New at motorcycle

[DrunkWhenSober]

So I just started learning for the L. Just thinking ahead about which bike I should get that is good for a beginner. I'm a short guy: 5'6 on a good day.

No sport bikes please, I don't like to go fast. I like to lean back and enjoy the ride casually. So probably just cruisers. No Harleys either. Would love to own one someday but they're just too expensive for me right now.

Thanks

 

[angry anderson]

There are two kinds of motorcycle riders.
Those who have had accidents.
And those who about to have accidents.

 

[VinVan]

Yup. I know two people who died in motorcycle accidents. One left behind three sons and three grandkids who’ll never get to know what a fine gentleman their grandfather was. Another left behind a wife and 2 year old daughter.

Be careful out there…

 

[masterpoonhunter]

Hands down a Honda Shadow 750 as a best beginner bike. If you can find an older Kawasaki Vulcan 500, another great starter bike.

 

[wetnose]

Bought a Honda 250 2 years ago and was all gung ho about learning BUT lost my nerve. So now I have to sell it.

Don't google search motorcycle deglove - it's nightmare fuel.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I've had a lot of motorcycles, crotch rockets to cruisers, got ride of my last bike which was a nice cbr600, and cause im no spring chicken anymore sold it and bought a another Honda, a cbr500, the difference being is this bike has the handlebars raised up so you can have the (almost) cruiser feel which doesn't kill your back on long rides and a few less cc's to it so it dosen't make you feel like you have to rip it up all the time.

If your looking for a good started bike it's a great place to start, comfortable with a bit of flash, that being said as long as your right hand doesn't crank on the throttle it's great for hitting the open hwy or cruising in town.

Hope this helps a bit

Cheers

 

[Buddyguy66]

Small us good. I see a ton of these scooter size motorbikes zipping around victoria that I never used to see. If I was starting again (and was 50lb lighter) I'd love to have one. My preference is big cruisers for years but moving around an 800-900 lb bike wears thin after awhile. I agree with like the 500 to 750 size cruiser for a first bike if thats your jam. Consider an adventure type bike as well if you don't like a sports bike. More straight up riding position.

The biggest challenge for me hands down is riding comfort. I have no butt so i always budgeted for a custom gel/foam modification to the seat. If a bike is not comfortable, you won't ride it.

 

[EuroSZabina]

There are two kinds of motorcycle riders.
Those who have had accidents.
And those who about to have accidents.

There are two kinds of motorcycle riders.
Those who have had accidents.
And those who about to have accidents.

I got one and even tho it's my right away, I have to double think my decisions when I'm on the road, shoulder checks so important if you are not used to doing them when you are driving in a car.

 

[masterpoonhunter]

I got one and even tho it's my right away, I have to double think my decisions when I'm on the road, shoulder checks so important if you are not used to doing them when you are driving in a car.

The problem has always been non bike drivers not having the faintest idea of what riding a motorcycle means or providing the degree of respect that should be provided. Basically the shitty drivers out there cause the bulk of the problems as they do not know about right of way, rules of the road, basic courtesy and so on. So yes, double shoulder check, high visibility and high alert is the game. Just be safe out there.

 

[Banged_Up]

Get lessons. If you’re brand new listen to everyone you’ve talked to so far, get lessons.
I ride a hog. Had others but they aren’t the same. Go kick tires at Barnes or Deeley, you can get on a decent used Harley for the same price as an OK new model from overseas.
My other bike is a BMW. Fast and sexy.
Bikes are like women, you get what you pay for.

 

[iliketravel]

So many small things to watch out for and anticipate which can be literally a difference between being safe or not. Literally dead or alive. Very good to make a list on paper then practice making a mental note and implementing on the road. Someone said to ride as everyone out there is out to kill you. Sounds dramatic, but with experience it becomes a second nature. I'd advise to get a lighter bike, but not too small. A heavier bike is more stable on the road, especially open space highway. And you need some power to get away from bad situations at times. Small light bikes are good for small towns and rural roads. But in a busy urban environment and highways, and many questionable drivers on the road, I think the best option would be something in the middle. Like said before, a 750 cc. I wouldn't suggest a smaller than 500cc bike, but a 400 at the very minimum. A well maintained Honda Magna is a good choice. I'd suggest a V45 Magna. It sits low and as a 750cc engine is strong. A very comfortable bike. And also they are not expensive.

