New to everything : )

[Ppanepinto]

Hey everyone, I'm Paul and I'm looking to start riding. I live in South Louisiana, I've always liked the BMW tour bikes, and hope to have one one day, right now looking around to learn as much as I can before jumping in. I'm 6'3", and around 300 lbs. I am lookingfor my first bike, something around the 250-650 range in size. As for gear, well lets just say the truth, I have no clue. I do plan on taking a bike training class before I do anything, but for now doing my research.

[mogster]

Hi Paul

I'm in the south too, but over the water

Ideas to get you started....
Go to as many dealerships as you can & sit on a variety of bikes. Don't worry if you intend to buy secondhand, just blag it.

You must do a starter/training course before you go out on the road, but ask around as some trainers do intro days just to give you a taster which would be ideal at this stage.

Also go to bike gear stores & try on stuff.

If you know of any biker cafes then stroll along & chat, it's usually friendly.

Whatever you do enjoy it & let us know how you get on

[sunshine229]

Hi and welcome!

There'll be plenty of information on this site and forums, so dig in and ask questions whenever you come across something intriguing!

[Islesfan91]

Hi and welcome Paul! I'm brand new to everything myself and these people have been great for info and advice

definitely post here if you have any questions

[Ppanepinto]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I've been looking at a few bikes, and just love the fit and feel of the BMW R 1200 RT, but I know that at this point in time it way too big for me. I've got my better haft convinced that something like a G 650 GS or a F 650 GS would be ok because of a hunting camp her father and belong to. Now the roads are just that, roads not trails. I am still looking around, because 650 is still a little big. But hey, this is part of the fun for me, I love the research. A point in a good direction would be a great start. This site has already been a great help in my fledgling journey.

[blues2cruise]

Welcome to TMW.

Enjoy the forums.

[madjak30]

Welcome to the community Paul!!

I would go look at a Kawasaki KLR650...I know a 650 sounds like a big bike to handle, but the power ratings are low for this bike (not a performance bike)...it's a great option for a tall/bigger guy...unless when you said you liked the BMW tour bikes, you meant sport tour bikes, but since you mentioned the F650GS & the G650GS I assumed that you meant adventure touring bikes...the KLR is basically a bullet proof bike...it can be dropped multiple times and it just adds character to the bike...no tears...and they can be outfitted similar to the BMWs...

I would suggest that you don't buy until after you take a course...(I didn't follow that advice)...but good luck...

Later.

[Ppanepinto]

Thanks for the suggestion of the KLR650, I will look at it. I'm looking into both sport-touring and adventure-touring. The R1200RT would be for long road trips and to work. I work about 41 miles away from where I live, and the next job looks like it will be a little ferther. As for the adventure-tour style bike, I have a camp that sits on 5000 acres of land that has a great roud system. I am also am avid history buff, to the point I have a degree in History. Living in Louisiana gives me the opportunity to go to great historical site such as Poverty Point, and the battle of Vicksburg civil war battlefield is only 3-4 hours away. So I have some ideas on what I want to do, just not how to do it.

[madjak30]

History buff, eh?? Then check out the Royal Enfield bikes...probably right up your alley and can be used as light adventure bikes...





Just food for thought...

Later.