Am I too ripe for the kill?

[shalihe74]

Two things to think about as you look at those shiny new bikes at the dealership:

1) Unless you buy it outright, you're going to be paying a full insurance on that thing which, as a brand new rider, is going to be quite expensive; and

2) Odds are that you're going to drop your first bike at some point as you learn to ride. Do you really want to drop you super-spiffy new [probably financed] ride, or would you rather spend a few thousand on a used bike that won't make you weep when it kisses the pavement?

Oh, you also said you were looking at the 06 Vulcan 900; my ex has that bike (sitting in my garage, actually ), as does his father. Both guys are experienced riders. They agree that the handling on that bike is a bit funky; unfortunately, I can't remember specifics.

Male Ego Thing + Motorcycle = Hospital Bill Thing

Very very well said.

[Wrider]

Hey, my 805cc bike accelerates faster than that ninja 250. So a cruiser, a relaxed position, relaxing bike with a top speed of 100 MPH will accelerate faster than most anything on the road... lol And yeah, the 1100 is a nice bike, but the 650 is a MUCH better choice, better to go too small than too large... right?
Wrider

[Media Weasel]

Which probably means that that red VStar 650 sitting next to the 1100 at the dealership, and looks really close to the 1100, is probably something I shouldn't be ashamed of riding, huh?.

My course instructor, a veteran rider, rides a 750. More than enough bike for many purposes. Folks used to *tow trailers* with bikes that produce less horsepower than many 750s on the market today.

Thing to be aware is that the same mentality that makes people believe they need a 350hp SUV to take the kids to soccer prevails in the motorcycle world. "You can't tour two-up on anything less than 1,200" is a common yet patently false statement.

[Bubba]

They tell me that the Vstar 1100 is okay for a first bike because, according to them, while it has power when I need it, the torque is mild enough for a beginner riding conservatively.

So, Is that true, or are they just trying to close the deal on the newbie. What they don't know is that I'm also considering the Vulcan 900 Custom, although I'm keeping all options open.

Is the Vstar1100 such a no-no for me that I should stay clear of that dealership for good? Unfortunately, the only other dealership in the area seems to use inexperienced sales people and I'm suspect of their advice, too.

As you have ridden other vehicles besides a cage, you're not exactly a newbie but yes new to bikes.
The 1100 is a good choice as you'll probably want to move up next year.
It's not a crotch rocket so, yes the torque is ideal for a beginner yet there is plenty of power there. I say buy the bike and enjoy. It's a good cruiser, has a good fuel capasity and easy on the butt.

[swervedriver]

So, a 650cc cruiser will provide you with PLENTY of power. More than any other vehicle you have ever driven in your life. After you take the MSF, you'll start to understand just how amazing the speed of a motorcycle is.

Which probably means that that red VStar 650 sitting next to the 1100 at the dealership, and looks really close to the 1100, is probably something I shouldn't be ashamed of riding, huh?

Yeah, I kind of know that deep down inside.

Of course, there's the whole male ego thing...

Thanks for responding.

hey, i ride a honda rebel 250.
i am pretty cool!
lose the ego thing.
riding is riding i say, no matter what you're on.
egos and motorcycles, bad combo.

[swervedriver]

Now, is the VStar1100 considered too big? Is the Vulcan 900? Am I only stuck in the 650 - 750 range? I don't want to get myself in the "I'll only ride conservatively until I get up to speed" mentality, either.

Learn to ride first.

You said you haven't even taken the MSF yet. Trust me, ALL motorcycles are faster and more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

My first bike was a Ninja 250. By all accounts, a Ninja 250 is considered a "small" bike for "beginners" and is very tame. It is the least powerful sportbike you can buy - and one of the least powerful overall bikes at only 36HP.

But despite that "low power" did you know a Ninja 250 will do 0-60 in under 6 seconds? It accellerates faster than a Ferrari Testarossa or a Ford Mach 1.

Think about that for a minute ... The LEAST POWERFUL sportbike you can buy does 0-60 FASTER than a Ferrarri Testarossa!

People tend to forget and/or overlook the immense power motorcycles have.

So, a 650cc cruiser will provide you with PLENTY of power. More than any other vehicle you have ever driven in your life. After you take the MSF, you'll start to understand just how amazing the speed of a motorcycle is.[/quote
i dunno, my honda rebel is pretty darn slow, lol. still, if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, any motorcycles acceleration will seem really really fast. i would be more concerned about seat height and weight than i would power and looking cool. just my opinion.

[swervedriver]

Now, is the VStar1100 considered too big? Is the Vulcan 900? Am I only stuck in the 650 - 750 range? I don't want to get myself in the "I'll only ride conservatively until I get up to speed" mentality, either.

Learn to ride first.

You said you haven't even taken the MSF yet. Trust me, ALL motorcycles are faster and more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

My first bike was a Ninja 250. By all accounts, a Ninja 250 is considered a "small" bike for "beginners" and is very tame. It is the least powerful sportbike you can buy - and one of the least powerful overall bikes at only 36HP.

But despite that "low power" did you know a Ninja 250 will do 0-60 in under 6 seconds? It accellerates faster than a Ferrari Testarossa or a Ford Mach 1.

Think about that for a minute ... The LEAST POWERFUL sportbike you can buy does 0-60 FASTER than a Ferrarri Testarossa!

People tend to forget and/or overlook the immense power motorcycles have.

So, a 650cc cruiser will provide you with PLENTY of power. More than any other vehicle you have ever driven in your life. After you take the MSF, you'll start to understand just how amazing the speed of a motorcycle is.

i dunno, my honda rebel is pretty darn slow, lol. still, if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, any motorcycles acceleration will seem really really fast. i would be more concerned about seat height and weight than i would power and looking cool. just my opinion.[/quote]

[DivideOverflow]

Depends on your size, honestly. The most you will probably have to worry about with a V-Star is the weight.

The V-Star 650 is a good newbie bike... the 1100 actually isn't that powerful. I'm just not a fan of the V-Star 1100 for maintenance reasons.

[blues2cruise]

My V-Star 650 has taken me riding on many mountain highways, group riding with the big boys, through the Redwood Forest, up to a volcano, the Sea to Sky highway, all the way from Vancouver BC to San Francisco California. In other words, it has the power to go places.

The 650 will cost less for insurance than the 1100.

You can change your own oil on the 650...you need to get a relocation kit for the 1100 to change your own oil.

The 1100 has a larger seat which might be suitable if you are really really big, but looks wise, they are hard to tell apart unless you know what you are looking for.

A couple of people I know started on the 1100 and they really struggled for a while because of the heaviness of the bike.

The 650 is relatively easy to sell later, because a lot of beginners are looking for used entry level bikes.

[flw]

Unless you are very small or extra large, a midsize engine (around 500CC or so) has plenty torque and horsepower to move you at a level equal to or slightly exeeding your riding skill level (post msf course and a couple months or more).

The 250 sport bikes are a good pick if you like that style and type of ride. A 500 is too much engine for a new rider in a sport bike but fine for a crusier as the engines are designed differently.

You don't want your first bike to be your last bike. pencil envy can kill.