 

[Buddyguy66]

Get lessons. If you’re brand new listen to everyone you’ve talked to so far, get lessons.
I ride a hog. Had others but they aren’t the same. Go kick tires at Barnes or Deeley, you can get on a decent used Harley for the same price as an OK new model from overseas.
My other bike is a BMW. Fast and sexy.
Bikes are like women, you get what you pay for.

Bikes are like women, always cost you more than you expect.

 

[Muffdiver69]

have had many bikes over the years. Started riding again in 2007. Went thru a series of scooters, then motorcycles starting in 2011. Really like the adventure style of bike. Comfortable upright seating posture, and no extreme knee bend. Had a 2013 Kawasaki Ninja for awhile, fun bike. But while it had good sitting ergonomics, it had sports bike kneebend. Got very uncomfortable after a while.

From 2014 went thru some Honda NC750 style bikes. The 2014 NC750S, 2016 NC750X, 2018 NC750X. Loved them and would probably still have the 2018. But i started to get into offroad bikes last year. Tried some forest roads on the NC and was not fun.

Ended up getting a 2021 Honda CB500X and i am loving it. Enough power for highway but keeps you out of "stupid speed". Super comfy and easy to ride. And able to take on off road stuff.

check out the motorcycle ergo website. Lets you "sit" on different bikes to see how they would fit you. Just do a search on motorcycle ergo and you should find it. The CB500X may be too tall for you but have a look at the Kawasaki Z400. Comfy seating ergo and fast enough but not stupid fast. The Z400 has a 30.9 inch seat height (so you should be able to flat foot it) and is only and not too heavy at 363lb

 

[Debbie Italian]

Get lessons. If you’re brand new listen to everyone you’ve talked to so far, get lessons.
I ride a hog. Had others but they aren’t the same. Go kick tires at Barnes or Deeley, you can get on a decent used Harley for the same price as an OK new model from overseas.
My other bike is a BMW. Fast and sexy.
Bikes are like women, you get what you pay for.

I agree, get lessons from a reputable company, my husband was in a motorcycle drill team for many years, hes always said the number 1 mistake riders do, is not get lessons, lessons can save your life, we knew someone who bought a motorcycle and less than 2 weeks later, hit a cement wall, sadly he passed, and only in his early 30's A great touring bike is a Goldwing, comfy too. A Harley is too loud to enjoy the ride in my opinion, also if you have a person on the back seat, the Goldwing is awesome for that

 

[Muffdiver69]

never did like the cruiser type bike. the sitting position seems so uncomfortable. Feet forward, sitting straight up. Usually short travel rear suspension. You feel every single bump straight up your spine. GoldWing is a great bike but not for nooby. An 800lb huge land yacht is not nooby friendly.

 

[masterblaster]

I had a friend who decided to get a bike a number of years ago. He rode up to my place one day on a Road King. I asked him if he had ever had a bike before. He said no first one. Told him I didn’t a Road King was the bike to start out with. He managed ok, told me though it fell over at a stop light. A women in the car next to him came and helped him pick it up.

 

[Debbie Italian]

never did like the cruiser type bike. the sitting position seems so uncomfortable. Feet forward, sitting straight up. Usually short travel rear suspension. You feel every single bump straight up your spine. GoldWing is a great bike but not for nooby. An 800lb huge land yacht is not nooby friendly.

Yes it is advised to start with a smaller bike, actually its very comfortable to sit on and ride, i didnt feel bumps when riding

 

[Debbie Italian]

Obvi

I had a friend who decided to get a bike a number of years ago. He rode up to my place one day on a Road Glide. I asked him if he had ever had a bike before. He said no first one. Told him I didn’t a Road Glide was the bike to start out with. He managed ok, told me though it fell over at a stop light. A women in the car next to him came and helped him pick it up.

obviously he didnt take a motorcycle safety course, they also teach you how to pick up a bike by yourself, its very easy if you know how, my guy can pick up a Goldwing, hes only 5'7

 

[masterblaster]

Obvi

obviously he didnt take a motorcycle safety course, they also teach you how to pick up a bike by yourself, its very easy if you know how, my guy can pick up a Goldwing, hes only 5'7

i believe he took one eventually. When his Harley fell over at the intersection think he only had it for a couple days.

 

[Deguire]

It's essential that you take a motorcycle safety training course before you buy the bike. I did it and my son and daughter have done it. You will learn so much about how to stay alive and in one piece. My own opinion, FWIW, is that your first bike should be around 350 - 400cc. That's more than enough and you don't want to start on something that is a bit of a monster. In the traffic light Grand Prix, you will leave all the Ferraris behind. Isn't that enough to start with? Later, I had a 550cc four cylinder and I don't think I ever opened it up.