Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I was looking at different forums looking to find the perfect beginners bike. Thanks Toyusu for posting good beginner bike for each category, i was specially looking for a cruiser and found it on your post. So i decided to buy the v-star custom which is 650cc. I'm glad i found this site with all of you helpful riders.

Thanks to all. keep it up!

I am riding since this year and i started with my dream bike the yamaha R6 and so far so good.

I think if you use your head it wont be a problem...

greets

I have been looking at bikes to start with and really like the Honda CBR600F4i but I'm not sure if this a good starter bike. Of course I'll buy used and all. I really love the look of this bike but if anyone has any suggestions that would be great. I also looked at the Katana 600 but I like the look of the CBR more than the Katana.

I am a complete noob to bike riding. I've never ridden a bike before in my life. I will be starting my MSF beginner courses this weekend. I saw a few bikes I might be interested in. Please let me know if these are worthy of beginner bikes or not.

Bikes:
2004 KAWASAKI Ninja EX 250 - $2500
2003 YAMAHA YZF 600 - $2899.
2001 Honda CBR600F4i - $2999

Frankly, I think these bikes are a bit too expensive for a beginner bike when I know I will probably drop it a dozen times. Do you know of any good used bike dealers in the North East area of the US? So far, googling for used bikes in CT (where I live) has not been too successful. What kind of a sport bike should I be looking for which will cost less than $2k or lower (if possible)?


Tx!

Im a newbie. I just bought a 1980 yamaha XS850. Feels comphy. It was cheap. $350 so i figure i can learn on it.

For the bigger and or longer legged folks out there re: this information about beginner bikes. If you have not yet realized, you soon will, that once you begin shopping for a bike, and based upon the advice found here and elsewhere, you are in a catch-22.

I'm 6'3, 230, w/ a 36'' inseam. Having just finished the MSF course on a Rebel 250, I have to say that I had a safety concern w/ this size of bike. I literally was folded up on this bike. I could barely hike me legs up comfortably between the seat and the pegs to operate the rear brake and shifter. Several times throught the weekend, the instructors criticized me for not having my knees closer to the tank which was damn near impossible for me to do on the slow cornering manuevers as the handlebars hit my knees. I got through the weekend. For obvious reasons I will not be buying any sport bike or smaller standard to begin on.

Which leads me to the catch-22. Guys like me cannot fit on these smaller bikes, yet as beginners we are told to gravitate towards the smaller displacement bikes. While I whole heartly agree with this wisdom, bigger folks have no choice but to seek a bike that is more comforable, i.e. larger, which usually means bigger displacement. We'll just have to take it a bit slower.

I just purchased my first bike. I hadn't read any of the advice in any of these posts, or on a couple of other motorcycle boards I've visited since then, but I think I made a good choice for me.

First I got a new bike. I would have even though everyone seems to recomend a used one. Why is simple enough. I don't know enough about motorcycles to tell whether one is good or bad, so to me, new was the only way to go.

I wanted something simple, easy to ride that would get better fule mileage than my car, and would offer some degree of protection from the weather.

I got a Yamaha Majesty, 400cc, "Scooter".

I figured a 400 cc engine was a good compromise between a "big" and a "little" bike.

The automatic transmission meant there was one less thing for me to have to learn to do at the same time I was learning to ride in the first place.

No clutch, meant both brakes are handbrakes. Just like on the bicycles I'm used to riding. I'm comfortable with this.

The Majesty came with windshield, and fairings. Extra cost options on other bikes. It also has a storage area under the seat, and two "glove boxes" in the farings. No need to buy saddle bags.

Gas mileage as reported by owners on the 'net, were in the range I had hoped to find.

After having it for a week or so, I'm not disapointed althought I will be the first to admit I don't have a lot of experience with it. It seems to have adequate power, and seems to be comfortable enough. The farings and windshields do seem to keep the wind off me for the most parts. Brakes are strong and positive. I like the fact that it has a "parking brake".

The seat is wide, (very important to a big guy like I am.) and has a small backrest made into it. It has been very comfortalbe in the limited riding I've done on it.

I'm old, and have short legs. The step through design is nice.

No, it's not a Super sportbike, or a big cruiser with "just the right sound", but I think I'll be happy with it.

I haven't taken a MSC at this time. Around here they are booked up through the fall, and into next spring. I plan to take one as soon as I can get into one. I'm reading everything I can find, and continuing on my long road as a basic "coward" on the highway.

Yes, I have a full face Bell helmet, riding jacket, gloves, steel toed leather boots. Riding pants are "on the list."

I have a question, is an 883 Sportster a good first bike? i wanna get a 1200 really but afraid i'd kill myself on it.

If this is where everyone is listing their first bikes, I suppose I should add my data. I hadn't ridden anything but dirt bikes before and that was nearly 20 years ago. A local dealer had two leftover '05 Yamaha V-star 650 Silverado's at a price I couldn't refuse. Against most advice from veterans, I bought a new bike. So far so good. I've been commuting on it for two weeks now and up to about 400 miles. I've already been very well subjected to stop and go highway traffic, 80 mph highway traffic, downtown riding as well as mild rain. Just taking it easy, being alert and enjoying the ride... And of course I took the MSF course before hopping on. Aced it too. And even though WA state doesn't require it, I have full coverage insurance. Great gear too, don't skimp on that stuff guys! Ride on, T.

If anyone is thinking of a Ninja 650R, it falls into the same category as the SV650- a decent(but not the best) beginners bike.