for a beginner
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Well, if you wanted to be "practical," I would absolutely say to start out with a beginner bike (whatever you may consider that to be).
That being said, however, when I started riding I went with exactly what I wanted. I had never ridden a single mile on a motorcycle in my life, but I went out and bought a brand spanking new Harley. To me, my "beginner bike" was what I wanted. Now I have no idea what your circumstances are, but I say that you only live once, so why should you waste your time settling for a bike you don't really want--you'll just spend all your time thinking about the bike that you don't have!
(And I haven't regretted my decision for an instant!)
That being said, however, when I started riding I went with exactly what I wanted. I had never ridden a single mile on a motorcycle in my life, but I went out and bought a brand spanking new Harley. To me, my "beginner bike" was what I wanted. Now I have no idea what your circumstances are, but I say that you only live once, so why should you waste your time settling for a bike you don't really want--you'll just spend all your time thinking about the bike that you don't have!
(And I haven't regretted my decision for an instant!)
Last edited by Hooah09; Jul 1, 2011 at 05:23 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
20 somthing years ago I rode a buddys V65 magna. Only time I have ridden a bike untill this year. I bought a 1200C sportster. I wanted a dyna of some sort.. Went for the XL instead, Now I am going to keep the sportster but am looking for a Road King.
I'm glad I bought the sporty but if the wife was against multiple bikes I would have regreted "being stuck" with it. Get what you want.
I'm glad I bought the sporty but if the wife was against multiple bikes I would have regreted "being stuck" with it. Get what you want.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
My wife's "beginner bike" was a 1995 Sportster Hugger. Never heard any regrets from her. Ride what you want to learn on, just don't be too hard on yourself if you tip it over occasionally. Pick it up, fix any damage, and get back on the thing. Don't forget to always have fun and by the way, take an MSF beginner course.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
Thank you all for the positive info......I to am leaning towards getting what I want....I can't see buying a bike to learn on and when the time comes to get what I want have to worry about selling that bike to get what I wanted in the first place.....and yes, I am definitely taking a rider course first chance I get...thanks again
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
Thank you all for the positive info......I to am leaning towards getting what I want....I can't see buying a bike to learn on and when the time comes to get what I want have to worry about selling that bike to get what I wanted in the first place.....and yes, I am definitely taking a rider course first chance I get...thanks again
Thanks for what?
A very vauge question will only recieve vauge answers. Not the best answers.
Leave out riding experience, if none then can you drive a manual trans car, type of bike you want, how you plan on using it, are you 5'2", 6'2", etc, etc.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: Florida, central on the right coast
Get what is comfortable for you. If your dream bike is on the larger side, then yes, you might want to get something smaller for learning. If you know you don't plan to keep it, pick up a used metric. If your dream bike is a Harley that already fits you and you feel comfortable on, BUY IT!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
If you are truly a beginner you might think of getting a cheap old metric to kick around on for a few months. I bought an 83 Kawasaki 440 for a grand and then sold it for the same price a year later. My mistake was buying a sporty as my first HD. Don't get me wrong, I loved that sporty...but, I should have just bought my Heritage when I sold that Kawa.
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He was simply thanking people for their replies. Geez....
I would definitely get what you want and not waste time on a "beginner" bike and be unhappy with it, especially considering the amount of money spent on one. Get what you want and don't look back.
Thank you all for the positive info......I to am leaning towards getting what I want....I can't see buying a bike to learn on and when the time comes to get what I want have to worry about selling that bike to get what I wanted in the first place.....and yes, I am definitely taking a rider course first chance I get...thanks again
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
i agree with basscatcher. the issue with new riders (typically) isnt too much power, or not being able to shift or downshift, its 1st gear clutch control around a decreasing radius turn with oncoming traffic in the other lane. yeah yeah yeah sounds easy, but on an 800lb motorcycle its NOT.
ive been saying it for yrs on all kinds of different forums. never rode a motorcycle? buy a ninja 250 or motorcross bike and learn the basics. 5hrs at a saftey course aint gonna teach ya it all.
i GUARENTEE you'll drop your first bike. weather its in the driveway or around that turn i was talking about - itll happen.
flame away......
ive been saying it for yrs on all kinds of different forums. never rode a motorcycle? buy a ninja 250 or motorcross bike and learn the basics. 5hrs at a saftey course aint gonna teach ya it all.
i GUARENTEE you'll drop your first bike. weather its in the driveway or around that turn i was talking about - itll happen.
flame away......