Beginner motorcycle?

[Redemption]

Looking to learn to ride this year and want to start looking for a bike.

Not a crotch rocket kinda guy. Not a huge Harley kinda guy either.

I want something to cruise, commute. Good to learn on, and grow into for a few years. Then later down the road, upgrade to something newer and nicer.

Don't need tons of power, but want to be able to get out of the way and merge safely on the freeway.

And yes, I will be taking a course to learn to ride.

Input? What's good? What should I stay away from? I know nothing of motorcycles.

Thanks!

[eymang]

A Honda Shadow or a Sportster is good or anything in the 600 - 800cc range. Stay away from cheap manufactured bikes like Hyosung. Which ever you decide on you should get a bike that is a size that you can hande walking by its handle bars out of a situation.

[scuba264]

My first bike (which I still ride) was a 2009 Honda Shadow spirit. I couldn't be happier with it. Compared comparable Harleys and really saw how much you pay for that name.

Aftermarket pipes and it sounds awesome. 750cc which is plenty of power but not insane, perfect to learn on but more than enough gusto that I'm still satisfied with it. Did some 1000 miles over a few days from Pittsburgh to the distilleries in Kentucky with 3 guys with like 1300 Harleys and never once felt like I wasn't able to keep up (of course in a race they'd destroy it, but I was completely fine and with fully loaded saddle bags).

I'm 6'2", 200lbs and it fits great (but had to put forward control extensions on for a more comfortable fit.

[11BEE]

VStar is a great starter bike. I had a 750 until recently.

[Dizzy82]

I had a V-Star 650 as my first motorcycle. Great beginner bike and comfortable to cruise.

[11BEE]

Only lost 30% on value in 3 years. Great first bike.

[HookemHorns]

I used to think Harley was only about the name until I bought one and it is the best bike I have ever owned. I started out with a Suzuki 250, the a Honda 600CBR, then a 2012 Harley Street Glide and then my most favorite bike ever a 2013 Road Glide Custom....I love this bike.

[Silverlsinva]

I believe Harley is coming out with a 500 and a 750 this year in the lineup might a good way have a beginner bike also but since you said ur not much a Harley guy why not buy a used Yamaha vstar 650 or something that way if u do drop it, It is used and u wont care as much and also since u want to upgrade later one u wont take a big depreciation hit as well.

[mp51998]

I had a Buell Blast (500cc) when I first started out. It was a great bike fr learning on. Taught my wife how to ride on that bike as well. I had it for over eight years and she rode it when I upgraded. Ended up selling it to my neibors son in law for his first bike. Never had any issues with it. Im sure you can find one for no more than a thousand bucks. Harley still supports them to the best of my knowledge.

[2012-1822]

Originally Posted by HookemHorns

I used to think Harley was only about the name until I bought one and it is the best bike I have ever owned. I started out with a Suzuki 250, the a Honda 600CBR, then a 2012 Harley Street Glide and then my most favorite bike ever a 2013 Road Glide Custom....I love this bike.

I've got a Street Glide, good bike.


As long as you pay close attention to your class, first choose a good class, learn your fundamentals, keep to them. I don't think there is a class of beginner bikes. I jumped straight in to the deep end with a Harley Rocker C in 2009. Significance there is that it's raked more than any other factory Harley, at least of the time, and so actually probably a little harder to ride technically, but I did fine on it, mostly.

But that is a lot of money to be riding around on. So I'd just pick out what you want that is in your price range and learn to ride on that, don't worry about whether it's appropriate for a beginner, I mean with in reason.

By the way, not sure what classes are available to you. I know the one I took isn't, but I took a class from a guy who was a police officer for 25 years, 16 of it as a motorcycle officer in basically the busiest city in this state. It was a two day class all in one weekend. 8 hours of class a day. I bet we spent 7 of those 8 hours actually on the motorcycle that he provided. He had like 10 Honda Rebels, small bike, not a lot of power, great for a class like that except. So everyone had their own bike and we were on it the whole time except for minimal off the bike "class time" which was really conducted in a manner to give us a break from the sun and grab some water. Those are just some things to think about when you check with the schools available.


Good luck with it all.

[Redemption]

Wow lots of great insight.

We do have some great state approved schools, right nearby. Several people I know have used them with good success.

I will be buying a used bike, for sure. Can't justify a huge expense right now, especially for learning as well. so most likely I will only spend $3k or less.

Thanks for the tips. Keep em coming!

[Sp00ner]

I picked up a Ninja 300 last summer, it's an absolute blast, 70mpg, feels fast, comfy riding position for a sport-style bike, 5k brand new, used 250s or even 300s are really close to the range you're looking for.

[SSeric]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

I picked up a Ninja 300 last summer, it's an absolute blast, 70mpg, feels fast, comfy riding position for a sport-style bike, 5k brand new, used 250s or even 300s are really close to the range you're looking for.

2nd that.

The Ninja 250 is universally known as the ideal starter bike. Used ones go for about $2500 or so. I'd recommend not shopping new. Save that purchase for after a few riding seasons, giving yourself time to determine what your preferences/needs are while you experience the learning process on something that's pre-owned. It was a lot easier to accept the first time I laid my bike down (a week after I got it...in my driveway of all places) knowing that it had already come with a few "experience marks" when I purchased it. Here's a pic of mine...it was two years old with less than 3k miles at the time.

If the sporty look really doesn't suit you, I'd also suggest the Honda Shadow that was previously mentioned. Both have low ride heights, comfortable upright positions, are easy to maintain, and relatively lightweight.

Edit: Also another great starter bike is a Buell Blast. Buell bikes are made by Harley. The Blast isn't made anymore but you can find them for cheap and they're really great. No matter which way you go, best of luck and ride safe!

[Christok]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

I picked up a Ninja 300 last summer, it's an absolute blast, 70mpg, feels fast, comfy riding position for a sport-style bike, 5k brand new, used 250s or even 300s are really close to the range you're looking for.

My girlfriend (who learned to drive a motorcycle at 60) got a ninja 300 last summer as well. Nifty little bike. It is small and nimble yet has lots of power for the highway. My only complaint is that with the forward sitting position it puts a lot of weight on my wrists. it is a great bike to learn on but I prefer my harley FAtbob or my warrior. I think that the new harley 500 or 750's may be good beginner bikes as they are not as sporty as the ninja and can be probably kept for more years. The sportsters are nice and can be bought relatively cheap however the sportster has a high center of gravity which does not make it the ideal beginner bike.