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Im a 300+ pound 6'4 18 year old and want to get my first bike... My dad wants me to have a honda rebel....I say I'm way to big. I like the honda shadows...anyone have an opinion...I dont want a sisssy bike... thanks

I dont want a sisssy bike.

You sir, are on the right track to making an informed responsible bike decision.

the rebels are tiny and pretty far less than the maximum amount of bike that is recommended for a beginner. On the other hand they are rock solid and efficient.

50 hp is a good rule of thumb for a bike that just about any one would recommend for a beginner, though less is still more than adequate (ie Ninja 250 and Buell Blast).

If you like cruisers I'd say the honda 750's, Yamaha 650's, Kawi 500, or the Sportster 883 are good strarter bikes that you may be more comfy sitting on and comfy being seen on.

I just bought a Guzzi Nevada 750 as a first motorcycle after putting 1200 miles on a scooter and its great for me but the long legged may end up with burned shins on it.

If your concerned on your height then match your inseem to the seat height sticky post. If your equal to or slightly higher than the bike your looking at it should be fine. If your inseem if a lot greater than the seat height you'll be too tall for that model.

You don't want to be on your tip toes or have the seat half way down your thigh when standing over it like its a little kids bike either.

You should be safe with your first street bike being around 500cc or a bit more.

Thanks that was alot of help!!

I am also a big guy and like you I had some people pushing the 250's but they just felt to small for me, so I went with a Honda Shadow 750 ACE (I like the cruisers). It has worked out well, I have no problems handeling the bike. I am putting on some extentions 7 inches although I havnt had a problem with the stock controls I just wanted the extentions. I rode the bike for over 300 miles this past weekend and I have no complaints. I think I made a great chioce (for me), I will ride this bike for a couple years and then look at getting something bigger. Very Happy with my shadow.

Hey man, 20 yo, 6'2" and 300 lbs... My Volusia served me well! I couldn't complain on it at all really. 50 horse, 50 ft/lbs of torque, and I could outaccelerate all but the quickest 6 and 8 cylinder vehicles on the road! It's no sissy bike, it's a cruiser, so you automatically look bad-"O-Ring"... Oh, and about the sissy bike comment, trust me, women don't care what kind of bike you ride, it's that you ride period... And also keep in mind that the "Baby Ninja", the Ninja 250, can accelerate on the same scale as a Ferrari... Good luck! Oh, and for our size, the Rebels don't work, too small... My knees literally hit the handlebars every time I turned them.
Wrider

Im a 300+ pound 6'4...

You need to get a sleeveless jean jacket and a big Harley, preferably mid 70's vintage. Oh, and grow a full beard while you're at it.

Seriously though, sit on a bunch of different bikes at the dealerships and compare bar, seat and footpeg positions. You'll learn soon enough what works for you and what doesn't.

Wrider wrote:...And also keep in mind that the "Baby Ninja", the Ninja 250, can accelerate on the same scale as a Ferrari...

Not quite the same scale as a Ferrari. It accelerates about the same as the new Maximas which is still faster than many other cars on the road. The 500 accelerates on the same scale as the lesser Ferraris.

I for one don't think that you will be happy on the Rebel. I am only 5'11" and 270 lbs. and just sitting on the Rebel at a dealership was uncomfortable. It just feels tiny. I did the MSF course on a Nighthawk 250 and didn't like the feel of that one either. I ended up getting a V-Star 1100 Classic for my first bike and have been very happy with it. It was very different to get used to at first after learning on the Nighthawk, but after a day or two I was very comfortable on it. I don't see any reason why a 1100 or so bike would be a problem for you, just take it easy until you are comfortable.

Matt