Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello. I'm a newbie looking to get into motorcycling. I'm interested in getting a cruiser and have been looking at the Yamaha V-Star 1100. On the Beginner's Forum it seems that a lot of people comment on the need to start out on much smaller bikes. But almost everyone I have spoken with who have started on bigger cruisers have said that they didn't have any major problems at all. I'd like to hear from experienced riders who did start on a bigger cruiser (1000cc and up). What kinds of problems did you have learning to ride on a bigger bike? How difficult was it? Did you drop the bike at all? If so, how did you do it and how much did it cost to repair? I'm a bigger guy and after sitting on the V-Star 1100 it didn't feel all that heavy though the 650 did seem very, very light. Thank you in advance for your comments.

If the bike's wieght is not an issue to you, the main thing in your situation is the power band of the big cruiser. This bikes with big cc displacemt have a tremenduse amount of power. You will have to ride very careful until you get the feel of the bike's potential. They can easiely spin the wheel on slick city streets. Also, they get up to speed in a hurry even when not being hot rodded. All it boils down to is, ride carefully and use you common sense. Have fun on your new bike.

Hi. I was away from motorcycling for 30 years and re-entered on a VStar 1100. I had no problems. I had taken the MSF course which helped. On day one I dropped it at a stop sign. I stopped with the handlebars turned in the direction that I was going to go. Dumb&Down. No harm but injured pride. The bike handles quite well given its 630# weight. I did spend many weekend days on quite country roads practicing swerves, speed stops, etc. which developed a good feel for the bike and its limitations. I am over 200# and wanted a heavier bike than the 650. I did buy a 650 VStar for my wife who graduated to my 1100 within a year when I went to the Royal Star. I was very pleased with the 1100 and would recommend it. Hope this helps.

Cruisers (imo) are easier to learn on, even with the bigger CC bikes. Their power band is smooth, not as much HP as those snappy little 600CC+ sport bikes, and are fairly comfortable which helps a lot with a new rider, one less distraction. I've ridden my XR200R, a night hawk 250 (MSF course), and a Harley RoadKing (1450 CC i believe? Far from stock though, it'd make the screamin' eagles proud.). And i must say, the road king felt the easiest to ride (not that i ever got past 25 mph in the parking lot). It was sturdy, stable, and felt very well balanced despite the fact it was in full dress (wind shield, saddle bags, trunk, with stuff in the bags/trunk).

As far as getting a good learner bike, I'd say get a dirtbike if you have the area to ride it. Could even get both. Something small (35 hp on a bike that weighs only 260 lbs can be a dangerous thing to a newbie) like a 200 or 250. Or if your feet can't reach on those, a 125. Four stroker though.

Many years ago, I had a Suzuki SP370 and road that in the bush for several years. For some reason, I quit riding for about 25 years until I saw a Shadow Spirit 1100 for sale and on the spur of the moment decided to buy it. It sat in my garage for more than a week while I polished and played with it. Start and stopped lots of times but didn't or couldn't work up the nerve to take it out on the street. Finally bit the bullet and away we went. Slowly and carefully out and around Cochrane back to Calgary. Handled well and with that bit of confidence, away I went. Glad that I had a big bike with all the power. Didn't have to move up from a smaller bike right away. Just take it easy and enjoy your new scoot.

You've obviously going to buy it anyway and looking for people to agree with you.

gr8ful rydr wrote:almost everyone I have spoken with who have started on bigger cruisers have said that they didn't have any major problems at all.

People who have done it are eager to report on their prowess. People who ride their new $$$$$ bike into a ditch on the second day aren't real eager to go post it on the message boards. I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't do it, just that unless you have personal knowledge you aren't gonna find a lot of folks who want to anonomously brag to the internets about wrecking a bike they couldn't handle yet - they are more likely to want to crawl underf a rock and not think about it. The MSF is a great idea. Again, I don't recommend starting on a bike that large but lots of folks pull it off. Good luck and ride safe.

I started on a V-Star 1100 silverado the week after my MSF. It was very tricky for the first 200 miles or so. I've now got about 1200 miles under my belt and things are way more comfortable. That is until a tornado blew my bike over Tuesday and caused crazy damage. Anyhow, I say it's decidedly do-able just need to be very careful for quite a while until you feel confident with the bike.

I started on a virago 1100. Never had a problem. I put 15000 miles on it this year and now I plan to cam it bore and make very very scary!

i started riding this year in may and started out on an 800cc and im still riding it. i honestly feel i could started with a bigger sized bike but im glad i didnt.