How much is too Much for a Beginner???

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sandog · #1 Unread post by **sandog** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:12 am

I'm sure it's been asked before so I apologize..
I've never riden before and want to get a bike. I like the Volusia(c50) 800 and the V-Star 1100. I also like the vstar 650 but i think it would be too small for me. Both in size and comfort and when riding at highway speeds. I'm 6'2, 230lbs.
I denitely like the Volusia, but was also considering the vstar 1100. The problem is I don't want get a smaller bike and then outgrow it in 6 months. I think my wife would kill me if I tried that.
So here's the big question. Is the Volusia enough bike to be able to ride comfortabley and not outgrow after a few months of riding. And is the Vstar 1100 way too much bike for a first time rider.
Thanks in advance

iwannadie · #2 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:37 am

i dont think the Volusia is a beginner bike(not saying you shouldnt get it as a first bike). but i dont think anyone outgrows that bike(or any bike). have you 'out grown' your car yet? how do you think you will out grow the Volusia? to you what does out growing a bike mean?

dont mean to sound rude but im trying to understand what makes you think in 6 months the Volusia wont be a suitable bike for you any more?

are you worried in 6 months the Volusia wont match top speeds of the vstar? worried about acceleration of the Volusia after 6 months? general ride comfort?

if you plan to do the speed limit with mostly surface roads any bike will do. if you want the long haul freeway rides the bigger bike will be better suited for that but suffer on surface roads. those big bikes are Heavy and a pain to maneuver at slow speeds. youll be doing alot of slow speed stuff while learning.

decide what you want to do most on the bike then go for that. but also know if you do get a Small learner bike you can always sell it for pretty much what you bought it for in 6 months. i assume your thinking of buying new, imagine your wifes reactions when you drop your brand new bike(it will happen) and come home with it scratchd up?

sandog · #3 Unread post by **sandog** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:23 am

Well expressway speeds are approx 65 mph. I've read the vstar 650 does a bit of rattling when you get it up there.
I've also read on motorcyclecruiser.com that the 650 can be a bit cramped for taller riders. I'm 6'2
I don't plan to buy new - i'm going to buy used. Regardless, if I decide I want a new bike in 6 months my wife will still kill me.
The 650 is a smaller bike and will probably be easier to learn on than the Volusia. But in 6 months to a year when I get used to riding I don't want to have to deal w/ a cramped ride and rattling at high sppeds.
Of course I don't know this for sure as I've never riden. Just going by what I've read on reviews.
Thanks

iwannadie · #4 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:33 am

well again its Very easy to sell off a bike after having it 6 months and if your main concerns are comfort then you really wont know untill you ride the bike. you might get the vstar/Volusia because its bigger and seems more comfortable then after a few months decide you dont like the ride position much and want to trade. i wouldnt go into this totally against selling the bike within a year. maybe talk to your wife and explain if/when you sell it you wont loose any real amount of money so its no big deal.

any bike will rattle vibrate at certain speeds(someone will chime in with more precise details on why and how much im sure). you can counter that with better gel grips and new seat etc. same with the bike seeming to cramped, get new foot controls, you can move them way forward so your feet arent so close. you can get risers or new handle bars to fix any problem there. no need to leave it stock if it your not comfortable on it.

sandog · #5 Unread post by **sandog** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:45 am

So,
Is your recomendation to avoid the volusia and start w/ the vstar?

iwannadie · #6 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:47 am

sandog wrote:So,
Is your recomendation to avoid the volusia and start w/ the vstar?

i would start with something small. the Volusia is pretty big as it is that would be pushing things to start on. the vstar is way to big to want to learn on id say.

id say find a nice 650 to start on then sell it off and buy your Volusia or vstar in a year or so.

sandog · #7 Unread post by **sandog** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:50 am

yeah, I meant skip the volusia and start w/ the vstar 650...

iwannadie · #8 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:19 am

sandog wrote:yeah, I meant skip the volusia and start w/ the vstar 650...

i would start with the 650, unless you sit on some Volusias and really feel like its not too heavy for you. i started on the marauder 800 and it was heavy but i dont think it was as big/heavy as the Volusia. it was a pain to maneuver around at slow speeds on that thing for a while.

Buelligan · Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:53 am

Wannadie said"

"i dont think the Volusia is a beginner bike(not saying you shouldnt get it as a first bike). but i dont think anyone outgrows that bike(or any bike). have you 'out grown' your car yet? how do you think you will out grow the Volusia? to you what does out growing a bike mean? "

I think you do outgrow bikes, it's not the same as a car. After all when was the last time your car fell over?

Randy · #10 Unread post by **Randy** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:41 pm

I don't think you outgrow bikes. I think that they are like having a significant other. If you take care of it, it takes care of you. If you abuse it, it eventually causes you grief. Also, if you pick a crazy one, they eventually kill you.

What it boils down to is that bikes are fun, you can have fun on a moped or a Hayabusa. I am pretty sure riding a Hayabusa is a lot like dating a supermodel, a lot of maintenance and it is eventually gonna dump you. While riding a moped is like dating your cousin, its fun and dependable, just don't let anyone see you doing it.

I'd say start with your cousin, then work your way up to a regular girl, thats what I did..... umm I mean bike.