Looking for some advice.

[dean owens]

So talking with my rider for life friend and recommended a FJ1200 again for me because it is a big bike. He also says that the size of the engine of that bike shouldn't really be looked at too severely and it is no stronger than a Ninja 650r due to it's age. Anyone ride one?

I told him I was thinking about a 650r and he said that even that bike is too small and not made for someone my size. I would prefer a bike that WILL take me, than CAN take me.

you know, i don't have as much experience or knowledge as your friend... but i do have a 25 year old bike. it's possibly not as peppy as when it first came off the showroom floor but it still has a good about of pickup... and it's only about a 50 horsepower bike.

the best thing you can do is stop looking at the specs. get signed up for a class. after riding one of the smaller bikes they use for the class you'll have a better idea of what you're making a comparison with. then either after (or while) taking the class go to a dealer that has a good selection of bikes and start sitting on them.

my father-in-law just bought a bike. he was pretty sure he was going to get a sportster. then he went to a dealer and after setting on everything he decided on a susuki boulevard. it felt the best. and after setting on it, the sportster felt cramped.

so go sit on some bikes and have fun.

[MasterPeril]

Well, I do plan on taking that course. I also am going to do some parking lot stuff prior to that with a friend on his CBR F4, but I can't just sit on a bike and decide there. I mean, I could be perfect on a Hayabusa but just because I fit doesn't mean I should buy it. I am not necessarily looking at specs, just getting a judgment call from people who know about what is producing too much power for a beginner. I don't want to be looking at the wrong bikes when I get to that step.

[Koss]

I have always hated the misconception that smaller motorcycles were built for tiny petite framed women or lanky short men that resemble twigs. Honestly, a ninja 250r would haul your body around, although might not be all that comfortable ringing that motor out on the highways passing other cars.

The 500r is skinny, and so is the 650r, although not as much. They figure that newbies feel more comfortable that way, since it is easier to get both of your feet to the ground that way at a stop.

Honestly, and no offense, but your friend is giving you horridly bad advice. A ninja 250r has alot more of a horsepower-to-weight ratio than most cars on the road... even today. And the 650r is just going to throw that ratio even higher with more horsepower.

So go grab that Ninja 650r. Its okay as a first bike. Just be careful, and respect its abilities.

edit: Remember, this is your first bike... not your last.

[MasterPeril]

Indeed it is a first bike. I plan to further look at it, but to be fair to my buddy, he rides the hell out of his bikes. When he was into his sport bikes, he was the type to gun that thing to red line all the time, really open up the bike, taking turns at break neck speed types so I guess he expects that is how the bike should be used. Since it is my first, I simply want a somewhat hefty bike with not too much kick and that is comfortable more importantly.

So yeah I am going to start the training and such to get on the right track. I will sit on the 650r and see how it feels, I am still curious about what peoples thoughts about the FJ1200 would be, or if anyone has been on one for that matter. He had one at one point at said it is a perfect fit o_O

Thanks for the help all, it is much appreciated.

[jonnythan]

Indeed it is a first bike. I plan to further look at it, but to be fair to my buddy, he rides the hell out of his bikes. When he was into his sport bikes, he was the type to gun that thing to red line all the time, really open up the bike, taking turns at break neck speed types so I guess he expects that is how the bike should be used. Since it is my first, I simply want a somewhat hefty bike with not too much kick and that is comfortable more importantly.

So yeah I am going to start the training and such to get on the right track. I will sit on the 650r and see how it feels, I am still curious about what peoples thoughts about the FJ1200 would be, or if anyone has been on one for that matter. He had one at one point at said it is a perfect fit o_O

Thanks for the help all, it is much appreciated.

Look, a 1200cc I4 is just way, way too much bike for a beginner. Any bike out there, save the 250cc cruisers, will haul your butt at highway speeds without breaking a sweat.

What you have to do is go to dealers and sit on bikes and see what's comfortable. That's all that's going to matter. Even a 20 year old 535cc V-twin doesn't bat an eye at hauling 320 pounds of humans and gear at 75 mph on the Interstate with power to spare.

I'd also suggest that you not ride with this friend of yours. Ever. Seriously. Riding with irresponsible, dangerous buddies with terrible habits is one of the best ways to kill yourself on your bike.

