Motorcycles

**threebanger** · 24th June 08, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by ANGELMAN

I Would Recommend 900 -1100 Cc. This Would Make A Nice First Bike For A Guy Your Size. I Would Look To A Yamaha Virago Or Honda Shadow.

I agree that this would be a good size bike. Big enough to haul you (and a passenger) around with plenty of power. It's all you would ever need...unless you just want to go bigger just 'cuz.
Older Viragos had starter issues. The newer Yamaha Star 1100s are sweet, as is the Honda Shadow.
But if price is the biggest issue, find something cheap and learn on it. Especially if you don't mind working on one a little. I'm riding a 28-year old beater Yamaha rat bike that I pieced together with little to no previous mechanical experience. It can be done...

**Pleater** · 25th June 08, 07:58 AM

[But if price is the biggest issue, find something cheap and learn on it. Especially if you don't mind working on one a little. I'm riding a 28-year old beater Yamaha rat bike that I pieced together with little to no previous mechanical experience. It can be done...[/QUOTE]

I rebuilt the engine of my BSA 650cc A10 in my dining room with no previous experience of motor cycles, only working on old cars with my Dad, but it was no trouble once I had the parts manual with the exploded views of each section.

They aren't exactly complex. More complex than rocket engines though.

But a lot less explosive.

If you make a mistake you usually get to push it home and try again.

**Jack Of All** · 23rd June 08, 09:46 PM

When I was looking for my first bike (very limited budget) I was advised to get a Suzuki GS 750 by a motorcycle mechanic friend. I luckily found one, a 1977 that needed me to give it some TLC, and I did. Beautiful, just powerful enough, reliable, cheap to fix, cylinders are vertical so it is easier to control (as opposed to a V style he said).

He also told me to (please don't shoot the messenger) avoid Harleys as they are always breaking down.

Now I have a 1978 BMW 80/7. Mmmm. It was a bit out of my price range, and the owner was firm on his $3000 offer, but I was so in love I made it work. And I'm still in love two years later.

Anyhow, good luck and have fun.

**12stones** · 24th June 08, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Of All

He also told me to (please don't shoot the messenger) avoid Harleys as they are always breaking down.

Now I have a 1978 BMW 80/7. Mmmm. It was a bit out of my price range, and the owner was firm on his $3000 offer, but I was so in love I made it work. And I'm still in love two years later.

Anyhow, good luck and have fun.

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

**McMurdo** · 24th June 08, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by 12stones

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

I think you mean the 70's, in 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of investors led by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals.

But I'd have to agree with you about the bad rep. these days Harley is producing motorcycles just as reliable as any other brand.

**12stones** · 24th June 08, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I think you mean the 70's, in 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of investors led by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals.

But I'd have to agree with you about the bad rep. these days Harley is producing motorcycles just as reliable as any other brand.

I did mean 70s. It must be morning still (no coffee for me today).

**berserkbishop** · 24th June 08, 01:24 PM

Well, for me the Harley's just arent the best deal for the money. I say that FOR ME only because idea of value is much different than most Harley owners. I had a 750 honda nighthawk as a first bike and I loved it. I got it at a great price, it had plenty of get up and go, yet not killer speed. Reliable as you can want as well. I would reccomend something around 750 for a first bike. Congrats on the MSF course, I took it and it has saved my life. Enjoy your riding!

BB

**Jack Of All** · 24th June 08, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by 12stones

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

Yeah, he was probably talking about older HD's, as I was in no position to get anything new. That first bike was $350 I think. More like $700 after I fixed it up.

This is my baby now:

And when I first got her:

That is one fun, sexy bike.

**JerseyLawyer** · 25th June 08, 05:02 AM

I stopped at the dealership yesterday to take a look at the VStar 650 classic. It really is a nice bike. It has the bigger look, certainly, and seems comfortable. By comparison, the Suzuki c50 was a bigger engine, but had a higher seat, a boxier look, and the handlebars just didn't feel 'right'.

I'm not crazy about the idea of buying a brand new bike, but from what I've seen, there just isn't that much out there in the used market other than sports bikes, dirt bikes, and huge cruisers. On the upside, beginner bikes do seem to hold their value really well.