New from Chicago!

Message

JamminJonah · Tue May 10, 2005 12:26 pm

Hi there! I'm glad I could find a resource like this. My name is Jonah and I really want to get into bikes! Here is my current situation:
I'm 23, about 6' 165lbs (only reason I put this is for some following questions ... not trying to get dates haha.)

I really want to get into motorcycling. I have ridden many a scooter (150-200cc) and own a little 50cc or so moped ... it's a suzuki FA50 or something like that ... late 80's - only goes about 27mph

.

So what I'm looking for is a good inexpensive starter bike. I have some family and friends that are into bikes and they have told me that Honda is pretty top noch, I'd love to get something Honda. My dad used to have an old 600cc or so Honda back in the 70's but lord knows what happened to that. I'm kind of a nerdy technology type of guy so horsepower really doesn't do anything for me.

I'm just looking for a somewhat attractive (doesn't look like a glorified moped), lightweight, easy to handle, gets good mpg bike that I wouldn't drive any faster than probably 65mph anyways. I just want to use it to jet around town and probably go on some road trips down the line. I don't need a whole lot of power - even on the highway I'd probably not go faster than 65 or 70mph - and the fastest speed limit around me is 55mph. I also don't really want it to be super comfortable .. I know that's probably wierd to say, but I like those old cruiser style bikes over the touring models - I want to feel the road I guess is what I'm saying. I don't mind being uncomfortable for a while while I adjust to it on road trips - it's all part of the adventure in my mind. I'm not really into sport models, I think they look cool but I just see myself on a used, old style cruiser that looks cool and lets me feel the road, but without a whole lot of cc's I don't need.

I also want to be really safe about this. I've read about headlight modulators and will definately get a light bar and any other possible accessory that will keep me visable and safe but I'm really starting at square one here and don't know what type of safety stuff even exists for bikes. I appreciate any help in advance and appologize for writing a book! haha.
thanks again!
Jonah

Mac · #2 Unread post by **Mac** » Tue May 10, 2005 12:34 pm

First step MSF course! Regardless of your knowledge base now - you will always learn something there and get your license tests out of the way.

Then look for a used 250 Kawasaki (You may even get my old one - I lived there, before the Navy.) or a low cc nighthawk. Those are both great learner bikes! Ride that for about a year or two and move up to a bike you really like. Hard to say now, because in two years there will be better bikes out all around.

Avoid passengers for the first year because they change the dynamics of your bike.

That is the safe way!

R/

Telesque · #3 Unread post by **Telesque** » Tue May 10, 2005 3:11 pm

Hey, welcome aboard.

I'm 6'6", 270 (And that's not fat, mind you

) and I recently purchased my first bike: A 95 Honda Shadow!

Like this one: (?-Ed by CentralOzzy)

CLICK IMAGE

Now, I'm not an expert by any means, but this 600cc Cruiser has been a good starting bike for me. It's got that nice cruiser look, it's only a four speed tranny (since you're not going over 70 anyways, right?) and, I think most importantly, it /fits/ me better than the other bikes I tried out. It's a VLX Deluxe, but I really have no idea if that has anything to do with the longer (farther out) position of the foot pegs.

Now, it's not super-comfy. I can ride it a while without a problem, but it's not the kind of thing that you butt wants to be introduced to for 100 miles. (which is odd, because I put 200 miles on my bike today just 'screwing around', going to the store in this town and that town).

The bikers I know personally suggested that a guy my height/weight start with a 750, but I got a good deal on this bike, and I really like it. Maybe a Shadow is in your future?

Let's see what the other (more knowledgable) posters have to say. ^_^

Oh, and..

I'm not for certain, but when I hear Kaw 250 (what the guy before recommended) I think 'Sport Bike', and I believe you said you wanted a cruiser?

(Maybe someone else can help clarify that for me- Kaw 250's are the typical 'learner sport bike' right?)

JamminJonah · Tue May 10, 2005 4:07 pm

wow! Thanks for the quick replies!
Yeah I love cruisers and I'm trying to find a good time for me to take MSF around my area.

Just out of pure curiousity is there a resource that tells you what cc equates what top speed generally? I'm such a newb that I know the higher cc the more power but I have no grasp of what kind of power we're talking here - my little 50cc only goes about thirty downhill with wind at my back and that's really my only frame of reference. Thanks for all the input this place is fantastic!

Toyuzu · #5 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Tue May 10, 2005 5:24 pm

Jonah, welcome to TMW!

As to your cc=top speed question, that depends on the bike and the engine, not the size of the engine.

For example, a 600 CC Honda Shadow cruiser would be working hard to go 100, but a 600 CC Yamaha R6 Sportbike will do over 150. Kind of impossible to aply a set speed for all engines the same displacement.

Mac · #6 Unread post by **Mac** » Tue May 10, 2005 9:12 pm

A 250 Kawa is a very small engine bike. There are a few models a ninja, a dirt/street bike. Either way much easier to learn on then some bigger bikes. As are soem smaller cruisers, and as it is only for a year or so they were just suggestions.

CentralOzzy · Tue May 10, 2005 11:13 pm

Howdie JJ!

Welcome & I look forward to hearing how things go for you, M/C speaking of course....

Loonette · #8 Unread post by **Loonette** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:28 am

Welcome aboard! Try not to look for a cc size to match your body size. They really have nothing to do with each other (I'm 5'2" and I used to ride a 600 sports bike, and I now ride a 1600 cruiser). What your body will need is a comfortable ride for you. To find this, you'll have to sit on a lot of bikes.

There are some great new-rider suggestions on our New Biker forum. Do lots of research, take the MSF course if you can, and take your time getting acquainted with the bike you choose. Gook luck, and keep us posted. Enjoy the forums.

Cheers,
Loonette

JamminJonah · Wed May 11, 2005 10:10 am

wow! All the MSF classes for the entire summer are sold out everywhere within an hour drive of me! Guess I'll have to register in Feb for next summer.

Serves me right for waiting until the last minute I guess - at least I can always drool over bikes until then or go to dealerships and sit on a whole bunch to see what I like.

EDIT:
Yeah Telesque that bike is cool lookin' I posted a bunch of bikes that I think look sweet in the beginner forum.