motorcycles?!
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
motorcycles?!
whats a good "cruiser" type bike for a beginner to get?
I've been looking at sportsers (harley..883 low is at the top of my price range), yamaha v-star, honda shadow vlx, shadow spirit. Looking for low seat height (i'm a shorty). I like the look of the "nightster" from harley and the v-star we saw at the store was also blacked out like that and looked pretty cool.
Not really too interested in going fast (well, yeah.. I am, thats why I need a slow bike. I'll kill myself if I don't get a slowish bike. my cars regularly bounce off the speed limiters :-\), but good performance and handling would be a plus.
any suggestions?
I've been looking at sportsers (harley..883 low is at the top of my price range), yamaha v-star, honda shadow vlx, shadow spirit. Looking for low seat height (i'm a shorty). I like the look of the "nightster" from harley and the v-star we saw at the store was also blacked out like that and looked pretty cool.
Not really too interested in going fast (well, yeah.. I am, thats why I need a slow bike. I'll kill myself if I don't get a slowish bike. my cars regularly bounce off the speed limiters :-\), but good performance and handling would be a plus.
any suggestions?
Last edited by captain p4; Jun 27, 2007 at 06:45 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport, TN
To each their own. I'd like to get another 750 Suzuki. Had Vetter fairing, padded sissy bar, fiberglas bags, and a few other extras, including a trailer hitch. A good comuter and road (touring) bike. If you intend on riding it much I'd recommend a case guard
(crash bar) to mount foot pegs and extra lights if you'r inclined. If you intend riding with a pretty thing, you'll need a padded sissy bar and a good set of saddle bags to pack the picnic lunch in - or bathing suits if you go to a not-to-far secluded lake some evening.
(crash bar) to mount foot pegs and extra lights if you'r inclined. If you intend riding with a pretty thing, you'll need a padded sissy bar and a good set of saddle bags to pack the picnic lunch in - or bathing suits if you go to a not-to-far secluded lake some evening.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton AB
If your truly a beginner rider, look for a decent used Honda Shadow, Yamaha Virago, Kawasaki Vulcan or Suzuki 600 - 750cc. Get something in the $2 - $3K range and ride it for a year. Once you've got some experience, sell it for what you bought it for and get a bike that "fits" you right. Over the course of the year you might tip it over or drop it but financially you'll be OK. You'll also get a sense of your riding style, a better sense of how much $ you want to spend and you'll also start to evaluate the various models features with a more critical eye.
Once your riding you'll notice things on other bikes non riders simply wouldn't.
Most bikes of a reasonable displacement will out perfrom most cars/trucks so don't count on getting a slowish bike unless you get a Honda Rebel 250 or a dual sport dirt bike.
I've personally had quite a few bikes, but have stayed with my Honda Valkyrie for the last six years. Fits me perfect, physically & emotionally
Oh - and be sure to take an approved Motorcycle Saefty Foundation riders course.
Once your riding you'll notice things on other bikes non riders simply wouldn't.
Most bikes of a reasonable displacement will out perfrom most cars/trucks so don't count on getting a slowish bike unless you get a Honda Rebel 250 or a dual sport dirt bike.
I've personally had quite a few bikes, but have stayed with my Honda Valkyrie for the last six years. Fits me perfect, physically & emotionally
Oh - and be sure to take an approved Motorcycle Saefty Foundation riders course.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
Yeah, I truly am a newb. Most experience I've had with bikes is moving my dad's around the garage when I need to work on my truck/car. I don't even know how to work a clutch. But my dad really wants me to get one and it seems like a good bit of fun to ride one. I guess I'll keep looking around and see.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
From: Outer Banks, NC
We got 2 Honda shadows ( 94 600 and a 01 750 ACE(mine)) and a Yamaha Virago 250. My mom rides the virago which is almost a perfect size for her and is a great beginners bike. Now I rode it for about a month and was like a elephant on a moped (im 6'2 290) but she is about 5'9 and it is perfect for her. You can also pick those bikes up for pretty cheap used. It also has just the right amount of power for learning and just cruising around. Id recommend looking for a good used Honda rebel or Yamaha virago IMHO. Then if you decide you like it and ever want something bigger you can usually sell them for what you got in them and find you something a little bigger. See ya out there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
The Honda Shadow is a good choice. They have been around for years. Nice bikes. I ride a Ninja. But have owned Honda I think any of the Jap bikes are good.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
If there is a Triumph dealer near you, check out the Bonneville line-up: America and Speed Master (both are 865cc). The prices are very reasonable. They have an unlimited two-year warranty (which you will most likely never use). They have plenty of power but aren't squirrelly. And you'll have something that you won't see at every intersection. I've had Triumphs for a little over ten years now and I don't think I'll ever ride anything else.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
There really arent any "bad" cruisers on the market. They are all good bikes.
