Hey Lion Lady
Let just say I am a new rider. I have had the bike for a year and I try to ride it every weekend. It is my first bike. I like to minimize my risks at this stage so I don't ride to work in rush hour traffic, I don't ride in the rain, I don't ride fwys or roads I know to be dangerous (even for or in cars). I don't ride impaired. I don't ride at night. I go the speed limit. I allways practise slow speed stuff every time i ride as well as emer. braking. I ride alone. Its fun. I have read hough 1& 2, hahn, ienatsch, Parks. I am in the process of re-reading them. I have watched "ride like a pro" many times - all slow speed stuf!. Head and eyes! I have taken the msf and plan on taking more instruction. I ride all the gear all the time - full face, jacket(bright yellow), gloves, riding pants and gloves (quality stuff). I visit other sites besides this one and I got no axe to grind. I try to apply what I learn. Does that weight it enough for you? If I told you miles - how many would be enough for you? 1000? 5000? or 5001? Would you want to know slow speed miles, fwy miles or around town miles?
My observation is that anyone buying a new(to them) bike will have to get used to it. A 650 vstar is going to feel lighter, but if you buy a bigger one 4mo later (average) you are going to have to get used to it as well. I would have to get used to / re-learn to a certain extent on any new bike I get even a 250cc. For that matter I'd probably have to curb the ego more on a 250. That said there are no guarantees. People have wrecks, drop brand new bikes, people with lots of miles have wrecks and drop brand new bikes.
I bought the bike. I am a new rider - It works for me. just passing it along. Notice I did not write "Get the bike dude you be cool" You on the other hand write stuff like--
Your first bike should
NOT be anything with 1100 ccs, even if it is a cruiser. Do yourself a favor and get something smaller for your first bike.
Have you taken the MSF Basic Riders Course or equivelant? If not, I recommend you sign up and then
DO NOT let anyone talk you into something as big as these. You
drastically inhibit your learning.
Cruisers are HEAVY and the toughest thing to learn on a motorcycle is the slow speed stuff. Having to man-handle 600 pounds around is
NO fun and could be dangerous.
If the dude was really smart he wouldn't ride at all listening to that bs.
Look at what the guy wrote. He narrowed it down to 2 bikes. Give him some credit.
I on the other hand wrote and I really mean it.
remember a 250, a scooter and a bicycle for that matter can get you going fast enough to get you hurt bad.
As far as the book"Motorcycling for dummies"is concerned you might be judging the book by its cover or title or something like that. You said
Chances are its publishing was FUNDED by one of the bike manufacturers so it would likely lean that way. and that it is a book you would stay away from. How about checking out the book first instead of putting it down before you have had a chance to review it. There is a lot of good stuff in there. Now if it was a book written by some right wing republican on motorcycling I would definitely stay away from it.
It isn't an argument for getting a smaller or bigger bike.
We don't know what his skills are. Some folks are naturals. Some "should" probably think twice about buying a bike.
There.
Oh yeah just take it easy!!
one more thing a vtx1800 is
definitely too big for a beginner.
DOGGYBOY 
