My first bike...

[Dallas4u]

Long time no post here, but I thought I would chime in since I sold my VX some time ago to get in to motorcycles.

First thing I would do, as was mentioned earlier, is take the motorcycle beginners training course. I had never ridden a motorcycle before taking the course, and right away you get right in to it. I think everyone wanting a bike should take it to get a good feel of what you're getting yourself in to. Here is a listing of some in Seattle:

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motoschools.html

Another training school option is through Harley Davidson. You can check online or with a dealer to find the courses offered. I believe they use the Buell Blast in their classes, so you can check those out as well. Also mentioned before, they are small... 500cc's is fine for a beginners bike, but if it doesn't fit you then forget about it. I rode a tiny Suzuki 250cc cruizer in class, and it was small... but for class it was fine.

AFTER the class is when I would start looking for something to buy. It doesn't hurt to look around right now if you are serious about it, but I wouldn't buy anything until after passing the class. Think of it as a gift to yourself!!! Definitely look at a used bike. You won't feel as guilty about dropping something you know has been used and that you didn't pay retail for.

One thing I will say... it is discussed a TON on beginner riding forums and such, but I wouldn't recommend the Suzuki SV-650 (and definitely not the SV-650S) as a first bike... especially if you've never been on a bike before. Just because you have some time in the saddle in the class (assuming you take it), you're riding in a controlled, managed environment on little 250cc machines... and even those will get up and go when you jump on it (they will ask you to hit 40mph on the course, and it feels fast when you do it!). As soon as you get out of the class and look at bikes, you have no idea what they can do, and most will do things the little 250's can't even come close to doing. My first bike was a KTM 640cc single (Duke II), which was a little above my abilities, but it was ok... it last 6 months before I bought an 800cc cruizer. Of course, we don't know how mature you are when it comes to handling the power, or how quick you can think when manuvering... so there is a chance you could handle the SV-650 just fine.

The Ninja 500 is usually thought of highly as a beginner bike (and beyond, really). It is pretty sporty, but power is manageable around town, and it will get up and go when needed. There are a lot of nice bikes out there...

By the way, I now ride a Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans.

Adam

[nfpgasmask]

I think we are going to see more and more bikes hitting the streets as gas prices rise. I have been thinking about it also. I would really like an old 1984 Suzuki Katana that I could rat out....

My problem with bikes is the danger factor. Bikes go down, period, the end. Every single person I know who has been on a 2 wheeled vehicle has wrecked at least once. Half of those people seriously injured, the other half, lucky.

Bart

[crager34]

First, think about what you want from your motorcycle, i.e. cruising, sport, comfort, distance, etc. Don't just go and buy a bike you think looks cool. Once you get all those in your head, THEN go looking for a bike. Find a few that would really meet your needs. Once you do that, then you should buy the bike that best suits your visual tastes.

I bought a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Dual sport (has since been sold), and it was the perfect bike for my needs and I really liked the styling.

Good luck.. be safe... learn to ride.

[tomdietrying]

Yeah, I'm like Bart. I think I want a bike, but the safety factor is keeping me from it. I think I'll take Dallas's advice and take a bike course just to see if that's what I really want as my everyday transportation.
Peace.
Tom
012009

p.s.
Are there any Dallas area VXers who want to take a motocycle course with me?

[Triathlete]

I still remember my first "bike"...



...it was a gold Scwinn Stingray with a banana seat and high rise handle bars! It was sweet!

[Dallas4u]

Billy, I'm sure your 'bikes' these days cost as much as some decent used motorcycles out there! Hell, the downhill Specialized I used to have cost about as much as my first motorcycle!

I've spent some time on BeginnerBikes.org in the past... nice forum to check out if interested in getting in to (or back in to) motorcycles:

http://www.beginnerbikers.org/

[ojmagg]

This may be the perfect blend between bike and sports car...I saw one downtown last year...I think they are sweet...different from the norm, thats for sure...

