Thinking about a bike

[RedRanger888]

I'll throw out the Suzuki Savage/S40 in for consideration too. Granted I've only had limited experience on other bikes, but I really like this one. They can be had at a good price, the engine won't get away from you, but at 650ccs, it'll still get you down the freeway easy enough. And if it feels too small, there's people that make forward control kits to stretch things out. Not to mention a mess of other mods. I'm just waiting for work to pick up (crossing fingers!) so I can afford to start changing a few things on mine!

 

[fastpakr]

well i work at a jap bike shop and have worked on all six major major jap brands, two or the italians, a beamer and a few harleys. the rebel is what they use on training courses around here, im 5'9'' and i dont like the fact i have to put my leg on the other side of the bars to turn, and its a bicycle w/ a motor in it, itll beat the hell out of you. sv650 is entirely too much power for a beginner, it has more torque being a vtwin than a cbr600rr, and almost as much hp, not a good idea. ex250 (ninja 250) isnt a bad starter, just slow as hell and has the same bicycle w/ motor in it properties as a rebel. 250 virago is the same way, basically they are small ppl commuters and just a hair better than a 125cc scooter.

I don't know how to even begin with this pile of misinformation. You have to put your leg on the other side of the bars to turn? I'm 5'11" and 205lbs and have no trouble at all using a Rebel in tight parking lot maneuvers or taking it out on the highway for hours at a time. It's not a rocket, but a bicycle with a motor is a HORRIBLE comparison. There's plenty of power to cruise at any legal speed, and you get tremendous fuel economy paired with low insurance rates (last I checked, my full coverage policy was about $130 a year). Over on the Rebel forums there are several riders who are well over 6' tall and have stuck with the Rebel over the years. Many of us have more than one bike, but that's a function of different bikes fitting different needs or whims.

 

[Skid Vicious]

Hayabusa. get anything less and you might as well hike up your skirt and hand in your man card

 

[triumphrider-1]

Go to a dealership and try out different styles, find one that fits you. Even if do not intend to purchase one from them at the moment it will still give you an idea of what you may want. Every bike sits/feels different, it is important to find one that you like the feel of.

From there you can go out and a good used one (dealer may even have a couple used ones) of the type that you like the best.

My 2 cents.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

I have always had dual sports and don't think I would ever buy anything else. The DRZ 400 is a great bike, really hard to beat that one. I had an XR 400, XR 600 and XT600 in the last few years. The thing I love about them is the low end torque and how nimble they are in heavy traffic. Also the fact that I can't go 150 mph helps, I would kill myself on a rice rocket I just know it. I have ridden a few and know how fast things can get away from you. On a dual sport I tend to ride like gentlemen until I hit the trails. I say dual sports are the way to go, if you’re just looking for through town gas sipping and summer fun.

 

[TinyBear]

My personal first bike was a Yamaha V-Star 650cc. But after 2 years on it i found cruisers were just not my thing. I wanted a bike that was Comfy, Could actually LEAN with out dragging pegs, got out of its own way, and was good for the dirt roads around here. I had it down to the KLR650cc and the V-Strom 650cc and the DR650cc.

I chose the V-Strom for a few reasons. One i got short legs and the strom was slightly lower than the KLR but Taller than the DR, two the Strom has WAY more power than the other two and it is my secondbike, Three Its a MUCH more comfy bike for touring on, and lastly i really dont do enuff off roading to justify getting the KLR or DR.

But for a beginner of your hight a KLR or a DR 650 would be a great choice They make about the same power as my old 650cc Cruiser but offer MUCH better riding ergos. The KLR is pretty good for comfort especially with a Corbin seat. Their is TONS of aftermarket support for both bikes and their not bikes that you will get board of too quickly.

The V-Strom is not an ideal first bike simply cause all its weight is held up high. Also the engine although not overly powerful (same engine as the SV650) is enuff to easily get a new rider into trouble. And lastly its a DAMN BIG bike to be trying to ride as a newb.

 

[Legend]

For a dependable daily driver around town, my Honda Silver Wing was my fav.
http://powersports.honda.com/search.aspx?q=silverwing

Damn! When I had mine, 1979 it was a really nice, 500cc V-twin, shaft drive, water cooled. Great motorcycle. Now it's a scooter? WTF???

