Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I need some recommendations for a first bike? I am pretty tall, 5'11". I'm looking for something relatively sporty looking. I'm used to barrel/pole racing horses so, I need a forward leaning seat or I would feel off balance moving that quickly. But on the bright side I'm used to leaning with turns, keeping my arms and legs steady and have great balance.

Anyway, I will probably be doing a lot of highway driving when I get the ovaries to do it. And I drive on dirt roads frequently to get to where we keep our horses. I'm also willing to do more mechanical stuff because I want my first bike to be a learning experience and I'm not bad with cars. Um, thanks in advance?

If you intend to ride "off road" I would suggest you look at Enduro type bikes. There are a few really good ones out there, the only drawbacks are that the seat heights tend to be high, and they are not too comfy if you intend to take passengers. Not very sporty, but practical based on where you said you will ride.

If you remove the dirt roads (you might be ok, depends on the consistency of the dirt roads, and your riding ability) from the equation then the standard starter sport bikes will do. i.e. Ninja 250, EX500, Hyosung 250, etc. in other words the usual recommendations.

Good luck, and enjoy the ride.

Thanks, anyone else?

Take the MSF.

After that, look at the aforementioned bikes, you can look at the KLR650 if you are going to be doing a lot of dirt roads, but since you said sporty looking, that probably isn't a good suggestion.

Suzuki GS500F is another one to look at. United Motors has the same product as Hyosung, so if you can find one of those, their 250 looks like too.

I recommend not worrying about what your first bike looks like. Get something cheap and used. Pick the bike you really want after you get some experience under your belt.

You can go for a used bike of the ones already named, or you can try to grab an 80's UJM (Honda CB series, Yamaha XJ or XS, can't remember, or Seca, Kawasaki KZ series, or Suzuki GS series).
Of course, I wouldn't go for anything bigger than a 650cc in those bikes (right around 50 hp). They are good to learn on as long as you can find one in good working condition.

Thanks, I'm taking my MSF in exactly a month.

Surprised no one mentioned it, but it's pretty tall, you might have to lower it, but I'd suggest the V-strom 650... If you're looking for a dualsport. Not quite sporty looking, but who knows, you might like it!
Wrider

I'm hardly a racer but I have spent a few years on horses and I find that, other than the "you look where you go" aspect, there isn't really any comparison besides that the horse crowd and the bike crowd seem to have a lot in common.

Definitely take the MSF and sit on a few bikes. The forward-leaning, aggressive "sport" style is not for everyone, but I guess if that's what feels comfortable to you, go for it!

been lurking for 6 weeks, picking up lots of advice and info, am old guy going back to the bike for the fun of it, MSF course in 3 weeks

thanks for the good info, will lurk more!