Hello from Florida!

[kyleboedeker]

Hey Guys,

I just bought my first bike last weekend (2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900) and I am stoked! Unfortunately I can't get my license until I take the safety class next weekend... so I am absolutely going nuts because my bike is sitting in the back room at the Harley dealership until I get my license and I can't ride it!

Anyway, just wanted to say hey and I look forward to being part of the motorcycle community!

[pchast]

Kyle.

Welcome.

Man you bought a hand full. If you don't already have a couple years of experience Its probably big enough to be dangerous for you. Read some more on this forum of others' experiences and (IMHO) find something smaller and more used to learn on. Most of the people Ive met dumped their bike at least once the first couple of years. Many like me messed up that way several more times.

Luck to you.
Pete

[jmillheiser]

congrats on the new bike.

I wouldn't be soo worried about the size and power of a vulcan 900, its a mid-sized cruiser, it will be fast but not twitchy and unforgiving like a 600+cc sportbike, the weight is comparable to most of the smaller 650ish cc cruisers and from what I have heard it is very well balanced and easy to handle. Still maybe consider getting an older beater bike initially, that vulcan is pretty new and I would hate to see a bike that like get dropped/scraped up.

[Gummiente]

Welcome to TMW!

And congrats on the new bike! Since it's already a done deal, you'll just have to give yourself lots more time to get acquainted with it instead of taking a loss by selling or trading it for something smaller - and then buying a bigger bike a few months later anyways. The course teaches you how to ride on a physically small bike. The techniques you will learn can be adapted to a big monster like the 900, just ake it easy and keep the testosterone in check and you'll be fine.

[kyleboedeker]

Hey guys,

thanks for the advice. I am a pretty big guy (6'5 300lbs) so I figured I could physically handle (perhaps even need) something with a little size, I was also concerned about outgrowing a smaller bike too quickly, and from what I've read the vulcan 900 makes a pretty good starter since it's not a 2000cc monster but it has some balls when you need it. Also, and maybe everyone says this before they start riding, but I'm not really the type of person that feels like I need to hit 120 on my way to work in the morning. I've been looking for a new hobby and a way to relax and explore the countryside and well... just cruise... so I bought a cruiser... makes enough sense right? Hopefully I didn't get in over my head with too big of a bike as a starter.

[blues2cruise]

Welcome, Kyle.

The throttle on the Vulcan 900 is easy to control. And yes...it does handle well.

Just take it easy and you'll be fine.

[sunshine229]

Hope your course went well and you are out riding that bike of yours! How's it going?