Comments on: Recommending a First Motorcycle

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:51:50 +0000

That first bike? Good question?

Street riding: The first bike should be at the MSF basic riding course, period. It makes no difference if you have hundreds of “off-road miles, the street is a different animal. When taking the course, the bike must “fit” the rider. My grand daughter was stuck with a cruiser style training bike. She is 5 ft tall and about 90 lbs. This bike ruined her for riding a motorcycle. Cruiser rides are not worth a d_ _ n for newbie rider training. They are too heavy handling at low speed. The best training rides are neutral handling UJM standards.

Off road the first bike should be a dual sport, not a full blown MX machine, something with which to learn control and not have any big power hits. Again, the bike must “fit” the rider. “Mini-bikes” for the most part do not “fit” the rider. Mini-bikes are for mini-riders or play bikes for experienced riders.

In any case, protective riding gear is mandatory.

By: SAB

SAB — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:29:08 +0000

1) Get a mini pocket rocket bike in manual trans as a first bike for $700 and learn the controls and feel of a bike. Top speed out the box 35mph so it’s unlikely you’ll kill yourself. Also, you can just ride it on private property to learn without worrying about cars.
2) Once you feel comfortable on the mini I believe any bike will be fine. Bigger the bike probably the better since you will be afraid of it more and give it it’s due respect. California Superbike School had more accidents on their 600′s than when they switched to the KTM rc8.
3) Buy a used bike at first. If you down it you will be thankful it wasn’t brand new. It will also give you an opportunity to work on your own bike without worrying about voiding a warranty if you buy it in cash and have the title. When you get the courage, do your brakes, adjust your sag and suspension, maybe fix any scratches or holes in the abs plastics and paint it. This will all be more work than owning new but way more fun. You will feel connected to your bike and she will love you for it. Good Luck.

By: Barry Kronman

Barry Kronman — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:02:10 +0000

Before gettting that first bike, be sure you know why you are doing this, what you want to use it for. If for gas saving and local errands, a 250 is fine. For light commuting, there is safety in the better ride, stability and power of a midweight. in traffic I found both the 750 Honda and 900 Kawasaki excellent for this purpose. If you have serious hiway miles in mind with interstate speeds, think heavywt, 1700 or so, i USE A kAWASAKI vULCAN 1700. oNLY FAVORED OVER OTHER BRANDS BECAUSE OF VERY GOOD USED BIKE PRICES. Stay with a low miles used bike with good rubber, not too old, say 2007-9. Best prices are the 2006s, because the banks will not finance them. Look for under 5000 miles, they are around, whatever size/ insist on everything being anf looking very good. Many older bikes have been little used and garaged. Bikes kept outside tend to have both visible and hidden corrosion here in coastal Florida.
I am 72 years old, have been riding since 1959, have owned too many bikes, going back to Indians, Bultacos, most Jap. brands, early Harleys. Now 2 (used, low mileage) Kawasakis, 900 and 1700.
Enjoy riding and stay safe!

By: Byron

Byron — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:35:35 +0000

I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about buying a motor
Cycle find a motorcycle school and sign up
For the class then use one of their bikes
And after you will have a pretty good idea of what size you want
But do go to the school first. Ok

By: Derek Rose

Derek Rose — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:46:36 +0000

I started on a 125 honda cm twin…..the transition to a cx500 custom was easy, and fun. Ive stayed with the cx, because I like it…!