Another "what to buy post"

[susscrofa]

Lot of you guys must be allready bored with these post.
I am throwing out there anyway.
What is the best bike for me?
The last time I rode a bike in the late 70's,
Yamaha xs 400 and 350 RD.
I am thinking to buy a used Yamaha 650 V star.
I am considering myself as a beginner.
I just wonder if this could be to much bike for me?
Any thoughts?

Thanks susscrofa

[Flesher]

I am very much in the same position as you, rode some in the '70s, in fact much smaller bikes than the ones you mentioned, and I also consider myself a noob.

The 650 is definitely not too much bike for you, but it may not be the right bike for you. In general the cuisers are not the bikes everyone is warning new riders about, at least until you get over 800cc. I think the VStar is around 35hp.

The two bikes you mentioned as having ridden are both standards, the v650 has forward controls, the best advice I can give you as go sit on different bikes and see how they feel, and ask yourself what kind of riding you want to do.

Personally I like the look of the cuisers but don't like the forward controls, they just feel odd and it is harder to shift position or stand on the pegs to give yourself a change in seating position or for a control manouver. But you will get use to them and you will probably like them. On the very wide bikes with forward controls I just feel like I am having a GY exam on them and I'm a man

Also I took the MSF course (well the canadian equivalent) and it was an excellent way to get back. I recommend the MSF highly (you will be bored to tears on the first morning on the bikes, but once the engines are fired up it's all good).

Good luck and welcome.

[susscrofa]

Thanks for the info.

[Dragonhawk]

Personally I like the look of the cuisers but don't like the forward controls, they just feel odd and it is harder to shift position or stand on the pegs to give yourself a change in seating position or for a control manouver.

Same here. I always tell people the story that before I learned to ride, I just LOVED cruisers. I wanted a Harley. Some badass stereotypical "biker" kind of motorcycle.

After I took the MSF, all I wanted was a standard. Cruisers and sportbikes freak me out because the seating-position is so uncomfortable for me. I still love the look of cruisers, but I'm not so sure I'll ever own one.

[susscrofa]

I will take the safety course and then I have a better idea.(hopefully)
In any case I will try different style of bikes.
After trying I should be able to make a decision.

Thanks for the input guys!


Susscrofa

[Scoutmedic]

Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk). Don't forget the Helmet Fit Guideline by Lion_Lady!

Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There! I hope you enjoy this site!

[susscrofa]

Yah will chech this out.

Thanks