Help picking first bike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Buy a smaller bike and actually LEARN to ride first. Look at the statistics of motorcycle accidents and deaths. Inexperienced riders.
Most people today have this entitlement instant gratification attitude. Learn to ride first. That means get experience.
Most people today have this entitlement instant gratification attitude. Learn to ride first. That means get experience.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 263
From: Catalina AZ
Riding course like mentioned should be first.
Then I always recommend a used dual sport.
Light, nimble, forgiving (for the most part).
Plus they are inexpensive and you can pass it on to another once you are done.
I tried to talk a good friend into doing something similar.
He did take the riding course but he didn't listen on the bike and got one of the big Triumph's (sweet bike).
I told him to take it easy for a while till he got some miles under his belt.
He did good for a couple weeks, then some other friends talked him into a sunny Saturday of twisty roads (I cautioned him against it).
He made it a while, high sided it broke his pelvis and was laid up for 3 months.
Totaled the bike, and the sad part is he will never get on another bike again (good part it didn't kill him).
Then I always recommend a used dual sport.
Light, nimble, forgiving (for the most part).
Plus they are inexpensive and you can pass it on to another once you are done.
I tried to talk a good friend into doing something similar.
He did take the riding course but he didn't listen on the bike and got one of the big Triumph's (sweet bike).
I told him to take it easy for a while till he got some miles under his belt.
He did good for a couple weeks, then some other friends talked him into a sunny Saturday of twisty roads (I cautioned him against it).
He made it a while, high sided it broke his pelvis and was laid up for 3 months.
Totaled the bike, and the sad part is he will never get on another bike again (good part it didn't kill him).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,907
Likes: 29,886
From: PNW
Riding course like mentioned should be first.
Then I always recommend a used dual sport.
Light, nimble, forgiving (for the most part).
Plus they are inexpensive and you can pass it on to another once you are done.
I tried to talk a good friend into doing something similar.
He did take the riding course but he didn't listen on the bike and got one of the big Triumph's (sweet bike).
I told him to take it easy for a while till he got some miles under his belt.
He did good for a couple weeks, then some other friends talked him into a sunny Saturday of twisty roads (I cautioned him against it).
He made it a while, high sided it broke his pelvis and was laid up for 3 months.
Totaled the bike, and the sad part is he will never get on another bike again (good part it didn't kill him).
Then I always recommend a used dual sport.
Light, nimble, forgiving (for the most part).
Plus they are inexpensive and you can pass it on to another once you are done.
I tried to talk a good friend into doing something similar.
He did take the riding course but he didn't listen on the bike and got one of the big Triumph's (sweet bike).
I told him to take it easy for a while till he got some miles under his belt.
He did good for a couple weeks, then some other friends talked him into a sunny Saturday of twisty roads (I cautioned him against it).
He made it a while, high sided it broke his pelvis and was laid up for 3 months.
Totaled the bike, and the sad part is he will never get on another bike again (good part it didn't kill him).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
Likes: 8,295
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Love the title. Harley Davidson owners ride off cliff
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,907
Likes: 29,886
From: PNW
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...sed-rider.html
Some end in embarrassment. Others end worse.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
First bike?
Honda 250 cruiser~ used.
Just like the bike you already rode during your motorcycle training class....right?
Ride it for a year. Find a parking lot that's empty, and learn what you can do, and what you can't do. There are lots of posts about what to do. I've made a few myself for others.
Honda 250 cruiser~ used.
Just like the bike you already rode during your motorcycle training class....right?
Ride it for a year. Find a parking lot that's empty, and learn what you can do, and what you can't do. There are lots of posts about what to do. I've made a few myself for others.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 247
From: Tulsa, OK
USED! Cheap small metric. It's not your forever bike don't spend a ton of money to make it nice. Learner bikes can often be resold for close to what you pay for them if you buy smart. Learn to ride not just sit in the saddle and twist the throttle.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 440
Likes: 10
From: louisville
put me with the start on a smaller bike crowd. the only caveat would be if you're taller than average. being cramped up on a small bike maybe could take some enjoyment out of it, but then I'd agree with a dual purpose bike instead.
I don't think I see that "get what you want first" logic with anything else but motorcycles, Harleys in particular.
"I'm not learning to fly in some wussy piper. I got me a lear jet".
I don't think I see that "get what you want first" logic with anything else but motorcycles, Harleys in particular.
"I'm not learning to fly in some wussy piper. I got me a lear jet".