wondering about a harley as a first bike

[rocker-d]

ok so no harleys how about a star motorcycle like v-star 250
any ideas about starter crusing cycles
i don't like sport bikes

[jonnythan]

ok so no harleys how about a star motorcycle like v-star 250
any ideas about starter crusing cycles
i don't like sport bikes

V-Star 250 is too small and slow.

Look for a cruiser with an engine displacement between 500 and 800cc.

V-Star 650, Honda Shadow, Yamaha Virago 535 or 750, etc.

[cdillon23]

My first bike was a 1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600cc and it was a great bike to start on. Plus it looked good.

[rocker-d]

cool i like how the v-star looks thank you jhonnythan and dean owens for driving the point home

now i wanted to rake it 18 degrees and make it longer with this product
www.chopper-kit-usa.com/yamaha-xvs_650.htm
does it look legit
will it affect handling?
i like the look

[jonnythan]

cool i like how the v-star looks thank you jhonnythan and dean owens for driving the point home

now i wanted to rake it 18 degrees and make it longer with this product
www.chopper-kit-usa.com/yamaha-xvs_650.htm
does it look legit
will it affect handling?
i like the look

Yes, it'll make it much harder to handle.

Stick with stock geometry for now til you get your "poo poo" together. It's hard enough getting good at this stuff.

[dean owens]

cool i like how the v-star looks thank you jhonnythan and dean owens for driving the point home

now i wanted to rake it 18 degrees and make it longer with this product
www.chopper-kit-usa.com/yamaha-xvs_650.htm
does it look legit
will it affect handling?
i like the look

Yes, it'll make it much harder to handle.

Stick with stock geometry for now til you get your "poo poo" together. It's hard enough getting good at this stuff.

agreed. i love choppers, but for a first bike i wouldn't be worried about style. look for function and a good sized learner. i would even look for something old so when you drop it, it doesn't matter. but if you're going to look new (or newer) the v-star 650 is a great bike. get it and learn on it. if you feel like the bike is perfect and all the bike you need then you could look into one of those chopper kits. but it will make it a pain in the rear to turn.

just keep in mind that its your going to be your first bike. you will get another bike. don't feel like you have to get the best, most perfect looking bike ever. if you do, you'll be sick when you drop it.

[rocker-d]

thank you i had no idea how hard it would be to swallow my pride

how woul it make it a pain to turn wide circle, odd line?

[badinfluence63]

Those rebel 250cc looked pretty good to me and reasonable priced used.

[FlysWithEagles]

Have you looked at the 883?

[badinfluence63]

883 ... 6695$

used 250 Honda Rebel....1250$ on up

Very rarely does anyone get off a first bike without a few awkward moments like falls,drops,slips etc... Unless your rich and its insignificant that you drop,scrap and destroy your first bike it wouldn't hurt to exercise a little frugality?

Oh it doesn't look cool and it isn't cool. We're thinking of the long haul here. Small inconveniece(not looking cool) for a long term gain(years and years of 2 wheeled joy)

Good luck whatever you chose.