 1000 for one.



I went to Wolf BMW and looke dne over and sat onit etc. Too snowy for a test ride, but I sure like it, And I am very short. I can tippy toe both feet, which is better than I can do on most bikes.

It weighs 330 lbs (ish) and makes over 50 hp. Ver comfy, light, seems that it would be nimble and an absolute riot.. And it looks like  Ducati Monster on crack!

Glad to know I'm not the only one who likes that bike!  Saw it at the bike show a few years ago, when it was first introduced, and the closest dealer (only 4 hours away!) has one on the floor, but...ya don't hear much about the XCountry much these days.  Seems like a great, just-do-anything kind of bike.

[jfurf]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who likes that bike!  Saw it at the bike show a few years ago, when it was first introduced, and the closest dealer (only 4 hours away!) has one on the floor, but...ya don't hear much about the XCountry much these days.  Seems like a great, just-do-anything kind of bike.

I liked it, but one thing it didn't do well was highway travel. The riding position was just brutal above 65 mph or so. Maybe there's a windscreen you add to it. Don't know.

Other than that, though, it was great.  

[vulcanbill]

I guess all those riders in New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles are complete fools.  

Honestly, I think it's downright dangerous for newbies to start riding from a mindset of fear or of certain road situations being "off limits" or too dangerous. They need to build confidence, and riding in city traffic is really good for that. I built my skills up commuting here in Atlanta and I learn more on a typical day fighting through heavy traffic than I do in a weekend of dicking around in the mountains.

Mixed emotions on this one...  When I moved away to college in DC, Kim would come down most weekends.  She was 19 w/ 1 or 2 seasons on her Shadow 500.  This meant taking 270 to 495 to 66 into Falls Church where I was living on a Friday night.  It also meant leaving at zero dark on Monday morning and doing it backwards in the dark.  It was amazing experience for her and since I lived and attended school down there, that's just where we rode.  Not ideal but that's where I lived.  In hindsight, I don't think it was the best idea given the experience level but at the time, we thought nothing of it.  She had a very steep learning curve and rode extremely well very early on.

[Kootenanny]

I guess all those riders in New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles are complete fools.  

Well, I for one hate riding in the city.  In fact, I doubt I'd even have a bike if I lived in a major urban centre.  On the other hand...I moved out of the city almost 2 decades ago, and I ain't never going back!  I'd rather chance deer than traffic.

[Papa Lazarou]

Probably the best city bike in the world is this:



200mpg, giving 80 miles from one tank and another 30 miles from the electric motor.
Specs:
http://www.blacknroll.com/mopelex_fiche_technique.htm

In the US, buy from here:
http://www.velosolexamerica.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

You may laugh but....

[jsanford]

I liked it, but one thing it didn't do well was highway travel. The riding position was just brutal above 65 mph or so. Maybe there's a windscreen you add to it. Don't know.

Other than that, though, it was great.  

It's a BMW, so there are goodies galore for fixing it up from Wunderlich, Touratech, etc.  I've seen them around and the owners all love them.

On that note, I'd check out anything and everything 50 horses and under.  Besides the options already mentioned, there is the Moto Guzzi Breva 750 (very confidence-inspiring), other variants of BMW F650s in lowered versions, and the Suzuki 500e series.

One friend of mine learned on a 1989 Honda 900...with a rev limiter installed by her brother. As she grew more confident, he told her how to snip off the connections to increase the limit.  She was about your height, and this older sport bike wasn't as tall as newer ones.  My boyfriend Grant started off on a 1977 Kawasaki two-stroke that made 38 horses, which cost less than $200 for full coverage insurance.  Kickstart-only ignition is great theft deterrence and the looks you get at the gas station are priceless.

[Skidmark]

I didn't read all 3 pages before typing this, so if it is a repeat, i apologize.

Take the MSF course first.  Near the end, if there are different bikes there to try out, ask the instructor if they will be kind enough to let you take each for a spin around the parking lot.  At my MSF, we had rebel250s, WR200s, etc.  Nothing over 300cc.  If you feel that you are very comfortable with these smaller bikes, get your M class lisc, and head to a dealer.  I've test ridden a few bikes and the larger dealers just hand over the keys.  Figure out which one you want before spending the money.  And, as usual, unless you're in love with your dealer , buy from craigslist.  Massive savings.

[custodian]

For my starter bike, I picked the Buell Blast. It was produced by Buell for use in HD Riders Edge programs. The bike is a 500cc single, w/ hydraulic tappets, belt drive, & Surlyn body panels. Buell's design gives it light weight & a low center of gravity. I was lucky enough to pay cash for a new 08 model... promising my wife & myself to ride it for 2 seasons before considering trading up. I purchased in November... & rode on private property until my MSF the next April. I have been EXTREMELY lucky... & the bike has never been down. I am now starting my 3rd season on the street... & have found the Buell to be bulletproof with only oil/filter changes, trans oil change & primary adjustment performed myself... with a rear tire from motorcycle-superstore installed by one of their preferred installers. My experience with Buell has been nothing but good... the only downside of ownership has been  the manner I have been treated as a customer in various HD dealerships & the discontinuation of the Buell line by HD.

I will ride the Buell through this season... & look at the NT700V or F800ST next spring when the loan on my Colorado is paid off.

[Frankienuckles]

A smaller bike is the way to go. All of the different types of bikes have +'s and -'s that are intrinsic in their design. Examples; cruisers have a low seat height and center of gravity also a mild state of tune but, their handling, ground clearance and brakes often kinda suck. Sport bikes tend to handle and brake well but, have high seat heights and can have comfort issues and can less tolerant of the ham fisted. A small dual sport can have higher seats and may not handle as well as sporty bikes but, when they fall down they are tough and cheap to fix and if you don't have the basic's down to memory there is alot ( a whole lot ) to be said for praticing in a grass field or an open trail where there are no Buicks and guard rails to hit. Once your doing good at that then take it to the street. Lastly, when you move on to a larger bike a dual sport is a great second bike to have around.

[jdgretz]

My step-son started on a Ninja 250 and loved it.  When his 250 got totaled (not his fault at all) he moved to an older Ninja 500.  Although he likes the additional power, he actually prefers his old 250 and would actually trade his 500 for another 250 if one stumbled into his path.

jdg