[Nick Pimpin]

the best thing you can do is stop looking at the specs. get signed up for a class. after riding one of the smaller bikes they use for the class you'll have a better idea of what you're making a comparison with. then either after (or while) taking the class go to a dealer that has a good selection of bikes and start sitting on them.

The weight limit for most 250cc motorcycles is between 300-340lbs. I don't know for sure, but I don't think most MSF classes would have a motorcycle big enough to accommodate him.

If Peril's 6' 3'' and weighs 320lbs... that is one big dude. That's a BMI of 40. Anyhow, this really has me thinking... I mean, I can really see where he's coming from. I wish I knew of a good solution, but I've been racking my brain and can't come up with anything.

[MasterPeril]

Yeah
I have no doubt that a small bike will carry me, it's more about comfort. If I could get a big bike and not worry about it flying out from under me going into the early gears, then that is good enough for me.

Screw that BMI calculator! lol damn thing says I would have to be under 200 lbs to be normal weight. If anyone one of you saw me, you would see that is impossible. I carry my weight well, very large shoulder span and frame. I am a tank! 200lbs would never happen unless I cut something off lol.

Being this big has caused me many problems, this is just another, but damn it I want to ride! lol

[Kibagari]

Yeah
I have no doubt that a small bike will carry me, it's more about comfort. If I could get a big bike and not worry about it flying out from under me going into the early gears, then that is good enough for me.

Screw that BMI calculator! lol damn thing says I would have to be under 200 lbs to be normal weight. If anyone one of you saw me, you would see that is impossible. I carry my weight well, very large shoulder span and frame. I am a tank! 200lbs would never happen unless I cut something off lol.

Being this big has caused me many problems, this is just another, but damn it I want to ride! lol

You are not the only big individual that rides bikes, you know. Plenty of other people have done it to great success. It's just that 600cc I4 bikes are very dangerous, let alone 1200's. A Ninja 250 would probably be cramped for you, same for a 500. A 650 you will probably be comfortable on. I would go so far as to mention the SV650, which if you get the sport model, just might be big enough for you to not feel so compressed.

Also, the hayabusa isn't as great as you might think. Unless you enjoy spending most of your city ride in first gear, then more often than not your hayabusa will end up showing its colors on the track.

It's not the engine size. The Ninja 650 has the same engine size as an SV650 and a little bigger than a CBR600RR. The difference is the engine type, the engine's tuning, the controls, the transmission, etc.

That 650R will be a HELL of a lot more forgiving than a CBR600RR if you grab the brakes or you twist the throttle too much. Work your way up to the big sport bikes.

You wouldn't start flying a 747 if you were a beginner pilot, would you?

[dean owens]

Well, I do plan on taking that course. I also am going to do some parking lot stuff prior to that with a friend on his CBR F4...

i saw that you were taking the class. although i didn't realize as nick pointed out that some of those bikes might not carry you. guess you'll need to check into that before you go. and i wouldn't be getting on a 600cc bike to practice before going to the class but that's me.

...but I can't just sit on a bike and decide there. I mean, I could be perfect on a Hayabusa but just because I fit doesn't mean I should buy it. I am not necessarily looking at specs, just getting a judgment call from people who know about what is producing too much power for a beginner. I don't want to be looking at the wrong bikes when I get to that step.

slightly missed what i was saying but picked it up later. what i meant was now that a few different models have been thrown your way, go to the deal and sit on them. you're smart enough to know that you don't even need to worry about sitting on a busa right now. but you could actually go sit on a 650r or an sv650 or a vstorm 650.

something you might not like but is a very real option for you... your first bike will be exactly that - your first. you might want to look into a dual-sport. they aren't a sport bike, but the larger ones let you stretch out a bit and have a great standard seating position that is ideal for learning. you might be able to pick up a used one for an ok price, learn, then get your death trap... i mean busa

[MZ33]

you might want to look into a dual-sport. they aren't a sport bike, but the larger ones let you stretch out a bit and have a great standard seating position that is ideal for learning.

At my MSF, they have some dual-sports for the taller riders. I think most of them were Yamahas, but I couldn't tell you what kind because they didn't interest me. I would call your instructors beforehand and let them know your concerns.

As for your friend . . . um, it sounds as though he is a great source of bad habits. Not sure I would want any pre-class tips from him. No, I take that back--I am sure I would not want any tips from him.