Thinking about getting a cycle

Grim/Don

Grim/Don

Joined
Feb 1, 2003
Messages
1,221
The wife and I are thinking about getting motorcycles. (we're both in our 40's with a teen son (non-driving).

I've wanted one for years and years, but it was always 'too dangerous'. We got to watching Full Throttle and went to the Wide Open Bike show (here in KC) and SHE fell in love with one of the Harley's there.

Friday, we got out of work early and went to one of the shops and she found a Yamaha Star that she liked better, so yesterday we went and did paperwork on it!:thumbup:

(:D Now, this means that I have my choice and can get get one!)

But... I really don't know what to look for. We're wanting to take road trips, with maybe some commuting to work. If we take trips, our son will be one with me. I was thinking that the Ninja would be a sweet ride, but it didn't feel comfortable to sit on. The Vulcan's on the other hand were very nice! We did go to the Harley dealership up north and the Fat Boy Low was very comfortable too; but I'm not sure if I can justify paying 3x the price.

So... anything I should look for? Anything I should be concerned about? We're only going to purchase from a dealer, not an individual. I've never owned a bike or driven one (used to ride a pedal bike back and forth to work). (We're both taking the rider-safety course)

So, this is all new (and kinda fun, and kinda daunting) to me. The bikes all look nice to me, and most are comfortable to sit on (comfort is FAR more important to me than looks) But I haven't found one that's a bunch better than another.
 
I rode as a kid in the 60's, and a dirt bike in the 70's... I like to be able to stand up on the foot pegs so their location dictates what I like, and am not a fan of the typical street cruiser forward location, but they are more comfortable, I just don't handle them a quickly, and I like to be able to move the bike around if need be....so that is probably your first consideration...if "image" is a concern, what kind of bikes do your riding buddies have?...how much time are you planning on spending keeping the spokes cleaned?...how fast do you want to be able to go?...water cooled bikes typically have more hp/torque than air cooled, and shaft drives require less maintenance than chains...and are you and the SO going to ride two up...
when I started riding again after about a 30 year hiatus I got what I couldn't afford as a kid... HD 1200R Sportster and put a set of D&D pipes on it ... 79hp and 82 ft-lb torque and made a pretty fun street machine out of it... started to do some longer runs and
upgraded to a Suzuki DL 1000 VStrom.. wickedly quick accelerating, and currently a Yamaha FJR... a rocketship
 
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I'm 31, have owned about 10 different motorcycles. Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Kawi, dirtbikes to sportbikes.

Being that this is your first bike, I recommend something light, that you FEEL comfortable on. I wouldn't go M109R, or 800lb Harley. I suggest you look at the ~600cc 'Star' motorcycles by Yamaha. Won't break the bank.

I also highly suggest you do buy used. You can find these bikes for 1/3rd off new with just a few thousand miles on them. They usually never get ridden. Get one 3-4 years old with 10K or so miles on it.
 
I would have recommended that you and your wife both buy a nice used vintage bike to start on. That way, if you scare yourself and decide riding isn't for you, you wouldn't be out much money. Also if, god forbid, you dump it then you aren't looking at 3 grand in repairs. Since it looks like you're pulling the trigger on a new bike, I'd follow the advice about starting small. Get something light and predictable before you drop big coin on a big bike. Don't buy into the big-displacement=more manliness school of riding. I've had several 1000 cc bikes and I prefer something lighter and more nimble. My current project is a '72 Honda CB500 that I already know I will like better than my old KZ1100 and my favorite bike to date was actually my RD400. Also, you are going in the right direction with the import bikes. IMHO, Harley is a wonderful machine but you've got to really want one or at least be in love with the image. Personally, I don't think I'd even want to be associated with half the idiots I've encountered recently on Harleys and probably pass one up at half price (and it would still be more expensive than a Honda :))It seems like you aren't decided on the cruiser/rocket issue so might I suggest the bike I've been drooling over?
Triumph_Thruxton_2007_03_1024x768.jpg


No gaudy fairings, more comfortable riding position while still maintaining an aggressive stance, plenty of get-up. Nothing beats the old cafe style and it's a Triumph to boot.
 
wfochris said:
I'm 31, have owned about 10 different motorcycles. Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Kawi, dirtbikes to sportbikes.

Being that this is your first bike, I recommend something light, that you FEEL comfortable on. I wouldn't go M109R, or 800lb Harley. I suggest you look at the ~600cc 'Star' motorcycles by Yamaha. Won't break the bank.

I also highly suggest you do buy used. You can find these bikes for 1/3rd off new with just a few thousand miles on them. They usually never get ridden. Get one 3-4 years old with 10K or so miles on it.
Click to expand...

didn't see/realize this was to be his first bike. wfochris is dead-on with his
reply. weight is a big issue when learning to ride. something used in a small
yet comfortable good looking bike is what you would want. gl
 
I'm going to get radical and suggest you get a couple of decent used 250s to learn on. They are comparatively cheap, get incredible mileage, and have perfectly sufficient power to cruise over 70 mph... so perfectly adequate for commuting, despite what some will tell you. If you want something else in the long run, you won't be out much, if anything.

Or you can keep these for short trips, and ride big bikes for long trips (where the reduced vibration, greater comfort & amenities come more into play).

If you want a 250 with a little speed, the Ninja 250 tops out at 105. How bad do you really need to go that fast, let alone faster?
 
if you're looking for a "first bike" cruiser style, then the 650cc v stars would be a good choice. perhaps a honda shadow 750, too.

you might quickly outgrow a 250cc, though my boss loves his virago (now a 250cc v star)

for something a little sportier but not "laying on the bike" i suggest something like a suzuki v-strom or sv650n/gladius. they're plenty fast enough, give you a pretty comfortable, feet under you riding position, and have insurance rates and initial costs less than the faired streetbikes.

i LOVE my '05 sv650n.
 
