Really new biker need new advice

[Lion_Lady]

Hi as a new biker i would like to know if a 1970 Honda cl 350 is a good beginner bike?

IF it runs, YES. If it doesn't... or is "iffy" in any way, No. (Unless you're a mechanic).

Getting parts to repair anything on that are gonna be pretty tough to come by. Most shops won't even LOOK at a bike over 15 years old, let alone consider working on it.

P

[Chriso]

Yea i will be taking the msf ofcourse. I forgot to mention that when I was writing my first post. I just want to know if there are another other people around my height that are comfy on certain sports bikes. Ofcourse if i dont feel comfy on any of them than i will probably go with a cruiser.

[Chriso]

I just went to check out some bikes just to see how they looked and how big they actually are. I saw how big the rebel was and I felt pretty good sitting on it but I was curious if the shadow spirit would be too strong for me to start off with? I really like how it looked but I was curious if the exhaust pipe on the right side of the bike would burn my leg. I am a pretty short guy thats a lil above 5'6. anyone know if that pipe gets super hot? will my leg burn? I did sit on it and it seemed my leg would be touching it a lot so Im worried about this if i decided to get something like this.

[redb1ker]

mtexile mentioned, find a basic riders course. you'll probably have to wait a while to get into one.

Sometimes that is the case. I suggest this. Register for whenever they can get you in (here it can be up to 1.5 months). Go to the location where you want to take the class the first day of the next available class (here, that is this Fri. night at 6pm). If you arrive a little early and let the instructor or site admin know that you are there, IF someone doesn't show, you can be added to the roster as a student. If you have already paid for the class you were going to take in 1.5 months you are a natural add. This keeps the classes full and it opens a spot some poor desperate soul in 1.5 moths. If you don't get in this week, do it again next week. You can (and will) get in sooner. Sometimes, if the company has multiple sites, you will get in sooner to another site. Ask the instructor or site admin to check the other sites to see if they have any openings (if the class you are at fills that night). They will probably have you do the Fri. night classroom work right there and you go to the site that had the opening to ride the next day.

[Kal]

I live in california so I want to also be able to go through traffic smoother and get to work faster but im not sure if thats a good reason to get a bike as well. Is riding through traffic dangrous for bikers??

I know people that have been taken out while filtering between lanes because the driver in question didn't check properly for bikes, so there can be an increased risk.

However as you get experienced you will learn car body language, and most of the time be able to take action allowing you to swear inside your helmet instead of waiting for an ambulance to turn up.

I commute to work on my bikes (both 250cc) everyday, and I filter at any given opportunity.

Get all the training you can - don't think of it as wasted money, it is an investment in having a future.

[Chriso]

Yea I decided that i am going to take the msf course first than probably go with the 250 ninja. I just wish that the headlights look cooler but what can i complain about. It still looks nice, just not that nice. thanks for the advice guys. Im hoping to take the msf course soon than probably purchase a bike when I get enough funds.

[havegunjoe]

I have a Hyosung GV250 which is their cruiser model You can't beat the price, you can't beat the warrenty, you can't beat the looks, my wife is 5'2" and can flat foot it, I get 70+ mies to the gallon. Most people think it is a larger bike than it is. Think about it over the sport bike types.

[MZ33]

Think of the headlight as either "retro", "funky", or "iconic", that may help. Besides, if all goes well, this is only your first bike, not your last!

[kuz]

I took the MSF course back in November, and bought my bike this past february. Just got out for my third ride today (It's been rough weather and crazy busy lately and Ive been going out of my mind waiting to get back on it). I sat on a lot of different things and ended up betting a buell blast. The courses through HD use them, I took the standard MSF course, but it fit me best, and so far my first 37 miles have been great. Check it out if you have the chance, I wasnt crazy about the sportbikes and the beginner cruisers didnt feel as comfortable. The 250's were a bit uncomfortable and Im not that big a guy. The blast is a 492 cc.

[jimguitars]

Hi I am interested in getting into the riding scene instead of the driving scene. Curious what would be good for me, I am a little over 5'6 and am about 185, gonna try to get down to 175 soon. Im interested in getting a sports bike but I am afraid most of them do not fit me. I really want to get a bike where I could put both my feet down on the ground. for some reason I am really stern on having both my feet be able to reach the ground and I have tried to sit on a few bikes before at a store when my friend was buying a few things and most of the sports bikes were too tall for me. I was reading up on the ninja 250/hyosung 250. I was also curious if I am going to regret buying a 250 due to upgrading to a better bike. Is it okay to purchase a 600 right off the bat? Main reason I want to buy a bike is to save money on gas and also I live in california so I want to also be able to go through traffic smoother and get to work faster but im not sure if thats a good reason to get a bike as well. Is riding through traffic dangrous for bikers?

Chriso, I didn't read every post in this thread, sorry if I repeat someone, but those little Ninja's are pretty good. I read a lot of good things about them and, although I never rode one, I rode "with" one a few times. They can really cook with the right rider on top. I don't think you'll get tired of it too fast...

I wouldn't recommend splitting lanes any time soon though. Good luck to ya!