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I know everyone is probably sick of new bike questions, but...

I have read the 250cc thread above and dont have a problem with buying a smaller bike if I should, I just dont want a sports bike. In my searching for a new bike I have only found two that I love/ BMW 650 gs and the Triumph Scrambler. My question is, do you think a 850 cc 500lb bike is too big for a first bike if it is not a sport, or would I be better served on the 650? if it matters Im 6'2", 225.

stevep wrote:Triumph Scrambler. My question is, do you think a 850 cc 500lb bike is too big for a first bike if it is not a sport, or would I be better served on the 650? if it matters Im 6'2", 225.

From what I've heard it is a mild bike. It is something like 60 HP or something like that. It is a twin, which gives it a less peaky RPM curve. Your're a big guy, so I don't think size of the bike would be a problem. This might be an OK bike for you. Take the MSF though so you can cut your teeth on the range bikes - not that pretty Scrabbler. Once you get use to the basics you can take some short rides around your neighborhood and expand from there.

thats a hell-of-a nice lookign bike for you to drop it a few times getting through the learnign curve.

do i think its too much as far as power/weight? No.

do i think its expensive/beautiful and shouldnt be dropped? Yes.

Both those bikes are nice bikes though I favor the Beemer (personal choice though), but I wouldn't get it for my first bike. You're going to drop your first, that is almost guaranteed. So I would learn on a cheaper bike and get your skills up before spending good money on your dream bike.

Also I don't think that is too big of a bike. My first bike is the Magna in my sig and it is a 700cc, 550lb bike with about 80HP and I'm a much smaller guy than you.

My first bike was and is still a Suzuki Boulevard M50, cruiser, 545 lbs, 805 cc. Not too much bike for me and I had never ever ridden a bike before. I've seen the Scrambler and It looks cool and not quite as sharp in my mind as the Thruxton 900, but I like your choice.... its just that it will hurt when you drop it the first time.

+1 to pretty much all the advice given so far.

it hurts the ego to drop any bike, but it hurts the pocketbook more to drop a nice/expensive bike.

thanks for the help. it does make sense to wait for a new bike, it just seems all of the bikes I want hold their value ( 650 gs, Bonneville) to be considered a cheap used bike.

What would you recommend for someone that doesnt want a sport bike or a hog for a first bike? I like the Honda 500r XL but havent found one close by.

KLR650.

They are cheap, light, extremely capable, have great aftermarket support, and have been around forever with few changes so you can buy 'em used or new and know pretty much what you are getting. They have a lot in common with the BMW F650GS... the important differences are price (lower) and availability (higher).

If I hadn't bought what I bought, I would've bought the KLR650.