New Biker

[max03]

I just finished up the beginners rider course at the DMV yesterday and have the certificate to redeem for my bike license. I am now looking to buy a standard used bike, helmet, clothing gear, etc. Any recommendations on any of these topics for a beginner rider would be great.

Some other questions...
I'de like to know what decent milage for a used bike is. Or how does bike milage equate to car milage (does 30k miles on a bike translate to say 60k miles on a car?). I realize this depends on maintainence and other factors but this is just to get an idea.

From what research I have done, it seems that Honda is the most reliable brand. Is this the concensus?

What would be a good beginner bike in the 500cc range? I've come across four: Honda Shadow VLX, Suzuki Savage, Yamaha V-Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan LTD. Any of these stand out above the rest?

[Thumper]

Any of those bikes are reasonable starter bikes. The Savage would be the one I'd cross off the list, but only because it runs leans and the backfiring might be unnerving to a newby (and plain irritating to anyone else...) We have a VLX in the garage and it's a fun enough bike; not too heavy to handle and it will go Interstate speeds when needed. However...power-wise I think the Vulcan 500 out-performs the VLX, it might be a better long term bike.

Any of the major bike brands are pretty reliable. Honda makes good stuff...but so does Suzuki and Yamaha and Kawasaki. Newer Harleys aren't the problem machines they used to be. If you get what appeals to you and take care of it, chances are you'll be fine mechanically.

Just for parts availability, you might want to stick to bikes that are less than 10 years old. If a bike is well taken care of, high miles isn't much of a problem. The problem bike is the one that's 5 years old and only has 1000 miles on it...if it's not being regularly ridden, all kinds of things start to muck up.

As for gear--buy what you'll wear. At the minimum, a DOT helmet--one that fits. Don't buy that online, because you need to be sure it's the right size. Ideally you'll also get a jacket--leather, mesh, or textile--intended for MC use. Fashion leather is too thin, you want good 1.2-1.4 mm leather. Mesh or textile if you live in a warmer climate. Good, over the ankle boots., too. Gloves. And you'll note a lot of riders zip around in jeans...safety wise leather is better, textile is doable, but if you won't really wear them, might as well save the cash.

I admit, I don't wear leather pants, but I do wear Aramid-reinforced pants when I ride. They look like regular pants, hopefully they'll hold up if I ever wind up testing them out.

[max03]

Thumper, thanks for the response. Of the bikes I listed, do you know which is the "quietest"? Also wanted to throw in the Buell Blast into the mix. Any thoughts on it? Is it loud like a Harley? Thanks again, I'll be looking further into the Shadow, V-Star and Vulcan in the 500cc range.

[NewGuy]

I just finished up the beginners rider course at the DMV yesterday and have the certificate to redeem for my bike license. I am now looking to buy a standard used bike, helmet, clothing gear, etc. Any recommendations on any of these topics for a beginner rider would be great.

On another thread I posted about buying my initial gear. I got my helmet and jacket from motogearoutlet.com. I got a Scorpion EXO-400 helmet for $100 because it was a closeout deal. I also got a Tourmaster Draft mesh jacket, with the wind/waterproof liner, and insulated liner for $105. Most other places are selling that jacket without the liners for $90+. The jacket has elbow and shoulder armor and a back pad. Check their site and see what they have available now.

However, try to buy the helmet locally, as you can have someone help you fit it. Luckily, I was local to motogearoutlet when I bought my helmet. Do NOT get a used helmet. For boots I either wear some old all leather military boots, or cheap work boots I got at Payless. For gloves I use leather work gloves from Home Depot.

What would be a good beginner bike in the 500cc range? I've come across four: Honda Shadow VLX, Suzuki Savage, Yamaha V-Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan LTD. Any of these stand out above the rest?

I was looking at many of the same bikes initially.

I gave up on the Honda VLX because it's only got a four speed transmission, and there are plenty of other bikes in that category that have a five speed. Plus it didn't fit me well. At 5'10" alot of the smaller bikes were cramped for me.

