Total Motorcycle Community Forums

So, here's yet another 'Help Me Pick My First Bike' topic, but I really didn't see one that covered what I am looking for. I'm taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in the Spring and buying a bike to make my 15 minute commute and cruise on Sundays. What I'm looking for is a cruiser/ standard type bike that I'll be able to handle as a beginner. Here's what I'm considering:
A Suzuki M50 (50 ci)
A Yamaha V Star Custom (It's a 650)
A Kawasaki Vulcan 500
A Triumph Bonneville
A Harley Davidson Sportster 883

Well, I look forward to any feedback. I would seriously prefer a new bike/ late model bike that would be easy to acquire locally (Kansas City). I want to learn maintenance and motorcycle care, but I need to have a reliable commuter and be able to go to the dealership if there is a problem. I am 28, if you are curious. (I am also a safety nut and will be wearing full gear at all times and I am planning on taking an advanced riding course after I've been riding for a while.)

In my opinion, any of those would be a good first bike. I started on the S50 myself and haven't regretted it (they're 805cc).

Go to some dealerships and sit on them, balance them, etc to get a feel for them. You just need to figure out which one is right for you. I also went against the grain a bit and bought new for my first bike. I haven't regretted that decision either. Although I can see how you might if you dropped it.

Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!

I sat on a C50T and it fit my 5'9" 240 lb. frame perfectly. I was just curious about the powerband.
(The dropping issue is not too big a deal. When I move on to my next bike, this one will be my wife's first.)

Hey, check out my sig, I had a Volusia for my first bike, and it's the 01 version of the M50. Even with carbs, it had power all the way through the powerband, really well balanced... Although it does start to lug if you get under 2K RPM and want to hit the gas hard.
Keep in mind though that yours is fuel injected!
Wrider

So, wrider, would you say it was a good first bike? I really dig the M50's Bobber style rear end.

Hey Doc. I have a 99 v-star 650 classic, though not custom. It's been a great first bike so far. I've ridden about 500 miles on it and have felt pretty comfortable on it.

It handles nicely, and still has a decent amount of pick up till it hits 60 or so....then it tends to accelerate a little slower. From what I've read they hold up well and also make good bikes to customize.

Also a nice feature for a first bike...they are pretty cheap.

Yeah, great first bike for me, granted I'm a big guy (check my blog), but yeah, I loved it. I wanted it FI, which the new ones are, and floorboards, which they also have.
Oh, and I think you're talking about the C50, but same bike, different plastic fenders... Either way, purty...
Wrider

Doctor Discotheque wrote:So, wrider, would you say it was a good first bike? I really dig the M50's Bobber style rear end.

My little brother has an M50 for his first bike. Just take the time to spend in parkinglots to get used to it (after the MSF of course), and you should be fine. He is 6'3 about 190lbs

My mom has also piloted the bike, she is 5'6 about 110lbs. She said it was a little wide for her, but she got used to it. Her bike is a 650 Savage. At her size, I wouldn't have started her on the M50.

I've been on it as well (6'1 230lbs), and it is a fine bike. I think it makes a good first bike for someone who has taken the MSF and knows how to basically operate a motorcycle. Being larger than 5'6 helps a bit too, but isn't a necessity.

Nope, the M50 is the one with the Bobbed rear fender. The C50 has a full fender.

Try the Bonneville Mine has got through two English winters without any major work Plus I can do 500 miles a day and still walk afterwards