Pa Golden Tate Fan
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I am thinking of getting a motorcycle permit this spring. What is a good bike to start on for a beginner?
Motorcycles
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irish o'phile
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It depends. What are you interested in? How big are you?
Pa Golden Tate Fan
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Harley Davidson, Honda and yamaha. I am about 220 lbs.
peoriairish
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I've been in and out of the market for one for a few years now. If I were purchasing tomorrow (which would be my first bike), it would be a Yamaha Stryker. It's not too small of an engine that I will want to upgrade very quickly but it's small enough to handle as a starter.
BTW... everything that I have read says that HD is just overpriced and living off their name anymore. It's definitely better and more economical to buy a Yamaha or Honda.
BTW... everything that I have read says that HD is just overpriced and living off their name anymore. It's definitely better and more economical to buy a Yamaha or Honda.
IrishSteelhead
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Do you plan on riding solo mostly, or will their be an "old lady" on the back quite a bit? Do you want to do a lot of touring, or just cruise around town?
Pa Golden Tate Fan
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solo and cruise.
IrishSteelhead
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A popular conception is to start out with a 250 CC, but I'd go 500 CC.
Like they say, you are in the same amount of danger on any bike, regardless of class, so I wouldn't feel the need to start at the bottom.
Like they say, you are in the same amount of danger on any bike, regardless of class, so I wouldn't feel the need to start at the bottom.
Irish Insanity
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What kind of bike are you looking for? I know you said cruise. But there are several from a crotch rocket, to a cruiser, to a cafe' racer, and many more.
If you are going with a sport bike, the 250 and 500 will most likely be smaller. In these style of bikes, the smaller cc's usually have a smaller frame and aren't comfortable for any one 5'10" and above.
As far as the same amount of danger on any bike, that is assuming you are a responsible rider. Lol. Individuals who aren't as smart/responsible possess a greater risk of danger. I'm speaking from personal experience.
If you are going with a sport bike, the 250 and 500 will most likely be smaller. In these style of bikes, the smaller cc's usually have a smaller frame and aren't comfortable for any one 5'10" and above.
As far as the same amount of danger on any bike, that is assuming you are a responsible rider. Lol. Individuals who aren't as smart/responsible possess a greater risk of danger. I'm speaking from personal experience.
pumpdog20
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peoriairish
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This, so buy a Victory motorcycle... and help the Iowa economy
BIG fan of the Victory 8-balls. I've heard nothing but great things about Victory bikes.
irish o'phile
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I have a Triumph Bonneville T-100. It is a 900 (actually 865cc). It was my first street bike purchase and it was perfect. I am 6'2.5" 200 lbs and it fits me. I should point out that I grew up riding dirt bikes, so it was somewhat natural for me to get used to riding.
DomerInHappyValley
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Say what you want I love my Harley.
My first bike was and is a Nightster.
Lately I've been looking at a chopper. I found a dealer in State that has some really nice ones with most of the prices being reasonable for a chopper.
The Hondas are nice, with a very reasonable price expectation in the used market compared to a Harley.
Victory has some great lines and their beginner price new you can bring in for like 8000.
My first bike was and is a Nightster.
Lately I've been looking at a chopper. I found a dealer in State that has some really nice ones with most of the prices being reasonable for a chopper.
The Hondas are nice, with a very reasonable price expectation in the used market compared to a Harley.
Victory has some great lines and their beginner price new you can bring in for like 8000.
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Green Blood
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Don't waste your time with a 250 or 500...that's a good starter bike for a teenager. I own a 09 HD Street Glide (touring bike). A good starter bike for a guy your size would be something along the lines of a HD Fat Boy or HD Heratage line. Anything smaller would be a waste of time and money. People too many times have the misconception that a smaller bike is easier to handle, in reality a bigger bike will give you more stability, comfort and better handling. Also if you ever want a passenger and you want them to have any sense of a good ride the bigger bike is much better. People talk about HD being over priced all the time, but I guarantee you won't get the same ride of a Mercedes from a Ford Tauras.
pumpdog20
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100% agree, my step dad's roadking is a beast, but handles smoothly.
B
Bogtrotter07
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There are lot of great possibilities out there.
Start with budget. New or used?
If you want a great bike, get the one with the most comfortable saddle height for you.
I also advocate buying one step up. Something a little bigger than you may look at before starting may just be right when you get going.
I bought a Yamaha Road Star Warrior, new, at the end of the model year. I got a five year new bike warrantee in '10, for two-thirds the price of the latest model Yamaha. Or about one third the price of a Harley that would have been competition for the better bike award.
So I have 1700cc (102 cid) bike that is significantly cheaper to repair, that even the bike magazines said was a tossup with the 25K HD's, for which I paid about a third of that.
Right price. Right configuration. Right saddle height. Largest displacement for the right size.
Most importantly, find good classes. In Ohio you either have to pass a test or take a class. I could have probably passed the test, but I took the class. It had been a number of years since I rode. I think it should be mandatory for new riders. But it is well worth it!
Start with budget. New or used?
If you want a great bike, get the one with the most comfortable saddle height for you.
I also advocate buying one step up. Something a little bigger than you may look at before starting may just be right when you get going.
I bought a Yamaha Road Star Warrior, new, at the end of the model year. I got a five year new bike warrantee in '10, for two-thirds the price of the latest model Yamaha. Or about one third the price of a Harley that would have been competition for the better bike award.
So I have 1700cc (102 cid) bike that is significantly cheaper to repair, that even the bike magazines said was a tossup with the 25K HD's, for which I paid about a third of that.
Right price. Right configuration. Right saddle height. Largest displacement for the right size.
Most importantly, find good classes. In Ohio you either have to pass a test or take a class. I could have probably passed the test, but I took the class. It had been a number of years since I rode. I think it should be mandatory for new riders. But it is well worth it!