Yet another 'whats the best first bike' thread

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JWill226 · #1 Unread post by **JWill226** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:24 pm

I'm looking to buy my first bike sometime around the beginning of summer. I have never ridden before (unless you count one afternoon on a dirt bike about 18 years ago). One of my biggest concerns is I don't want a bike thats too small for me. I'm 6'1" and a little over 330lbs (I'm in the process of loosing weight). I see that the Ninja 250 and the Rebel are really pushed as beginner bikes but will one of those really work for someone of my size? Also I live in an area with a lot of mountains, not sure how much that matters.

I don't want too much bike for me either. If it matters I'm 30 years old with a clean class A license. I don't drive aggressively, and don't feel I need to be the fastest person on the road. I got that all out of my system a long time ago. I'm partial to the cruising styled bikes. A friend of mine had a V-Star 1100 and I liked the look (don't think I need the power just saying what I like for looks). I sat on it a couple times before he sold it and I like the way it felt to sit on.

Also I can't be too picky to a particular brand because I will be buying a used bike and I live in a rural area. My question is for the most part how many cc's should be my cut off point?. Also is there any brands of bikes that are built to be easier to learn on as far as the geometry of the bike, or on the other hand one that I should avoid for a first time bike.

To save people the trouble of posting it over and over, I have full plans of taking a riding course before buying and have already looked into a couple in my area.

#2 Unread post by **Big B** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:50 am

if you liked how a vstar 1100 looked, then check out a vstar 650 they're hard to tell apart, and the 650 is a very reliable, and forgiving bike

Johnj · #3 Unread post by **Johnj** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:02 am

1.My question is for the most part how many cc's should be my cut off point?

A better question is how much power. 50 HP is plenty to start out on.

2.Also is there any brands of bikes that are built to be easier to learn on as far as the geometry of the bike, or on the other hand one that I should avoid for a first time bike?

No the controls are all pretty much standardized now, so you need to sit on it and see if it fits.
You might want to avoid China made bikes

JWill226 · #4 Unread post by **JWill226** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:30 am

Big B wrote:if you liked how a vstar 1100 looked, then check out a vstar 650 they're hard to tell apart, and the 650 is a very reliable, and forgiving bike

I'm actually glad to see this recommended. I have seen a lot of them for sale lately here locally. I have not spent any time with one in person but I see Yamaha have the size specs listed as basically the same as the 1100. Also I'm sure my friend would go with me and help with the test driving because he would know what to expect from a V-Star.

I was just concerned that this would be considered too much bike for a first timer. This is about the size limit I have been letting myself look at. I just need to find a riding class that fits into my work week. Any other recommended bikes or things for me to consider?

jonnythan · #5 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:36 am

JWill226 wrote:
Big B wrote:if you liked how a vstar 1100 looked, then check out a vstar 650 they're hard to tell apart, and the 650 is a very reliable, and forgiving bike
I'm actually glad to see this recommended. I have seen a lot of them for sale lately here locally. I have not spent any time with one in person but I see Yamaha have the size specs listed as basically the same as the 1100. Also I'm sure my friend would go with me and help with the test driving because he would know what to expect from a V-Star.

I was just concerned that this would be considered too much bike for a first timer. This is about the size limit I have been letting myself look at. I just need to find a riding class that fits into my work week. Any other recommended bikes or things for me to consider?

The V-star 650 as "too much bike"???

No. Way. It's a smallish, low power, easygoing, lightweight cruiser. It's an excellent first bike.

Philo · #6 Unread post by **Philo** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:39 am

Forget CC's and think more about type of bike. The v-star 650 is a cruiser that put's out (I think) 40+ horsepower, and not a lot of torque. The Yamaha R6 on the other hand has less cc's but a lot more horsepower, much more sensitive throttle, and way more touchy brakes. On a V-star 650, or even an 1100 (which I ride) you can accidentally give the throttle an accidental twist when you hit an unexpected bump and it won't do anything extreme. Give a R6 that same twist and you better be ready for a wild ride. You can take a v-star 650 from 40 to 80 in probably the same afternoon. On an R6 it takes about 2 seconds. So, what I'm trying to say is pay more attention to the type of bike and the horsepower and less to the cc's.

#7 Unread post by **MZ33** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:00 am

The V-star 650 as "too much bike"???

No. Way. It's a smallish, low power, easygoing, lightweight cruiser. It's an excellent first bike.

It sure is!! Thumbnail: Took the MSF in the fall, bought a used Vstar 650 in January. Signed up for spring MSF to refresh, but started power-walking, low-speed turns, and emergency braking the week before. Dropped the bike 5 times from a standstill. I was embarrassed and a little worried. During the MSF, a RiderCoach realized that I wasn't alway squaring up the handlebars on the stops, especially if I expected a turn in the immediate future. I could get away with that on the 250cc bike, but not the Vstar. It's something I have to concentrate on, along with everything else. But it wasn't because the bike is too much for me--phew!

And I picked it up every time, unassisted. (At least I could be proud of something!)