Beginner motorcycle?

[Redemption]

I'm not stuck on NOT a 250. But I also want something to grow into and enjoy for awhile.

That is a sweet vstar.

Too many choices! ;-)

[Mr Twisty]

I'm sure things have changed since the 70's (last time I was on a 250) but back then they vibrated too much for highway touring.
Late 70's Yamaha 2-stroke 650 was a blast, wheelie in every gear but hated to cruise. Early 80's Virago 650 was a better cruiser but too much vibration to the bars for longer trips.
Stayed away from bikes till last year, a Royal Star 1300 Tour Deluxe came up for auction, got it at a great price... Totally different experience, 1,000 lb wet with rider, soft as a pillow on the highway, but a pig under 10mph... I LOVE it! But if it ever goes down I'll need a crane to get it up

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

whatever you get buy a good used bike from a dealer. (I say dealer so at least you know it will be safe, a private party bike could have unforeseen issues like a bent wheel or frame).

don't pay too much.


There are 2 kinds of riders, those that have gone down and those that will go down.

as a beginner you will dump the bike at least once, probably while standing still. you don't want to buy something that is hugely expensive and get bummed when you dump it before learning to ride it.

I've been riding for 30 years, @ age 15 my first bike was a 10 year old bike I paid $700 for .. I used it in parking lots and vacant lots for 6 months before I was legally able to get a learners permit to ride on the street..

I dumped that thing a dozen times learning how to properly handle it on gravel, or a slippery road surfaces. By the time I earned my permit it was toast.. but for the next 21 years I rode a variety of bikes from sport to cruiser, putting 25K-30K miles a year on them and never had an issue, until @ age 34 some idiot decided to side swipe me on the highway.

get a cheap POS and learn on that, and stay off the streets and out of traffic until you can handle the bike..

[Tim_Hamilton]

I started with a Honda Sabre 1100, My Mom started with Yamaha V Star 650. You said no crotch rockets but some seem to recommend that. I assume you want more tour type riding, longer day riding. Any Honda Shadow type, Yamaha Vstar, or Kawasaki Vulcan would be good for that. 650 you will grow out of quick. Thats why I started with 1100. Moved to Harley Fatboy. No matter what any body says, there is a huge difference between riding a Harley and the above mentioned choices I gave. Good luck with your search and future riding.

[ratfinkharley]

If budget allows, I suggest getting a Triumph Bonneville.

You will outgrow smaller bikes almost as quickly as you learn to ride. That is what happens with many Sportster riders; which is why used ones can be found for cheap.

[rebelyell22]

I would suggest a KTM 450 SMR, Yamaha wr450, or the Ducati hypermotard if you are ok with the seating position

[Mr Twisty]

An older enduro would be a great bike to learn on, buy it right, ride it till you decide what you want, then sell it.

[punkindave]

I'm pretty amazed that folks think there's only a sport bike or a cruiser.. There's quite a few "Standard" bikes that make excellent starter bikes!
Here's a couple of my personal favorite choices for a first bike.. V-twins, lots of torque, easy to maintain and liquid cooled.
Lots of them around, excellent choices in an "Standard" bike. Again. huge aftermarket and enough power to get the job done. Later versions of the V-Strom can be had with ABS!

Suzuki V-Strom 650..


Suzuki SV650

[Redemption]

Originally Posted by punkindave

I'm pretty amazed that folks think there's only a sport bike or a cruiser.. There's quite a few "Standard" bikes that make excellent starter bikes!
Here's a couple of my personal favorite choices for a first bike.. V-twins, lots of torque, easy to maintain and liquid cooled.
Lots of them around, excellent choices in an "Standard" bike. Again. huge aftermarket and enough power to get the job done. Later versions of the V-Strom can be had with ABS!

Suzuki V-Strom 650..


Suzuki SV650

Ooh I like em. Thanks for the input.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by punkindave

I'm pretty amazed that folks think there's only a sport bike or a cruiser.. There's quite a few "Standard" bikes that make excellent starter bikes!
Here's a couple of my personal favorite choices for a first bike.. V-twins, lots of torque, easy to maintain and liquid cooled.
Lots of them around, excellent choices in an "Standard" bike. Again. huge aftermarket and enough power to get the job done. Later versions of the V-Strom can be had with ABS!

ABS would be great on a first bike for sure!

As far as sport bike, cruiser, etc., I look at it as conventional upright seating position (cruiser), and heels-in-yer-butt forward lean position (sport). It looks like your two choices follow that train of thought, top bike looks conventional, bottom looks more sport bike position.

I'm getting up in age, my back & knees don't like the forward lean for very long. You go on with your hotrod, I'll putter along and watch the back door

[Redemption]

I'm the same. I can't imagine being hunched over for any amount of time. Especially in our traffic.

I think I'm more confused now. Lol just to ride some I think.

[rebelyell22]

CB1000 would be a fun bike in the city and has the way more than enough power to run on the highway. I could recommend a thousand different bikes lol. Just get out and ride them!

[MikeSVX]

If you want to get on the highway I wouldn't go with anything smaller then a 500cc in a standard single cylinder or Vtwin engine. Inline 250cc will max out at around 70 to 75 depending on your size. The old Buell Blast is a great starter 500cc Vtwin bike. It's low and light. That makes it easy to handle and easy to stand back up if you drop it. It has just enough power to get up to highway speeds. The Shadows are good to, but I've never ridden on myself. I definitely recommend getting one thats cheap and used. Also, get dood safety gear. There are two types of riders. Those that have laid a bike down and those that are going too. You don't want to be worried about dropping you nice shinny bike when your learning.

[MikeSVX]

Originally Posted by Redemption

Ooh I like em. Thanks for the input.

I had a 2009 Gladius which is a version of the SV650. Great bike and good power. It is stomething that you won't out grow very quickly. I managed to push min up to 110mph. I looked at the V-storm when I bought my Gladius. It is a really tall bike. I wouldn't recommend it as a starter. I'm 5'8" and I couldn't get both feel on the ground to balance the Storm. The Gladius, I could get both feet on the ground, but was on the balls of my feel. It what ever you decide on, sit on it and make sure you can stand with your feet flat on the ground. The lower the bike, the better your control will be and comfort will be. I now have a Yamaha V-star touring. My feet sit flat on the ground and the bike is much easier to control then both my Honda CBR and my Gladius were. It doesn't handle as good and isn't as fast as the other bikes, but my bike is my daily driver and I need more comfort then preformance. The SV650 and Gladius a popular track bikes too. You can toss them around line a dirt bike. They don't have the speed of the sport bikes, but they are easier to corner and have good low end torque for excerasion.