Best first Motorcycle?

[mudkicker]

Dual sports are a few inches shorter than full on motocross bikes. Your friends 125 has close to 12"s of travel, most dual sports only have 8"s of travel.

I'm 5'9", my old Yamaha XT 350 never gave me any problems. I recently rode a 2003 Suzuki DR 400, and I could touch both feet. My heels didn't touch, but I was close to being flat footed on it.

[khabibissell]

Not to be an ass, but I think you really need to take the class and get your license before you buy the bike. After passing your exams, get full gear... don't fall in line with the typical cuiser riding gear you see... you know, salad bowl helmet that would crack if a bug hits it, vest (short sleeve shirt underneath), no gloves, and jeans. Your first bike should be used and 650cc's or less (cruiser). I wouldn't do any two up riding for at least one riding season so you can learn how to ride. After "training" for a season, sell the used bike and buy whatever it is you want.

[Mr.Lizardman]

I've been riding Harleys since the late '70s- early '80s. I've never been into anything but Harleys, but I've ridden quite a few different kinds. Harleys aren't really all that more difficult to get used to than any other bike out there- some of them are a bit heavier, but hey they're mostly built for street cruising, and that actually helps a little with ride quality- smoother on the road. If you're thinking Harley, try to check out some FXR models- I have a 1988 FXRS and I love it- I've had the same bike for @14 years now and I put insane miles on it every year! (less now that I'm not a patch holder anymore) My lady has ridden it to Sturgis and back on the back without much problems- I'm 6' 1" and she's 5' 5"....She is planning to get her own as soon as her credit card stuff is paid off (from her previous marriage) She's no body builder (or boat anchor....LOL) and she has no problems moving my bike around. An FXR has the same 1340 cc or 80 cubic inch motor that soft tails and such have, but weighs only about 750 lbs or so- (only around 50 lbs or so more than a sportster) Some of the big cruisers are up around 1100 lbs! It's not just the weight, it's the balance. I like my evo better than the newer twin cams- I like the balance and weight distribution better.
I help my friends build choppers part time here and there.... their show chopper was in V-Twin magazine last October and has won several shows and been in numerous ads locally. Check out the Buell conversion kits they make!! 100 hp fuel injected Buell motors in a frame weighing out at 450 lbs- with the engine, trans, front end and rear! FUN-

http://allenbros.com

Tell 'em Mr.Lizardman sent ya!

[khabibissell]

Sounds like a perfect bike for a beginner... 100hp in 450lb package.

[Mr.Lizardman]

I didn't say it was for a beginner- just FUN....best as a single seater, too- further proof it wasn't for the guy and his gal....
Maybe one for each later on? They'll sure put an adrenaline rush into an otherwise boring life! LOL
It's close to Buell weight, just different seating position- not quite so unnatural.
Most people I've known who bought Sportsters were disappointed they didn't buy something a little bigger, even first time around. FXRs have a lower seat height! (FXR- not FXD or anything else. Similar but WAY different.)

I was even nice and didn't talk any junk about all those crap bikes out there....To me there is only ONE motorcycle made- the rest just aren't real motorcycles. But hey, everyone has their own chance to make whatever silly mistakes they see fit to....
I know a gal that has one of the Triumph Bonneville America bikes- it's pretty nice, but a different riding position more like a Sportster-
I like sitting IN the bike instead of ON TOP of it, personally- more comfortable for the long rides.
I'm just not really into the Japanese bikes....but they sure do build some nice weed eaters and leaf blowers over there!

[Hotrod]

I didn't say it was for a beginner- just FUN....best as a single seater, too- further proof it wasn't for the guy and his gal....
Maybe one for each later on? They'll sure put an adrenaline rush into an otherwise boring life! LOL
It's close to Buell weight, just different seating position- not quite so unnatural.
Most people I've known who bought Sportsters were disappointed they didn't buy something a little bigger, even first time around. FXRs have a lower seat height! (FXR- not FXD or anything else. Similar but WAY different.)

I was even nice and didn't talk any junk about all those crap bikes out there....To me there is only ONE motorcycle made- the rest just aren't real motorcycles. But hey, everyone has their own chance to make whatever silly mistakes they see fit to....
I know a gal that has one of the Triumph Bonneville America bikes- it's pretty nice, but a different riding position more like a Sportster-
I like sitting IN the bike instead of ON TOP of it, personally- more comfortable for the long rides.
I'm just not really into the Japanese bikes....but they sure do build some nice weed eaters and leaf blowers over there!

I figured it would turn into this sooner or later...............
IMO there is a bike for every rider. Personally, if I was going to buy American, there's lots more out there than Harley, but again, my opinion. People locked into the Harley hype have there's and I have mine................

Good luck JG and keep us posted.

[zeegler]

I was even nice and didn't talk any junk about all those crap bikes out there....To me there is only ONE motorcycle made- the rest just aren't real motorcycles. But hey, everyone has their own chance to make whatever silly mistakes they see fit to....
I know a gal that has one of the Triumph Bonneville America bikes- it's pretty nice, but a different riding position more like a Sportster-
I like sitting IN the bike instead of ON TOP of it, personally- more comfortable for the long rides.
I'm just not really into the Japanese bikes....but they sure do build some nice weed eaters and leaf blowers over there!

