New Rider Recommendations
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 35
Likes: 18
From: Nova Scotia
If you friend doesn't really know what he wants, I'd suggest visiting a few dealers. Look at the different types, sit on them to see how they feel (comfort, seat height, weight, etc) test ride a few if he feels comfortable (and the dealer will let you). That should really narrow down the search. There are some great bikes around 500cc that are fun, light, easy on fuel and capable of keeping up with friends.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Dunno about the seat height on many of the sport bikes. I'm not that much taller and I tippy-toe on those, even on the smaller cc. They're still about 30" high.
I started riding later, but after I took the riding class, I bought a Sportster XL1200 in 2011. Plenty of power for me and I can flat-foot while sitting on the bike. A year and a half later I bought an 850lb Road King. I still have the Sportster and it's a fun bike to ride.
I guess the younger set likes all the speed and power of the sport bikes, and they have their allure. Don't get me wrong, they are fun, but the longer rides, I want something a bit more comfy but that's me.
I started riding later, but after I took the riding class, I bought a Sportster XL1200 in 2011. Plenty of power for me and I can flat-foot while sitting on the bike. A year and a half later I bought an 850lb Road King. I still have the Sportster and it's a fun bike to ride.
I guess the younger set likes all the speed and power of the sport bikes, and they have their allure. Don't get me wrong, they are fun, but the longer rides, I want something a bit more comfy but that's me.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 49
From: CA
I'm not a new rider, but I am requesting beginner advice, as a friend of mine is just finishing their motorcycle safety course and will be looking for a bike. As I'm the only person they know that rides they're reaching out to me for advice. I wasn't sure where on the forum to posit the question, so I figured I'd start in the Sportster section where I spend all of my time. They're being smart about how they're approaching the purchase by taking the safety course, looking for a used bike, and staying away from high powered sport bikes. However, when I started riding (like an idiot on a GSXR750), a ninja 600 or similar wasn't too bad of a bike to learn on. Now that I'm doing research, I'm learning the later model 600cc sport bikes are nothing to mess around with. I want to get some opinion on good sport style bikes that a 5'4" beginner can handle. I'm thinking of attempting to convince them to go for a Buell Blast or something similar. I'm not sure I'll be able to talk them out of something in the sport bike realm, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
How long they want to be in the saddle: more than an hour can be tough with a forward lean riding position.
2-Up or two bikes: low rpm torque or hi rpm performance, 2-Up they will appreciate more rear shock travel than a stock Sportster.
Leathers and a full-face would be a thoughtful addition to their budget: doesn't matter that it was someone else's fault, you still lose.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 1,949
From: Santa Ana, CA
A great beginner sportbike would be any of the naked bikes, like a MT-08 or the SV-650. Actually the 500's would be the best beginner bikes but most people grow out of those within a few months.
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