Cruiser Bike - New to Motorcycling UPDATE: CRASHED

[xBiffx]

Going to be taking a class on 7/25 for motorcycle training and then getting my license the following week. In the meantime, I am looking at bikes to pass the time. I know eventually I will be getting a Harley. The girlfriend won't have it any other way and I don't mind getting one either.

The Harley will likely be a Fat Boy and be able to carry both of us easily (neither of us are light on our feed). But for now, I think it would be better to get a smaller bike to learn and develop skill on. She won't be riding with me on this, at least not at first. She might later on but probably never for the short term due to safety and my lack of skill.

So anyways, I am looking at getting a Yamaha VStar 950. I am thinking this will be a nice cheaper, smaller option that I can then trade in a year or two for the Harley. I was also considering a Honda VTX 1800 but I think that is rather large to start out with.

Thoughts, ideas, comments? Thanks in advance.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Going to be taking a class on 7/25 for motorcycle training and then getting my license the following week. In the meantime, I am looking at bikes to pass the time. I know eventually I will be getting a Harley. The girlfriend won't have it any other way and I don't mind getting one either.

The Harley will likely be a Fat Boy and be able to carry both of us easily (neither of us are light on our feed). But for now, I think it would be better to get a smaller bike to learn and develop skill on. She won't be riding with me on this, at least not at first. She might later on but probably never for the short term due to safety and my lack of skill.

So anyways, I am looking at getting a Yamaha VStar 950. I am thinking this will be a nice cheaper, smaller option that I can then trade in a year or two for the Harley. I was also considering a Honda VTX 1800 but I think that is rather large to start out with.

Thoughts, ideas, comments? Thanks in advance.

A friend of mine has one of those and it is a BIG bike. Not the kind of bike you want to learn to ride on. Plus, if you ride that I doubt you'll ever want to ride a Harley afterward. :sneaky:

Harley has some smaller entry level bikes available now in a 500cc and 750cc range but I have zero experience with them. You will learn faster on a smaller, lighter bike.

 

[xBiffx]

A friend of mine has one of those and it is a BIG bike. Not the kind of bike you want to learn to ride on. Plus, if you ride that I doubt you'll ever want to ride a Harley afterward. :sneaky:

Harley has some smaller entry level bikes available now in a 500cc and 750cc range but I have zero experience with them. You will learn faster on a smaller, lighter bike.

I don't think the Harley is going to be by choice, at least not initially. Between the GF and the fact that all my friends own Harley's, its going to make sense. Many of them know how to work on them and that's a plus.

I definitely am thinking smaller is better, for the short term at least. I've been told by multiple people not to ever, ever buy a Sportster either. I think they look like garbage anyways so I think its advice easy to follow.

Thanks for the input!

 

[twinrider1]

I wouldn't seek out a particular make/model right now. I'd buy the cleanest, inexpensive, Japanese cruiser in my area. Ride it for a year or two, then sell it to buy the Harley.

This isn't the Love & Relationships section, so I won't comment on you buying a particular brand because your GF and friends want it that way.

 

[MiataNC]

If you want a Harley, get a Harley.

Bikes are an emotional purchase. The heart wants what it wants, and you won't be happy with another make if you are set on HD.

As far as Harley's go, look for a nice used Sportster 800 or 1200 with some tasteful mods. That is about as small as you can get, and it will have plenty of power to haul you and the GF around while you get some miles under your belt without breaking the bank.

 

[unokitty]

So anyways, I am looking at getting a Yamaha VStar 950. I am thinking this will be a nice cheaper, smaller option that I can then trade in a year or two for the Harley. I was also considering a Honda VTX 1800 but I think that is rather large to start out with.

Thoughts, ideas, comments? Thanks in advance.

Its your call. But if you are considering the Yamaha, I'd also look at the Suzuki Volusia/Boulevard C50. My expectation is that you should be able to find a used one relatively economically.

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Take your class. Look for a bike. Closer it gets to autumn, cheaper used bikes will be...

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Greenman]

Get a V-Rod, the redheaded bastard step child Harley. 685 pounds, and a little 1250 cc engine. Low 24" (I think) seat height. Great for putting around on. Get a better seat and some bags and they do pretty well for long weekend trips as well.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Whatever you get make sure its fuel injected. Older carburetor bikes, particularly older Harley's, can be a bitch to start, but the newer ones with EFI start pretty much as reliably as a car.

