The Open Road

[yokumo]

ok, so i know there have probably been 343,123,737,470 of these posts but we all need help in the beginning yes?

i'm planning on taking the MSF course in a few weeks, and have started looking around for my first bike. i was originally going to go for something along the lines of a Honda Rebel 250, but after talking with my dad (also a rider), and people that he knows and rides with, he thinks i should go for something more powerful, like a 450-700 model (not sportbike, but standard or cruiser type).

i'm about 5'7", 165 lbs., so i'm not a large person by any means, and i'd like to be able to flatfoot the ground without much trouble. i plan on starting off pretty slow, but i do plan on taking it to work most days after a few months or so, meaning it'll need to be able to handle the highway (i go against traffic both ways so i'm not as worried about the amount of cars on the road at that point). also, having enough power to get out of a situation if i need to is as important to me as not turning myself into road mush.

wow, long post, so i'll stop there, but would anyone have any suggestions? thanks much.

-yok

[CrioGeniC]

If you are looking into that size CC, I would suggest the Honda Shadow 750 or even the Suzuki Boulevard 800. I have seen both used for first time riders. My neighbors wife has the shadow and a co worker has the Suzuki and those both really enjoy them.

As for a standard type, I highly suggest looking at the Suzuki GS500F. That is what I started on and never had a problem. Very smooth powerband and a great starter bike.

Other than that, like most will say, sit on as many as you can and find what is comfortable to you.

Best of luck with your choice.

Crio

[Duane]

I ended up going with the v-star 650 but as Crio said, sit on as many as you can!

[NightNurse]

Yamaha Virago 535!