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Ok, looking for some ideas about my first bike. I'm thinking something like the KLX 250SF. I'm 6'3", and like the height. Am I on the right track, or should I look in another direction?

Good choice. Will be a great in-town and backroads bike, not so great on freeways. SF is the supermoto version, also there's the S dual sport version which would be better if you want to go off-pavement. Light to pick up and not much to break if (when?) you drop it. Bikes with this kind of geometry steer so easy it's almost like they're reading your thoughts. I don't see a downside unless you're thinking of doing extended freeway runs.

Hi Paul,

What are you plans for riding? Do you like off road, back roads, highway, secondary roads? Are you wanting to just commute or travel too?

This might help you out too (and it's good for some late night reading): Total Motorcycle's Beginners Guide to Motorcycling: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

Mike

What are you plans for riding?

I am looking to get in to riding for a number of reasons; I do a lot of driving at the moment. I travel around 82 miles round-trip to work every day. At this time I have a Ford F-250 that takes 26 gal of gas every week. Now during the fall through spring, there is no real reason to have the truck. But during the summer, that truck more than pays for itself. I am not ready to ride on the interstate, so I was looking at the dual-sports for a few reasons. I had the chance to sit on a BMW R1200 RT-P, man I fell in love, but I know that it is way too big for me at this time. So I was looking at the 250s because not only are they easier to handle, they are a little top-heavy to help me used to that for when I can one day move up to the bigger tour bikes. I also have 5000 acres of land that has a true road system, although they are dirt and gravel. It does have one paved state road going through it that no uses unless they are going to a little boat launch at the end. This will give me a place to practice without the fear of being in traffic until I feel ready. The plus side is that it was fun the one time I rode a bike at the “camp” when I was 15. This time I want to do it the right way, the safe way.

Do you like off road, back roads, highway, and secondary roads? Do you want to just commute or travel too?

I kind of want to do all of the above to some degree, but not so much the off-roading. Off-roading is just not my thing. I know that one bike will never do all the things I want, so I do know that I will be at least a two bike guy. In the end I want something like the R1200 RT-P for road, and something like a F 650 GS for around my property. I do not want passengers. I don't mind ride with others, but I do not want to have someone else's life in my hands in that way.

In the end, this is for me to gain “me” time while I’m doing my everyday duties.

The more and more I read, is the BMW f650gs ok as a first bike? At first, I thought that something in the 250 range was more on track. I've read the Beginner's book from this site (great read by the way), but seem to be a little lost now after reading some of the other post in this forum and on f650.com.

Ppanepinto wrote:The more and more I read, is the BMW f650gs ok as a first bike?

Well, do you mean the F650GS single, or the F650GS twin (2009 and on)? (Of course, just to confuse things further, BMW resurrected the F650GS single as the G650GS.... )

I'll speak to the F650GS twin, since I know that bike. In terms of weight, it's OK for a noob. Also the handling is quite easy, very noob-friendly. My concern would be the motor: despite the "650" name, it's a detuned version of the 800cc twin from the F800GS. Even detuned, it's quite zippy. I could see an unsuspecting noob getting in over their head on that bike.

Someone else will have to post up about the F650GS single.