Sports tourer for a new rider

[oceanbreeze2200]

I was checking to see if one of the sport tourers would work for a new rider specifically the honda st1300, yamaha fjr1300, or the kawasaki concour.

I have riden only scooters in the past. I took the msf and did very well and got my license the next day. My purpose for the bike is everyday commute and about once every other month a 600 mile trip to visit my kids.

I will have access to a lot to practice in. Im 6'4 stocky and 237. My instructors told me to find what was a comfortable fit and go with it. the bigger the cc the longer the learning curve. Ive gone in and talked to some dealers and when they see me they express the same sentiments. Ive been watching this site for a bit and wanted to hear some opinions.

thanks

Vince

[jstark47]

I presume you mean the Concours 14, not the old ZG1000 Concours? No matter. All of these bikes are powerful, fast, heavy, and top heavy. The old Concours is the least powerful of the group, yet I still wouldn't recommend it to a beginner due to the high center of gravity and power.

The V-strom 650 is a lighter bike you can still sport-tour on, and is plenty big and powerful enough for your size. Frankly it's still a marginal bike for beginners IMO, but not so much as those others. Check out the V-strom (the 650, not the 1000).

[siralienj]

The best advice given on this board is that "This is your first bike and not your last." Get something a little more manageable and keep using your car for long trips for now. If in a year or so you want to take a long ride frequently you can always sell your bike and buy another.

I was checking to see if one of the sport tourers would work for a new rider specifically the honda st1300, yamaha fjr1300, or the kawasaki concour.

I have riden only scooters in the past. I took the msf and did very well and got my license the next day. My purpose for the bike is everyday commute and about once every other month a 600 mile trip to visit my kids.

I will have access to a lot to practice in. Im 6'4 stocky and 237. My instructors told me to find what was a comfortable fit and go with it. the bigger the cc the longer the learning curve. Ive gone in and talked to some dealers and when they see me they express the same sentiments. Ive been watching this site for a bit and wanted to hear some opinions.

thanks

Vince

[Shorts]

I wouldn't suggest a large ST bike for your first ride. Drop to a midsized sport standard or cruiser. The ST bikes are big, as in a lot of mass. They are no slouches for power either.

[Wrider]

Agreed, to put it into perspective, in Colorado Springs, Colorado (my hometown) they recently switched to the Honda ST1300s for the police bikes because they are able to pull over the super-sports unlike the old Harley Road Kings they used to use (even with modified cams and gearing)
Get something smaller, maybe a Bandit 600 would work for you.
Wrider

[oceanbreeze2200]

thanks everyone for the information its very helpful

Vince

[Lion_Lady]

I was checking to see if one of the sport tourers would work for a new rider specifically the honda st1300, yamaha fjr1300, or the kawasaki concour. . .

Vince

Both are topheavy machines. Which make the likelihood of a tipover as you learn (and later) very high. The "WeeStrom" Vstrom650 is an EXCELLENT sport-tourer, even though it is "actually" a dual sport. For someone your height (esp if your inseam is taller than 33") you definitely should consider a dual sport rather than an actual sport-tourer. There are tons of aftermarket touring accesories available for the Strom that will make it a nice distance machine.

Lack of leg room is agonizing on long rides.

P

[HYPERR]

For someone your height (esp if your inseam is taller than 33") you definitely should consider a dual sport

That's very true. Other than the very tall seat height, most dual sports make excellent machines for new riders. For someone of his height(6'4"), a seat height of about 35" is not really an issue.

[atabularasa]

My 1st bike after taking the class was a 650 twin, 1978 then I went up a little to a SECA 750 which was plenty for my 300lbs and 6"1.

This year I went up to a shadow sabre 1100 and it has a learning curve all of its own.

You can always move up after awhile.

[Ninja Geoff]

+2 on the Wee. There's also the Ninja 650R and Versys, both Kawasakis.