Me personally, Id go with a Harely or a Victory. Both are great brands and are American-made.
Have you considered a Buell? Buell is kind of a sporty bike, but its definetely not a crotchrocket. Buell's trademark is great handling and they do a lot to centralize the mass of the bike (they run their exhaust under the middle of the bike as opposed to hanging it off the back like everyone else does). Also, Buell's are designed and made in American and use Harley engines (although they are tweak a little for more performance).
Im looking at getting a Buell Blast in a couple years as my first bike. The way that the winters are going I need to look at getting out of snowmobiling and getting into a summer hobby. A motorcycle seems a lot more practical than an ATV, boat or dirtbike because I could use it for transportation and save both miles on my truck and fuel cost (the Blast that Im looking at gets 80 mpg and the other Buells get 75 mpg). A roadbike seems like it would provide me with a lot of the things I love about snowmobiling, but would be a practical everyday vehicle, so it would be a lot easier to justify spending the money on that than on other toys.
Me personally, Id go with a Harely or a Victory. Both are great brands and are American-made.
Have you considered a Buell? Buell is kind of a sporty bike, but its definetely not a crotchrocket. Buell's trademark is great handling and they do a lot to centralize the mass of the bike (they run their exhaust under the middle of the bike as opposed to hanging it off the back like everyone else does). Also, Buell's are designed and made in American and use Harley engines (although they are tweak a little for more performance).
Im looking at getting a Buell Blast in a couple years as my first bike. The way that the winters are going I need to look at getting out of snowmobiling and getting into a summer hobby. A motorcycle seems a lot more practical than an ATV, boat or dirtbike because I could use it for transportation and save both miles on my truck and fuel cost (the Blast that Im looking at gets 80 mpg and the other Buells get 75 mpg). A roadbike seems like it would provide me with a lot of the things I love about snowmobiling, but would be a practical everyday vehicle, so it would be a lot easier to justify spending the money on that than on other toys.
Last edited by Octane; Jun 28, 2007 at 06:29 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 0
From: Marion, VA
If you're a beginner, buy a smaller used Japanese cruiser (Shadow, Virago, etc.) or a Rebel. They are cheap, easy to ride and you can get all or most of your money back when you sell it to the next beginner. If you're a beginner, you will drop your bike (usually stopped or almost stopped and probably in a parking lot) and it doesn't hurt much to scratch an already scratched bike as it does a new expensive bike. Once you have taken the Motorcycle Safety Course and learned to ride with some experience, you can buy your "permanent" bike. You will probably keep your "permanent" bike for few years until you get your next one and then your next one, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
You really can't go wrong with an older japanese bike, I started out with a Honda CX500 and sold it after a year for more than I paid, and bought a 2001 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder which has been flawless. I paid $3K for the suzuki, which is average for them. Its very easy to ride and there is a lot of performance options available for it.
Victory's are nice, but very expensive, Harleys are nice, but the upkeep is ridiculous and theft is a major concern with HDs.
You can't go wrong with a Buell Blast either, these are very good machines, and very easy to ride. They are usually in the 2500-3500 price range and you will be able to learn on it, and sell it if you desire for as much as you paid.
Victory's are nice, but very expensive, Harleys are nice, but the upkeep is ridiculous and theft is a major concern with HDs.
You can't go wrong with a Buell Blast either, these are very good machines, and very easy to ride. They are usually in the 2500-3500 price range and you will be able to learn on it, and sell it if you desire for as much as you paid.