Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi All

Let me preface this by saying that I know absolutely nothing about motorcycles other than what I've read/heard - which isn't much.

I'm considering taking up biking and after reading around on this site and some others I've come up with a few questions regarding getting started.

First of all is the bike. Now from what I've read it would be best to stay at 500 cc or below, in fact it would seem best to go for something at 250..or even 125. I have no ego when it comes to this, I just want to make the right decision for me. So with that said here is what I'm looking for in a bike/some questions:

- Standard, or cruiser style (ie. not a sport bike)

- 125-250cc? - Here is my first question: How would these smaller engines stand up over longer distances? Though I wouldn't be attempting a long drive until I had substantial experience, is the bike going to be capable in the long term? What would you guys consider a long drive anyway?

- Used or New?: Though I could afford to buy new I would prefer to go used for the first bike. With that said though, I would like to have it for a number of years...I wouldn't see myself upgrading unless it was to fit what I want to be able do on the bike. It would be nice to be an "experienced rider" and still have my original bike and be happy with it.

- Passenger seat: I would like the bike to have one. This is something I haven't been able to read too much about. From what I can tell most bikes other than some sport bikes have them but I am unsure. When do new riders typically start riding with a passenger? Is this something that is taught on MSF courses? Is it an advanced skill?

- Bikes: These are some of the bikes I've been trying to read up on so far. I'm not sure of their availability in used or new markets in my area (Atlantic Canada), so if anyone has knowledge of what I should expect to pay for these bikes that would be helpful.

Kawasaki Eliminator 125
Honda Rebel 250
Honda Nighthawk 250
Suzuki GZ250 Marauder
Yamaha Virago 250

- Storage: I don't have a garage so I'm wondering what my options are. I've seen that there are places (dealerships, or storage companies) that will give you space for a monthly fee, but I am curious to know what you guys think is the best option for people without a garage/shed. Also, for the riding season how do those of you without garages/sheds protect your bike? Is there a particular cover that's very good?

At this point in time I am trying to do as much research as I can before I decide whether or not I want to take up biking. If I do decide it's something I want to do I am hoping to be able to get on an MSF course this spring/summer. In any case the main thing is that I'm looking for as much information as possible from actual bikers - I don't know anyone personally who bikes so it is a completely foreign world to me. Any help you guys can give would be great, and I would happily answer questions if it would help you help me.

Thanks

1) You need to decide. Go sit on some at a dealer. Take the MSF safety course and try the different bikes.

2) There are people out there that have done Iron Butts on 250s. That is 1000 miles in less that 24 hours.

3) New or used. I would go with used. The cost would be kept down and it won't sting as much when you drop it.

4) Most, if not all bikes have a place for a passenger. I would suggest you get some experience before you take on passengers.

5) Any of those bikes would be ok. There are also Kawasaki and Hyosung models that fit your bill.

6) Those covers work ok. I've also seen guys use those portable garages. If security is a problem you can get a hammer drill and install an eye hook on the parking lot to chain your bike to.

First, take the MSF course BEFORE buying a bike. I was dead set on getting a 500cc or smaller bike, but my instructor said that since I was looking at cruisers not sportbikes that I should consider larger bikes. She actually suggested getting something in the 800cc to 1000cc range. There are many great bikes out there. I ended up with a V-star 650 Classic, only because I couldn't afford a bigger bike, and I got a great deal on a used one. I looked at several bikes in the 500cc to the 1200cc range. After several months of riding the 650 I ended up with, I wish I had actually gotten a slightly larger bike.

Second, try out as many bikes as you can before you buy. I test rode both a H-D 1200 Sportster with the standard controls, and a 1200 Custom with the forward controls. My legs were way too long to make the standard controls comfortable at all, and it made it difficult to ride the bike. However, the forward controls of the Custom fit me great and I loved the bike (but couldn't afford either an 883 or 1200 H-D ). I couldn't fit on a Honda Rebel comfortably, and the VLX600 was too tight for me too. So it pays to try a bunch of bikes out.

Go used, especially on the smaller bikes. You can often find many 800cc or smaller cruisers on Craigslist in your area, and it can save you lots of money buying used. This is especially true of 250cc to 500cc bikes as many people "outgrow" them in one season of riding. I used Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) to determine fair prices, and I had great lucky making offers about halfway between Retail and Trade-In value, with adjustments made for the condition of the bike.

Get lots of experience before you consider taking a passenger with you. I'm starting my second season of riding and still wouldn't feel comfortable taking a passenger.

As for storage, I live in an apartment, and used a disc lock and cover until the weather started to get really cold. December, January, and February, I kept the bike at a storage unit. Public Storage, U-haul, and others have units you can rent out on month to month basis.

Again, with bikes to consider I'd get some advice from your MSF instructor, but I'd also look at some bigger bikes like:

Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Buell Blast
V-star 650 Classic/Custom
Suzuki S40 (aka Savage 650)

Depending on your size you may also want to look at slightly larger bikes like:
Suzuki C50/M50 (aka Volusia 800)
Honda Shadow 750
H-D Sportster 883

You may also want to get your hands on the book "A Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles." There is a wealth of info in there, and a list of many bikes with suggestions for which ones are good beginner bikes.

