CC -vs- HP

[Scott58]

Weight would also be a concern of mine. I'm also kind of glad the Suzuki S50 isn't on that list. The combination of low weight and higher power makes it a 13 second bike. I would also put a limit of 14.5 seconds on a beginner bike, but opinions obviously vary.

[ZooTech]

Top heavy, high seat, and short wheelbase....yeah, sounds perfect. My best friend has a '98 883. He's 5'9" and can just barely flat-foot his. If I stand over mine there's close to six inches between my arse and the seat. I'm not saying it can't be done, I just wouldn't throw the Sportie on a list of beginner bikes. I'd much sooner recommend a 600cc crotch rocket.

Aren't 600cc crotch rockets really top heavy?

And at least 100lbs lighter overall, yeah.

Have you ever ridden a Sportie?

[Dragonhawk]

I'm flattered that I'm being quoted.

It isn't just about the cc/hp numbers. The wet weight is also a factor while learning.

Indeed, weight is an important factor too. I agree with you. That is exactly why I included weights on the list.

I suppose I'm picking nits, but some of those numbers are wrong. The first one that jumped out at me is the Honda VLX... it's a 600, not a 650, and it might make 40 hp off the engine, not at the wheel. Some of those other hp number seem a bit high, probably a mix of crank and rear wheel hp data.

If you check the actual page, I did include a disclaimer at the bottom which cites all of the sources for the statistics and acknowledges that they may not be accurate, but they were cross-referenced from multiple sources to be as close to accurate as possible.

[MakeCarsStandSTill]

Sevulturus: Aren't 600cc crotch rockets really top heavy?

To me 600 sport bikes are not top heavy at all ...........overall there just light and nimble

[Shorts]

If you sit and stare at stats on the internet, you might never find the right bike. Go sit on them and find out if it feels lighter or heavier or taller or whatever.

Picking out the 'perfect' first bike is individual to the new rider, and those bikes are generally picked from that handful of listed good beginner choices.

A short heavy beginner bike might not bother a bigger guy, but that same time it would intimidate your average lady. A tall light bike may not bother the longer inseamed lady but would the shorter lady.

There's just a handful of factors that weigh into it. The perfect bike is the one that fits the person riding it. Don't get tunnel vision with stats or specs, look at the whole bike. There isn't just one factor that makes it the best beginner bike for you.

[Nalian]

Pffft - it's my first bike and it's been fine. It's a lot less ungainly than some of the other 'beginner' cruisers I sat on, thats for sure!

Top heavy, high seat, and short wheelbase....yeah, sounds perfect. My best friend has a '98 883. He's 5'9" and can just barely flat-foot his. If I stand over mine there's close to six inches between my arse and the seat. I'm not saying it can't be done, I just wouldn't throw the Sportie on a list of beginner bikes. I'd much sooner recommend a 600cc crotch rocket.


The Sportster sucks at low-speed maneuvering....you know....the kind newbies need to learn right away if they ever hope to ride. If a top heavy bike teaches better balance from the beginning, then I say the VMax is a good beginner bike because it will teach better balance and better throttle control right from the beginning.

Maybe the '98 Sporties are very different from the '06s (I doubt it the way everyone bags on HDs though..) but I'm barely 5'8" and I can flat foot it with my legs still bent. My SO is 5'5" and she is also able to flat foot it - she is very slight though so isn't comfortable with the weight. Maybe your buddy has a really short inseam - but the seat height is only 27" unladen and 25" laden. It's pretty low and I have the custom, not the hugger or low model which has an even lower seat. On top of that - either I'm super skilled (doubtful) or your information as wrong because I have zero issues with low-speed manuevering. Yeah if you aren't careful it could tip, but what bike doesn't have that risk? I have no problems with slow speed figure 8s or riding around parkinglots..or in traffic! My only experience with riding a bike prior to my Sportster was a 250cc nighthawk, so it's not like there was some comparable bike I started on to make it easier, either. I think its a matter of the right bike fitting the right person.

The throttle on the Sporty is very even and there are no surprises if you twist it too far - it has its torque/powerband right away so you know what to expect. I realize a lot of people dislike HD but what you're saying doesn't match at all with my own experience on the bike, or that of a lot of other folks who have ridden them on other HD forums. Does your buddy hate his bike or have you ever even ridden it?

If you sit and stare at stats on the internet, you might never find the right bike. Go sit on them and find out if it feels lighter or heavier or taller or whatever.

Picking out the 'perfect' first bike is individual to the new rider, and those bikes are generally picked from that handful of listed good beginner choices.

A short heavy beginner bike might not bother a bigger guy, but that same time it would intimidate your average lady. A tall light bike may not bother the longer inseamed lady but would the shorter lady.

There's just a handful of factors that weigh into it. The perfect bike is the one that fits the person riding it. Don't get tunnel vision with stats or specs, look at the whole bike. There isn't just one factor that makes it the best beginner bike for you.

+1!

[Sev]

Sevulturus: Aren't 600cc crotch rockets really top heavy?

To me 600 sport bikes are not top heavy at all ...........overall there just light and nimble

And all the weight they have gets carried up high (hence the term top heavy). It's a design feature that makes them easier to turn/lean into a corner.

[grymlocke]

you forgot the honda shadow 1100's, my ACE produces 50 hp, the larger engine size means larger frame (thus bigger bike) for a 6'6" guy like me, makes a pretty good fit for a first bike, not to heavy (for me)...

[ZooTech]

Does your buddy hate his bike or have you ever even ridden it?

He doesn't completely hate it, but he's convinced not to buy Harley again. And yes, I have ridden his quite a bit actually, and his brother's '05 Sportie, too. Coming from a way heavier bike, all I can say about the Sportie is that my Streak would be easier to learn on. It just wears its weight too high and the wheelbase is so short that it's easy to upset the chassis. The power isn't the issue since it really doesn't have much.

[jonnythan]

I can just barely flat foot a new standard 883. The 883C and 883L are no problem because they're a bit lower.

I'm 5'8.5 with a 30" inseam. I'm 170 lbs.

The first bike I ever rode was an 883 Hugger. I didn't notice it being overly top-heavy, and I didn't have a problem with it... but it was my first ride. I knew nothing about bikes. My little XV535 is quite a bit lighter, but it's also much smaller.