Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I would really recommend you read all the threads on buying your first bike. All the people that say to learn on something small and easy, then get the bike you want don't say it for themselves, but are passing on wisdom learned from riding. I am glad I listened and am actually quite happy with my little 400.

+1 to everything that has been said.

I'm not a big person, but at my BRC there were bigger people who had trouble handling the 250s that we had. It was alright because we were all learning and most of us had some trouble, but if they had given the course with 1600cc bikes, I don't think many of us would have made it out(and I don't think many of the bikes would have made it out in one piece either...we had a few 250s go down with broken parts as it was).

I'm also glad I listened and read up before buying my first. My Honda Shadow VLX is PLENTY of bike to start on. The other thing to consider is that if you get something around 650cc or smaller, you WILL be able to get a good trade-in or sell it outright after you've learned the basics and are ready to move up to something bigger. The demand for beginner bikes is through the roof! The local shop here can't get their hands on anything smaller than about 900cc. What's a noob to do?

But starting on a bike that big is begging to become a red stain on the road.

My MSF Riders Edge instructor told me a 800cc Suzuki would be a good bike to get started on. Look what I got, and am loving it.[/img]