Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi!
I am hoping to be able to buy a new bike about this time next year. I’ve read the ‘Before you buy a 600+’ article. Here are my thoughts, relative to me, on this article:

False Logic: I had bought into this, but now see the error of my ways.

Vanity Arguments: Doesn’t really apply, other than I love the way BMW bikes look, and if there is a good beginner bike from BMW, I’d prefer it. But I will go with the bike that makes the most sense, no matter who makes it.

You be the judge: Doesn’t apply. I’m about 5’9”, 190lbs. Depressingly average.

Decision Justification:

I’ll take it easy: Ok, I’m convinced. I’ll get a smaller bike.

Careful Driver: This really does apply to me. I drive in traffic four days a week, 10 hours a day, as my job. I’ve had the Smith System driving course, and it’s helped me a LOT. But I’m not perfect, and I know it. Hopefully I know enough.

Fast Car Driver: Heh. I drive a minivan. And an F250 van for work. I was in the military, and I’ve driven LOTS of vehicles. This does mean that I’ve learned to be very cautious until I have learned the characteristics of whatever I am driving. The closest experience I have to motorcycles, other than a little bike experience from 17 years ago, is horse riding. I’m great at that. But I doubt it translates well.

So . . . I’m hoping to find some tailored advice to help me come up with a ‘Top X’ list. I don’t care if it’s 5, 10, or whatever, just so long as it’s a smarter list than I can do on my own.

So . . . I’m 36, 5’9”, 190lbs. I could ride a bike w/o looking down to shift as of 17 years ago, but haven’t ridden since. The bike I had then was practically given to me, and I couldn’t keep the darn thing running more than a few hours at a time. It was a low cc bike, but I don’t remember now. I never even bothered to put a tag on it b/c it wouldn’t run long enough. But I did drive it in the neighborhood some. All under 30mph.

As I have a take home company vehicle, and a minivan, this is purely a ‘when I want to’ bike.

I want something to ‘sit up’ on. I don’t want to lay on the fuel tank. I don’t expect to go more than 90mph ever (and only that on the interstate when the right music is on ). Or maybe if I slip into an alternate reality and have to save the world.

Eventually, I want my g/f to ride with me, and she requires back support. So I need something with a seat that two can fit on, and have a back rest for. But this might be for my 2nd bike.

Oh, I DON’T know the jargon for bikes yet. Cruiser/Standard/Dual Sport doesn’t mean much to me, yet.

That’s all I can think of for now, so please feel free to shoot holes in my ego. It’s used to it.

Ty

Hi tymanthius,

Welcome to the board. It sounds like you're starting out right.

Check out this site http://www.wyndfeather.com/learn/motorcycle.htm

It has a lot of great information for new riders.

Hope to see you around here and hear about all your first time newbie adventures.
I started riding two years ago and am still having newbie adventures.

Flipper

BMW has some great beginner bikes if you can stomach the price. If you could find a used BMW 650GS plain or Adventure it would be a nice bike if you truly love their look.

New BMW beginner bikes are F800 and the F650 GS that uses the same parallel engine as the F800, just detuned to feel like the old 650.

Hmmm, I was your age when I bought my first bike (although about 2 inches shorter) and pretty much had the same requirements. I wasn't looking for a BMW in particular, just something sensible, comfortable, versatile, and used.

Among all the bikes I checked out, the BMWF650CS seemed to be the most sensible, surprisingly (it was the only one available with ABS, for instance), so that's what I ended up with. Still have it, still love it. I'm likely to get one of the F650GS twins when good used ones start popping up.

There are lots of sensible bikes out there. Among the Euro brands, I actually think BMW has the most number of available used and new beginner-friendly models. The Japanese have a lot of options as well. You seem to be the sensible sort. You'll do fine. If you really want a beemer, the only thing I'd recommend is to buy used, and not a first-year production model (I still perceive Japanese bikes to more reliable).

Grey Thumper wrote:If you really want a beemer, the only thing I'd recommend is to buy used, and not a first-year production model (I still perceive Japanese bikes to more reliable).

But the beemer's are so PRETTY!!!!

As I said, I'll get what makes the most sense for me. I'm willing to pay a little more for the BMW, but not a LOT more (at least, I don't think so). But if the used market near me doesn't support what I want . . . well, I'll go somewhere else.

As for sensible - you obviously don't know me.

tymanthius wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:If you really want a beemer, the only thing I'd recommend is to buy used, and not a first-year production model (I still perceive Japanese bikes to more reliable).

But the beemer's are so PRETTY!!!!

As I said, I'll get what makes the most sense for me. I'm willing to pay a little more for the BMW, but not a LOT more (at least, I don't think so). But if the used market near me doesn't support what I want . . . well, I'll go somewhere else.

As for sensible - you obviously don't know me.

The BMW shop in my area had this BMW F650 GS Dakar for $4000 though with some scratches and dings to it. Is there a BMW dealer near you that may have used bikes?

JC Viper wrote:The BMW shop in my area had this BMW F650 GS Dakar for $4000 though with some scratches and dings to it. Is there a BMW dealer near you that may have used bikes?

The nice thing about dual sports though is they actually look better with some scratches and dings

My story is pretty close to yours, about the same size, age but had never rode. I really liked the look/ styling and size of the Suzuki M50 and sure enough a nice clean used one popped up locally so I picked it up. I love the bike, it's met my needs/ wants nicely. Worth a look.

Grey Thumper wrote:

JC Viper wrote:The BMW shop in my area had this BMW F650 GS Dakar for $4000 though with some scratches and dings to it. Is there a BMW dealer near you that may have used bikes?

The nice thing about dual sports though is they actually look better with some scratches and dings

The dings and scratches added character to the bike and weren't bad, but I decided against it because of the BMW name affecting my insurance regardless of it being a tame and safe bike with a bit of mileage and age.

BMW and Ducati are going to be costly to insure and anything with an R or SX or anything agressive will do the same, especially when 18 - 24 is next to the drivers age.

JC Viper wrote:The dings and scratches added character to the bike and weren't bad, but I decided against it because of the BMW name affecting my insurance regardless of it being a tame and safe bike with a bit of mileage and age.

BMW and Ducati are going to be costly to insure and anything with an R or SX or anything agressive will do the same, especially when 18 - 24 is next to the drivers age.

Serious? Wow. I'm pretty lucky my insurance company just sets a premium based on my age and my bike's current value, regardless of brand or style of bike.