Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I am 31 about 280lbs and 5'7" have rode dirt bikes as a kid but I hate to buy a smaller bike and want to trade in one or two seasons

What's your question? Whether a 730lb, 1800cc power cruiser is a recommended first bike?

No, it is not. You might pull it off, but it is not the recommended best approach to learning to ride a motorcycle well. Get something smaller, lighter, and less powerful, learn to ride it proficiently, then trade up.

I think most bikes - even the smaller ones - will pull your weight. You'd have to check the max load. I believe my Ninja 250 was weight rated to carry both me and my wife - I'm 175 and she's 140 (or she was before she got preggers).

I wouldn't recommend the Ninja 250 for you; however, the Ninja 500 might be a good starting point.

I've been considering the Ninja 650 for my second bike - because of the affordability, but it might be a little high in horsepower and center of gravity for someone just starting out.

Since you are learning toward cruisers - I suspect most of all of the Honda Shadow line would easily accommodate you. Plus they have a low seat height that should work with you as well - you are a little shorter than I am and might have a shorter inseam as well.

RhadamYgg

A raider for your first bike? hmmm can i put some life insurance on you in my name please? no seriously my first bike was a 750 cc but i had ridden dirt bikes for 8 years prior. now i have a 750 lb 1800 cc cruiser and no there is no way i could have not gone thru the 750 first. some people here will tell you that a 750 is too much of a bike to start out with a 750 sport bike yes absolutely. a 750 cruiser goes no faster than their 250 ninja (OK maybe a little bit, but just a tad) the 1800 is a lot more bike and it takes all of my concentration to ride and i consider myself a very good and experienced rider. to sum this up yes the raider looks awesome but it is not, in any sense of the word, a starter bike. Please do not make this mistake.

I've bought and sold over 15 bikes in the last two years. I never like dropping below seven though since it's a lucky number, not to mention prime.

You could buy 7 great used midsized cruisers for the price of a raider. You would learn faster, not care as much if you dropped it, be able to pick it up easier, wont' be surprised by accidental application of gobs of power and the insurance over the first two years will be much less.

Cruisers are made for... big fellas. The midsized (<800cc) cruisers have plenty of power for whatever you need. Not to mention that you'll look incredible uncool on the raider when riding like a newb. Don't bring the bike's image down!

Raider? Are you nuts?

I have thought about the 950 vstar or the 1100 vstar but both were uncomfortable but the raider was very comfortable for me. I have looked at harleys,kawisakais, hondas and suzkies. I have got bored with muscle cars and have wanted a bike for years now finnaly I can afored one .

large wrote:I have thought about the 950 vstar or the 1100 vstar but both were uncomfortable but the raider was very comfortable for me. I have looked at harleys,kawisakais, hondas and suzkies. I have got bored with muscle cars and have wanted a bike for years now finnaly I can afored one .

You're stepping right into the fastest growing category of dead motorcyclists. The "mature" folks - from age 30 and up - who have never ridden (or rode briefly at school age) and have "always wanted a motorcycle" and can now afford to get just the one they've lusted after since childhood.

Problem is, folks fail to take into account that the bike they lusted after "back in the day," probably had less than 70 hp along with less sensitive brakes and throttle. We won't get into how the number of birthdays you've personally celebrated effects your response/execution time for quick (read: life-saving) maneuvers.

Take the MSF Basic Riders Course, then go bike shopping. At least you'll have a good foundation to work with.

P