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What would be a suitable motorcycle for a beginner? |
If am I going to start riding, what do you think would be more suitable for a beginner, a sport bike, or a cruiser? Also, I am a 5'3 female. So, I need something relativly light and not too far from the ground. Would a small cruiser like a Honda shadow or rebel be approriate to learn on? Would a Suzuki GS500 have too much power? Should I start with a 250 instead? The only experience I have with any bike is a yamaha 125 dirtbike. ANY useful advice would be more than helpful! Thanks. I'm also 5'3" and female - I started out with a Rebel but I quickly outgrew it within a year - I moved up to a Honda Shadow VLX 600 which is like a Rebel on Steroids - very nice easy to handle bike - after 2 years I moved on up to a Honda Shadow Ace 750 which I love and still have. Last year I also bought a Ducati Monster 695. If you like sport bikes the Harley-Buell Blast 500 is a an amazingly peppy and fun bike to ride. Here is a cool website you might like to check out - www.vtwinmama.com/motorcycles_... (ok it's not letting me post the whole website so, after motorcycles _, for _, short _, riders dot, htm) Here's something extra to think about Riding a bike that is too big for you may make riding difficult or hazardous, and less fun than it should be. Here's some things to think of when you are choosing a bike. Physical size. - Can you touch the ground - flat footed or nearly flat footed - on both sides at the same time? If not, it might be too big. Some bikes can be adjusted in height, look into that. - Is it a long reach to the handlebars? Or is it an uncomfortable position you end up in? Handlebars can often be changed or adjusted. - How about the hand and foot controls? Easy to reach and operate? if you have small hands you may need special levers added for the clutch lever and brake lever that bring them in closer to the handlebars. - How heavy is this beast? - if I roll to a stop slightly off balance, am I going to be able to straighten up? Or am I going to go over? If I go over, can I pick it up? (See my TOTW about picking up a fallen motorcycle) Power. - How much power do you need, anyways? (I know, arrhh, arhh arh, more power!) But not everybody needs - or can handle! - a bike with 100ft/lbs of torque (or, in the sportbike world, 180hp). If you are a small person, a small bike is going to scoot just fine with you on it. - And big guys and gals? A 650 V-star or something is going to move just fine with you on it. It won't be as stellarly FAST or POWERFUL, perhaps - but that isn't a good idea for a first bike, anyways. Physical condition. -Yours, not the bike's. If you are not really that strong, or perhaps you are a bit out of shape? Motorcycle riding in general can be very physically demanding. A bike that is too big, heavy and/or powerful for you, is going to tire you out even faster. Tired riders make more mistakes, and mistakes lead to... Skill and experience. -Gotta be honest with yourself here. If you are a new rider, (or a rider that has not ridden in a long time) and you are still making mistakes - If you have wobbly balance sometimes, or sometimes you forget it is in gear and pop out the clutch, or you frequently go a little off balance when you stop, or you are still struggling with smooth gear changing, or smooth throttle inputs, etc, etc. (This list could go on a while, you get my drift.) A big, powerful bike is just going to make all of that stuff HARDER to master, and could actully be pretty dangerous for you. Often riders get convinced to buy a bike that is too big for them, or they are not ready for, by someone saying, "Ah, but you'll grow OUT of that little Shadow ACE 750 in a year. You should just buy the VTX1800 now! You'll be happy you did!" (For example) Yep, maybe. But then again, maybe not. One thing is for sure. It is usually EASY to re-sell smaller starter bikes when you are ready to upgrade, there are always new riders looking for them. You may just find that the smaller ACE is perfect for you, and is all you need. It's not usually a good idea to buy a bike to "grow into". Grow FIRST. Then buy one. _________________ The 3 best starter cruisers are .. The Yamaha 250 Virago, next the Honda 250 Rebel or Shadow.. and Third the Suzuki GZ 250... All are good easy to ride fun bikes.. Another option that you may not have thought about would be the Honda Reflex maxi scooter.. It will do 85 mph, has automatic shift, gets 65 mpg and handles like a 250 motorcycle.. I have rode and owned all of the above.. all good.. Your choice... Ride Safe.. What are you talking about a Suzi 500? If you come fresh from Riding school, you should know your limit is 260cc!!!!!!!!!! Cheap 250 to learn on.... a year from now will be worth the same as a trade in on a better bike.. Learners drop bikes... so buy one without plastic or fiberglass fairings..( they cost lots to fix) any of the Jap 250cc bikes are good to learn on.. try & get one that you can sit on & touch the ground flat footed.. 35 yeas riding & counting.. the gs500 is a VERY easy to control bike. It's also a bike that still uses most of the technology that it started with back in the late 70's (78 if i recall, though we less displacement). What it will really come down to is the style of bike you are interested in and what you feel the most comfortable sitting on. A cruiser type like a Honda rebel, will have a lower seat height than say gs500, making it easier to manage. There are also other bikes to consider such as the Buell Blast!. My wife is 5'3" and loves it. It fits her body near perfectly. One thing you should do before you buy any bike is to do your research on common problems. (The Buell has a few issues but they were easily resolved.) I've listed a handful of manufacturer websites below for you to start your search www.honda.com www.buell.com www.suzukicycles.com www.kawasaki.com www.yamaha.com www.hyosungmotorusa.com |
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