First bike
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
First bike
how big is to big of a bike for a beginner? my mother has a bucket list and has decided she wants a bike. has never rode a bike in her life. she took a saftey course and that 2 days was the only time she has ever been on a bike other then being a passanger. she didnt pass the course. we tell her get a honda rebel but nothing over a 650. my parents know nothing about bikes at all. so i told them i would go look at bikes with them.
i get a call today she tells me she found the bike she wants. it's a kawisucky vulcan 900. i tell her that bike is bigger then my wifes and she needs to look at something smaller. she wants me to test ride it for her. and tell me they are still looking but dont want my help because my dad wants to do it on his own.
am i crazy or are they out of there minds. now when i got my first bike i would have had someone with me who knew about bikes if i had freinds who rode instead of listening to a salesman. is a 900cc to big i think it is. should they have someone who knows about bikes with them ? i think they should. so if im wrong let me know. i honestly want to wash my hands of helping them at all because they do not want to listen to someone who knows more then them.
i get a call today she tells me she found the bike she wants. it's a kawisucky vulcan 900. i tell her that bike is bigger then my wifes and she needs to look at something smaller. she wants me to test ride it for her. and tell me they are still looking but dont want my help because my dad wants to do it on his own.
am i crazy or are they out of there minds. now when i got my first bike i would have had someone with me who knew about bikes if i had freinds who rode instead of listening to a salesman. is a 900cc to big i think it is. should they have someone who knows about bikes with them ? i think they should. so if im wrong let me know. i honestly want to wash my hands of helping them at all because they do not want to listen to someone who knows more then them.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 349
From: Central Utah
Have her look at the new Honda CB1100. You then test ride it, then your mom if she wants, then let us know how it feels. I'm interested in how it handles and it does look nice although not retro enough as the comparison of it is to the late version CB750 in styling. But to answer the question, I do think this or a 900cc anything would be too much for a beginning rider.
Last edited by Mr. Mike; Jun 8, 2013 at 03:44 PM. Reason: post thoughts.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
no i know a dealer wont let her test ride it but she wants me to test ride a bike i think is to much for her and to tell her yea thats a good bike. instead of having me there because my father who knows nothing about bikes wants to do it on his own and he isnt even gonna be the one riding it or anything else. think im just gonna wash my hands of the whole thing. but i may go test ride that cb1100 just because lol
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
I'm feeling sorry for you, your parents need some parents.
If push comes to shove, I'd say a 650 is big enough.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,392
Likes: 184
From: Big ol Titties
I'd recommend whatever bike you would want for yourself. That way after she dumps it going down the driveway and decides riding is not for her you can offer to take care of it for her like a good son.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 6
From: Blacksburg, VA
That's a good one. I agree.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Ct
a kawi 900 isn't bad for a first bike, its light, maneuverable, and maintenance free for the MST part.
listen, as long as they are confident and can handle the bike they will be fine.
I would go as far as to sign them up for another class, tell them you will take it with them and that you just want them to be safe.
take it slow and get it right.
you don't want to start off on to small a bike, especially if they will ride 2 up, but either way why get a rebel then have to find a bigger bike before the end of the season.
I thought you were going to say they bought a road king or something.
my wife who swore she could never ride a bike started on a buell blast, 4 stroke single cylinder 500 cc and it was perfect, she needs a new bike now, I'm thinking a light sport touring bike, we were going to look for a sporty or dyna but I think a sport touring triumph or other decent light bike would be a better fit.
good luck with your folks, keep them safe, don't try to talk them out of it just talk to them about the hazards and things they need to learn.
lump
listen, as long as they are confident and can handle the bike they will be fine.
I would go as far as to sign them up for another class, tell them you will take it with them and that you just want them to be safe.
take it slow and get it right.
you don't want to start off on to small a bike, especially if they will ride 2 up, but either way why get a rebel then have to find a bigger bike before the end of the season.
I thought you were going to say they bought a road king or something.
my wife who swore she could never ride a bike started on a buell blast, 4 stroke single cylinder 500 cc and it was perfect, she needs a new bike now, I'm thinking a light sport touring bike, we were going to look for a sporty or dyna but I think a sport touring triumph or other decent light bike would be a better fit.
good luck with your folks, keep them safe, don't try to talk them out of it just talk to them about the hazards and things they need to learn.
lump
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
The Vulcan 900 is a very easy bike to ride for most people, even beginners.
EDIT: I didn't see the part in the original post that she failed the class, no go on a 900 for sure and if it were my family member I'd insist they do nothing until they at least pass the class and obtain a license
EDIT: I didn't see the part in the original post that she failed the class, no go on a 900 for sure and if it were my family member I'd insist they do nothing until they at least pass the class and obtain a license
Last edited by vistavette; Jun 8, 2013 at 09:35 PM. Reason: Not paying attention
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 83
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From: Germany
I really don't want this to turn into one of these abysmal "Your mother …" jokes, but: how big is your mother? No, really, I find weight makes a difference in how big of a bike a new rider gets easily used to. I wouldn't go below a one to three ratio, i.e. rider weight to wet weight of the bike. And of course, she should try again to pass the test.