Need Advice: Great Beginners Bikes, Please Take a Sec Post

[gerpena]

I am in the process of taking a safety course and I need help choosing a used bike (and a year). I dont care about looks or performance, and I would prefer to spend under 2500 if posibble. Here is what I am looking for.

1. Safety. I want a bike I can safely learn to ride and trust in the highway under wet conditions. I have never used a bike before.

2. Reliability. I want a bike I can trust mechanically.

3. Highway use. I would be driving the highways a lot, so though i dont care if its fast, it would need to keep up with highway speeds.

Can you please recommend a bike and what its worth? BTW, i am 6 feet tall and weigh 180 lbs.

Thanks guys, this site rocks!

[rapidblue]

well I don't think you can go wrong with an 80s japanese bike, from what i hear theyre pretty bulletproof and most can be found in good condition for that price range

[gerpena]

so for the most part one brand isint necessarily safer or easier to use for beginners?

are there specific styles you think might suit me best? i am open to pretty much any style....

thanks!

[DivideOverflow]

at 6'0 and 180, style is up to you.

80's UJMs are very "universal". Standard riding position, very smooth engines. They are a little top-heavy compared to my cruiser, but it is definitely managable.

I'm 6'0, and 225, I ride an Alphasport 250cc Cruiser, and a 1979 Kawasaki KZ650. Both are excellent bikes, and I enjoy riding both of them. I grab the Alphasport keys more often due to the low seat height, light handling (350lbs compared to the 500lbs of the KZ), and it is a little sharper than my KZ, being that it is brand new. I grab the KZ when I want to go faster...haha.

My 250 goes up to 80 without a fuss, but it accelerates slower after about 65mph. The KZ650 is fast all the way up to 120ish... but it also has an inline-4 instead of a V-twin.

Go look at some bikes, pick something you feel comfortable on, stay away from 600cc sportbikes. The 80's 650's arent nearly as strong as the new sport-tuned 600cc's.

BTW, I picked up my KZ650 for $700 in perfect running condition.

[gerpena]

700 dollars... WOW.

so i should be ok if i select a mid-80's bike, 650 cc, japanese brand for around $1000-1500? maybe something a little smaller but strong enough to take on the highway?

acceleration is not that important to me, at least not as much as handling and safety and of course price.

how do i know a bike is a "sport" bike?

Thanks again!

[cb360]

It won't take you long to know a sport bike when you see one. They usually have a lot of plastic on them. And the riding position is the dead giveaway - leaned way forward with your feet up and behind you. Standards your feet are usually straight down and cruisers usually have your feet forward.

[DivideOverflow]

if the footpegs are behind your rear when sitting on the bike. Standard bikes have pegs directly below where you sit, for the most part. Cruisers have pegs in front of the seat. I prefer cruisers, some of the smaller standard bikes bend my knees too much, but the 80's UJMs are all pretty big.

A little smaller should be fine, a 500cc, etc.. Lots of people have the old 350's too. Just make sure the bike isnt too heavy or top heavy for you when you sit on it. If it seems like there is more weight up top then you are comfortable with, go with more of a cruiser style bike, since the seats are lower, and much easier to keep right side up in my opinion.

Lighter bike will handle better, and as long as the bike is in good mechanical condition, it should be safe. Be sure to double check the tires if you buy an older bike... you might have to get them replaced.

[mattf]

late 80's Suzuki GS500

[Kal]

Something that I find good about UJM's/standards is the neutral ergonomics.

Most UJM's have a flat shelf like seat which means that you can shuffle around to find a riding position that is comfortable for you.

The same Honda CG125 that I (6'4 & 180lbs) ride is also comfortable for Jules (5'6 & 135lbs).

[jmillheiser]

Im a bit smaller than you (5'10", 200lbs), but I found that most UJMs fit me about perfect. I am also looking for a first bike. So far the mid honda nighthawk has had the best fit for me.