Reconsidering my first bike

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plantnerd · #1 Unread post by **plantnerd** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:13 am

My wonderful wife recently purchased for me a 1991 Honda Nighthawk 750. This is my first bike, and what I am going to learn to ride on. After reading several posts here about bikes for beginners, I am starting to wonder if this is too big a bike for my first. I am getting pretty comfortable on it, and plan on enrolling in a MSF course, but I just wanted to get opinions about the suitability of this bike for a beginner.

Lion_Lady · #2 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:30 am

I think that that is probably a good bike to learn on... the Nighthawk is dependable (and the Nighthawk 750 was the bike used in Bob Higdon's around the world ride). Popular so parts are readily available. Its older so it isn't costing a lot to insure.

The one thing I can see as being a problem is perhaps the WEIGHT. But if you're handling it, then don't worry about it.

Welcome!

P

plantnerd · #3 Unread post by **plantnerd** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:40 am

Yeah, it's a heavy bike, so hopefully I can handle it. It also has enough power that I can somewhat ride with sportbike riding friends without holding them back (at least in city riding).

#4 Unread post by **cb360** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:08 am

If you didn't already have it, it wouldn't be my absolute first choice. But since you already have one I certainly don't think it's a bad bike to learn on. One question though - how big are you? Someone already mentioned the weight of the bike... I'm just wondering if you can put your feet flat on the ground when you are on the bike. It's not the end of the world if you can't, but for that first bike it's nice to be able to flatfoot it until you get used to how it moves.

It's all in the technique - you see very small men and women manhandling pretty big bikes effortlessly - because they know what they are doing - by the same token you can see big dudes straining with 500cc bikes and doing 8 point turns in parking lots because they aren't yet accustomed to how to move the bike around.

But back to the point - that could be a bit large for a first bike, but some of that depends on your size and strength as well. Many people learn on a bike that size and do great.

plantnerd · #5 Unread post by **plantnerd** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:43 am

I'm 6'2" and around 200lb, so I have no problem flatfooting things while learning.

Another question, somewhat related is along the lines of passengers. I would really love to take my wife along with me, but feel like I should have a few miles under my belt before I do so. I also have a friend whose wife that has offered to be my first passenger, as she has ridden on back many times. How long is generally acceptable before accepting my first passenger?

Lion_Lady · #6 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:57 am

plantnerd wrote:...Another question, somewhat related is along the lines of passengers. I would really love to take my wife along with me, but feel like I should have a few miles under my belt before I do so. I also have a friend whose wife that has offered to be my first passenger, as she has ridden on back many times. How long is generally acceptable before accepting my first passenger?

You definitely want to be VERY COMFORTABLE with your current motorcycle and your own skills (like not having to 'think about' anything basic) before you carry a passenger. Not so much a miles logged as your own comfort in your skills. Still it is probably best to wait for a bit. Remember your pillion's life and safety rest in your hands.

Your BEST first passenger is someone who either already RIDES their own, or is an experienced pillion. That way you can focus on getting used to the differing feel of your bike with the added weight, not on coaching the pillion. Cornering and STOPPING distance are especially effected by added pillion weight.

Pam

#7 Unread post by **cb360** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:11 am

I've ridden with my wife on the back many times - it becomes a totally different bike. Harder to accelerate out of first, much harder to stop, takes a lot more strength to hold the bike up at stop lights and such and slow maneuvers are much more difficult with a passenger... especially an inexperienced passenger. My advice would be to get a few hundred miles on the bike, then take your wife to an empty parking lot and practice starts, stops and turns before hitting the road. Also, make sure she has all the appropriate riding gear before she plans on taking a ride.

#8 Unread post by **cb360** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:14 am

Here you go Plantnerd - this thread has a bunch of good info for riding 2-up

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopi ... highlight=