Motorcycle

[baronsamedi]

I'm 6'2" and riding a Honda Rebel for the MSF course was painful in all the wrong places. I rode my friend's Shadow home for her and it was OK. An old CB650 or similar would be a great bike. The first bike I learned on was a Kawasaki 440LTD and that was a nice bike too. Probably the most fun bike I ever had was a Ducati Monster. I've got almost 30k on my Triumph and all I've had to do is scheduled maintenance and replace the chain and front sprocket at about 20k. It's an easy fix on that bike.

 

[ck12]

Yea i am between 6'1 and 6'2 so that is good to know. Im so lost when it comes to buying my first bike haha.

 

[baronsamedi]

Yeah don't bother wearing a tux on that thing. There's no "ballroom"

 

[ck12]

Yeah don't bother wearing a tux on that thing. There's no "ballroom"

hahahaha :rofl:

 

[mjtannen]

Depends on where you intend to ride and for what purpose. My first bike was a Honda 500 and very shortly after I learned to ride well I advanced to a Harley FLH (Electra-Glide). My riding was basically all highway and strictly for pleasure. The Honda, for me was nimble but insubstantial. The Harley was everything the Honda was not. There is never a service problem with a Harley. I agree with training, safety gear and crash bars. When the bike goes down, the bars protect you and the bike. Get the best Helmet possible, wear heavy high boots and always wear leather. Always protect #1 so there will always be a next ride.

 

[strave19]

I've got a 1978 KZ650 (Kawasaki). If that bike was in running shape I'd say go for it, but like others have said - you may end up putting in twice what you paid for it to get it running perfectly. I bought mine for $900 in running shape but it needed some work. I've probably put at least $500 into it since then and its getting there. I'd say get a running bike, it doesn't have to be running perfectly but you need more than one gear. These old Japanese bikes are great but when you're looking at a bike that's over 30 years old, you're almost guaranteed that it will need some work. Get one that's running - you'll be able to at least get a feel for motorcycles and will still have plenty to tinker with.
I'll probably get a new bike eventually, but I would not hesitate to take the old girl across the country - and I don't plan on ever selling it.
I'm going to follow up and say that I would not recommend getting a rebel unless you find an amazing deal. It would be good if you have never ridden a motorcycle before, but you will want something else within a month or two unless you only plan on cruising around town. They are just so tiny and silly looking...

 

[hauntedmyst]

I'm completely in favor of taking the MSF course. On thing I'd strongly recommend to all newbies is to consider starting out with a scooter - one of the big 3 Japanese brands or the Italians, especially if you are in a suburban or urban setting. Riding a scooter allows you to ride and focus on the road without adding on the complication of shifting and clutching and many of them will easily cruise along at highway speeds. After giving that a year or two, the jump to motorcycles is a natural. My first road bike was a Honda Sabre 750 but I had the benefit of having learn to ride on dirt bikes. My next bike was a Buell S1 Lightning, a cool but brutal bike. I loved it but living in Chicago, I rarely got past second gear before I had to stop again.

 

[mike68]

+1 on the MSF course.. the rest is all opinion...just be careful to find one that is comfortable enough to learn on confidently and do NOT get a bike that is overpowered. You'll know that bike when you see/hear it...

 

[brewshooter]

I started on and rode a Ninja 250 for almost five years, after taking the MSF course. I'm six foot, around 180 lbs, and it always had enough power to move me around. I recently upgraded to a Versys, but sometimes miss my little Ninja.

 

[nikko]

great, if my PAD and TAD wasn't bad enough, now I'm looking at motorcycles again..

 

[hauntedmyst]

+1 on the MSF course.. the rest is all opinion

It's all opinion, even the MSF course. It's helpful but not absolutely necessary.

 

[baronsamedi]

I rode for 15 years without the MSF but having taken it, I do reccommend it.

 

[strave19]

Never taken the MSF course, though if there was one in my town I'd probably have done it. I grew up with riding motocross bikes which I think is probably the ideal way to learn the ways of riding motorcycles (parents might disagree due to the amount of broken bones I incurred). Take it slow, take a course if you are completely new to motorcycles, have fun, be safe.

 

[ck12]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys! I never thought i would get this kind of response and never knew how much research and everything goes into this. I hope i can make it a new hobby for me cause it seems real interesting!!

 

[ssjones]

Oh yeah, get GOOD GEAR - helmet, jacket and gloves. Not only will gear save your life, but it will make the riding experience a lot more enjoyable. It's not much fun getting cold or wet and bare skin on pavement will leave a mark.

 

[mike68]

I wouldn't say the MSF course isn't necessary to a new rider...

 

[hauntedmyst]

Yes, but that's just your opinion. :: Its not required by law in many states and many have learned to ride safely without it.