Comments on: Recommending a First Motorcycle

By: Neal

Neal — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:13:57 +0000

Within two years at age 64 I started with a 200 cc Suzuki, then a 350cc Yamaha, then a XL600V Honda Transalp, and finally found the perfect bike for me, the BMW R1200 GS. The shaft drive eliminates the vibration, it handles like a much lighter bike, and it has a catalytic converter which makes GS group riding much more pleasent smoke wise. The newer R1200 GS is also available in a lower frame for the shorter folks.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:54:57 +0000

Define Newbie…First things first. If you have never ridden (or its been forever since you have), you need to pass the MSF, Harley Riders Edge or similar program before you buy ANY bike. A newbies reaction to the basic bikes they ride in those programs will give you the info you need to pick a first bike.

By: Chris K1300GT

Chris K1300GT — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:44:16 +0000

My first bike last June was a BMW K1300GT. I love it and have 1500 miles on it. I tried to buy a smaller bike bu t i\I’m a big guy 6″6″ . I just couldn’t see myself on a 450 KLR.
That said I’m 57 years old and , realistic about my goals, and don’t aspire to be Evil Knievel . I took the safety course, and ride with the BMW club and will take a riders course at the track in the spring. I don’t recommend this for everybody. And Oh yeah – 2 month s into this i dumped my bike in the parking lot at zero spreed just backing it up in front of a bunch of Ladies . Bad for the ego but learned that i can pick the bike up by myself – i couldn’t ask anybody ! !! Anyway I love and respect my Bike..

By: Gord

Gord — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:17:48 +0000

This summer, at 60 I decided to be a Newbie again after 37 years. Back then I drove a Kawasaki 2 stroke, 250 triple and one of the reasons I stopped was that it scared me to be out in traffic.

Now I have the luxury of being surrounded by all sorts of back roads and ways to go from home to the local coffee shop that can avoid the truck routes. So, I was determined to start up again. At this stage in life, cost was not be a factor and having the “M” on my licence for 39 years made insurance as cheap as it gets.

But you don’t get to where you can afford what you’d like by making foolish choices so I avoided retail outlets and bought a wonderful 30 year old 250 cc. single (Yamaha SR250) for $900. My reasoning? I wouldn’t be scared of the machine I rode and no need to ride it where there is anything else to be scared. And, if I didn’t like riding and ended up wishing I had never started up again, I could always get my $900 back since the price just doesn’t go below that level if it’s well looked after while you have it.

A no-brainer really. I have had more fum and met all kinds of interesting people. Big bike riders have all been friendly, helpful, kind and (most importantly) not patronizing. I was even approached by a member of the Vintage Motorcycle Assoc. and invited to join. In his world, I have a little gem – who would have thought it?
I am still riding it on good days and am looking forward to tomorrow and the 2 days after when it is going all the way up to 6, 8 and 11 (43, 46, 52). Less than $100 in good used ICON riding pants and leather uppers keeps me warm enough to make it all the way to the coffee shop on the scenic route if it doesn’t go below 5 (41).

By: jithin

jithin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:06:10 +0000

watever bike one is buying look mainly for its handing and power.It will give u d feel of riding a true bike like those in d ’80′s