I looked long and hard for a used Suzuki Savage or S40, because I liked the idea of starting off with a light bike, but also having enough power to handle highway speeds. Unfortunately there weren't a whole lot of those for sale in my area. For some reason the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 didn't feel right to me, but if it fits you it's got a 6 speed transmission, and puts out decent power for a 500cc bike.

I liked the V-star a great deal in that class. Air cooled, so I didn't have to worry about maintaining a cooling system. Shaft drive, which is a little easier to maintain than chains or belts. However, it's 500 pounds, and only powered by a 650cc engine. Fit me a lot better than some of the other bikes, and for a little more room there is a cheap after market extension to move the foot controls forward.

Frankly, after I took the MSF class, and test riding a few bikes I was comfortable enough to handle a bigger bike. I started looking at Honda 750s and 1100s, V-star 1100, Suzuki C50 and M50, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, and H-D Sportster 883C and 1200C. If I had more money I would have purchased one of those. I liked the Sporsters and the Suzuki C50 the best.

In the end I bought a 2001 V-star 650 Classic, purely because I could afford to pay cash for the bike, and the insurance on a 650 is much lower than the bigger bikes. Great bike, and I'm enjoying it, however had money not been as much of a factor I would have gotten a bigger bike. I'm already considering modifying the intake and exhaust to my 650 to get a little more power out of it.

I'd say go out and test ride some of the bikes you listed. Then go and ride a few of the slightly larger bikes. I think you'll find that you can easily handle the bigger bikes, and enjoy them more. Hell a friend of mine got an '07 H-D Softail Heritage as her first bike, and she's only 5'4" 120lbs. Another friend of mine got a H-D Softail Nightrain as her first bike and she's 5'3" 115lbs. So if you can afford it try to get a bike that you won't outgrow in the first few months of riding.

[zed]

What would be a good beginner bike in the 500cc range? I've come across four: Honda Shadow VLX, Suzuki Savage, Yamaha V-Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan LTD. Any of these stand out above the rest?

Any of these 4 would be a good beginner bike. Sit on them and see which one "fits" you best.
Having said that, the Vulcan 500 out-performs the others.

Here's some reading material for you.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadte ... index.html
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadte ... index.html

Can't comment on the others but the Vulcan is a quiet bike. My neighbours tell me that they rarely hear it even in the driveway.

[Thumper]

As far as I know, all the above mentioned bikes are pretty close in sound, and none are as loud as a big Harley with straight pipes.

I've never been around a Buell, so I can't honestly say anything about that one. Closest I've come is passing one on the road...it didn't rattle my teeth as it passed, so that's something

[max03]

Thanks again for the replies. From reading Zed's links, it looks like the Vulcan LTD and the VLX are a notch or two above the rest.

Is there a kelly blue book for bikes?

[storysunfolding]

Yep- it's called the kelly blue book

Just look for the motorcycle section

[Lion_Lady]

The thing about shopping for used is that, unlike shopping for new, you often don't get to choose make, model, or even color. Unless you want to wait a year or more for "The" motorcycle you have in mind.

Remember these general guidelines: 1. Around 500 cc engine (up to 800cc if a cruiser), 2. About 50 - 70 hp, 3. As close to 400-500 lbs as possible.

Keep in mind that you're only likely to keep this first bike for a year at the most, so long term reliability isn't such a huge piece of the equation. It just needs to be in running shape - able to pass a safety inspection is a HUGE plus - with a clean title. A Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha are all reliable machines that won't break the bank for minor fixes.

Regarding mileage. Unlike cars, it is not unusual for a motorcycle to sit unridden for years. Then the owner (or heir) decides to sell it. A 10 year old motorcycle with 1000 miles on it is likely to need a LOT of TLC and cash. Now, a similar 10 year old motorcycle with 20,000 miles on it, will probably be in pretty good shape, so long as it was recently and somewhat regularly.

It will probably need some attention to 'soft parts' like tires and belts/gaskets. Those may all be in great shape. But is a reasonable starter motorcycle.

P

[max03]

Thank you all for the input. Its great to get all these opinions. Zed, that second link was really helpful.