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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2006 12:26:55 PM
Posts: 20,
Visits: 66
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| I am a new rider 6ft 1inch tall 210 lbs. I would appreciated any recommendations in respect to my purchase of first bike. I was thinking a cruiser or sport/crusier. Thanks
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2008 5:08:30 AM
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Welcome Stones,
There are a variety of factors to take into consideration before just jumping on the wagon to recommend a bike. How long have you been riding, what style, has there been a while since you rode last, what kind of riding will you be doing, do you have back problems - all questions that should be asked before any recommendations given.
That said, if you are currently without a bike, have lots of cash for a purchase, have been riding for a few years, and are mostly looking to ride in comfort then bike styles come into play. I would say if you answered yes to these questions a cruiser or a sport tourer would work for you. I personally think that the BMW bikes would offer your longer legs the room you require but others may have a greater knowledge and "bike base" from which to drawn than myself thereby offering other advice.
In any case, a great number of dealers do not allow for demo rides. BMW does, but most other companies do not (to my knowledge). That said, if you see one you really like, test drive it by renting one of those bikes for a weekend. You will know soon enough if it is a bike you should desire or if it is time to move to the next in your list.
The "Z" MAN - North Carolina
1995 BMW R1100R - MOA #115950
Olympia, Scorpion, Gerbings, & Alpinestars
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2006 12:26:55 PM
Posts: 20,
Visits: 66
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| for the record: This would be my first bike ever. Rode dirt when i was a kid , now 42. Will be used purely for weekend pleasure riding around town (maybe an occassional longer trip). Have some $'s to spend but not unlimited. Thanks
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Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/6/2008 10:52:54 AM
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A lot has changed since you last rode a bike then. Reading the specs on a bike and actually feeling the torque/hp are two vastly different things.
With your size you may be tempted to buy a larger displacement bike, but bear in mind that can come with an alarming amount of power. That isn't to say a conservative riding style won't keep you upright.
I'd highly recommend a rider training course or two as well as reading some things to fill in the gaps the training courses leave (there can be many depending upon where you live and who's doing the teaching). David Hough's books "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling" are excellent reads (go to "home" on this heyarr website). I'd also suggest viewing the three tape series on Street Smarts available through Whitehorse.
I think the Honda 250 is a popular bike for the training course. You'll probably have fun on it in spite of it being vastly underpowered for a guy your size. But it'll give you a crack at riding on pavement along with some instruction to help wipe the cobwebs of 20 or 30 years being off bikes for you. Not to mention abolishing any bad habits you may have developed way back then (I'll point a finger at myself on that front too).
Anyway, as far as demo rides are concerned, some of the big bike dos have various manufacturers bring bikes for just that. The Honda Hoot in Knoxville is an example (maybe the only one???).
I'd also think in terms of looking at used bikes being sold by the owners as you usually can get a test ride on them. Don't buy the first one you see or like, shop around and use the opportunity to try several models. If you are going to buy used there is a basis for a whole new thread. Google "buying a used motorcycle" to look for pertinent questions to ask and things to examine on the prospect bike. There are a few webpages devoted to that topic that make for some informative reading.
Back to your purchase, see what strikes your fancy, then sit on it, hopefully take it for a ride as well. Think in terms of comfort as it applies to your frame seated on that bike and go from there. The last thing you want is something that hurts to ride as you'll want every incentive to take off for a ride and not want any deterants.
If you think you'll do the odd MC trip you also need to look at carrying capacity and available luggage for the bike. Not to mention the possibility of hauling a passenger. Their comfort on the pillion seat is just as much an issue as your butt on the seat is.
You may not feel comfortable with a passenger at first either. So, you may want to think of this first bike as very temporary, which makes a used bike really tempting as someone else will have taken the hit that driving off the showroom floor always brings on. A temp bike will let you hone skills that you'll pick up from the above reading/viewing/learning recommendations and then you can go from there on the passenger hauling bit.
Sorry if I've given you absolutely no lead on a specific bike, but the question you ask is a tough one for anyone but you to answer. I'd have you back on a dirt bike if everyone had my personality.
Oh, and don't forget proper protective gear. With all the fabrics available a jacket doesn't need to be suffocatingly hot in the summer.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2006 12:26:55 PM
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| Thanks. I am taking the basic Motorcycle safety class this weekend. I think I am most comfortable on a cruiser. I am a little apprehensive about buying a bike for my size, and may go smaller just till I get more skilled. On this point I have had many friends try to talk me into a larger bike right away , while dealers seem to recommend something smaller like a 883custom.
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New Member
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Last Login: 2/23/2007 6:08:56 AM
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| I think you'll find most of the recommendations here to be on the order of "start with a smaller MC and then go from there." By smaller: something in the 600 range (probably not a crotch rocket). Then when (and if) you decide to move up you can. I started about like you with a cruiser and then figured out that I don't really like riding for any distance in the cruiser position. So I ended up with what is called a sport tourer. But I had the benefit of several thousand miles under my seat before I made that decision and felt pretty confident once I got on a ST that it was the MC for me. +1 on taking the riders course
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/18/2008 5:15:08 PM
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Sound advice so far. You might look into one of the 800-900cc cruisers that have been introduced lately from the Japanese. They should be manageable for someone your size and not too powerful. If you're set on a Harley a 1200 sportster is a possibility. Although its 1200cc, physically its a small bike. Might be a bit pricey as all Harley's can be but resale could be easier if you decide to go in a different direction. BTW demos are available at most of the big events if you can catch one (Americade, Honda Hoot, Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest, probably a bunch on west coast too). Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
Terry F2005 FZ-1, Silver AMA#526406 Concours Owners Group#792 ROK#80007477
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