Motorcycles

[Jack Of All]

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]

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.

[Raphael]

Beginner bikes hold their value well because every one wants them for learning.

I would not worry much about the handlebar because it can be changed easily.

[Panache]

So, I guess I'm the only one who started out on a 250cc Honda Rebel?!?!?!?!


No, but seriously... I did.

Bradley,

That is a heck of a lot more power than I had in my 1961 125 Vespa!

Cheers

Jamie

[Pleater]

[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.

[Raphael]

So, I guess I'm the only one who started out on a 250cc Honda Rebel?!?!?!?!


No, but seriously... I did.

You talked me out of buying a 250 as my first bike. If not, I will be riding a 250, instead of a 500.

I love my 500cc Ninja. It has enough power and 50mpg.

[Computergeek]

if you are looking for a cruiser then I would take a look at a used yamaha road star. you sound like you are a bigger guy and while that is a bike with a fairly large engine it is very well behaved on the road and because of the steering geometry it does well at both high and low speeds. things to consider when getting a bike , are you going to be riding mostly in town or on the highway, and are you going to be riding two up. riding two up a cruiser is going to be a lot more comfortable. A v-twin will build torque at a much lower rpm than will an I-four engine. (I-four is what is found in most sport bikes.). hope this helps.

[DrewO]

I highly recommend a Honda Shadow 750. A lot of guys ride 2-up on them, so size isn't a issue. You can get a 2002-2005 in the rage of $2000-$4000.

Get the smaller bike to start (and some would say 750 is too much). You can always flip it in a year or so when you get more experience.

[attworth]

I almost bought a 250 Rebel from one of my teachers in High School. It was basically brand new for 1000$. I rode it and it felt like a toy. No offense, but going from an 80s Ninja 600 to a 250 Rebel wasn't fun.

Computergeek brings up a good point. How and where you ride make a huge difference. My scooter does great in town to-from work. It works ok riding the 60 miles to my fiance's house on the highway - granted it is no fun at all, but it works. 2-up in town with her is a hassle but it works.

[JackdUp]

My first bike was a Suzuki GS500E. They can be found cheap, and I was able to re-gear it to better low-end response as well as put the Vance & Hines super-sport exhaust and the V&H 5 degree ignition advancer on it. For $1500 it was a great starter bike!