Reliable bike for 1st time rider in 40's

[mlarivie]

I'm looking at getting my dad a bike. Something cheap to get him going, i was thinking a high mileage 80's goldwing so he won't out grow it. Any suggestions? Trying to keep it under 1200.

[whynot]

Here's a good forum re. Goldwings:
http://www.nakedgoldwings.com/
... if you want to explore maintenance, pricing, rebuilding, etc.

[markbvt]

Goldwing as a first bike?

I would not recommend that. Get him something lightweight and mild-mannered to start out on -- lots of great beginner bikes on Craigslist. I picked up an '83 Kawi KZ550 Spectre for my dad, and it's ideal -- inexpensive, reasonably comfortable, enough power to be fun but not enough to get him in trouble.

Once he's comfortable riding, THEN look at upgrading him to a big, heavy, powerful bike like a Goldwing. And at that point you'll be able to sell the beginner bike for what you paid for it, or possibly even more if you've improved it a bit.

--mark

[whynot]

OK, then, instead of a Gold Wing, how 'bout a Silver Wing (GL500, CX500, GL650, CX650)? Search CL for ""cx500", for example, one in West Yarmouth, another in Stafford Springs CT under $1K, and a twofer in Raymond NH. (I have no interest in or connection with them, just passing along FYI.) There was a turbo model, too, as I recall.

http://www.nakedgoldwings.com/ has a forum for these models.

-Kurt

[fjrrider RI]

I gave up riding for over 10 years and started again on a 85 honda 500 shadow and then a 83 850 kawai now the fjr. Listen to the other advise and start lighter and smaller and easier to handle then move up.