If you've never ridden motorcycles before do know that the second biggest group of MC riders that get killed, second after young males on crotch rockets, is middle aged men on Harley's. The best experience in my view is a dirt bike and a place to raise hell with it. You'll learn more handling skills in a month than you're likely to in a lifetime on the road.


Brian

 

[Harabec]

I personally think it is awful to start on a big, fat, lazy bike...but every person and their gf's taste

Would a standard bike be acceptable until you get to know bike handling a bit? A used GS500 or some other lightweight twin. ER-6N perhaps.

 

[xBiffx]

Thanks a bunch so far on the recommendations! I have heard a couple before but some are new to me. I am going to look into each and every one of them. I don't like going into new things without some good knowledge. You've all done a service to me on that front.

I will be sure to update as things get closer. BTW I do have a line on a V-Rod that a friend's brother is trying to sell cheap. Until Greenman's post, I might have ignorantly overlooked it.

 

[Greenman]

Thanks a bunch so far on the recommendations! I have heard a couple before but some are new to me. I am going to look into each and every one of them. I don't like going into new things without some good knowledge. You've all done a service to me on that front.

I will be sure to update as things get closer. BTW I do have a line on a V-Rod that a friend's brother is trying to sell cheap. Until Greenman's post, I might have ignorantly overlooked it.

In that case I need to revise my words a bit. I was being a little facetious about the V-Rods "little" 1250 cc engine. They have a fair bit of get up and go, and a top end up around 150.

With that said, they're still a pretty tame bike. The engine performance is very linear, the handling is actually much better than you'd expect, it's surprisingly nimble for a big bike.

 

[manimal]

As others have mentioned it one should learn on a small bike period. The sense of speed and turning and many of the skills you need on a bigger bike you can develop quickly on a small bike.

One can learn on a bigger bike but some of those skills will be dull because you have never really learned them.

If you want a more relaxed position grab a small standard and ride it a year.

I have known about a dozen people who got a big bike early and dropped them. Was on a ride with a new guy to our group about a dozen years ago who flipped his GSXR at a stop light trying to get off quick like some of us old timers.


If you want to have the added responsibility of riding with a partner please take extra care to understand low speed riding with a bigger bike.

Biggest I would get would be a cheap ex500 for 1200 bucks an sell it for same price in a season.



If your dead set about a larger bike get a boulevard CT50. I took one on a trade last year and it was suprisingly light and looks big and handles really well at low speeds and has a big nice seat and leather saddlebags. Looks exactly like the 1500 but is only 800ccs.


Be safe and ride one!

 

[xBiffx]

In that case I need to revise my words a bit. I was being a little facetious about the V-Rods "little" 1250 cc engine. They have a fair bit of get up and go, and a top end up around 150.

With that said, they're still a pretty tame bike. The engine performance is very linear, the handling is actually much better than you'd expect, it's surprisingly nimble for a big bike.

Read and understood. Thanks for following up.

 

[hanoverphist]

i gave my brother my old cb350 to learn on, he kept trying to take out my 750. too much for him at the time, but after about 6 months on the 350 he was a decent rider, enough to get a vulcan on his own. im a fan of learning the process first, like others have mentioned, and using a smaller bike that you can wrestle around and figure out is much easier, safer and conducive to learning.

that said,i learned on a triumph 900 back when i was a kid, and went to dirt bikes from there. my first street bike after that was a cb350, followed closely by a cb750 with a bit of performance upgrades to it. lots of power, lots of chances for failure that i apparently dodged while getting street legs back. now im mostly on my old guy harley (ultra classic), but im not really looking for fast anymore, just cruising.

 

[pauldun170]

MY first bike and the bike I learned how to ride on was 83 CB750.
85 MPH speedometer, worn shocks (I picked it up in 1992-1993 timeframe), worn crappy tires, worn crappy electrical system.
530+ pounds dry.
I rode that thing everywhere year round.
Ice and snow were fun. Riding it during hurricane season even better.

Good times.
Lot of memories

 

[JulesMaximus]

MY first bike and the bike I learned how to ride on was 83 CB750.
85 MPH speedometer, worn shocks (I picked it up in 1992-1993 timeframe), worn crappy tires, worn crappy electrical system.
530+ pounds dry.
I rode that thing everywhere year round.
Ice and snow were fun. Riding it during hurricane season even better.

