Best first Motorcycle?

[Fragle]

one semi related question:
are you allowed to ride a 125cc bike in the US with a regular car driver's license?

i'm asking because over here in europe the different countries usually have very different laws...AFAIK, in italy you are allowed to ride a 125cc bike with the car license (as well as a 50cc without any license at all once you're 16yrs or older), whereas here in germany you are NOT allowed to do so....which, in my book, SUCKS. the only difference (from a legal point of view) between 125cc bikes and "real" bikes is the fact that you can get the driver's license for 125cc at 16yrs or older, and real bikes at 18yrs or older....they're both about the same amount of money, though!
sucks, because 125cc bikes are cheap, and i'd sure like to get to university, friends etc by bike rather than by car.

[bsteff666]

I was in the EXACT position a couple of years ago.....Hadn't rode in years (not since dirt bikes when I was a kid up to about age 15)...but I was really wanting to get a first bike for the street. I'm about 5' 8" also.

I looked around a lot & was really liking the Yamaha V Star 650 Classic.

But instead of getting the bike....I ended up getting married, having a kid, and I probably will never get the bike.

[rjohnstone]

In the US or should I say the state of Arizona, you do not need a motorcycle license to drive a moped.
They don't rate it on cc's, but on the type of vehicle

[jgcable]

Just curious as to why wouldn't it be an option. Do you need a bike that soon? The choice of course is yours, but I highly recommend you take the course first. I don't know about the one you have there, but the one here is excellent.
As far as the Kawasaki's and their "positive neutral finder" I think it's called, it doesn't work the way it's been explained to you. All it is is if you're not moving and you up shift from first, it will alway find neutral rather than second. A very nice feature.
As far as size, if you ever plan on two up riding, go as big as you think you can be comfortable with. I've got an 86 Shadow 1100 that's a great two up bike, because we didn't know if my wife would ever want to ride her own. She found out pretty quit that she didn't like being a passenger, so she took the course and we bought an 06 Kawi Vulcan 900. Smoothest bike I've ever been on in my life (for a cruiser) and it can do some two up, but not for long rides. Hope this helps and good luck.

They don't have the classes frequently. The bikes they use for the classes are 250 Rebels. I just don't see the class swaying my decision on what type of bike I am going to buy. I do know that:
1. It has to be a cruiser because my friends like to take long rides.
2. It needs a low seat height because I am only 5' 8".
3. It needs to eventually be able to hold my wife comfortably.

[rjohnstone]

Those 250 Rebels are fun.
Gutless POS, but fun to mess around on.
Very easy to maneuver.

[jgcable]

I don't know if I should buy new or used. I need to finance it though. We are going to the HD dealership tomorrow night.
Right now.. I am leaning towards that Vulcan 500LTD.

A guy I work with offered me his Ducati M900 Monster. Its yellow and it has the full carbon fiber package on it. It has around 5K miles and has never been abused. Its such an amazing looking bike.

[SEEGERMANY]

Ducati makes great stuff, but I don't think that's exactly what you're looking for. Only you know your finances, but personally, I'd lean towards buying "new" so that you'll have a warranty. Bikes are no where near as maintenance free as cars/trucks/wild women/etc. Keep us posted my friend!

P.S. I hate to mention this, but I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't. Prepare yourself for the initial "fall/mishap." If you ride long enough, it's gonna happen. Wear the appropriate gear and hopefully you'll be around to "roadie" for your kids!

[atomic charvel guy]

Yamaha YZ 80- I was 11, and wed go on fatty runs to the store where they sold it over the counter back in the the good 'ol days in 75-76.

[zeegler]

Cruiser- Used Suzuki Intruder 750 Cheap cool looking real easy to ride

Sport type bike- Suzuki SV650

I'll second the Intruder. It was my first bike, and it handles like a dream. Plus, for a 750, it has a fair amount of power. They're comfy and can be had very cheap.

[mattsmusiccenter]

You should take a ride up to MA and go to MOM's (Motorcycles of Manchester) in Foxboro next to Gillette Stadium. They specialize in clean used bikes, they offer financing and a warranty on everything they sell. I bought my last bike there (Hayabusa) and they were great to deal with, plus there's probably 500 bikes in their inventory.

Sportsters are overpriced pieces of crap. My opinion is get something small (500cc or so) and learn how to ride it before getting anything great. You can have the coolest bike in the world but it won't do you much good if you're dead or missing a limb. Take the MSF class and ride the thing for a year, then go shopping for a longer term bike.

[mudkicker]

I know you want a cruiser. I tell this to everyone who asks about a good starter bike. Get yourself a dual sport,doesn't matter what brand. I think Suzuki, KTM and maybe Honda still make them. Suzuki and KTM even sell super-moto versions with street tires.

Unlike the other styles of bikes, dual sports are cheap, very easy and forgiving to ride. Balance is a breeze with their steering geometry. When the bike falls over, since they do have a dirt bike back ground rarely is anything hurt.

Performance may surprise you, the engine size might be smaller 400, 450 an 650 ccs, they are very peppy machines.

my $.02

[jgcable]

I know you want a cruiser. I tell this to everyone who asks about a good starter bike. Get yourself a dual sport,doesn't matter what brand. I think Suzuki, KTM and maybe Honda still make them. Suzuki and KTM even sell super-moto versions with street tires.

Unlike the other styles of bikes, dual sports are cheap, very easy and forgiving to ride. Balance is a breeze with their steering geometry. When the bike falls over, since they do have a dirt bike back ground rarely is anything hurt.

Performance may surprise you, the engine size might be smaller 400, 450 an 650 ccs, they are very peppy machines.

my $.02

Thanks for the .02 but don't those dual sport bikes have extremely high clearance?? My buddy has a 125 and I can barely get the tips of my feet on the ground.

[Flametop]

I was looking at a 600cc bike. Glad I didn't get it. I got this one(Shadow 750) instead. Good for one or two if you don't live at the buffet. Still, looking back, I wish I had gone bigger. I do like this bike and ride it quite a bit and have had no problems. At less than $6K drive out, I don't mind the "Hardley" jokes that come my way. I just think about all of the $$ I save on oil dry. (Even new Harleys like to "mark" their territory)

[Subvamp]

+1 on the Honda Shadow!

Same story here: hadn't ridden in years and decided to get back into it. When I did, I found a used, clean Honda Shadow locally on Craigs List.
It was a 750, and a *perfect* size for re-learning how to ride, and then with a passenger. Very easy to handle, very rider-friendy, and very easy to manuver. After I got comfortabel with that and upgraded, I still own the Shadow and take it out frequently, because it's such a comfortable bike. You really don't even think when you're riding it, it just rides itself.

[StukaJU87]

JG, I have a line on a barely used, black 04 or 05 FXD Super Glide. Nice low seat height and plenty of power for 2 up riding. It is Kathy's brother in law's bike. He bought it brand new. About 6 months ago he lost his index and middle finger on his clutch (left) hand in a construction accident.

The bike has maybe a few hundred miles on it, garage kept. Located in Montvale, NJ. They are asking $11,000 I think. If you are interested I can put you in touch with them.

Now before anyone says, oh that is not a good beginners bike, let me say they handle pretty nice and the low seat height makes for sure footedness. I had one...I know. Most people that buy new 883's or smaller Jap bikes wind up losing their shirts after one year and they decide to get a bigger bike. That is something to think about whether you are interested in this bike or not.