Do you expect anyone to take you seriously after that post?

[Endrik]

+1

I love Harleys but there's so much cool stuff out there. I don't dig too much of those Japanese HD-copies but they are not bad at all, I'd take HD or Indian for that kind of bike. But these days I'm much more into street bikes. I'd take Ducati Monster or some Moto Guzzi personally. You get the best of both worlds. If we talk about superbikes I also would take Ducati. For moto-cross KTM or Husqvarna. Every company makes something great.

[clifffclaven]

Do you expect anyone to take you seriously after that post?

+1, no shit.

[jgcable]

I went to the HD dealer last night. I sat on just about every bike in the store.
1st up was an 883L.
It fit perfectly. Very comfortable. The sales guy told me that I would want to get rid of it within a year because it is underpowered and it can never handle a 2 person ride. I explained to him that I am not a speed demon and I am a 1st time rider. That didn't matter.
2nd up was a 1200L. Again.. very comfortable. The sales guy told me that it has decent power and I would expect to get no more than 2 years out of it before I would want to trade it in.
After 30 seconds of sitting on the 1200 they shuffled me over to the Deuce which is around 16K. Beautiful. Comfortable. Too expensive.
Next was the Fat bob.. Beautiful, comfortable, too expensive.
Next was the low rider custom.. beautiful, comfortable, too expensive.

This HD dealership was huge. They had a ton of bikes and there were Harley guys everywhere. Tats, beards, leather, and it seemed that everybody knows everybody. It was very intimidating. The general concensus was that they have no intention of selling Sportsters. Especially 883's. I didn't dig the vibe. I mentioned that back in the not to distant old days... a 1200 was the BIG Harley. Now.. its the entry level beginners bike that will last no more than 2 years before I will want to get rid of it. The 883 is just a Harley Moped or Scooter. Don't even bother is what they said.
I didn't dig the whole scene.
I am not going back to that dealership.

[Mr.Lizardman]

I don't have any problems with people taking me seriously, so get over yourselves. I'm just stating my own opinions just like everyone else here. Don't be ignorant- and there's certainly no need to get insulting. I doubt anyone else here can even claim half the saddle time I've had in the last 25+ years. My current FXR had 15k miles on it when I bought it 7 years old- and I more than doubled that the first year and have put nearly the same mileage on it every year since. This is something I know about!

I never buy new bikes- I buy a good used one, and then change things to suit my needs. A beginner should definitely buy used IMO, since the main money loss has already happened, and if you decide it's not for you, then you don't waste as much money. You can get a decent used FXR for around the price of a new Sportster. And usually you won't lose as much of your money on a Harley. Or you can get something else- it doesn't really matter to me- whatever works for you.
For some people, it's all about cheap, not about the feel or ride- or pride in ownership. I'd expect you guys to understand a little more about that here, being fans of great guitars, not just ok guitars. I prefer nicer toys personally.
Just relax and don't be an idiot and you'll usually get along just fine with the Harley types- most of them are just posers anyway. But if you get stupid around the hardcore 1%ers you'll run into trouble- but anywhere you act like an ass you're likely to find someone who'll take offense to it, right?

[Mr.Lizardman]

PS- those peddlers at the dealership are out to make commission- What would you expect them to try to sell you?

[jgcable]

PS- those peddlers at the dealership are out to make commission- What would you expect them to try to sell you?

I am in sales too. I understand the gig. The thing is... it was more of a macho thing and less of a sales thing. I am sure no sales guy there is going to be able to take that trip to the Carribean because he sold me a 15K Duece instead of a 10K 1200. It was as if the Sportsters don't even count to any of the guys there. The funny thing is that the sales guy who was talking to me drives a Yamaha.

IMHO.. when a newbie rider interested in either an 883 or a 1200 Sportster goes to that store looking for their very first bike and they are only 5'8" tall and almost middle aged.. they should take that into consideration and not take them over to the 1568cc $20,000+ bikes 5 minutes after they walk into the dealership.

I am taking all of your advise and looking for a decent used starter bike.
Actually.. I am still partial to the small sport bikes. I looked at a Ducati 620 Dark that was really nice and super cheap too.
I am going to look at alot of bikes and probably take that class before I commit to anything.

[YetAnotherOne]

I mentioned that back in the not to distant old days... a 1200 was the BIG Harley. Now.. its the entry level beginners bike that will last no more than 2 years before I will want to get rid of it. The 883 is just a Harley Moped or Scooter. Don't even bother is what they said.

There's a pretty good point buried in there: in the late 60s 750ccs was considered a fairly large displacement machine and people would have looked at you cross-eyed if you suggested that such a bike wouldn't be sufficient for 2-up riding. The average 750 today is a significantly better machine and at least moderately more powerful than it was then but the consumer's expectations have changed dramatically, to the point where a lot of folks consider things in that range small and underpowered. That's a crazy attitude but it's prevalent these days (says the guy who tools around on a bike with more displacement than his sister's car).

[YetAnotherOne]

Actually.. I am still partial to the small sport bikes.

Good choice for city / freeway riding, I always found the superior accelleration, braking, and handling capability of sport bikes to be of great utility on freeways in urban areas. Not such a good choice for a beginner since it's a virtual certainty that you'll drop the bike at low speed some time and all of that plastic can be very expen$ive to repair.