the complete list of total NOOB bikes.

[archanis]

this is something more for the experienced riders to fill out for us complete N00Bs. we hear many suggestions, but usualy nothing is concrete. also, many of us are looking for a bit of variety in a newbie bike. not all of us subscribe to gs500's and this would be a place where newbies could read what different options there are. sorry bout the first post not having any real information

there are rules to getting a new bike if your a complete newbie, and most of them can be found in the first page of this topic: http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=6527
which is labled "650's are bad learner bikes, 650's are good learner bikes?"

read that first, and you should on the right track for getting a new bike, and then take a look at whats avaliable and suggested here. veterans? any bikes to suggest? if possible, please post a picture, or give a link so we can see what your bike looks like. after all, some of us wouldnt mind a good looking set of wheels

please, if you have a question about a particular bike listed here, ask it. the only dumb question is the one that wasnt asked, the one that may have saved you heartache, pain, and possibly injury 'Oh if only' you had asked.

[archanis]

first we have the token suzuki gs500f. suggested by many, there are many a thread on this forum saying 'get one of these' this bike isnt for everyone though.

said to be 'forgiving' and 'a good starter bike, not too powerfull, but not a tricicle iether', the gs500 has the admiration of many a person for being cool looking enough for newbs to buy it, but low end enough to learn on, and keep for a season or two (or three, or four.....)

the 2006 model:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/GS ... fault.aspx
the 2005 model:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/GS ... fault.aspx
the 2004 model:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/GS ... fault.aspx

keep in mind, this is the actual dealer website, so they are going to sugar coat many of the details. since i have not ridden on one of these, i cannot give any more information other than what is above. take a look at the bikes though, i think the 2004 model is cooler looking.

also keep in mind that with the bigger companies, the older the bike *generaly speaking of course*, the larger the aftermarket (for us TOTAL newbies) a large accesory / part market. this means that the 2004 model will have some things available for it that the 2005 model doesnt. this is doubly true for the 2006 model. its brand new and has hardly ANY accesories, so take this in mind when thinking about a bike.

[Vit0r]

How bout the veterans also posting what bike they first used when they were starting out.

[archanis]

that would help imensly. viriety is great, and there are alot of older bikes out there well worth considering. sometimes, they just dont make them like they used to.

[archanis]

said to be 'bulletproof', the KLR650 is one that will have many people remembering fond times. how many people remember getting on one of these, taking a backroad, getting on a street, only to end up on another back road? an all around bike, that is said to last a long time, and needs little repair.

the ups: relavly cheap, said to be 'bulletproof' and lasts for a long time.

the downs: its said that because it can do everything, it does nothing particularly well. remeber that remencing i was talking about? you dont have to, as the KLR has only gone under very minor modernizations over the last 7-10 years. 70-90% of the parts are the same as the original model you can buy EXACTLY what you remember from the old days in this years molel. you know what they say, if it aint broke...

more information as well as photos can be found here:
http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html

[shawn2k2]

I found this on another forum I visit.

http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/bg.php

[archanis]

the SV650 and SV650s are grey areas. its not actualy recomended to just go to the store, jump on one, and say "HEY! CHECK PLEASE!" do some research on this one before you jump the gun and say "mine! " its recomended that you take AT LEAST the MSF beginner rider course before even thinking about opening your checkbook on this one.

this bike is explaned in full detail in the sticky "650's are bad learner bikes, 650's are good learner bikes?" and you can get much more information there.

but you have to admit. even if its not good as an absolute first, its does look shiney!

the SV650:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/SV ... fault.aspx

and the SV650s (that little s makes a hell of a difference like you would not believe)
http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/SV ... fault.aspx

as you can see, the regular SV650 is a naked bike. beutiful in its simplicity, but for many of us lacking in the 'pazaz' we want in a bike.

the 650s is a bit more sportish, in many aspects, but still stays true to the SV650.

be sure to check out the previous year models as well, they might suit you better.

[archanis]

I found this on another forum I visit.

http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/bg.php

an exilent site. wish i had found it ages ago, would have saved me all that time looking at the gixxer

[rapidblue]

My first bike is a 1967 Yamaha 350.

I'm by no means a small guy (225lbs) and this bike has damn near ripped my from my seat a few times with a little throttle action. Lots of acceleration and does 100km/h (62mph) well in 4th. For me, its the perfect starter bike, i'd never even driven a standard car before learning and This bike was easy to learn on.

Now I realize its gonna be damn near impossible for anybody else to go and find a 67 yammie 350 but this goes for most older UJMs, don't think neccesarily that and old 400ish UJM is too small. Lost of go and easy to learn on.

[swatter555]

I remember some guy came in here and said "I know sooner or later Im going to do something stupid". I think he ended up getting a TL1000. Havent seen him post since.

For people like that, 100cc bikes might be too much