Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi, New here and to riding... Got my license in october 2010. bought a honda rebel. 250... Just to see if I loved riding or could handle the road, rather then then the parking lot of the motorcyle training course...lol

I am addicted... My little rebel is exactly what I needed to start. I am 5'6 just turned 54 and of course i feel like i have a mini bike. Truly want a harley, but after testing many of the models, (btw I was scared to death) but did test a few.

What I learned was that I like to sit in the bike as opposed to on the bike, i like bike to be lower I feel much more comfortable. Keep in mind i was only riding in the parking lot. With that being said, I just looked at a yamaha vstar its a 650 but looks hughe...

Not a harley, much less expensive then the harley i like.

Questions are. 1) Being that I am a newbie can I handle the yamaha
2) Would it be the best choice for the second bike
3) My fears are turning corners with something of that size, after all i have only ridden a 250 rebel.

Thank you so much for reading... I hope someone can give me some advice, or help me with confidence... CAUSE I LOVE TO RIDE.......

bellasu and welcome to the very exciting world of motorcycling too!

The Honda Rebel 250 is an excellent bike, it will take you anywhere and put a big smile on your face doing it.

Definately consider taking the motorcycle safety course, it will really open up your riding skills and give you even more confidence on the road... well worth the money.

The Yamaha Vstar 650 is a great bike and there are a few on here who can tell you all about it. I would start off with the Rebel for the first year then look at the 650. Maybe by then you'll want something else, who knows. But it would indeed make an excellent 2nd bike.

No worries on the cornering on "almost" any bike, of course a chopper type will corner pretty bad vs a sport bike, but they are made for the open highway and straight roads. Many on here have rode all types of bikes, it just takes practice and experience. I do understand where you are coming from though, back in 1991 when I started I was worried a lot about a bike's weight and (this is before the course) how do you keep up a 400+lb motorcycle at a stop between your legs? Well, I know now of course but back then it was a big thing. Same with the cornering with you I'm guessing... so no worries, it will all come in time.

Mike

Paging blues2cruise. Blues2cruise to the white courtesy phone, please...

(blues2cruise is a member and moderator here. She started on a Vstar 650, here's a recent posting by her about the Vstar: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=41138&p=301666&hil ... ar#p301666 )

You will love the 650 V-star. It has enough power for the highway, but it will not over power you.

It looks big because of the style. Big fenders, big tank, but it's only about 40hp.

The 650 was my first bike. It only feels heavy for the first few weeks until you find your balance.

Welcome.

Hi, I am also new to riding - started in May of 2010 - and am also older. I had bought the 650 V Star Custom and decided it was too much starting out. I then picked up a 250 Virago and after I had put 3000 miles on it, I switched over to the 650 and love it. I have now put almost 10,000 miles on the 650. Being new, I am more cautious through the twisties and have scraped my pegs a few times.
Have fun and stay safe,
Carol

ssextonca wrote:Hi, I am also new to riding - started in May of 2010 - and am also older. I had bought the 650 V Star Custom and decided it was too much starting out. I then picked up a 250 Virago and after I had put 3000 miles on it, I switched over to the 650 and love it. I have now put almost 10,000 miles on the 650. Being new, I am more cautious through the twisties and have scraped my pegs a few times.
Have fun and stay safe,
Carol

You're more adventurous than I .... I have never scraped pegs and probably never will.

Welcome to TMW.

I moved up from a Hyosung GV250 to a Yamaha 650. It's a great bike. I'm sure you would do fine on it. My wife is now riding my 250 but has ridden my VStar a couple of times. She is 5'2" and 125 lbs. and handled it fine.

Congrats ! I know the feeling. At 5' 11" it had been 24 yrs since on a bike. Went used got a VS 800 Intruder. It for me is perfect, not too big nor too small. You will do as you will despite, I believe, what response is given you. Have you lots of $. I have purchased, browsed many and here 1 you need know. With all due respect, my lifetime buddy had got a Harley and no more has it and even had his truck impounded. Spoke with an American bike mechanic whom does not care for them. The Harley hype is just that and an expensive one, think about it. Is very nice to have you on the road no matter what YOU RIDE, respectively.

It's all about finding that right fit. I was searching for a GS500 purely on what I had read. Was nervous when I got to the dealer to sit on one that I would not like it, after putting so much research into them and haggling with sellers and such. Sat in it and loved it. Felt the shifter and rear brake were maybe a tad too close to the pegs, but when I went and sat in the Ninja my instant reaction was "ewww," something just way off about the handlebars for me.

If a Harley fits you great, awesome, if the vstar fits comfortably, awesome.

BTW, I wanted to start on a sport bike (if only because I figured at 23 I will have plenty of years to ride a cruiser later), but figured I would probably prefer a cruiser... but when I sat on a cruiser at the dealer I also felt very off. I did not like the foot position out in front of me, I would definitely get used to it, but like skiing it just felt so unnatural to me.

Fit is key!