Total Motorcycle Community Forums

It's easier to learn how to handle a small bike well then a big bike.

thebighop wrote:Dude~ you gotta save face here...no way can you let your GF ride a bigger bike...not unless you let her carry your gonads in her purse...
Just messing with ya bro.

Hey, it could be worse! Look up "Biker_Rach" on this forum, she's the biker and her BF rides behind her .....

Sign that boy up for a testosterone booster shot!!!!

When it comes down to it...I know some gals that can ride circles around a lot of the guys I know. One in particular , is about 5' 4'', and around 100 lbs. She rides a Big Dog custom. 124 cubic inch S&S. That's a lot of bike for most men and she rides it like a pro.
So the point is, size doesn't stop anyone from becoming an experienced rider that can handle big machines. Power, likewise, shouldn't stop anyone from becoming a safe rider either.
My rule of thumb has always been...if you can place both feet, flat on the ground, while sitting on the bike, then it's not too big. It you gotta lean it or stand on you tip toes...get a smaller profile bike. Bikes come in lots of shapes and sizes, and in a wide range of powers.
I ride open road and Highways alot, so I ride a dresser, with a 1300cc engine that kicks out 98 hp. I don't need that much power in town, so I just don't crank it wide open...it's easy to control the power. It's just like walking around the block. You can mosey along, or walk at a brisk pace, or you can flat out run...you control it..and you can do the same control thing on your bike.

Shiv wrote:Uhm, dude the V-Star is 100 pounds heavier and probably generates more horse power. I can't say for sure because no online sources have the horse power of a V-Star on them but generally Harleys don't generate much power (or well that's the whole 'inefficient' arguement at least) and the Sportster has 50 horse power which is generally considered the cut off for a beginner bike.

The 1100 comes out of the box with 50-52hp. the 650 V* comes with 40-42hp.

Both can be heavily modified. With regards to the 1100:

add a good 2 into 1 exhaust, Max air kit under the tank and new jets, it's up to 60-65hp.
Add mid cams and an ignition kit, and you're likely to dyno at around 70-72hp.

I've never ridden the 650; can't comment. The 1100 is 605lbs dry; but once you engage the clutch, it feels much lighter. Still takes some getting used to when stopping a larger beast like that, though the brakes are great. On the highway, the bike starts to hum at around 110kms/hr. It screams like a tortured opera singer at 135-140kms/hr. The 650 can't be much better for this. . .


Whatever you choose, base it on your skill level and how you will ride. I'm a bigger guy at around 200lbs, and like to strech out a bit when riding. I also like highway speeds and would hate to be without a good dose of torque when I want it. I'm also a bit experienced; got a few years riding under my belt. So 1100 was for me.

Well, I went out today and looked at a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom and really liked the bike. So I bought it. It's a 2003 and only had 3,200 miles on it. So I'm excited.

The bike doesn't feel heavy and other than the very large gas tank really feels comfortable.