Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi guys, I'm a 19 year old looking at getting my motorcycle licence and my first bike. How much power would you veterans say is too much for a total beginner? I'm not looking at getting a liter bike or anything in that class of power.

huskie_81 wrote:Hi guys, I'm a 19 year old looking at getting my motorcycle licence and my first bike. How much power would you veterans say is too much for a total beginner? I'm not looking at getting a liter bike or anything in that class of power.

Asking advice like this is a great first step, I applaud your wisdom!

To help, could you answer the following:

1. New or Used bike (if used, what era)

2. What style/type of bike are you leaning towards (sport, cruiser, standard, dual sport, etc)

3. Have you taken your MSF or motorcycle course yet?

Mike

I'd be looking at getting a new bike.

I haven't taken the MSF course yet, but I intend to take one and get my licence before purchasing a bike.

Here's a list of new bikes I'm looking at, they vary in style and size:

Ducati Scrambler 62
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
Triumph Bonneville T100
Triumph Scrambler
Kawasaki Ninja 300
Yamaha R3
KTM RC390/390 Duke
KTM 690 Duke
Honda 300 R/F
Honda 500 R/F
BMW G310R

I know I'd be fine on one of the 300 cc class bikes, but would one of the bigger bikes on this list be too big and powerful for a newbie?

Brett

I would not recommend anyone riding a motorcycle in traffic until they have a long, 10 or more years, crash free driving record in traffic.

Until then, I would suggest a bike for track or trail.

I have two boys that are about your age, and motivated by love, this is the advice I would give them and I could not, in good conscience, give different advice to a stranger.

Safe Travels,
Richard

There's no track near where I am (as far as I know), and I'm not much into dirt biking or the like.

So, I want a bike for the street.

Would some of the bigger displacement bikes on this list have too much power for me to handle?
I think the most powerful among that list has 75 HP.

Brett

Hey Brett,
Good question, I would whole heartedly recommend one of the 300cc bikes on your list, I started on a 250 in my mid-30s had never even been on a motorcycle before and it served me well while working on start/stop slow speed turns being in traffic etc, but I didn't go on any freeways interstate whatever you want to call them. I also made sure that I could flat foot my bike before buying. There's nothing wrong with getting a used bike to start on either but I understand the appeal of buying new. I like the Yamaha 3 myself. I am currently on a buell blast, it's approximately 500cc but I am glad I rode that 250 for a season and a half to get my bearings.