Total Motorcycle Community Forums

To start off with I'm a 6'5" 214lb 22 year old male. I have recently decided to get back into the world of motorcycles after a 6 year layoff to off-set the cost of fuel, build credit, and have fun while doing it. I have extensive motocross experience, I competed in amature races until the age of 16. I raced 125cc beginner and towards the end of my motocross career I raced 250cc beginner. The last bike I had was a 2000 Honda CR250R. I ended up quitting due to receiving some pretty serious injuries to my leg which ended up in me not being able to walk for a year.

I am going to be starting a MSF class tonight, and have already read Proficient Motorcycling & More Proficient Motorcycling this past week. I feel I've done a good bit of homework.

I have done as much research that one can on buying bikes, and I went to a dealer today and sat on a few of them to see which ones felt the best.
I don't plan to actually buy from a dealer but I just wanted the opportunity to sit on all the bikes I would potentially be buying side by side.


I am primarily interested in a cruiser style bike for the low insurance cost, and the I just like the styling on them. I had initially gone in thinking I wanted a used cruiser in the 650cc-900cc class, however after sitting on all the current offerings from the japanese manufactures I don't know that any will fit me comfortably.

I sat on a Honda Sabre 1100 & a Yamaha V-Star 1100 and they felt very nice as did a Honda VTX 1300, however I doubt that would make for any kind of beginner bike. The only thing I didn't get a chance to look at in the lower CC dept was a Suzuki which I hear is much bigger than the Honda's and Yamaha's.

I was wondering for someone like myself with a good bit of past 2 wheel experience would it be considered "OK" for me to start on an 1100? I can't imagine the HP would be a factor as my past MX bikes were pushing 45+hp and weighed less than half the cruiser's I'm looking at. I can only imagine it's a matter of weight & slow speed handling which will give me trouble and MX would give me no experience with.

Thoughts, opinions?

Good luck with your search. If you decide to take a look at the 50 series Zukes, I doubt the S would be comfortable. The M or C would probably fit you. Give them a try. If you're looking for an older bike, the S = Intruder, M = Marauder and C = Volusia (I think those are right. I know the S is).

Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!

Do not, I repeat do not take the V65 Sabre as your first bike.....that thing is a beastie. I have the V45 model and it too is a beastie, but a manageable one.


By the way, exactly where is this V65 hiding?

In the 650-900 group, IMO the Vulcan 900 has a significantly larger frame than the others. It's only been on the market a year, used ones won't be easy to find, but here's one in the Austin area: http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/438425457.html

EDIT: here's another: http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/420379662.html

jstark47,

I appreciate the links, however thats a bit more than I was wanting to spend. I was thinking of topping out at 5k for a "first bike". I see some older Vulcan's in that price range, however they look anemic in size compared to the Vulcan 900.

On another note, I went to the first day of my MSF class. I went in with an open mind trying to learn, but I can honestly say I am scared for half the people in the class. I think 95% of the things we covered were just review for me, but some of these people I don't know... I understand you have to start somewhere, but man!

We start the riding portion today. Before yesterday I still kind of had butterflies at the idea of riding again, but after yesterday I feel 100% confident.

I'll post after I get back.

for older bikes look for a vulcan 800 (what grew up to the 900)

It has the most leg room for tis size...and is extremely manageable.

Hey, for just about anything in the beginner range with your height, you'll probably need forward controls...
That said, I'm 6'2", 300 and loved my first bike, the Suzuki Volusia... It later grew into the Boulevard C50.
805 ccs, longest wheelbase in it's class (but still cornered really well), comfortable, carbeurated, shaft drive, liquid cooled, overall a pretty good bike. You can find them all over (they were made from 01-04) for about 3-5K with no problem. I just moved down to Phoenix, AZ, and on craigslist here I've seen at least 10 of 'em.
Wrider