Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi, new rider and new member here
I took the MSF class October 2010, passed it and have my license. I'm looking for a bike and I'm definitely leaning towards the cruisers, no more than a 500 though. I'm 5'4 so the lower seat height of the cruisers suits me really well. I rode a Honda Rebel 250 in the MSF class, and I did ok with it. A little scared of turns and leaning, but then, you barely get above 20MPH on the course. I'm also 55 and I know my limits, so I'm not looking for a big, powerful bike. A local dealership has a number of (new - not used) 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD's, which I've read is a good first bike... not too big, not too small, not super powerful.

Maybe I'm over thinking things, but I'm considering re-taking the MSF course since I haven't been on a bike since last October. I don't have any friends who ride, and there don't appear to be any mentor programs of any sort here. Even if I bought a bike, I'd be afraid to ride it home in the traffic! Just call me 'chicken' I guess .

LadynRed56

Where are you located. Some one may be near?

Diane to our Total Motorcycle Community! I think you will really enjoy how friendly it is here. Feel free to ask all the questions you like and feel free help out others if you feel you can add something along the way.

Congratulations on passing your MSF course! It's quite common to be nervous during the course, heck, even I was way back when and could never master hill starts (luckily it wasn't on the test)! haha. (But I am great at them now). I wouldn't worry about re-taking the course yet, unless you would feel more reasured, as some parking lot and residential riding will bring back the lessions you learned once you get on a bike again.

The 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD's are super bikes, 2009 was the last year they made the 500 so it's the best (and newest) of the all. The Ninja 500R uses the same engine, just a different riding position in case you want a "sporty" bike BTW.

Our Total Motorcycle Beginners Guide to Motorcycling might help you out as well and it includes suggested lessons too: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

Mike

LadynRed56 wrote:A local dealership has a number of (new - not used) 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD's, which I've read is a good first bike... not too big, not too small, not super powerful.

Vulcan 500 is a fine bike for beginners and folks of smaller stature. (I'm 6'1" and I find them a little cramped.) And it's got enough power so you won't feel you outgrew it in just a couple months.

LadynRed56 wrote:Maybe I'm over thinking things, but I'm considering re-taking the MSF course since I haven't been on a bike since last October. I don't have any friends who ride, and there don't appear to be any mentor programs of any sort here.

Re-taking the course is a perfectly reasonable strategy for someone in your position, i.e. got your endorsement but haven't ridden much.

LadynRed56 wrote:Even if I bought a bike, I'd be afraid to ride it home in the traffic! Just call me 'chicken' I guess .

Not chicken, but sensibly cautious. Most dealerships will deliver a bike if asked. It makes sense to get introduced to a new bike in a low-traffic situation, e.g. back streets in a housing development. I had a more experienced person ride my first bike home in 2005, then spent a couple of hours getting used the bike in a place without traffic.

Thanks everyone for your replies and encouragement

I'm located in Nashville, TN, lovely Music City USA

My neighborhood is at the top of a long steep hill and all around me is... more hills, I'd certainly get plenty of practice with hill starts! I remember how much it took for me to learn to start on a hill in my old 65 Mustang with a 3 spd manual transmission with little or no roll-back. Now I have to learn to do it with controls at my hands.. ack!

In doing more reading, I've learned that the horsepower, not necessarily the size of the engine, is a more important factor -- clearly the Ninja 500R is much faster than the Vulcan 500. In doing more research, I found that the Yamaha V-Star 650 actually has less HP than the Vulcan -- 40hp vs. 50 - makes sense that the 650, at the HP, wouldn't be a bad alternative and I've see it also recommended as decent beginner bike. Same for the Honda Shadow 600.

Because of the forward-leaning riding position of the sport bikes, they're not my choice. That position would KILL my back (I've had back surgery) and probably my neck in keeping my head up and my eyes where they need to be. Ahh, if only I'd learned to ride 20 years ago.. lol.

LadynRed56 wrote:In doing more reading, I've learned that the horsepower, not necessarily the size of the engine, is a more important factor -- clearly the Ninja 500R is much faster than the Vulcan 500. In doing more research, I found that the Yamaha V-Star 650 actually has less HP than the Vulcan -- 40hp vs. 50 - makes sense that the 650, at the HP, wouldn't be a bad alternative and I've see it also recommended as decent beginner bike. Same for the Honda Shadow 600.

Just my 2 cents, between the Vulcan 500 and V-Star 650, the Vulcan is 40 pounds lighter. Personally I've always steered beginners to the lightest bike possible; there's just more margin for error learning to handle a lighter bike. That said, the V-Star is a fine bike also.

Concerning engine performance, torque is even more useful than horsepower as a comparative metric. Horsepower measures how fast a bike can go, torque measures how quickly it can accelerate to that speed. Torque always has to be considered at a given RPM, then evaluated against the bike's weight. Between two bikes, I'll always pick the one with superior torque at reasonably low RPMs, as long as the torque builds in rather linear relationship to RPMs. Said another way, a bike that has to be revved and revved to get moving is a PITA; a bike with "grunt" is preferable, as long as that grunt is predictable and can be easily controlled.

LadynRed56 wrote: I'm also 55 and I know my limits, so I'm not looking for a big, powerful bike.

Hi &

I understand that you are inexperienced & a bit nervous but well done on getting you licence! Don't let your age hold you back tho. I got back on my own bike after a 20yr gap, 2yrs ago at the age of 48 (work it out)! OK I had some experience but had to relearn + roads busier, but if I can do it so can you!

Regards the bike you should buy.......have you considered the more upright riding style of some retro designs? They are often fairly low too & the "sit up" position would aid your back.
Something like the Triumph Bonneville might suit.

Have fun & pop into the Ladies Lounge for a cup of tea + a chat sometime.

Hi lady!

Welcome to TMW!

I agree with JStark - the lighter the better. Just yesterday we went for a few hours ride and after riding on a highway for a period of time we came to a stop and my foot/leg struggled slightly to keep the bike upright! You forget how important bike weight is until you have to put your foot down.

jstark47 wrote: I had a more experienced person ride my first bike home in 2005, then spent a couple of hours getting used the bike in a place without traffic.

Would that have been your lovely wife??? )

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the ride.

I agree with the suggestions on bikes provided by others.

In regards to retaking the MSF, it's never a bad idea. However, some sites offer a one day intermediate or skills refresher course on the site's bikes. Think of it like an abbreviated BRC that's designed for people that take the class then wait awhile before getting a bike. I'd call around to see if something like that is offered in your area.