cruiser vs. sport bike.....

[Loonette]

I've already seen a couple of recommendations offered to you to which I would say "NO WAY"! Read around our forums - there is a whole lot of information regarding starter bikes. If you're torn between the two styles, I would always say go with the bike that allows you to be able to focus more on developing your riding skills, instead of having to focus on the behavior of the bike itself - that would be a cruiser. Sports bikes like the FZ6 (which I owned as a newbie) are twitchy in the throttle, and even a slight newbie mistake can send you into a tank slapper, or if you happen to grab too much brake, you're more likely to go down on a sports bike. They are also tall and top heavy. Horse power should be a consideration.

As "Shorts" mentioned, a standard is more in the middle of the two styles and might be a good choice for you. You'll need to sit on a lot of bikes in order to consider what is comfortable for you.

It really is difficult to help someone else decide on a bike, but hopefully you'll find enough information on these forums to give you a better idea of what's out there. Let us know what you finally decide.

Cheers,
Loonette

[*Tara*]

the FZ6 is definately nice too... buuuut i love the Ninja
i was originally set on the fact that i was DEFINATELY getting the Ninja....
when they designed the bike their main idea was to make something even a beginner could feel comfortable on... its very rider friendly and it also sits up a little more than most sport bikes...
....then i sat on my friends harley....and oh man! that was SO nice to sit on... so thats when i became torn between the 2 styles.....lol
a standard might be an idea.... but there arnt any that really grab my attention......
*sigh* guess i have a long winter of debating..hahaha

[ninja79]

as a first bike I would go with the Ninja 650, its easisier to ride and handle than a big cruiser bike like the C90, instead of the Ninja 650 I would suggest to look at the Yamaha FZ6, or FZ1, or the Honda 599 or 919, those are the "do anything" bikes, they ride and handle like a sports bike plus they have the speed and power to keep up to and pass any other bike on the road.

the a$$hole is at it again. FYI: MotoF150 is a local village idiot. He post things about filling gas tank with water, making kicking motions at the harley riders, and getting people to pay for the priviledge to ride with him.

Anyway, none of the bikes he listed above are anywhere near suitable for a newbie. (e.g. FZ1 is a liter bike! You'll kill yourself on it.) Read the stickies about the beginner bikes. The gist of it is: get a 2 cylinder engine and keep it under 50hp. By this criteria even ninja 650 somewhat exceeds the limit. It is a "grey area" starter bike, along with Suzuki SV650 and Ducati Monster 620.

As for cruiser vs. sportbike, only you can answer the question which is "better". I like sport bikes, but that's just personal preference.

[Shiv]

FZ1

150hp for a n00b?

Consider the source...

See, Loonette?

[*Tara*]

HAHAH!!! gotcha!
I was kind of wondering about the FZ1 and 919 suggestions.... obviously id either wreck the bike or kill myself...hahahahhaha

[Wrider]

Just to let you know, I have the '01 version of the C50, a Suzuki Intruder Volusia. It's got a V-twin, 805cc motor, and 50 hp, 47 ft/lbs of torque. It's a great bike, I'm a big guy (6'2" and 280 lbs.), so it's just about perfect for me... I like it a lot, and it works great for a commuter bike and around town. Also, I didn't get a sportbike because I'm an aggressive driver, and I'll guarantee I'd kill myself on a sportbike... lol If you're aggressive, you will also want a cruiser, it forces you to e more laid back, while still giving you a bit of performance. You also might want to look at something like (as mentioned above) the Buell Blast or maybe a V-Strom. Anywho, good luck and have fun!
Wrider

[*Tara*]

im really leaning towards the boulevard M50....ive read lots of reviews from people who bought both it and the C50 as a first bike and i didnt read a single bad review.....
so thats probably what im going to get..... tentatively anyways

and thanks for yet another great review about the C50!
im leaning towards a cruiser due to the fact they are more forgiving and less likely to dump you .....which is definatly good for learning on

[Dragonhawk]

Before I learned to ride, I was dead-set on a cruiser.

Then I took the MSF course and learned to ride and the lumbering, slow-turning characteristics of a cruiser scared me. I wanted something more manuverable.

I started on a Ninja 250. Rode it for about 16,000 miles before I got a SV650.

The SV650 has way more speed and power than I'll EVER need. I really dig it a lot.

Doesn't matter if you get a cruiser or a sportbike, the advice is the same: Start small and work your way up.

Remember that a "little" Ninja 250 tops out at 105MPH and can do 0-60 faster than most sportscars. You may find that you love to ride so much, you won't need the biggest and fastest bike to have fun.

[Ninja Geoff]

I vote Ninja 650R. Though I'm biased, I ride one. It's beginer friendly, definatly. But it's also fast. And despite it being brand new for 2006 (state side at least) it has a decent, and growing, aftermarket.

It has plenty of usable grunt down low, great around town. Easy to doge cars. The seat height isn't as high up as most sporties, making it easier to touch the ground, and helps you feel planted. The somewhat upright position also makes it easier for a noob, less strain on your back/arms/neck (than most other sporties at least) which means less distraction.

viewtopic.php?p=134668#134668 a better "review" of my bike by me.

[sharpmagna]

Then I took the MSF course and learned to ride and the lumbering, slow-turning characteristics of a cruiser scared me. I wanted something more manuverable.

You sure it was the cruiser or the fact the fact that you were still learning to ride? Not trying to pick a fight, but seriously asking a question here. When I took the MSF course I started on the Rebel 250 and I thought it was more forgiving than the Ninja 250. The Rebel had a riding position that allowed me to control the bike easier and also the center of gravity was lower so that bike didn't feel like it would tip over so easily.

My first bike is my Magna in my sig. I've ridden my buddies Kawasaki ZX-9 and it is a total 360 compared to my bike. It was super fast, more top heavy and I just wasn't used to how the bike maneuvered. It was intimidating riding it but I'm sure I could get used to it if I rode it more.