Bike for beginner

[CPA37710T]

Hello guys:

I've seen that many on this forum have bikes and im thinking on buying one, i have never ever tried riding a bike in the past so i'm very new... i'd like something between a sporty bike but at the same time badass looking, lets say for example the Harley V-Rod is pretty much what i like but a friend told me not to get that bike if its the first time im riding.

All your suggestions will be fully appreciated

[Serge Litehead]

get something inexpensive old and rusty to learn on.

[CPA37710T]

lol, something like a motocross bike?

[WarChild]

No Harley is very "sporty". Either go for a cruiser or a Sportbike. Don't fuck around in the middle.

If it's your first bike here's just a couple of suggestions to get started on.

In the Sportsbike arena look at the CBR125RR and Ninja250. Yes they're on the small side but they're cheap and light. Don't be too afraid of the low ccs .. the 250 will spank most 600cc cruisers. If you think you can exercise the required restraint, i.e. you're emotionally and mentally mature enough, then you might consider going as large as say a Honda CBR600 f4i. They're plentifull, reliable and cheap. And they'll bitch slap a Harley.

In the Cruiser arena I'd like at the 500CC Kawasaki Vulcan, 600CC Honda Shadow and 650CC Yamaha V star.

Don't spend a lot of money on your first bike. It's often said that it's not if you'll drop your first bike but rather when.

Good luck!

[CPA37710T]

Thanks for the suggestions warchild, i was googling some images of the Yamaha V-star and a bike called Yamaha V-Max showed up and looks pretty good... is that one recomendable?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by CPA37710T

Thanks for the suggestions warchild, i was googling some images of the Yamaha V-star and a bike called Yamaha V-Max showed up and looks pretty good... is that one recomendable?

It comes down what bike is going to "fit" you the best. Some are longer, taller, wider, etc etc. You really need to narrow down what's going to be the best fit for you from whats available. Spend some time sitting on a few different bikes. From there you'll eliminate a bunch of options and hopefully just be left with a few to test.

[dyna mo]

do not get a vmax for a 1st bike. we will be reading your obit in the paper.

[dyna mo]

i'd recommend not even buying a bike yet. sign up for your local motorcycle safety foundation beginner riders class, the one that supplies bikes. take that class, ride their bike, then come back and ask about bikes.

[dyna mo]

start here

http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

[baddog]

Relevant questions: how old are you? where do you live?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i'd recommend not even buying a bike yet. sign up for your local motorcycle safety foundation beginner riders class, the one that supplies bikes. take that class, ride their bike, then come back and ask about bikes.

Yeah this. I assumed the OP was going to take some training. Seems silly not to.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by WarChild

Yeah this. I assumed the OP was going to take some training. Seems silly not to.

it really is silly not to eh. but in all my biking years i've met/known a lot of peeps who get taught by their buddies and start off learning all the wrong things. it's a way bad way to learn.

[jimmy-3-way]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

do not get a vmax for a 1st bike. we will be reading your obit in the paper.

Stop trolling!

OP - if you are going to get a bike, get the fastest, wildest bike you can afford and go ape shit. Otherwise you will never learn!

Do you learn to ride bulls by sitting on a cow? FUCK NO! Go get that Vmax and hit the freeway!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by jimmy-3-way

Stop trolling!

OP - if you are going to get a bike, get the fastest, wildest bike you can afford and go ape shit. Otherwise you will never learn!

Do you learn to ride bulls by sitting on a cow? FUCK NO! Go get that Vmax and hit the freeway!

you are too fucking funny!!

[jimmy-3-way]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i'd recommend not even buying a bike yet. sign up for your local motorcycle safety foundation beginner riders class, the one that supplies bikes. take that class, ride their bike, then come back and ask about bikes.

What a square.

Do you think Fonzie learned to jump SHARKS at a pussy ass beginners class? Do you think the HELL'S ANGELS start off riding Honda Cub 450s? FUCK NO.

No GUTS, no GLORY.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by jimmy-3-way

What a square.

Do you think Fonzie learned to jump SHARKS at a pussy ass beginners class? Do you think the HELL'S ANGELS start off riding Honda Cub 450s? FUCK NO.

