Beginner bikes
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 490
Likes: 271
From: PNW
I don't believe it has anything to do with power. If you can't clutch you'll die on anything.
Rather, it has to do with learning balance and the inner ear talking to the muscles involved. I started on my 48. It felt very heavy and hard to even get off the stand at first. I took my time learning the balance for cornering and stopping. I never considered anything smaller than 1200 because it was only a matter of time when I used that power properly. Only a year and a half later it's my "toy" bike when I'm not on my new wide glide.
Rather, it has to do with learning balance and the inner ear talking to the muscles involved. I started on my 48. It felt very heavy and hard to even get off the stand at first. I took my time learning the balance for cornering and stopping. I never considered anything smaller than 1200 because it was only a matter of time when I used that power properly. Only a year and a half later it's my "toy" bike when I'm not on my new wide glide.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,801
Likes: 38,576
From: Post Falls, ID
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Just because you did something doesn't mean you did it the best way.
So you moved quickly from a 250, to a 500 to a 1800. But you did start small to learn the basics then move up to a larger bike and then a larger one.
I don't think your Heritage 114 is a good first bike because almost every new rider drops their bike a couple times in the first year. I had a buddy that took the class on a 250 got his license and bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. He dropped it three times on his way home from the dealership. I'd much rather drop a older cheaper smaller bike than a brand new big one.
So you moved quickly from a 250, to a 500 to a 1800. But you did start small to learn the basics then move up to a larger bike and then a larger one.
I don't think your Heritage 114 is a good first bike because almost every new rider drops their bike a couple times in the first year. I had a buddy that took the class on a 250 got his license and bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. He dropped it three times on his way home from the dealership. I'd much rather drop a older cheaper smaller bike than a brand new big one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,207
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
It depends on the person. A 60-90 lb, 12 yr old less than 4ft tall shouldn't start on a 1000+cc bike, most 250cc bikes are too big. There are wide tire sub 100cc trail bikes that are great for them to learn on.
A 300+ lb over 20 yrs and over 6 ft tall probably should start with something over 250ccs.
One of my friends rode with a group of guys. They were all retired and had been riding for years. They all had Harley touring bikes. One of their friends decided to get into riding.
Almost 70 years old, 200ish lbs, 5'9", and not very strong. His first bike was a brand new Ultra classic loaded with upgrades. It was already scratched up a week later (he had dropped it a few times).
About 1 month later I saw him on another one, again brand new but showing damage. He bought it because the first one was going to be in the shop for a couple months being repaired.
In his mind having your buddies pick up your UC 2-3x day was less embarrasing than being seen on a 600-900cc metric or sportster. Good thing he could afford it.
A 300+ lb over 20 yrs and over 6 ft tall probably should start with something over 250ccs.
One of my friends rode with a group of guys. They were all retired and had been riding for years. They all had Harley touring bikes. One of their friends decided to get into riding.
Almost 70 years old, 200ish lbs, 5'9", and not very strong. His first bike was a brand new Ultra classic loaded with upgrades. It was already scratched up a week later (he had dropped it a few times).
About 1 month later I saw him on another one, again brand new but showing damage. He bought it because the first one was going to be in the shop for a couple months being repaired.
In his mind having your buddies pick up your UC 2-3x day was less embarrasing than being seen on a 600-900cc metric or sportster. Good thing he could afford it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Wait until you hit loose gravel, wet road paint, inner city wet oily roads, tar snakes at 90 degrees, panic stop. A lot easier to recover on a 475 lb bike, than a 950 lb bike. Year 2 and 3 are highest incidence of accidents, because that is when you get cocky. Don't be that guy.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
Why do people say some bikes w/ bigger engines dont make good beginner bikes?
Im a new rider and disagree...I learned on a Rebel 250, got my license on a street 500 and now ride a Heritage 114. Other than bike weight being an issue for smaller people, if you have good throttle and clutch control it doesnt matter how much power you have under you IMO...
I can see an argument for bikes carrying a 240 rear like the fat boy, maybe not being good for inexperienced rider but thats a whole separate issue...
Im a new rider and disagree...I learned on a Rebel 250, got my license on a street 500 and now ride a Heritage 114. Other than bike weight being an issue for smaller people, if you have good throttle and clutch control it doesnt matter how much power you have under you IMO...
I can see an argument for bikes carrying a 240 rear like the fat boy, maybe not being good for inexperienced rider but thats a whole separate issue...
Last edited by cj24; Aug 22, 2020 at 12:33 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 667
From: Texas
...
Im a new rider and disagree...I learned on a Rebel 250, got my license on a street 500 and now ride a Heritage 114. Other than bike weight being an issue for smaller people, if you have good throttle and clutch control it doesnt matter how much power you have under you IMO...
...
Im a new rider and disagree...I learned on a Rebel 250, got my license on a street 500 and now ride a Heritage 114. Other than bike weight being an issue for smaller people, if you have good throttle and clutch control it doesnt matter how much power you have under you IMO...
...
If I'm reading this right, you feel comfortable on the Heritage because you started on smaller bike learning how to control. Sounds like you made a positive argument for starting on smaller bikes.