 

[Evil_Twin]

I vote for the SV 650 as well. Not much on HP but it will make it up in the torque. They are a blast at the track as well as on any given twisty road. They are a lot more forgiving to learn the hand clutch than a inline four. I had a TL1000R for a few years and absolutely loved that bike.. tons of fun and not too many around. Get a good set of exhaust pipes and you will get compliments every time you take it out. First things first though, take and MSF course and learn the machine before throwing money at it. Take a few track day lessons and pick up a copy of Keith Codes "Twist of The Wrist" paperback.

Whatever you do, DO NOT get an EX 250 or even a EX 500.. You will out grow it before you make your fifth payment.

Here is my baby(ies)..

 

[fastpakr]

Whatever you do, DO NOT get an EX 250 or even a EX 500.. You will out grow it before you make your fifth payment.

You preach this like it's the gospel, yet there are many, MANY examples of us on the planet who don't require that extra displacement just to have fun. Tell people your opinion all you want, but don't shove it down their throats when there are plenty of us out here that can attest to the fact that it isn't always true.

 

[tpking]

im a decent sized guy and im able to get equally hurt on even the smallest bikes haha i about broke my leg on a pw80 when i was 16 haha

 

[Jason]

You preach this like it's the gospel, yet there are many, MANY examples of us on the planet who don't require that extra displacement just to have fun. Tell people your opinion all you want, but don't shove it down their throats when there are plenty of us out here that can attest to the fact that it isn't always true.

He is stressing the idea for the point of view of a sport bike enthusiast. Enthusiasts WILL get bored quickly and want a more capable bike.

 

[svtranger04]

your a bigger guy so i suggest,

Buy a suzuki Dr650! better road manners than the KLR and wont overheat like the honda. Just enough power to get the wheel up in first and second (with a little help) It usually gets 50-45mpg while ragging it pretty hard. i can tool around the city and manage 55mpg.

Ive got over 11000miles on mine, dumped it a few times. picked it back up and rode away. I haven't wiped out on the road yet, nor do i want to.

There is a huge following for the Dr650s on thumpertalk.com

Stay away form the ninja, at least anything under 600cc. they suck! i dumped one on the road....97blackbetty was there.


What ever you do , take the safety course first. Ride safe!

 

[97BlackBetty]

Stay away form the ninja, at least anything under 600cc. they suck! i dumped one on the road....97blackbetty was there.


What ever you do , take the safety course first. Ride safe!

I have never laughed so hard at anybodys pain. To be fair, he wasnt going fast. He tells our buddy that he wont do anything stupid on it. Leaves the parking lot, starts to rev it up around a corner, rolls, rear tire slips out and the bike goes sliding. It was that perfect (Homer Simpson) DOH!!!! moment.

 

[GreatWhite]

Hayabusa. get anything less and you might as well hike up your skirt and hand in your man card

Basically buy a motorcycle, and not enjoy it because you are six foot under a month after owning it

 

[Evil_Twin]

You preach this like it's the gospel,

Yes and no. Yes to the fact that the person looking for a bike is a hoss! 6'5" at 220? Not bashing his size, David Jefferies was an all time greatest Isle of Mann racer and he was every bit that size and then some. To suggest any small displacement single cylinder or parallel twin to a man that size, I'd figure he would get bored with it as soon as he figured out the concept of riding. Furthermore, with his weight and size in mind, braking, tires, suspension, and simple ergonomics is something a EX simply cannot provide to him adequately nor safely. That is what I had in mind when I said "DO NOT get an EX".
Yes, I am quite aware that you don't have to have the biggest and baddest with an unGodly amount of CC's that can be crammed underneath a frame to have fun and/or to be fast. Being 6'0" 150'ish and having an 160hp GSX1000R, I am on the hunt for a 50hp 426 Supermoto for the street just for the pure fun of it.
Look, all I am suggesting is to get a bike that YOU will be happy with.. Who gives a rats ass what others think anyways? Right? Sit on every bike you are considering and put both your feet on the pegs and grip the bars and ask yourself if you can hold this position for an hour or two. A bike is like a tool, buy it for the purpose you intend on using it for. I took my GSXR on an Iron Ass Ride (1000 miles in less than 24 hours) last year just to prove that those rides aren't just for Harleys.