No GUTS, no GLORY.

once the guts are out, you're kind of SOL

[JustDaveXxx]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

it really is silly not to eh. but in all my biking years i've met/known a lot of peeps who get taught by their buddies and start off learning all the wrong things. it's a way bad way to learn.

So true. You have the best advice so far.

Originally Posted by jimmy-3-way

Stop trolling!

OP - if you are going to get a bike, get the fastest, wildest bike you can afford and go ape shit. Otherwise you will never learn!

Do you learn to ride bulls by sitting on a cow? FUCK NO! Go get that Vmax and hit the freeway!

I about pissed on myself when i read this! Too funny!!

[CIVMatt]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

do not get a vmax for a 1st bike. we will be reading your obit in the paper.

Jesus fucking christ

My first bike WAS a VMax... never ever, never ever make that your first bike. I was a very responsible rider but that bike has scary torque and speed. That should be your 4th or 5th bike lol

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by CIVMatt

Jesus fucking christ

My first bike WAS a VMax... never ever, never ever make that your first bike. I was a very responsible rider but that bike has scary torque and speed. That should be your 4th or 5th bike lol

that explains the look on your face in yer avatar pic!

[st0ned]

My first and only bike is a CBR 600RR as seen in this pic:



I grew up riding quads and dirt bikes but had never been on a street bike until I bought this. A LOT different. Gotta make sure you keep the fear in you for a long time. I lost mine relatively quickly and got it scared back into me with a few close calls.

I love my bike though, perfect fit for me, don't plan to sell her anytime soon.

[klinton]

suzuki hayabusa is ideal for beginners....


/jk

go with honda cbr125

[candyflip]

1991 Honda NT650 Hawk GT

[beerptrol]

yep start out simple and work your way up. I started out as a kid on an old 1975 Suzuki POS RM250A

[tnaflix]

get a scooter so u atleast know what its like then move up the ccs like get a 50 then 125 an move up mate

[Jarmusch]

[stephane76]

Start with a 250 or lower.
I took the motorcycle safety class here, just to refresh my memory and i am so glad i did.
What state - city are you located?

[JasonEMC]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i'd recommend not even buying a bike yet. sign up for your local motorcycle safety foundation beginner riders class, the one that supplies bikes. take that class, ride their bike, then come back and ask about bikes.

That's the best advice. I took the Harley Rider's Edge course and learned a lot. Even if you can, or think you can ride already, it's a good course.

[jimmy-3-way]

Originally Posted by candyflip

1991 Honda NT650 Hawk GT

To be serious for a sec --

That's my first bike too - I bought it used, had a CBR600 dual disc front end.

[CPA37710T]

Hey guys, thanks for all your thoughts sadly im not within the U.S so i cant take that safety class, im located in Panama City, Panama. 26 year old going to 27 so its not that im going to go crazy with a bike, so for now i got hayabuza and or 250 cc ... so vmax not even to ride slow?

[CPA37710T]

Originally Posted by st0ned

My first and only bike is a CBR 600RR as seen in this pic:



I grew up riding quads and dirt bikes but had never been on a street bike until I bought this. A LOT different. Gotta make sure you keep the fear in you for a long time. I lost mine relatively quickly and got it scared back into me with a few close calls.

I love my bike though, perfect fit for me, don't plan to sell her anytime soon.

hey st0ned i love your rides, i got a chrysler 300 so i'd love to match it with a bike just like on that pic u got there

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by CPA37710T

Hey guys, thanks for all your thoughts sadly im not within the U.S so i cant take that safety class, im located in Panama City, Panama. 26 year old going to 27 so its not that im going to go crazy with a bike, so for now i got hayabuza and or 250 cc ... so vmax not even to ride slow?

get a vmax then. ride it slow, you won't need a helmet in that case either.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by CPA37710T

Hey guys, thanks for all your thoughts sadly im not within the U.S so i cant take that safety class, im located in Panama City, Panama. 26 year old going to 27 so its not that im going to go crazy with a bike, so for now i got hayabuza and or 250 cc ... so vmax not even to ride slow?

Personally, I think you are at the limit line for bikes, in that I honestly feel it is something that should be started when you are young, and preferably in the dirt. I know it worked for me as I rode dirt bikes for 3+ years before hitting the streets.

