Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey you guys. My name is Carlos and I just finished with my MSF 3-day course yesterday!! I been wanting to get my M1 license since last summer and I finally started the process. I am going to the DMV tomorrow to take the written exam . I'm from Pasadena CA and I am now looking into getting my first bike. I hope to get great advice on what gear brand is recommend and of course bike. I am currently looking at the FZ6R or a cruiser bike similar to the V Star 950.

There are a few stickies on first bikes in the new rider section. I'd steer away from both of those bikes due to their power, size and weight.

As to gear, the first thing is fit. Some gear is designed for the slim framed, others for the thicker framed. Some is for sport riders, some for cruiser riders. There's so many options from materials, protection levels, fit and colors that your best bet is stopping by a dealer to check things out.

storysunfolding wrote:There are a few stickies on first bikes in the new rider section. I'd steer away from both of those bikes due to their power, size and weight.

As to gear, the first thing is fit. Some gear is designed for the slim framed, others for the thicker framed. Some is for sport riders, some for cruiser riders. There's so many options from materials, protection levels, fit and colors that your best bet is stopping by a dealer to check things out.

Thanks for the advice. I have been reading the beginner bike section. I tried the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and I barely fit. I am 6'3" 260 broad athletic build. Do you have any suggestions for a low cc bike that may be comfortable. I am also planning on buying new since I don't have any credit history and would like to rent a place in the future, a friend of mine is going to co-sign with me to finance a bike.

That's a hard one because everyone has different preferences. However, often I hear people give me the "I don't/barely fit on x bike" as a means to rationalize them getting a larger displacement motorcycle. Unfortunately cc size has nothing to do with the overall size of the bike. For instance, the seating position of a 600 cc sportbike, is nearly identical to that of a 1000 cc sportbike. There is at most, an inch difference between the two and sometimes that favors the 600. In the case of the ninja series, I actually feel more comfortable on the ninja 250 than I do on the Zx6. One of my favorite racers to watch is WERA is a 6'4'' monster of a man tear around on his ninja 250 in that class. He also destroys the field on his GSXR 1000 for 1000cc open class.

So what you're looking for is seating style. Do you like laid back with forward controls (lazy boy style), athletically hunched forward (monkey humping a football style) or something in between? Do you like the idea of your hands being higher or lower? Your feet forward or back? Your legs bent 90 degrees or 30 degrees? There's a motorcycle fit program out there somewhere but I couldn't find the link with a quick search.

In the end it's all a matter of personal preference. Go sit on a few bikes and you'll find what fits right. Just don't do anything stupid and get a larger displacement or heavier bike to start with.

ok

well I learned on the Kawasaki Eliminator, the seat felt to low and the rear break felt awkward all the way in the front. I sat on a Yamaha R6 to just get a feel of the lean and I found it to be to forward of a lean. The FZ6R felt nice. If that really is too powerful of a bike (dam that falsey advertisement haha), what is a similar bike that has that position. Sorry for my newbie questions haha.