Beginner bike, opinions please....

[big_nate]

Ok, I've read the sticky posts, and I've been looking for a bike, and, well, I'm confused somewhat.

First off, I'm 31 years old, 6'2" and weigh 215lbs. I rode dirt bikes (up to Honda's 600cc monster) a lot of my life, from around 7th grade to college, but haven't rode one at all since then.

When I first started looking at cruisers (which is what I want), the Honda VTX1800F caught my eye. Now I'm starting to look at stuff like the Kawasaki 1500 (or even the 2000) and such. However, today I stumble upon this forum (great reading, btw!) and it seems I'm WAY overshooting what I should be looking at for a (relative) newbie. In the sticky it says if the bike I'm looking at is over 50hp, then it's too much. Needless to say, those 1500+cc monsters listed above are quite a bit more than that!

I do not want to waste my time buying a small bike, only to get used to it and then wish I had more. I absolutely LOVE those big bikes, and I'm a big guy who can at least raise one off the kickstand (as I've done at a dealer or two so far). Why should I settle for something I don't want? I'm not some 18 yr old punk wanting a Hayabusa.

So, I guess what I'm asking is, talk me out of getting what I want and talk me into getting a starter bike. Pretty please

Nathan

[BudmanTom]

I for one think you will be fine on a VTX1800, I just bought a V-max after not riding a bike for 10 years and as long as you stay within your limits you should be fine, don't forget about the a motorcycle safety class.


Tom

[sickchilly]

It really depends upon what you're wanting to do with the bike. Get one that not only fits you (physical size, skill level, etc.), but also fits your needs.

I'm came just where you came from, only a little greener. I'm a few months shy of 30, 6'1" and about 175 lbs. And I hadn't ridden anything but dirt bikes before, and even then nearly 20 years ago!

I like the style and comfort of cruisers. I like the reliability of Japanese products. The foremost purpose of a bike for me was for commuting, to save gas and take the wear and maintenance burdens off my two 30+ year old Italian cars... heh.

So you can see that I've pretty much narrowed things down to a metric cruiser in the 500-800 cc range. A local dealer had an sale I couldn't refuse on two leftover 2005 Yamaha V-star Silverado 650's. I walked out with one in a hurry. It's got plenty of power for the freeway and to keep me entertained. It already had a windsheild and nice semi-hard bags, a decent passenger seat, heal/toe shift, floor boards and shaft drive. I couldn't ask for more in one package ready to go. The only thing I'll probably add is some slightly louder/throatier pipes just to be heard.

Other bikes I was considering was the Honda Shadow Aero, Suzuki Boulevard C50 and Moto Guzzi Nevada Classic 750ie.

Being an Italian motor fan, I really wanted the Nevada, but they're out of stock at the dealer and transitioning from '05 to '06 models with uncertain pricing and availability. I do all my own work, but I was a little concerned with parts availability and pricing on it. Comes from experience, trust me...

The Suzuki was a little more than I was willing to pay and I didn't think I really needed the extra CC's. The Yamaha was just a better deal for me in the end.

The Honda was a close call. The same dealer also had a leftover two-tone '05 Aero at a very attractive price. But again, the Yamaha just had a few more nice features and was overall a much better deal when it came down to the out-the-door price.

Anyway, enough rambling, hopefully my process will help you see how I approached the selection... Really, just think about what you "want" against what you "need".

[big_nate]

I guess if I had to nail it down, the reason why I want a bike is for taking it on occasional rides to work (not all the time, since I carpool a lot) and mostly just riding it on the weekends and such.

I'm glad to hear I may not be totally out of my league in what I'm shooting for. I sat on a vtx 1800 the other day and it just felt... right I guess is the term. I sat on a Vulcan 1500 as well and while it felt good too, the Honda just seemed to fit me. Plus, it looks bad "O Ring"!

I started out looking at Harleys, and I'm sure I'd be happy with one, but I can't in good conscience walk into a dealer and just get ripped off like that. My wife and I are very budget aware, which allows us to have a lot of extra money, and I would feel totally ripped off over-paying for a bike like that. Don't get me wrong, I love Harleys, but I'm thinking the Honda is the way I'll go.

Thanks for the opinions guys, keep 'em coming...

Nathan

[Snake]

I useually tell people to go for 650-ish bikes as starters, because they've got decent power, light weight, and low price. You definatly need to get a smaller bike than what your looking at. You really don't want to have to try to pick up that beasty monster from the middle of the highway. The reaon you should get a smaller bike, is YOU ARE GOING TO DROP IT. Once you get used to your smaller bike, and get your skills and instincts the likely hood of droppin the bike is less.

Since you like a bigger bikes, I'm going to suggest the suzuki M50.

It's an 800 CC cruiser, it weighs about 500 pounds, which is manageable, it's got enough power, comfort and handeling to be a great bike for you. plus, it's reliable, and GORGEOUS. Not to mention the price is just over 6000 bucks.


~Snake

[Scott58]

The motorcycle you buy is a personal choice. Get the one you want. I for one would never buy anything i didn't think i was going to be satisfied with

[ZooTech]

The reason you should get a smaller bike is, YOU ARE GOING TO DROP IT.

Start riding motorcycles with that mentality, and you will drop it. I know far more people that haven't dropped a bike than have.

In any case, the VTX1800's all seem a bit top heavy for me (5'10", 210lbs) but if you're a bigger guy then that would make a difference. Personally, for the money, I'd go for the Vulcan 1500 Classic or 1600 Classic, or the Suzuki C90 (1500cc). The price tag on the VTX1800's can be upwards of $15,000 while the three I mentioned are all south of $11,000. The Warrior comes in right at $12,500 and is one of the lightest big-bore cruisers on the market, weighing in at roughly 80lbs less than my Mean Streak thanks to its aluminum frame and swingarm.

Bottom line is, I think the VTX1800 is a good 2nd bike, but only because it has design flaws. It's far too obese for its displacement and it carries that weight really high. It's not the overall power that bothers me for a newbie rider, it's the lack of balance. The Mean Streak, 1500/1600 Classics, C90, and Warrior are all much better balanced and are "bad-arse" looking in their own right. If you must have a VTX, might I suggest the 1300? It doesn't quite have the power of the 1800, but it was voted the better of the two VTX's by several motorcycle magazines due to its lighter weight and better overall balance - and that's what matters most for a beginner.

Vulcan 1500 Classic



Vulcan 1600 Classic



Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak




Suzuki C90t



Yamaha Warrior

[big_nate]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I have a lot of thinking to do before I commit, but this has helped a lot. That Mean Streak does indeed look awesome! Hell, they all do!

Nate

[DivideOverflow]

I have a definite obsession with the Warrior... ever since I sat on one. I would definitely check them out.

[swatter555]

Maybe consider getting a much smaller cheapy bike in tandem with your dream bike. Ill tell you what, at first low speed manuevering is going to be tricky, imagine the added anxiety of doing it on a bike you absolutely dont want to drop.