Page 1 of 2
New Rider
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:24 pm
by Aggie84
Hey everyone! I'm glad I found this site. I'm looking to get my very first bike and I'm really excited but need help. I've only riden a motorcycle once in a parking lot at about 25 mph max on an old small cruiser type bike. I loved it and wanted to get a bike ever since. I plan on taking one of those motorcycle classes where they teach you how to ride and be safe since i have never been officially taught. For my first bike I'm looking at something like the Honda Rebel 250 or the V-Star 250. I like these bikes because they seem light and easy to learn on. They also don't look bad either. I like the cruiser bikes like that and want to start out small so I can learn and then maybe step up a few cc's. The only thing is I'm about 6'4"-6'5" and was wondering if y'all thought that would be a good choice. It feels ok while sitting on it, but I really can't say until I ride it. Thats why I was looking for y'all's opinion on it. I don't need something that will do 100mph, just something to cruise on and have fun. Thanks for the help guys, and I can't wait to get on the road!
Eric
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:46 pm
by ElChado87
Welcome to TMW!
As long as you are comfortable sitting on the bike then you should be fine on the Rebel. Check out the Suzuki Marauder and also the Kawasaki Eliminator.
It seems a lot of people ask about engine displacement (CC's) and whether or not a small bike will move them because they are big. From what I have read and experienced, YES! It will move you just fine.
You might find those particular bikes a bit lacking at highway/freeway speed, but they are great for commuting. I'm sure somebody on here owns one. And you just might find that you may learn to ride on one of the above bikes at the MSF course. I did.
Hope to see pics of your new ride later this year!
Oh btw, Register early for the MSF course, they fill up fast!
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:55 pm
by Aggie84
Cool. I'm pretty skinny so I don't think it will slow me down. I've read of these bike doing about 75-80 and that fine with me. Thanks for the reply! I'll start looking in to the MSF course to register. I can't wait! I'll post pics the moment I get it home!
Eric
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:57 pm
by SBK15
I got the Eliminator 125!! It's smaller then what i would want (size wise) SOme people look at a 125 think its a big fat slug, but no its not, makes 12 HP
but only ways 270 pounds. I'd rather want the Virago (v-star 125) or the Rebel, but this was my choice.
The eliminators cost 3K right outta the dealer
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:05 pm
by Aggie84
I've never seen that bike before. Thats not a bad looking bike at all. Thanks! How far will a tank of gas get you?
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:18 pm
by Aggie84
I also have another question. I've heard something about the dreaded right hand turn? I was just wondering why it's called that. Is a right hand turn harder to make than a left? Thanks
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:21 pm
by ElChado87
Never heard of that, maybe a left hand turn across traffic is dreaded...
Do you, or have you ridden a bicycle before? Turning on a motorcycle is not much different, if at all. Push Steering is the key...
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:33 pm
by Aggie84
Yes, I've riden a bicycle for many years. Is push steering where you push the left bar to the right to turn right?
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:58 pm
by Tenku
I've heard something about the dreaded right hand turn? I was just wondering why it's called that. Is a right hand turn harder to make than a left?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well a right hand turn is a tighter turn than a left hand turn...
When I first started riding, I was like the poster child for bad right hand turns!
Thankfully, I've gotten lots better!
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:00 pm
by Tenku
Yes, I've riden a bicycle for many years. Is push steering where you push the left bar to the right to turn right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes....at speed of course...not at real slow speeds..