Buying your DREAM bike, as a brand new rider...

[Lion_Lady]

Is like marrying your first CRUSH. At the moment, you are absolutely convinced that this This THIS! is It. Forever, and always...

Then life happens, and you discover that you didn't really understand what other possibilities were out there, or what true love is. As you mature, that intensity fades to a fond memory, always part of you, but no longer all encompassing.

The same thing applies to buying your first motorcycle. It is perfectly understandable that a new rider (who can afford it), wants to buy the mega-powered or chromed out dream machine they've lusted after since they could remember. But, until you've got some experience with riding, you can't fully understand what will serve you best and continue to make you happy as you mature in the sport.

A public service announcement.

P

[JTRogue]

I completely agree. I am glad I worked my way to my current bike over the 2 years. (This is my 3rd summer as a regular rider and about to hit my 15,000 mile mark) I am working my way STILL to my dream bike but couldn't be happier to even wait for my Versys I got this spring. Great Advice!

[erbgottie]

After 7 years, I've reached my dream bike...........but not before buying a used 1982 Suzuki SP250Z enduro bike, then to a Honda 450 Rebel, then a Honda Shadow 750C2, onto a SV650S (little sportier) and stopping at the magnificent RVT1000R aka RC51. It's the concept of a "dream" bike that keeps us in the game...........does your dream bike change every season with a new bike being released (like the cross-plane in the new R1) or is it set in stone like me on one particular bike no matter the age or what is being released next. Is it how unique a bike is, how well it looks, how much torque or top end it has?? Does a "DREAM" bike even exist for you or is just riding any bike good enough?? Once you buy your dream bike is it still your dream bike or does it fall to a new love?? Only you yourself can answer these ?'s. For me, the RC51 is def my dream bike and putting 10K miles on it in the last 10 months is just the beginning for us

[JC Viper]

Gotta agree. When I started riding I always wanted to ride cruisers because they had character and matched the wanderer that I am. Pulling into the gas station, diner or just a scenic overlook looks great on those types of bikes. Then a few years later I get a taste of what sport bikes were about and that not all had a cramped seating position while most could corner so much better than a cruiser. I thought I was gonna grow old with my Vulcan 500 but once she got totaled I looked on to other models...

Now I have my eyes set on adventure touring bikes or naked bikes that I could slap dirt tires on. Then I could go almost anywhere I pleased. Being able to ride up a country backroad, get a good tank range on the highway and still be comfortable has become my new goal in riding and truly have adventures.

Of course I also have a thing for the 1996 Honda VFR 750. Maybe it could accept dual sport tires should I feel the need... just gotta find a bike that's in good condition.

[storysunfolding]

So if I'm about to marry my first love... should I consider her a starter wife?

[csspostal]

So if I'm about to marry my first love... should I consider her a starter wife?

Not if you want to live!

"Happy Wife Happy Life"

[gsJack]

<<<Buying your DREAM bike....................like marrying your first sweetheart. At the moment, you are absolutely convinced that this This THIS! is It. Forever, and always.................Then life happens, and you discover that you didn't really understand what other possibilities were out there>>>

Not really a good comparo I think, I got a late start when I bought my first bike at age 52 about 26 years and 390k miles ago and I'm on the 6th one right now and may even have a 7th. On the other hand, I got a very early start when I married my wife over 58 years ago and have yet to even contemplate a replacement. It's time folks started giving more thought to choosing a mate than they do to buying a new bike.

[JC Viper]

Meh, never been in any relationship of the sort let alone getting married. So I guess the closest thing I've had to a relationship is one I've had with my bikes.

[BRUMBEAR]

I absolutely love every bike I buy . The only bike I ever bought that I didn't like was a gs550 suzuki I bought it to flip it and make a few quid but after I rode it I didn't even hate it.
In 36 years of riding I have owned ridden and well had allot of machines and I have learned 1 thing there is always something better

[JC Viper]

One thing you can't say to your wife but acceptable about a bike: Next year I'm upgrading to a new model!