Total Motorcycle Community Forums

macpilot wrote:My last career (pilot) was all about speed, safety and managing risk, and I am used to doing a lot of preparation and training.

I have been reading these forums for a bit. Most of the experienced riders here suggest getting a small bike and moving up from there.

It is my opinion that anybody in a motorcycle can kill themselves just as quickly regardless of the size of the bike. Just like a powerful sports car. If you push the machine, it will bite you back.

Did you learn to pilot airplanes in an F14 fighter jet or did you start on something smaller and move up?

If you know not to start on an airplane that is over your skills, don't do it on a motorcycle either.

Read my page of advice here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn.php

You don't need to take my advice. It's just an opinion. Get as many opinions as you can from others and then form your own.

Dragonhawk wrote:

macpilot wrote:My last career (pilot) was all about speed, safety and managing risk, and I am used to doing a lot of preparation and training.

I have been reading these forums for a bit. Most of the experienced riders here suggest getting a small bike and moving up from there.

It is my opinion that anybody in a motorcycle can kill themselves just as quickly regardless of the size of the bike. Just like a powerful sports car. If you push the machine, it will bite you back.

Did you learn to pilot airplanes in an F14 fighter jet or did you start on something smaller and move up?

If you know not to start on an airplane that this over your skills, don't do it on a motorcycle either.

Read my page of advice here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn.php

You don't need to take my advice. It's just an opinion. Get as many opinions as you can from others and then form your own.

Exactly, you don't start in a f14 you start on a single prop and even then, you have a licensed pilot with you the whole time you are learning. You cannot have the person who is teaching you on the bike with you, and he cannot take over if something starts to go wrong. When you're that high you have time to react before impact. When you're on a bike by the time you realize you're going down it's to late.

macpilot wrote:What about a Suzuki M50?

Certainly a more reasonable choice than a M109.

I've never ridden an M50, but we own a Marauder. Boulevard M50 took the place of the Marauder 800 in the Suzuki line-up after 2004. Very similar bike, basically same engine but shaft instead of chain drive. That makes it heavier. Same seat height, similar wheel base, I can't find the rake/trail specs quickly but imagine they're also close.

I regard the Marauder as near the top of suitable bikes for beginners. The engine is tame enough, but the low speed steering is a little unpredictable. Not dangerous, but maybe a little frustrating for a noob learning low speed maneuvers? Easy to compensate for with experience.

Like many others have said, you might want to avoid any new bike as a first bike. There is a high probability of dropping the bike in your first months, and dinging up a brand new bike is bad for your morale.

Well, you have convinced me!

I am gonna look at something used to get some experience on.

You guys have been really great with all your info. Thanks a bunch and I hope to see you all on the road soon.

Perhaps within the next two months.

FYI the suzuki marauder 800 is the same basic bike as the M50, its styling was changed and it picked up Fuel Injection when it made the transition to M50

jmillheiser wrote:FYI the suzuki marauder 800 is the same basic bike as the M50, its styling was changed and it picked up Fuel Injection when it made the transition to M50

The M50 has nothing in common with the Marauder except the same basic engine. The M50 is the same bike as the C50 with minor changes. The C50 was formerly the Volusia.