Motorbikes

[Nathan Gould]

You guys have some nice bikes! I love the older styled bikes, and the sporty ones, but i'm going to have to ride this one to work everyday, and i'm limited to 125cc by our tiered system, which is probbably a good thing because if i put myself on a 900 cc i'd probbably kill myself.

i've been looking at one of these: http://www.bikercafe.co.uk/images/stories/VARADERO125/varadero_125_black.jpg

looks kinda coll and is supposed to be comfortable and economical to boot, it's a Honda Varadero 125

 

[Bob W]

...because if i put myself on a 900 cc i'd probbably kill myself.

It may be obvious, but you cannot compare the power of a cruiser like mine to a sportsbike based solely on engine size. My Volusia may be an 800cc, but it's not as fast as a Ninja 250, and a Ninja 500 would absolutely spank it.

i've been looking at one of these: http://www.bikercafe.co.uk/images/stories/VARADERO125/varadero_125_black.jpg

looks kinda coll and is supposed to be comfortable and economical to boot, it's a Honda Varadero 125

The smallest Honda available in the USA is the 250 Rebel. A durable machine, but the frame is absolutely tiny; a regular-sized person could not ride one. Their next-sized-up cruiser is a 750.

Honda's smallest sportbike here is a 600.

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I see Honda has a new model this year, a 230cc "Motard".

 

[Bob W]

My brother's bike is one of these, a V-Star 650. This is perhaps the single-most popular first bike among cruiser riders:

Here are Wife's bikes, suitable for shorter riders:
Kawasaki Vulcan 500:

Suzuki Savage:

The frame of the Vulcan 500 is too small for me to be comfortable for long rides, but it's a blast for short runs up and down the interstate. It's the same engine as the Ninja 500, not a V-twin like most cruisers.

The Savage (aka S40) is absolutely miserable to ride. Only someone the size of a pre-teen girl would think it's comfortable, and the vibration from the 650cc single cylinder is torturous.

The V-Star 650 is a very nice bike. Not as spacious as the Volusia (C50), but comfortable enough for long rides.

 

[BlackHills]

You guys have some nice bikes! I love the older styled bikes, and the sporty ones, but i'm going to have to ride this one to work everyday, and i'm limited to 125cc by our tiered system, which is probbably a good thing because if i put myself on a 900 cc i'd probbably kill myself.

Too many people here start out on something bigger than they can handle and get hurt. I think it's a shame that the bike companies don't offer smaller bikes here but I understand they don't sell, everyone in the US thinks a 600 is a small bike.

i've been looking at one of these: http://www.bikercafe.co.uk/images/stories/VARADERO125/varadero_125_black.jpg

looks kinda coll and is supposed to be comfortable and economical to boot, it's a Honda Varadero 125

I like that. I think that would make a good first bike to get your feet wet with. :thumbup:

 

[mwerner]

I'm considering putting a 50cc 2-stroke on my recumbent bicycle....

 

[m1marty]

Thanks, I love it. It runs and handles great, gets great mileage and is IMO the perfect bike....and I've owned a few. That's where the 'loud clutches' thing comes from, a lot of the Ducatis have dry clutches and they make a distinct sound.

Two handfulls of change in a coffee can come to mind.

 

[b.c.molin]

I suggest a dual purpose road/trial as a good first bike as there is less stuff on them that gets damaged in a fall and as the bike is lighter its easier to throw around plus its higher seat height gives a better view over the tin-tops.

They are also cheaper to run and easier to do mechanical upon, especially if you want to do it yourself.

Also it way cool riding off road if you have access to some nice countryside.

But looking at your link, maybe a SuperMoto could be a good choice also to consider?

 

[Haze]

Im a big fan of Honda bikes

I'v got a honet now though, best bike i'v ever had :thumbup:

 

[hushnel]

My first bike was back in 1973 or abouts it was a 305 Honda Dream, a very nice bike. I rode it for a few years.

I live is south Florida and bought this one in 1984. I still have it, basically its the only year it was made, the first of a kind. Softail, evo the only one made with a 4 speed kick start 1340cc.

I've gotten older and in 06 I bought this one. I'm not fast but I love to ride. I grew up with this brand motorcycle and I like all of them but these are the one I seem to keep spending my money on

 

[Nathan Gould]

wow! i love the cruisers you guys have over there, unfortunately it's just impossible for me to ride a bike with an engine that size for at least a couple of years.

maybe i'll have to get myself over to the states, rent a bike and ride down the west coast then i can try out some of the bigger models

 

[Bob W]

wow! i love the cruisers you guys have over there...

Here's what I really drooled over for a first bike, the V-Star 1100 Classic, same year and color as this photo. But I was concerned about the extra weight, and insurance doubled at the 1000cc mark.

If you want one of these you'd better jump fast; '09 is the last year.

And this was my unrealistic dream when I first started riding, the '04 Indian Chief Vintage:

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If something happened and I had to buy a new motorcycle today, here's what I'd probably purchase:
Not suitable for a first bike, obviously. But it does offer fuel injection, belt drive, classic styling, nice color, and perfect comfort. The Yamaha Road Star:

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I'm not sure which, if any, of these are common in the UK. And I understand your license limitations. Hope you enjoy the pictures anyway!

 

[hushnel]

Nathan, you find your self over here and think about crusing down to Key West look me up I'll ride down with you and show you stuff off the beaten path.

 

[mwerner]

Since the original post was regarding small-bore machines, I do wonder about the comparative lack of small-displacement bikes these days.
Back when I was riding (my last motorcycle was a 1973 Suzuki 550 triple) there were a wide variety of nice little street bikes in the 100cc to 350cc range.
Some of these had really good performance; I recall Yamaha made a 350 twin two-stroke that was quite the little roadster.

Seems with the gas prices nowadays that there would be quite a market for such machines, but I understand there's only a few models available. Around here locally, you see an increasing number of scooters, but motorcycles tend to be either the Japanese "crotch rockets" or big V-twin cruisers.

 

[hushnel]

The whole bigger is better thing has gone out of control. My bikes are actually more than I need but its nice for highway crusing and pulling a small camper if I ever go that way.

I think the EPA has pretty much killed the 2-stroke.

 

[iBlade]

Here in NZ we have tired system too, if you have a learner or restricted licence (next step up from learner) then your bike must be less than 250cc, once you have a full license then any size is OK, I currently have a LML belladonna, basically a vespa 2 stroke 150 cc, manual. Its dirt cheap to ride, easy to park, and its fun too. of course when i get a full license, well bigger is better...but a scooter is a good way to go!