Bikes, what would you suggest?

So much good advice, I wasn't planning on getting a bike without taking a safety course. I've been looking for them ever since I decided last fall that I wanted to buy a bike. Thank you everyone for looking out for me and helping me out with such awesome insight. On a personal note, I adore the freeing feeling that riding gives me. It is the best when I am out on a dirt bike and just ride, and I love riding behind someone else on the road but it's a hassle to have to get a hold of someone to come pick me up every time I want to go out and ride. So naturally my only option is to get my own bike and enjoy the ride from the front seat. :D I'll accept any and all insight and advise that anyone feels would be helpful for me. Then in return for all of your help I'll be sure to post pictures of the bike that I settle on. :thumbup:
 
I've ridden just about every metric cruiser out there when I was a service writer. My recommendation is the Vulcan 900. But any of them from Yamaha, kawi, or Honda are good. Don't go to small, you'll out grow it fast, the weight savings is insignificant, and the cruisers aren't the most powerful anyways. Buy something that you like. Don't push to hard to fast. Buy the best safety gear. Try to find the best shop you can.
 
There are so many good bikes to choose from these days, and people are going to have opinions about them all. For example, I had to laugh at the XR1200 suggestion. I own a 2009 Buell XB12S Lightning, which is what the XR1200 wishes it was.
You say you want a cruiser, but with a dirt biking background, you might want more of a standard instead.
In the end, "try on" as many as you can, and pick the bike YOU like.
 
OK, here you go..This ones for you. KTM 990 ADVENTURE BAJA EDITION on road all day long and then cross country when you want.. 460 pounds

and I have a Screaming Eagle Deuce for Lexi..
 
A cruiser? Great choice there...

Also great advice on the MSF/Rider's Edge courses. Tons of fun, and you'll learn so much it's crazy. THEN you'll see how many people riding didn't take it. You can tell pretty quickly.

Vulcan is a good choice. Harley sportsters and the dyna family are also great first bikes. I had a wide glide but outgrew it after a while and got this beast

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I had a Ninja 636, and after riding a street bike for a year ...I'd much rather have a cruiser. I don't enjoy being in the "attack" position most of the time I was riding it. I got to ride a Harley and fell in love instantly. While not as agile, cruisers are sooooo much more comfortable!
 
Love my triumph bonneville! Plenty of power, easy to handle, very forgiving for a new rider (I just started riding in march of last year), 29" seat height so easy for shorter people (again like me, 5'10" with 30" inseam). They are also one of the least expensive new bikes on the market, tons of aftermarket support, good gas mileage (~50mpg highway), and of course classic motorcycle styling!
 
It's easy, Ducati Monster, 696 :) ( 185 kg, 770mm seat height, 80hp/9000rpm -> cca 220km/h )
 
Hello Lora,

Bikes are a very personal thing and as addictive as Bussekin once the bug bites. I don't share too much online about my personal life and such so I'll just add a suggestion.

Visit a couple bike shops that have new (and used) inventory, sit on a few. Get a feel for the riding position, ask questions of the sales and service personnel. One bike may be a lot less expensive to own than another.

Invest in good quality safety gear to include a full-face DOT helmet. Some things unfortunately just cannot be covered up with foundation after contact with asphalt at speed.

Biggest hazard I've experienced while riding is other drives. They don't see you or just simply don't care about you.

Be safe and enjoy!
 
I'm 5'6" and ride a Suzuki Boulevard S50. The bike's been around for over 20 years
(formerly the Intruder). It's an 800 cruiser. Low seat height, suits me just fine. Not
a heavy bike---I like to be able to raise a bike alone if I ever drop one. The "S" is for
sport, it's a cruiser, but revs and gears a little like a sport bike.
And a definite on the MSF rider course. I'll not only make biking safer, it will
make it more enjoyable.
 
I am laughing myself silly over here Lexi!! When I had the second Sporty, my friend told me to send the fenders and tank to him and he would paint the bike sparkly pink for me.......He is our tattoo artist now and Jody and I have had a lot of work done by him when we've gone to Florida. He has opened a bike shop and when I do get another bike, it will be from him, and it will be sparkly pink.
Lexi said:
This one, THIS ONE!!!!!:thumbup:


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Lexi, I was thinking more a long the lines of this one...Oh, wait..This one's for you ;)
 

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That's a pretty girly bike Lexi! Holy moly! I like pink, but I think it might actually be too pink for me. :foot:
 
You said you would like a traditional style bike. Sounds like a sportster choose you. Not my cup of tea, but a sportster would have a nice sound, and you could easily swap any aspect of it that personalizes your taste. I'm not trying to stereotype but its the perfect beginner street bike for a girl.
I ride an 07' gsxr with a few performance goodies.
Hope you check them out
Pete
 
I plan on looking at and testing out a wide variety of bikes before I make my ultimate decision.
 
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