Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm 34 and just getting into riding. I'm taking the safety course, want to learn as much as I can. My question is: Does the begginer and a 600CC sportbike as a bad idea, translate to a cruiser? I myself don't like sportbikes. I think there beautifull machines with awe inspiring technology, but just not my preference. I am very much interested in a Cuiser to enjoy the nice summer days at a leisurely pace with my wife. After speaking with a few riders and salesmen ( I prefer my info from riders as oppsed to salesmen who may tell me what I want to here) I was told that for two up riding that 600 or 750cc cruisers may not be adequate. It was said that they may labour at highway speeds or getting up to highway speeds. I know cruisers were not designed to melt the pavement, but sometimes it's nice to have a little extra in reserve. Excessive speed in the wrong hands can be a disaster, but it sometimes can get you out of a jam as well. I have been looking at a new V-star 1100. I'm not crazy about the used bike department for the simple reason that its not economical. There way to expensive. 1993 1100 viragos for $7000.00 with 40'000 km? A new v-star with 0km and no abuse or service required is $10'000.00. Just want opiniouns.

sport bikes or cruiser is a personal thing and depends on the type of riding you'll be doing. My pick is cruiser because I'm past the stage of seeing power poles looking like fence posts... . Seriously...cruisers are a more all around bike pleasent for in town or long trips.

Lonewolf

From all the posts from our more experianced members I think they would agree 600cc cruiser would be just fine, but a 1100cc would be insane. I started off on a 500cc and had no problem reaching highway speeds, and am currently on a 600 and still have no problem reaching/maintaining higway speeds.

I too have never been a big fan of the used bikes, but I learned that bikes do not depricate like cars. If you learn on a used bike for a season/year, maintain it well you can generally sell it for a few hundred less than what you purchased it. It's also very prudent to learn on a used bike, since if you do happen to drop it it will not be nearly as heartbreaking as dropping your brand new $10,000 bike.

A lot of learning cruisers can be found around the $1500-$3000 range if you look. A key to buying used is to get it inspected by a garage. I made the mistake of buying from a dealer, and not doing any research or insisting on any kind of warranty. Take your time make sure you know what you're doing, and be careful. Riding is fun and hopefully can be a life long activity.

As far as taking a passenger on the highway, leave that for when you're very comfortable with the bike have the proper saftey gear for them and have practiced in a closed parking lot with them. I'm not sure if there are MSF with passenger courses, but there should be. Then again I'm not sure if there is a demand for it, as motorcycling seems to be mostly a solo activity.

a friend of mine has a Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. two up, that bike had absolutely no problems getting up to highway speed and maintaining it.

a 600 - 800cc cruiser should be fine for you to learn on, as they don't have the same power or twitchiness that a sportbike of similar displacement has.

And I will have to second what zarakand said about taking passengers. Wait until you are very comfortable on the bike yourself, and then practice riding with a pillion in an empty parking lot somewhere in order to get used to how the added weight changes your acceleration, braking, responsiveness, etc.

Owen

(it was 6 months and ~10000km after I started riding before I ever took a passenger, and that was just for a couple hops across town - no highway riding)

Thanks for the advice. I failed to mention that I have no plans on two up riding until I am totaly comfortable and well versed with whatever bike I choose. I'm 6'1 205lbs. Would a virago 250 be a stupid idea? Just to get maybe a year or two of riding before moving up to what I really want.

The Virago 250 would be a great starter bike. Go for it.

Go for the cruiser like you want. Forget the 250 (too small, you be looking to trade in short order) and get into the 600 - 750 range. As previously mentioned they are much more docile that a highly tuned sports bike at that displacement. And they are big enough to last you for years.

As for 2 up. I have a 25 year old 650 cc twin that carries 2 of us just fine and manages 55 mpg plus with both up on it (plus large windshield). It will accelerate in 5th gear up any of the hills (highway speed) that we travel out here and some are considered mountain passes albeit rather minimal ones in my opinion.

Just take it easy on the speeds until confidence and expertise is aquired and you will be fine. The biggest problems people face is traveling faster than their skill level is capable of handling. Generally simply adhereing to the posted limit will keep you within your capabilities and get you feeling comfortable on the curves in short order.

Thanks for your help guys

Some great advice so far -

the 250 Virago would be a great starter bike, but I would reccomend something around the 500 cc range if you'll be taking pillion passengers.

Anything in this range will easily run at highway speeds, 2 up or on your own...

I bought a LS650 now called the... C40 by Suzuki, it's a great starter bike. 250cc FRAME, with a single piston 650cc engine shoehorned in. It's light and nimble (fora cruiser) but after a couple months of riding I have decided that I would prefer another bike. Though having got this one out of the road after the winter. I stilll love it to death.