Good times.
Lot of memories

I had a '79 CB750. Heavy as hell, horrible brakes, many issues due to poor upkeep and old worn out parts. I had a blast on it though and I sold it for what I paid for it 2 years later. I put a lot of time and elbow grease into that bike. Hope it is still running somewhere out there.

Not a very desirable bike though. 1978 and earlier were the SOHC bikes and those are the more desirable ones.

 

[pauldun170]

My first bike was like my first real girlfriend.
Porky, poor complexion, smoked, at least once a month I couldn't ride her, and I went down on her and lived to tell about it.
Good times.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My first bike was like my first real girlfriend.
Porky, poor complexion, smoked, at least once a month I couldn't ride her, and I went down on her and lived to tell about it.
Good times.

:biggrin: I never went down on her (the bike, not the GF)... unless you count dropping it in the garage.

 

[ironmask]

Here's my VTX 1800 that I had back in college. There is no love like hers.

and this was my CBR 600RR at the same time. I loved the RR, but I could only go for an hour before I wanted to die than to feel the pain of sitting on it.

Ok, now I'm just doing a show and tell. Any who, the VTX1800 is too much weight for a first or even second bike. I would go with the 1300 vtx is you're a bigger guy or a 750 if you're smaller.

Of course, when you're ready, you can always go for one of those funky m109.

 

[serpretetsky]

I suppose this isn't an option if your dead set on getting a cruiser as your first bike, but I started off on a ninj250. Doesn't look very good, but it's fun to drive. Small, light, cheap, good gas mileage, and when you crash it then it wont matter very much. Rode it all year rain or shine. Highway riding is smooth, although you will need to get used to revving very high. I want to get another ninja 250.

 

[ironmask]

I suppose this isn't an option if your dead set on getting a cruiser as your first bike, but I started off on a ninj250. Doesn't look very good, but it's fun to drive. Small, light, cheap, good gas mileage, and when you crash it then it wont matter very much. Rode it all year rain or shine. Highway riding is smooth, although you will need to get used to revving very high. I want to get another ninja 250.

My wife rode a ninja 250, and when we bought it, I rode it home. I have to say, it's one of the funnest bikes that I have ever ridden.

 

[SurelyYouJest]

I would look into a Honda Shadow. My BIL had a 750cc. They aren't very expensive. It kept up with my 80ci 91 Harley FXR(1340cc) with out any problems. I rode it a couple of times and it was light and handled good. Power delivery was very smooth and linear. Riding position was good and seat height was lower than my Harley.

 

[xBiffx]

I would look into a Honda Shadow. My BIL had a 750cc. They aren't very expensive. It kept up with my 80ci 91 Harley FXR(1340cc) with out any problems. I rode it a couple of times and it was light and handled good. Power delivery was very smooth and linear. Riding position was good and seat height was lower than my Harley.

That sounds like a decent solution. Plus there are plenty of them out there on CL here. I even found an '07 with 1900 miles for only $4k. There are many more deals though too.

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[smackababy]

From having family and friends that have Harleys, it is well know fact that they are for people who love to work on motorcycles, not ride them. >_<

 

[zCypher]

I think a lot of people get a motorcycle based on what they think would be COOL and throw away every other consideration. Your risk of dropping it or crashing can be greatly mitigated by staying rational and logical, with your safety and comfort as top priorities.

When I did my course, I found the cruiser style bikes hella big and difficult to ride compared to the little Honda CBR 250, or even the bigger 650 or gs500. I was set on getting the SV650 based off what everyone says, till I sat on it. Just wasn't comfortable to me at all. Sat on the FZ6R and fell in love with it.

I can definitely see how my bike would not be ideal for some, but for me it was perfect. You need a bike that actually fits you well. So the size and seating height is super important. If it feels really awkward and cumbersome, it's probably not a good choice for a first bike. In my case the 6R was way, way easier and confidence inspiring compared to any of the bikes in the training, including their 250s. Everything feels natural and easy on this thing-- IMO, that's how it should be while you're learning. Something that feels natural and is forgiving to the noob mistakes you will inevitably make. You don't want something too heavy, or too unforgiving, or too unpredictable.

Whatever you end up doing have a blast, be safe and don't forget to post pics!