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My dad passed last week sometime, and my stepmom approached me and told me about how my father had willed me his Yamaha V star classic 1100.

I was in the market for a bike, knowing i need to start small, and me and my dad always talked about how we'd cruise around together when i finally got a bike. An 1100 is more than a little bit much for a beginner. Insurance is going to be outrageous. What do you guys think i should do? My first step, as it would have been all along is to take the MSF course. But where should i go from there? His friend talked to me and told me he was going to teach me, and wouldn't let me out on it until he was positive i wasn't going to kill myself. He said right after MSF he's taking me to a parking lot, and he said he'll see how it goes from there.

What is your guys' take?
What should i do?

*EDIT* I forgot to mention, selling his bike is COMPLETELY out of the queston.

I am a new bike owner (1 week old) who went against the feedback of some experienced riders and bought an 1100. I am taking the MSF course in three weeks, and have been practicing in my neighborhood every day.

I believe that the 1100 is not too big for me to learn on, but I believe that it would been a lot easier to learn on a smaller bike and then move up class. I Sounds like you have some good instruction available and you are taking the MSF course - so I bet you will do just fine.

Take the class.
After the class, decide whether to:
1) sell Dad's bike and get a smaller one
or
2) get a used smaller one, ride it a year and learn all you can, sell it for what you paid and ride Dad's bike. (My choice)

I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

I was thinking the same as Dustyjacket. I would take the course, find an older used bike to learn on. Then next year start practicing on the bigger bike in a parking lot. When you feel comfortable with it. Sell the used bike as keep riding Dad's bike.

Jean

Sorry about your father. That's a nice bike though. Can you afford to get a smaller used bike and hang on to that v-star for another year or so? Chances are you'll like it. Some folks are fine on smaller bikes for a long time, but I think most of us want a bit more power after we get our feet under us. I agree with you that it's a bit much for a first bike for the majority of us. Not that you COULDN'T learn how to ride on it. Just that there's a fair chance you'll drop it while doing so and the damage and potential for injury and a huge repair bill increase commensurate with the size and power of the bike involved.

I'm sorry for your loss. Many people told me to start small on my first bike so I got a 750. After 3 months of riding I want something larger and an 1100 would be perfect. I would take the MSF course, then try to ride your 1100, it may not be too big.

My friend might be selling his Nighthawk 650 relatively soon, but i'd have to wait until he's saved up for a Honda 599. So i might have to wait a while for that one, it was the bike he started on.

My condolences on your loss.

I have ridden the V-Star 1100 Classic. It's not a terribly large bike, but it's more than I would want to learn on. What I would do is immediately winterize the bike (I know it's summer, but it's gonna be stored for quite some time) and go out and purchase a $1,000 scratch-and-dent special, preferably something that weighs around 500lbs (I managed to pick up a '78 CX500 for $800.00, so it can be done). Take the MSF course if you feel it will be helpful (never took it myself), then scoot around the neighborhood on your old beater and learn how to ride a bike with some weight to it (those 250's at the MSF center will feel a lot different than your 1100...more like riding a bicycle with your pockets stuffed full of quarters). Once you have mastered riding a tippy, top-heavy relic from the late 70's or early 80's, you should be good to go on that 1100. Just be sure to sit and rev it for a while to grow accustomed to the throttle response, and slowly engage and release the clutch to get an idea where the point of contact is. Then putt around an empty parking lot going no higher than 2nd gear until you can do low-speed maneuvers on it with confidence. Don't be in a big hurry to get out on the open road, that day will come. Your dad left you that bike so it could bring you the same pleasure and joy that it no-doubt brought him. A Yamaha will last indefinitely if you take proper care of it, so take 'er easy until you're comfortable.

always sad to hear sad news...at least he is up there in good company.



yeah the bike i ride now i paid $4oo bucks for and put $2oo into it...82 yamaha xj550...so it can defiantly be done...

So sorry to hear about your dad. That has to be tough. The others have pretty much offered all the good advice. Take the MSF, then get confident on a smaller cheap bike. Then plan a long solo trek on your dad's bike as a memorial to him. He'll be there with ya.