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/

[Bulldoggie]

Wow!
I was looking to get a bike too.
I have had many in the past, dirt and steet, 2 and 4 stokes. Now alot of these bikes go for big dollars, VINTAGE????????
I have a short commute, so a scooter would suit me well, BUT they cost as much as a BIG BOY bike
A used Honda Shadow, Suzuki Intruder, or a Yamaha Virago, can be had in my price range.
For a first bike the Honda Rebel is nice, but I can find a Shadow for the same amount.
Just missed out on a beautiful 750 Intruder w/ saddle bags and windscreen for $1200. He had 50 callers on the first day, of his post

[Dallas4u]

This may be the perfect blend between bike and sports car...I saw one downtown last year...I think they are sweet...different from the norm, thats for sure...

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/

I've seen them as well! In fact, I saw one in NE Portland last week... first time ever in person. Pretty sweet! If you have a VX and want to stay different, this is definitely a way to go... but I gotta tell ya. $15k is pretty pricey, maybe not for something of this nature, but it's out of my price range... for now.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...est-61047.html

[cyronman]

AFTER the class is when I would start looking for something to buy. It doesn't hurt to look around right now if you are serious about it, but I wouldn't buy anything until after passing the class. Think of it as a gift to yourself!!! Definitely look at a used bike. You won't feel as guilty about dropping something you know has been used and that you didn't pay retail for.

First, think about what you want from your motorcycle, i.e. cruising, sport, comfort, distance, etc. Don't just go and buy a bike you think looks cool. Once you get all those in your head, THEN go looking for a bike. Find a few that would really meet your needs. Once you do that, then you should buy the bike that best suits your visual tastes.

[kpaske]

Thanks for all the great tips, everyone. I actually have already taken the safety course and got my rider's license, but it was about 10 years ago, back in Maryland, and I never ended up buying a bike. So I would almost certainly want to take it again here in Washington to get a little practice before heading out into my first morning commute in Seattle area traffic. I have spent quite some time riding mopeds around Thailand if that counts for anything...

I didn't realize the Buell Blast was so small - on the web site of course they all pretty much look the same size. That Spyder is bad*ss, but I guess it's more of a "trike" than a "bike". I'm definitely more partial to two wheels, and I'm thinking a cruiser between say 500 and 800 cc is probably about right for my purposes.

[Spyder]

Where I work, one of my many jobs...

We sell the Johnny Pag.
$4,000 for a chopper, 300cc water cooled.

[Bulldoggie]

I don't know if you found one yet.
I found two.
Earlier a bought a clone of a honda Trail CT70.
Mine is a 90cc 4speed, but you can get as high as 160cc.
The kind with the folding handlebars. It fits in the VX
But I'm going to make a carrier for the hitch.

Yesterday, I came home with a Suzuki Intruder.
11k miles on a 1997 with 1400cc (70hp)
It's a beautiful beast

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

First, think about what you want from your motorcycle, i.e. cruising, sport, comfort, distance, etc. Don't just go and buy a bike you think looks cool. Once you get all those in your head, THEN go looking for a bike. Find a few that would really meet your needs. Once you do that, then you should buy the bike that best suits your visual tastes.

I bought a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Dual sport (has since been sold), and it was the perfect bike for my needs and I really liked the styling.

Good luck.. be safe... learn to ride.

sound advice. Although it isn't my first bike (had a HD Sportster years ago), I have money down on a bike I ordered last week and should be in early this week. 2008 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. Kind of like a VX turned into a motorcycle...lol. Went with Black this time .

[BD-VX99]

If you want a small bike that has classic styling, is unique, and reliable, and a really good bike that is still cheap on insurance. Try to find yourself a Honda GB500. Like the one below. Hard to find, but worth it.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1989-h...ist-trophy.htm

or a NT650 Hawk, or a second gen VFR. I'm against buying new for a first timer. Also, I dislike recommending EX250s and such other bikes that are braked and sprung for women and teenagers.