What motorcycle would be best for a novice rider to learn on? My friend has his mind sent on a big cruiser.?

He intends to buy the new(or slightly used) suzuki boulevard m109R. Its a beautiful bike he just is in love with(I agree that its really nice) but my concern is that he is not experienced(in my opinion) to handle such a heavy bike. He is not heavy set guy, 6' tall, about 180lbs. I suggested a used smaller motorcycle, maybe 250cc or something. Am I wrong? Any suggestions? Please help. I just don't want my friend to get killed.

He just got his motorcycle license, and took a motorcycle safety course. But I think experience is the only true teacher. Help!!!!!

Honda shadows are pretty forgiving bikes for beginers. Big enough to ride comfortably but not too heavy and you can find some decent used ones for a fair price.

you are right. If he still doesn't listen, make him to take the safety course driving.

A 185 or 250 is a good first bike to learn on, you need to learn the shift, braking and handling first, don't go to a big bike, with alot of HP. With his size he might need a 450 to 500 I would start on a used bike, if you drop it or just don't like it, not much lost. A motorcycle safety course is good also, Best Advice, ALWAYS ASSUME THE OTHER DRIVER NEVER SEE YOU, I've been riding for over 20 years and started on a 450CB Honda that was a automatic.

the only real disadvantage to learning on such a bike is it would be a shame to mess it up if he has trouble,otherwise, it has a low center of gravity which is a real plus for a novice, it also has a comfortable layout as far handlebars and foot pegs and controls, which is also good for a novice.a 6' tall person on a 250 would be very awkward.as long as he has a healthy fear (respect) for the power of his machine he should be fine.

Start off with a used smaller standard or cruiser.

Don't go too small, but not too big. Between the 500 to 750 CC range. Too big and it may be too powerful for a novice rider. Too small and you will get bored of it too soon. Also, don't go too new or too old. Look for something in the $3000 - $4000 range.

Learn on this bike. Make your mistakes. And mistakes will happen. Which would you rather drop, your used bike or your shiny new $14,000 cruiser?

Take a motorcycle course with it. Learn for about a season. When you are ready, sell it and buy the bike you really want.

I agree with most. That is the biggest bike Suzuki makes. I would think something along the lines of the Honda Shadow, the 450 Nighthawk or so would be best for the first year. I went from the safety course to the Suzuki Boulevard C50T and that was quite a learning curve. I spent the first month on parking lots getting the feel for how that bike was different from the little ones you learn on in the course and remember, that M109 is certainly not going to want to stop or turn as readily as the little rebels and nighthawks. You point it and it goes, and it has a much larger turn radius due to the length of the bike, the mass of the bike and how the frame and exhaust are positioned. You can't lean it as far either before you get to the 'uh oh' point. So if he does go with the M109, he should be prepared to replace parts on the bike and be ready for it to be scratched up because I guarantee it will be dropped at least 1x maybe several before he even gets out on the main roads..and it may even discourage him from wanting to ride.

At the risk of repeating myself, have you looked at the Hyosung GV650 ? I have one and am over the moon with it.Its nippy, economical, very sexy, a real head turner, and it corners a lot better than any of the big guns.
I paid less than 拢5000 for mine brand new.

Have a look on prideinwhatyouride website.

NOT A 250!! He's way to tall, he'll look really goofy n feel really uncomfortable...Yes saftey is key, and they say lower cc bikes are safer, not always true, depending where u are, highways, and streets are totally different...

start on a used smaller bike like the Honda Shadow 500cc that is a real good starter bike as far as cruisers go for someone his size the other option would be to go with a 650cc dual sport from Honda it has a higher center of gravity but is also more comfortable to ride if you are a tall rider starting out

A 250cc bike would be too small---he'd surpass it's limitations in no time. If he passed a motorcycle safety class then he's already ahead of 97% of the riders out there. Yes, experience is the best teacher, and there's no substitute for actual time in the saddle, but proper knowledge goes a long way in doing the right things on a bike. If he practices the things that he was taught in class every time he rides, he should be ok on the Boulevard.

I am 6'1 and my bike is a 500cc Honda Ascot. I am glad to have had this size for the first year, it was fun to ride and I didn't have to worry about it's weight overwhelmng me while learning. .

He took the safety course, so he will know to be careful during the first few months.
All the same, I'd recommend he buy a used beater for those first few months -- a Yamaha Virago 750 if he can find one. After the first couple of months, he can sell it and buy the bike of his dreams.

Those M109R bikes are sweet **** rides. Considering that it is a V-Twin the power band is very wide, so in turn he can ride in a higher gear at lower speeds. The fact of the matter the 1700CC M109R is way to much bike for a new rider. I suggest taking a look at some of the Yamaha line up.

At 6' 180 lbs, a 750 is about right to learn on. A 250 and you will need a bodyguard to keep him from killing you. After about a year or 2, he then can ride anything.

Ah, yes.
The old "you're gonna die" routine.
If he took a course, he already rode a smaller bike.
Yes, it's big, but he's been taught to take it easy.
The first time he takes it out he'll notice the difference.

Opinions are nice to have, but to be good ones they must be based on something concrete. Such as knowledge or personal experience.

If you do care for your friend, do him a favor and ease up on him.

Have him look at the Suzuki C50 or C50T. 50 cu in (805cc), Plenty big enough, he won't grow tired of it after a month, and they are really dependable machines. They are also very affordable. Excellent cruiser for a newbie.

I have a friend that has one of those. their a good bike for a beginner, kind of soft power delivery, slow steering & not too fast, about like an old Indian. but they've got a lot of expensive plastic & sheet metal so tell him to get some crash bars or engine guards so he wont do any damage if he drops it in the parking lot a few times.

250cc cruisers are the easiest to learn on but that may not be a good bike for someone 6' tall to get experience on.
The 600cc Honda Shadow is a good reliable bike that will do freeway speeds, sits low and handles well. I ride mine and leave my Valkyrie parked, lots of times, if I'm riding in town.