I don't think you can go slow on a Vmax unless you are pushing it or just coasting down hills.



Does not really look like a good place to learn. Start with something small, like a 125cc. I guess it would help to know how big you are.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

get a vmax then. ride it slow, you won't need a helmet in that case either.

Aren't they like 200 hp? How do you go slow on that?

[CPA37710T]

wow so the bikes i was considering seem to be scary for beginners lol, whats an example for a 125cc bike?

[baddog]

Originally Posted by CPA37710T

wow so the bikes i was considering seem to be scary for beginners lol, whats an example for a 125cc bike?

My girlfriend got a 125 Ninja to learn on. Pretty much impossible for it to get away from you, and looks to be perfect for the city traffic.

[Socks]

[WarChild]

VMAX is just a pig. Why would anybody buy one of those? If you want a Bike that goes really fast, get a sportbike. I don't get it.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by baddog

Aren't they like 200 hp? How do you go slow on that?

i was doing my best jimmy3way impression.

[alias]

Originally Posted by st0ned

My first and only bike is a CBR 600RR as seen in this pic:



I grew up riding quads and dirt bikes but had never been on a street bike until I bought this. A LOT different. Gotta make sure you keep the fear in you for a long time. I lost mine relatively quickly and got it scared back into me with a few close calls.

I love my bike though, perfect fit for me, don't plan to sell her anytime soon.

Nice blacked out bike.

[dyna mo]

me doing my best valentino rossi impression

[baddog]

Originally Posted by WarChild

VMAX is just a pig. Why would anybody buy one of those? If you want a Bike that goes really fast, get a sportbike. I don't get it.

Are you confusing Vmax with Vrod?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by baddog

Are you confusing Vmax with Vrod?

No. I'm just saying it doesn't make sense to get such a big sluggy bike if your primary interest is in power, speed, etc. Especially given that any of the litre class sportbikes will accelerate faster, brake harder, handle better and have a higher top speed. You've got to remember that the VMAX comes in at some 650+ pounds compared the 450ish of a sportbike.

I guess I just don't see the point in trying to make a cruiser a sportbike. That's just me though.

[st0ned]

Originally Posted by CPA37710T

hey st0ned i love your rides, i got a chrysler 300 so i'd love to match it with a bike just like on that pic u got there

Originally Posted by alias

Nice blacked out bike.

Thanks!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by baddog

Are you confusing Vmax with Vrod?

oh that's funny. sad, but funny.

i did ride the new vmax at last year's long beach motorcycle show, it's a beast!

[WarChild]

I'vw got to admit that as I get older I am becoming more and more of a fan of naked bikes. I never used to like them at all.

Strangely enough I pretty much just stopped riding again. Sold my bike even at the end of the Summer. Not sure why I didn't get out on it much anymore. Used to love riding. I guess it's just fallen lower in my priorities. Well that and having only a few months of weather where it's actually enjoyable to ride each year.

I'm sure I'll get another bike someday and probably even stop picking sportbikes and go with some sort of a cruiser myself.

Maybe I'm just missing the point of the VMAX. I did check out a 2009 when I was last in the show room and I have to admit it sure looked nice.

[baddog]

I don't know how you can consider a 200 hp bike sluggish, especially for a beginner.

[dyna mo]

i love naked bikes! i've owned several. been dreaming of picking up a used r1, the new one, and stripping all the shit off, customize it to my idea of a naked. totally stripped down with that sick motor and some trick bits...w00ty!

[VladS]

Hayabusa's are big bikes, forget about those. Get a bike to learn on, say max 250cc, but i'd recommend 125cc. Keep it for a few months, learn the basics, move on to a 600cc bike, keep it for at least a year, after that you can start thinking what bike to get. Good luck.

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by baddog

I don't know how you can consider a 200 hp bike sluggish, especially for a beginner.

No you've got me all wrong. Obviously it's too much bike for a beginer.

I'm just saying that I don't quite get the appeal of having all that power in a bike that's not ideally suited for using it.

When I say sluggish I'm coparing a 650 pound bike to 400 pound bikes, that's all. I guess I'm just kind of an either extreme sort of guy; All comfort or balls to the wall performance. Not too much for the gray area in the middle. Like I said, personal thing.

[DateDoc]

I want one of these....