Good luck, have fun, and stay safe.

TooEasy wrote:At this point in time I am trying to do as much research as I can before I decide whether or not I want to take up biking. If I do decide it's something I want to do I am hoping to be able to get on an MSF course this spring/summer.

Motorcycling is one of those things where you can read hundreds of pages, talk to dozens of people....... and still not "know" as much as you'll know after several hours of guided hands-on instructional experience. (That doesn't mean letting your brother-in-law's cousin's friend who happens to own a bike "teach" you.) Please take the MSF basic rider course (or whatever equivalent you have in Canada), then decide if you want to take up biking. The MSF course is designed to allow people who've never touched a motorcycle in their lives to achieve some proficiency with the basics in a few days.

When/if you take the MSF course, they usaully have a Virago, Rebel or a Eliminator. I have the eliminator 125 . it's actually not that slow, i can hit 68-70 on dead flat road. The only big issue you might have with it, is if your really heavy, or tall. I'm about 5'7 and its a LITTLE on the small side (it's considered a standard motorcycle, not a cruiser). If you want a bigger cruiser i would try the V-STAR 650 Custom/Classic or the Boulevard S40.

Oh, and THANK YOU for not thinking a GSXR, CBR,ZXR is a good starter bike!!

My bike gets around 76 MPG in town the way i drive it.
I can fill up on $7 when i hit the reserve. (takes regular)
I take it out about everyday and only have to fill up about every other week.

I got mine new, but used would be much more cheaper and you wouldn't have to fool with Break-in periods. Like on mine, the first break-in period, i couldnt even go over 26 MPH

Thanks everyone so far for the responses, it is all very helpful.

Also some have mentioned size, so for future reference I am 5-9 150 lbs...not a big guy, but the army keeps me in shape

jstark47 wrote:

TooEasy wrote:At this point in time I am trying to do as much research as I can before I decide whether or not I want to take up biking. If I do decide it's something I want to do I am hoping to be able to get on an MSF course this spring/summer.

Motorcycling is one of those things where you can read hundreds of pages, talk to dozens of people....... and still not "know" as much as you'll know after several hours of guided hands-on instructional experience. (That doesn't mean letting your brother-in-law's cousin's friend who happens to own a bike "teach" you.) Please take the MSF basic rider course (or whatever equivalent you have in Canada), then decide if you want to take up biking. The MSF course is designed to allow people who've never touched a motorcycle in their lives to achieve some proficiency with the basics in a few days.

This is the thought process I am using. I guess the decision I am making now is more to do with taking the course...it costs quite a bit of money here and I also need a DOT approved helmet, gloves, jacket, and good boots to take the course.

So the thing is that there would already be considerable financial investment just to take the course, and if after taking it I decide biking is not for me that's not exactly good for my pocket. This is why I'm trying to do as much "on paper" as I can before making that decision.

On the gear note, how much should I budget for myself? I do not want to compromise safety so I am willing to dish out for good equipment...at the same time it does have to be reasonable. ....always have wanted a leather jacket - maybe this can be my excuse!

Brand new A Eliminator is 3k right outta the shop.
used would be cheaaappppp

I had a Rebel for 4 years. It was dependable and fun. This was the bike I used in the MSF class. I would think that your height might be a problem on this size bike. My husband is 5'11 and he thought it was way too cramped for him to ride. Since you are just thinking about bikes, I would not know what else to suggest. I based my original decision on cost and simplicity.
I didn't want to put a huge investment into something to learn on and potentially drop. It was fun to ride around town and on the Parkway. Good luck!

TooEasy wrote:I guess the decision I am making now is more to do with taking the course...it costs quite a bit of money here and I also need a DOT approved helmet, gloves, jacket, and good boots to take the course.

So the thing is that there would already be considerable financial investment just to take the course . . .

You should not need to get the helmet, jacket, etc to take the course. They will provide a helmet, and only require a long sleeve shirt for the course. A cheap pair of leather work gloves, and any boot that covers your ankles will do. In fact I use leather work gloves for all my riding now, and I think I got them for about $10 at Lowe's. I wore a pair of old military boots for the course, and often still wear them. I also have a nice pair of RedWing work boots that I also sometimes wear for riding, but I would have those anyways as I need boots for my job, and either wear my old military boots or the RedWings. If you don't have any boots that would work for the course you can probably get a cheap pair of boots at Payless that will suffice.

Regardless, other than tuition for the class you won't need to spend much money just to test the waters.

Well, lots of good advice has been given. I don't have much too add, but I did make a webpage that might be helpful to you. The link is in my signature below.

There is also a lot of great advice in the beginner bikes section on this website too. The main thing is - take the MSF course first. Since you have so many questions, you sound like you are very excited and enthused and have given this a lot of thought. That's good. Taking that MSF class will answer tons of questions. Do that first. Worry about other details later. One step at a time. This is a process that will take weeks and/or months to finish. So, just be diligent and patient.