New rider needs to choose first motorcycle

[zachary6]

My brother in law just got his motorcycle license and was asking my advice on his first motorcycle. I remember that someone had written a well crafted one page document that explained why starting with something smaller than a 600cc bike is a great idea. I think maybe Sedition or Chr1s wrote this? Looking for a repost or link.
thanks

[KillBill]

SV650

[richw]

Don't get involved

when the peel him off the tree they come looking for you

or give him a list with caveats

used 500 or 650 twins but you have no real recommendation other then the msf course. don't ride with him until he has 1000 miles at least under his belt.

"Your the bastard what killed my Baby"

[zachary6]

Killbill, thinking that an inline four is much more forgiving in that most of the power is at the top end. He just got his license and will be driving mostly in a city environment, wheelies off the line would just scare him. I was thinking ninja 500 to start or maybe a 750 nighthawk on the high end.
He has already taken the MSF course.

[KillBill]

I started with an SV650 and i actually out-grew it quickly. The power band is more forgiving on the SV, atleast in my humble opinion. That is of course assuming he wants a sport bike.

[OreoGaborio]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ice-essay.html

[zachary6]

thanks Pete, thats the one I was looking for.

[Josephd14]

ZX-14R .. Mind as well dive right in....

[DaSarge]

SV650

I just bought my best friend a 01 SV650 for his first REAL bike...He loves it...I thought It would be a great starting bike that he could learn the basics on for awhile before he moves onto something bigger and better...Im glad someone agrees that it was a good choice for him.

[KillBill]

What about this one

[bigred875]

I started with an SV650 and i actually out-grew it quickly.

you must be an awesome rider

[KillBill]

Let me rephrase that Red,

I was looking for a different, more broader powerband, that's why i went with the gsxr.

I did not outgrow it.

Thank you for the correction

[TheIglu]

A 4 having a broader power band than an twin?

SV650 is a good bike to start with and stay with. If you do decide to get another bike eventually, hold onto the SV as a second bike. You'll be glad you kept it.

[Doc]

I still can't get everything out of a 250!


V-twins are more forgiving, not such a sudden power hit, very linear. In my opinion.

EX500, GS500, Older (80's, 90's) bikes.

The problem is so many people want a "cool" bike with all the plastic. an old CB400f can be a "cool" bike as well, for different reasons.

IMHO An SV650 is too much for a first bike, unless you grew up on dirt bikes and have off road riding experiences.

[highsider]

It doesn't matter what bike he gets. What matters is what kind of oil he puts in it.

[Doc]

From Seditions post...

"By the way, the short answer to the question, “What should I get for a first bike?” is as follows;
1. First choice, a used bike that is 500cc or under.
2. A new 500cc bike is good, but it would suck if you dropped it. Plus, it will depreciate in value the second you drive off the dealers parking lot.
3. Any used OLDER 600cc sport bike (like 1980’s, early 1990’s). Refer to the list of bikes I mentioned in the “Learning Curve” section above."

[Wishbone]

busa

[OreoGaborio]

thanks Pete, thats the one I was looking for.

No problemo... just a quick search for posts with the word "beginner" made by chr|s sedition

[ChR1s]

What can he afford? That's all that really matters.

What kind of bike is he looking for? A standard, cruiser, dual-sport, or one covered in plastic? Choosing a bike to buy based upon how it takes a crash is just stoopid in my opinion. Buying a bike isn't about economics for most. You buy a bike because it's cool! You crash it, you fix it, you ride it again. If it *is* about economics, I suggest getting a dual-sport. They can take a beating and have very good resale value. Buying some old piece of shit can be one of the worst things to do, as it will likely have some niggling funky shit to deal with and various items in need of replacement. That shit's not cool when you're psyched to ride.

Having ridden the Ninja 650, I can say that's a really swell beginner bike that won't be "outgrown" too quickly. It's very easy to handle at low speeds yet is stable at higher speeds, and the seat height allows the rider to flat foot both feet. At 6', I did find it a bit low, but I still got down the road okay. Fun bike, docile enough but still pretends to be sporty, and no V-twin wall to run into when it revs out. Very good bike for urban riding, and cruiser types still think it's a crotch rocket.

[SVRACER01]

i have a 93 CBR 600 F2. great learner bike. i started on a F3. before i bought my first bike i asked people who rode "what was your first bike, and what did you think of it?" i had so many people say "F2, F3, F1 hurricane" that i decided that thats what i should buy. i did. a 97. i learned how to ride on it, then i learned how to crash it. i learned from that mistake (look INTO the turn, dont target fixate) and bought a 93 GSXR 600. great LOOKING bike but it had issues and i eneded up tossing that bike.(too much front brake) I loved the F3 so much that i bought a F2. i rode it for years then i bought my SV650S. i still have the F2. if youre interested PM me.

[smf]

kawasaki h2

[Kham]

What can he afford? That's all that really matters.

What kind of bike is he looking for? A standard, cruiser, dual-sport, or one covered in plastic? Choosing a bike to buy based upon how it takes a crash is just stoopid in my opinion. Buying a bike isn't about economics for most. You buy a bike because it's cool! You crash it, you fix it, you ride it again. If it *is* about economics, I suggest getting a dual-sport. They can take a beating and have very good resale value. Buying some old piece of shit can be one of the worst things to do, as it will likely have some niggling funky shit to deal with and various items in need of replacement. That shit's not cool when you're psyched to ride.

Having ridden the Ninja 650, I can say that's a really swell beginner bike that won't be "outgrown" too quickly. It's very easy to handle at low speeds yet is stable at higher speeds, and the seat height allows the rider to flat foot both feet. At 6', I did find it a bit low, but I still got down the road okay. Fun bike, docile enough but still pretends to be sporty, and no V-twin wall to run into when it revs out. Very good bike for urban riding, and cruiser types still think it's a crotch rocket.

im so with this Chris.

Chris Sedition writes good article but i think for specific type audience... hooligan?

[ZX-12R]

kawasaki h2

My neighbor had one of those. Tremendous power that hit you like a baseball bat in a wet noodle frame with poor suspension and bad brakes! Boy do I wish I had one! When the power band hit, you could feel the frame flex! If you ride for more than 20 seconds, you end up smelling like 2-stroke oil!

[Currently]

A 4 having a broader power band than an twin?

SV650 is a good bike to start with and stay with. If you do decide to get another bike eventually, hold onto the SV as a second bike. You'll be glad you kept it.

I originally bought the SV650 thinking that I was going to "upgrade"
to a bigger bike later. Came to the realization that it is one heck of
a fun bike to ride. Put money in the suspension and it now handles
like a dream.

I will get another bike, but I am definitely keeping the SV.

BTW ... signed up for a Lee Parks Advanced Total Control seminar/class.
Will do it at Robbinsville during the SVRally ... will post my impressions
when I get back.

[Ri_De_bike]

My neighbor had one of those. Tremendous power that hit you like a baseball bat in a wet noodle frame with poor suspension and bad brakes! Boy do I wish I had one! When the power band hit, you could feel the frame flex! If you ride for more than 20 seconds, you end up smelling like 2-stroke oil!

^my fav smell... if it's not smokin' it's broken