My First Bike - 43 yo

[Siegfried71]

Hi everybody, sorry to bother you with another topic "what should my first bike be...." but, please bare with me

I'm 43 and about 1 year ago i was dying in na hospital bed...while recovering i thought on all those things i never did because i thought i would've time for them later on...well, one thing i learned was - we don't have that time.

So, my first decision was to learn how to ride a motorcycle...I've always loved those big fat Harleys and the Indians from the 40's...Unfortunatelly, money is an issue so i got down to 2 models for my first bike:
-Suzuki Intruder 800 or the Kawasaki Vulcan s 650 with ABS (some people also mentioned the HD street 750)

I already know what you guys will probably tell me - too strong for a first bike,etc...but, please,have in mind that I want a byke to ride and to feel free with the wind hitting my face (i know...too poetic...but for me this is byke riding),not to speed down the highway at 200Mph.

Hope to get good and cool advises.

[blues2cruise]

First of all...Welcome to TMW.

A 650 cruiser would be just fine. I started with a Yamaha V-Star 650.

Honda has a 750 Shadow you might also like.

[jstark47]

We used to own a Suzuki Marauder, it's the same engine as that Intruder. It's pretty mild for an 800 cc engine. With proper training, you should be OK. I recommend engine guards (crash bars) be installed for a cruiser. New riders sometimes drop these bikes, especially doing low speed turns. With the crash bars, the damage ends up being minimal.

[Siegfried71]

First of all...Welcome to TMW.

A 650 cruiser would be just fine. I started with a Yamaha V-Star 650.

Honda has a 750 Shadow you might also like.

Thanks for the help and also the welcomming blues2cruise

[Siegfried71]

We used to own a Suzuki Marauder, it's the same engine as that Intruder. It's pretty mild for an 800 cc engine. With proper training, you should be OK. I recommend engine guards (crash bars) be installed for a cruiser. New riders sometimes drop these bikes, especially doing low speed turns. With the crash bars, the damage ends up being minimal.

Thanks for the help and for the tip on the engine guards...i don't expect to fall but...one never knows

[GS_in_CO]

You're beginning a grand adventure.

But I think before long you'll realize that the wind hitting your face has a downside that doesn't appear in one's dreams.

Ever noticed bugs on your windscreen in the car? Yeah. Sometimes they are big, sometimes they are numerous.
That's why you need good eye protection- at minimum.
I've never ridden with anything less than a full face shield and often been very glad of it.

Take your learning seriously. Treat it like you are learning to fly an airplane. A motorcycle is not something between a bicycle and a car. It's more like something between a sports car and a fighter jet. Very fun but can be unforgiving.

[BikerRev]

Hey, I was 44 when I got my bike and I haven't looked back. This is a great forum with lots of helpful people. Welcome!

[totalmotorcycle]

Welcome to the TMW Community! It's never too late to ride!!

Ride safe.

Mike

[TheBeardedRider]

Im 38, just bought the intruder 800. just learning to ride it has been great so far. be safe and welcome

[AKjosh36]

Hi just chiming in, I'm seriously considering the Vulcan S for my next bike, I love the look and 650 cc is very doable for most of the roads in Alaska. Good luck and good riding bro.