Best first Motorcycle?

[asix]

its a European thing but I recon Suzuki bandit

[SEEGERMANY]

This was my first...remember these????

One of the most durable, fun-filled machines ever built. We used them to pull skateboarders and if you couldn't stand on the seat and ride a 100 yard wheelie, you were labled the pussy of the neighborhood.

P.S. Back then, skateboards had steel wheels!

[Mr.Lizardman]

I suppose I should be honored being labelled a tool by a true expert on the subject, but somehow I'm still not impressed or anything....just tired of your ignorance. You have no idea whom you are speaking to so spewing your rhetoric is not only rediculous but incredibly stupid.

Quote from YetAnotherOne:
I had a friend who was a duc dealer when I lived out west. Hourly rates really aren't any worse than at any other bike shop and he maintains that it's the owners and the way they treat their machines rather than the ducs themselves that are responsible for their poor reputation for quality. Not sure I buy it but there it is.

I'm not sure I'd buy that either- What are the odds that every Duc rider EVERYWHERE subjects their bike to the same sorts of conditions/riding style? That would have to be the case for the rumors to be known all over the country-

[jgcable]

My favorite bikes so far are:

Suzuki SV650 I checked one out today. Killer.
Kawasaki Ninja EX500
Ducati 620 Dark
Harley Davidson Nightster Another awesome bike but out of my price range for a first bike ever.

[clifffclaven]

My favorite bikes so far are:

Suzuki SV650 I checked one out today. Killer.
Kawasaki Ninja EX500
Ducati 620 Dark
Harley Davidson Nightster Another awesome bike but out of my price range for a first bike ever.

sv650 is a decent choice, but not as good as the ex. sv is getting up there in the power dept, about 70hp, will hit around 130 top end, and (in the right hands), faster than a stock viper or vette in the 1/4. (11.85@ 110mph) Not a bike (I) would reccommend, but it is on the "first bike" lists of a lot of magazines. Take it for what its worth.

[jgcable]

sv650 is a decent choice, but not as good as the ex. sv is getting up there in the power dept, about 70hp, will hit around 130 top end, and (in the right hands), faster than a stock viper or vette in the 1/4. (11.85@ 110mph) Not a bike (I) would reccommend, but it is on the "first bike" lists of a lot of magazines. Take it for what its worth.

I am taking your advise seriously. I was told the SV650 was a great starter bike but most of the people I talk to said that because I have 0 motorcycle riding experience and I am approaching middle age.. a less powerful bike would be a better choice. My dad is 68 and he got his first bike ever this year. He got a Honda Rebel.
I am totally comfortable on 2 wheels being a mountain bike and road bike rider but nothing ever with a motor except for a moped and an old Honda 50 back when I was 16. I barely remember riding it.

[Thrust]

I'd certainly opt for the SV650. While both motors have a nice fat torque curve (unlike some of the higher reving 4's) I'd give the nod to the SV for a beginner purely based on the v-twin (compared to the parallel twin in the ninja) and the extra displacement. Also, the aftermarket for the SV is HUGE so you'll certianly have room to grow. Search the internet and most people will say the SV is nearly unbeatable for a beginner bike. Of course, the Ninja is nice as well, however, I'd want to upgrade in a year--with the SV I'd keep it around for a track bike.

Good luck with whatever you choose and be sure and POST PICS!!

[Mr.Lizardman]

Good advise letting jgcable know on the power thing, folks- I've seen lots of bike newbies knock themselves over because they weren't prepared for the torque or HP. It changes quicker with a bike engine than with a car, also- I doubt that info is covered in the rider course!
I saw a guy jump on his bike at a Hooters a while back (it happened to be a Sportster) and start it up and take off....and then promptly fall on his ass in the street because he forgot to remove the fork lock! So I suppose I should mention doing a quick check-out of the bike before attempting to ride off. I always sit on mine and straighten out the front before starting out....
And don't forget to put your feet down at stop lights!! LOL

[jgcable]

I decided to go with the SV650. When I get one I will post pics.

[Hotrod]

Good advise letting jgcable know on the power thing, folks- I've seen lots of bike newbies knock themselves over because they weren't prepared for the torque or HP. It changes quicker with a bike engine than with a car, also- I doubt that info is covered in the rider course!
I saw a guy jump on his bike at a Hooters a while back (it happened to be a Sportster) and start it up and take off....and then promptly fall on his ass in the street because he forgot to remove the fork lock! So I suppose I should mention doing a quick check-out of the bike before attempting to ride off. I always sit on mine and straighten out the front before starting out....
And don't forget to put your feet down at stop lights!! LOL

Actually, all those things are covered very well in the courses. You might be surprised. Riding within your ability, riding within the bikes ability and being aware of your surroundings both moving and parked are mostly the key points of the course. Chances are, the guy you saw at Hooters, either didn't have any training or just didn't listen (there are a lot of those out there, lol). I've seen even the most grizzled bikers, be able to take something from one of those courses ( I don't know about there, but here they offer different levels from beginner to experienced).

[Hotrod]

I decided to go with the SV650. When I get one I will post pics.

Definitely awaiting pics and please......... have fun, but be careful.

[Drsracing]

Good choice John.

The sv650 is going to be really close to what you ride during your class so it'll be real easy to ride without any surprises

Now go get some good gear, remember a $300 jacket is a lot cheaper than skin graphs

If you have any ?'s hit me up

[Firebird V]

Don't worry about it not being powerful enough either. And you can always sell anything you get later on to fund something else. The important thing here is that you feel completely comfortable on it. Good Luck! Be SAFE!

[Tetsuo]

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.

I have a monster. Awesome bike. Not what you are looking for though

[Mr.Lizardman]

Never took a course- old school- 25 years of experience instead of learning it the easy way- LOL
I might have heard of a couple different classes, but I'm not sure of the content....I was thinking they'd concentrate on maneuvering and safety rather than vehicle specs due to the large number of them- but it DOES seem pretty basic to mention performance considerations.
That guy at Hooters was just a plain idiot trying to show off- and he sure succeeded in impressing everyone there....but not quite in the way he was hoping, I suspect!! LOL