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Woh, no offense but take a few steps back especially if you are considering hauling a passenger. Get a dual sport - they are nimble, versatile, and a perfect first bike for YOU. They are not good for passengers or freeways, but you need to grow before you go. No Offense - Just Sayin':thumbup:
 
RedbeAR15 said:
Woh, no offense but take a few steps back especially if you are considering hauling a passenger. Get a dual sport - they are nimble, versatile, and a perfect first bike for YOU. They are not good for passengers or freeways, but you need to grow before you go. No Offense - Just Sayin':thumbup:
Click to expand...

i agree on the "get a lot of experience riding before you try carrying a passenger" sentiment. i feel awkward riding with a heavy backpack on, nevermind a person.
 
That Triumph is making me reconsider my decision to not look for a bike. Wow :D
 
Grim/Don said:
The wife and I are thinking about getting motorcycles. (we're both in our 40's with a teen son (non-driving).

I've wanted one for years and years, but it was always 'too dangerous'. We got to watching Full Throttle and went to the Wide Open Bike show (here in KC) and SHE fell in love with one of the Harley's there.

Friday, we got out of work early and went to one of the shops and she found a Yamaha Star that she liked better, so yesterday we went and did paperwork on it!:thumbup:

(:D Now, this means that I have my choice and can get get one!)

But... I really don't know what to look for. We're wanting to take road trips, with maybe some commuting to work. If we take trips, our son will be one with me. I was thinking that the Ninja would be a sweet ride, but it didn't feel comfortable to sit on. The Vulcan's on the other hand were very nice! We did go to the Harley dealership up north and the Fat Boy Low was very comfortable too; but I'm not sure if I can justify paying 3x the price.

So... anything I should look for? Anything I should be concerned about? We're only going to purchase from a dealer, not an individual. I've never owned a bike or driven one (used to ride a pedal bike back and forth to work). (We're both taking the rider-safety course)

So, this is all new (and kinda fun, and kinda daunting) to me. The bikes all look nice to me, and most are comfortable to sit on (comfort is FAR more important to me than looks) But I haven't found one that's a bunch better than another.
Click to expand...

Well It's kinda funny my very first post on the forum is about motorcycles not knives. Oh well, I know a heck of a lot more about bikes than I do about knives. Ive owned about over a dozen street bikes over the last 30+ years. My first street bike was a KZ1000 back in the mid 70's but I did ride dirt bikes about 8 years before that.
With the "old bike guy" stuff out of the way my advise is to STOP, let your testosterone levels stabilize, then move forward. You need to really look at all your options before you jump out and buy a second bike. It's winter time and it's frigging cold outside. Time is on your side. Get on line and research bike tests. Go to ALL the different manufacturers dealerships and sit on and grope the bikes. Heck that's half the fun. Motorcycle purchasing can be a very emotion driven process. It's easy to get swayed by looks. It's not that different than buying a knife. The sexy looking stuff will catch you eye, but at the end of the day it's still a tool and must perform. Something to think about if you're going to buy a V-Twin cruiser. Displacement means torque. V-Twins under 1300 cc usually leave most male riders eventually wanting for more. Seen it half a dozen times just with guys I work with. Happy shopping!
 
Take a class first before making up your mind on anything. Some really good schools
Out there.I have always thought some bikes handle horribly with a rider on a back and other are like a dream. Nothing Wrong with a good used bike either with a prove
Track record. It's a buyers market at least around me. Get some experience under your belt even if it means buying smoething cheap first. I have watched more then one guy drop good coin on their first bike and end up trading up one to three times i'n the same year cause the first and second bikes weren't a perfect fit or big enough to take the girlfriend on for long rides. I always tell my firends buy a cheap learner first. Usually doesn't take too long for most to ge the hang of things quickly.
 
There's some great advice here. The general consensus seems to be:

Take your time in deciding

Start small

Build some experience

Forget looks

Go used or at least cheap

Learn to walk before you run

And the implied:

Be really friggen' careful!!
 
Thanks for all the thoughts, guys. I've always been more on function/usability than looks. No matter how sweet it looks, I'm not going to buy it unless it feels good to me.

I've been in no hurry to purchase, it may be a month or two before I can pull the trigger anyway.

I planned on getting many, many miles under my belt before I let me son climb on with me.

The one the wife got is a 650 Star custom, so I'm gonna stay in that range; maybe a touch bigger. The Vulcan's look good too. Wife told me that a co-workers friend has a Triumph that they're looking to part with.

I'm in no hurry and you guys have given me a lot to think about (exactly why I started this thread) As far as driving, everyone at work makes sure to leave before me, because I'm a careful (i.e. cautious/slow) in my pickup truck. One accident (rear-ended) and one speeding ticket in ~27 years on the road. I'm not planning on going wild on just two wheels.

Thanks again
 
Suzuki SV 650.
You can find pre owned ones really cheap.
They're great for beginners and experienced riders so
you can hang on to them for a long time.
It comes in either a naked version, or with fairings and a windshield for commuting and touring duty.
Lenny
 
Honda VFR any year. There's a reason they've been voted "world's best street bike" for over 10 years.
I had a 2004 and it was the best vehicle I've ever owned. 2 or 4 wheels. I averaged 10,000 miles annually on mine. Get the hard luggage also if you like to travel or commute.
 
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