bike too big?

[Wrider]

Look at my sig for my first bike... The Volusia, the 2001 version of the C50... I liked it for a beginner bike, enough power to let you know you screwed up, but not enough to punish you severely for it...
Wrider

[MrStitch]

This topic will always be a hot topic amongst riders.

Weathered bikers will always want the new guy to start extremely small, which is NOT a bad choice at, entirely depending on a few things....

1) What kind of area do you live in? Lots of traffic? Twisting and winding roads that cut through forests and can't see the traffic coming? Four lane super highways loaded to the gills with traffic? Or quiet small midwest town landscape with only a couple people to watch for all day long (where I live).

2) Your experience. Ever rode a bike.... ever? What kind, mopeds, dirt bikes, scooters?

3) Average road conditions. Not talking about rain here, I'm thinking about snow. Yeah.... thats right. SNOW. I live in South Dakota, where we get plenty of snow in the winter time. A common road maintenance schedule for the state DOT would include dropping gravel everywhere to reduce accidents caused by slippery roads. Unfortunately, in the spring, we have gravel all over the dang place until it starts to REALLY rain. Gravel can cause you some serious bruising in town if you're not careful. The highways are clean for the most part, but in town can be a mess.

I took all those into consideration when I bought my first bike, the 750 Shadow.

1) I live in small town area, don't need to worry about traffic so much.
2) I've had some previous experience on bikes. Small bikes, but "bikes" none the less.
3) We've got gravel until the streets are cleaned.

All in all, I knew I could handle something bigger, but because of the odd road conditions, I felt it would best starting slightly smaller, just so I don't get caught tapping the gas on a little gravel and the having the engine, with all it's mighty power, pulling my butt into the pavement.

I figure in about 5-10 years, I'll be buying another bike.... probably a Honda 1300 or higher, or maybe a Victory. Who knows... time will tell, and much practice to be done.

[zoosia]

td,

I'm going to chime in with wrider, I hadn't ridden before msf, and felt the same concern when getting my first bike I was nervous about the added wieght and going from 250cc to 800cc. I have an '03 Volusia the bike is awesome and very easy, i was nervous and didn't need to be just take it slow and easy the first few hundred miles. enjoy let us know how everything progresses.

[tdrider90187]

This topic will always be a hot topic amongst riders.

Weathered bikers will always want the new guy to start extremely small, which is NOT a bad choice at, entirely depending on a few things....

1) What kind of area do you live in? Lots of traffic? Twisting and winding roads that cut through forests and can't see the traffic coming? Four lane super highways loaded to the gills with traffic? Or quiet small midwest town landscape with only a couple people to watch for all day long (where I live).

2) Your experience. Ever rode a bike.... ever? What kind, mopeds, dirt bikes, scooters?

3) Average road conditions. Not talking about rain here, I'm thinking about snow. Yeah.... thats right. SNOW. I live in South Dakota, where we get plenty of snow in the winter time. A common road maintenance schedule for the state DOT would include dropping gravel everywhere to reduce accidents caused by slippery roads. Unfortunately, in the spring, we have gravel all over the dang place until it starts to REALLY rain. Gravel can cause you some serious bruising in town if you're not careful. The highways are clean for the most part, but in town can be a mess.

I took all those into consideration when I bought my first bike, the 750 Shadow.

1) I live in small town area, don't need to worry about traffic so much.
2) I've had some previous experience on bikes. Small bikes, but "bikes" none the less.
3) We've got gravel until the streets are cleaned.

All in all, I knew I could handle something bigger, but because of the odd road conditions, I felt it would best starting slightly smaller, just so I don't get caught tapping the gas on a little gravel and the having the engine, with all it's mighty power, pulling my butt into the pavement.

I figure in about 5-10 years, I'll be buying another bike.... probably a Honda 1300 or higher, or maybe a Victory. Who knows... time will tell, and much practice to be done.

1.i live in a town that has a good bit of traffic,the streets arent generally loaded with traffic unless its lunch time or during rush hour.the traffic id say as about 5 cars or less on the same road depending how major and where the road leads to such as our mall or other such places.
2.iv never riden a motorcycle before,about the only thing iv ever riding was a small scooter which i wouldnt even qualify it as anything.
3.we get snow only in december and even then its rather light the last few years.i live in central PA and the snow the last few years has been light and its either now snow or huge storms where you can barely drive a car much less a motorcycle.in the spring we get rain every week or so but not to much.all in all we have nice weather 85% of the time.

[Bubba]

ok well i got my permit and im going to be taking a MSF course at a local harley dealership and then at our department of transportation building.now according to the harley dealership and DOT building info they will be supplying me with a 250cc bike to train on,the bike i will be riding after i get my license is an 800cc.i am about 5'11 and 145 lbs.i have no problem holding up my dads bike and i have plenty of room to reach the ground with my legs but i would like to know if that bike is maybe a little to big

If the bike fits and you're comfortable and strong enough to handle it, use it.
The 250cc they offer is just to make it easier to pass the course. Get used to the 250 to take your test and then ride what ever you wish. Just be comfortable on your final decision.

You might want to check and see if they'll let you use the 800.

[roscowgo]

Hrm the c50 I would think would be acceptable. It's pretty docile. Comfy. Easy to hold up at stops. The T model should be comfier and have storage to boot. Should be reliable with the FI, shaft drive, and water cooling. Pretty cheap insurance. I'm on the high side bike insurance wise I think and I'm at 35/mo

I'd say all in all....the 50 series from zuki is a good choice for a first ride. Cruiser wise anyway. It IS heavy though.