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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.

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

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!

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

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.

Welcome to TMW.

Enjoy the forums.

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.

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.

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.