R3V, educate me on motorcycles (new rider)

[jrossowvue30]

r3v OT posters seem to be pretty insightful and I know a lot of you guys are also into motorcycles so I figured I would reach out to you guys to see if any of you guys could lend some words of wisdom to a guy looking to get his first bike.

So here is a quick rundown of me and what I would want. I am big, 6'4" and 250. I have ridden before but not really. I've ridden off road and around my neighborhood so really I am a total new rider. Ultimately I want to get a starter bike, learn to ride and get comfortable riding then move on to what I really want which would be a BMW or Triumph or a nice older Honda or Suzuki cafe racer style. I obviously don't want to get something that is nice to learn on because I know there will be drops and scratches and dings.

I look on craigslist daily and I see Ninjas and Buell Blasts all day for $1500-2000 and I know they are considered good starter bikes. I also see older cruiser bikes in the same price range or less but not really my style. I know the best way to find the right bike for me is to go out and ride them but before I do that this weekend was just wondering what those who have experience might have to say.

[Dozyproductions]

Im selling my beat up 87' vfr700 for 600 and upgrading to another vfr800. Those deals exist. I'm not the best ride and I was riding my friends ducati monster the other day. Some, and myself, will say that it doesn't matter the power/size of the bike but after that ride I just don't believe it. To say the gas was twitchy would be an understatement.

Next the gear, the gear the gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, boots in that order of importance. Get a DOT and SNELL approved helmet. I bought the Bell Vortex helmet (Great great looking helmet for the cafe since you can get a matte black with white rally stripe), cheaper and has those two qualifications. The jacket should conform to your riding style, when you decide to ride and how much protection you want. I bought an AGV that is full leather with armor in the shoulders and elbows. It only has padding in the back but I bought armor for that too and leather really reduces on the road rash.

Next is take a safety course. It will teach you how to be better rider and a better victim to crashes.

Enjoy mate!

[jrossowvue30]

I should also mention that I don't plan to use this as a daily commuter. This would be a total weekend nice weather enjoyment rider.

[LJ851]

Everyone is actively trying to kill you !


Please remember this every time you are on your bike. You are invisible to everyone else, so you better act like it.

[ST1G]

I'm your size. I would say that if you don't know how to ride very well I would keep it under 500 cc's to start. You're a big guy so a 250 ninja is going to look funny and be a little under powered. You'll get in just as much trouble on a 250 as you would on a 500 so I would just start at the 500 level since the bike is physically bigger. There are countless threads on other sites about which bike is best to start on.

[travish325]

I'm 6'4" 230. I've been riding my whole life on dirt bikes and motorcycles, I've ridden busas, r1s, 14s blah blah . Being bigger I wanted my first official bike to not be slow so I bought an 04 kaw z1000, it's a naked bike and the riding position is great for a bigger person, comfortable and still able to lay it down in corners. I really wanted a sport bike so I got an 01 zx12r, pretty big but it fits very well and I can throw it around pretty easily it's not like a busa or a zx14 as it still has the smaller sport bike feel. I'm not saying as a new rider to get a zx12 cause you will kill yourself lol what I am saying is look into naked bikes or street fighter styles like a z750 or a speed triple. You won't feel comfortable on most sport bikes and cruisers are just for old people lol


The best advice is just don't be over confident and watch out for everything around you. No one is going to be watching out for you while they are driving.

[ky0u]

Honestly, sit on a few bikes, find out what feels most comfortable to you. For your size, A touring or standard bike might be best but There are plenty of big guys on sports bikes and cruisers as well. It's about your preference and what you "click" oN.

The bikes Travish ^ mentioned above are standard bikes I believe, which I agree with. The sitting position on them is more upright, natural, and comfortable as opposed to say, a sports bike which forces you to hunch over.

I'd look at something like a Ninja 650 or Honda CB500 or similar.

A lot of people will bring up displacement on a bike being a big point when considering a first bike. They'll say stay on a 250 first etc. They're correct...to an extent. A new rider shouldnt hop on something like a hayabusa with crazy power or one of the modern liter bikes with sensitive throttles. But this stuff is as much an issue of self control and responsibility as a rider as it is the bike itself. My first bike was a yamaha R6. I knew what I had and I respected it. Didn't let my emotions or ego take control and kept everything safe. Never had a problem once, even doing canyons.

But before all this, the first thing you should do is take the safety course. Not sure what the details are regarding it in your state, but in California, once passed, it waives the need to do the practical test at the dmv and it lowers your insurance

Next thing to remember is, do not skimp on your gear. It's pricey and can leave your wallet wallowing in sorrow, but it's the difference between walking away from a crash and being rolled away on a stretcher.

Learn how to do your own maintenance on a bike because its insanely pricey to get it done somewhere. (Someone wanted $550 to check my valves). You'll save a ton if you can do your own work

One super important thing down the road when you start riding. Never ride above your head. If you're riding with people and they end up being faster than you, don't try to keep up with them. It's one of the main reasons people go down. Just go your own pace, ride your own ride and you'll be fine

And also, like a few people mentioned already, Everyone else on the road, is out to kill you. Keep that mentality at all times

[gtdragon980]

BUY MY BIKE!!

Seriously though, it is really good to hear you want to get a starter bike and not go all out on a really nice bike. Too many people out there try to get powerful bikes and either wreck it or can't ride it to it's potential because they never got the basics down. The bike I have now (Suzuki SV650) is my first bike and I've been riding it for 3 years now. It is probably the best bike to learn on, especially if you are going the sport bike route. They are quite fast, albeit not as fast as a CBR600 or R6. I like it because it is very forgiving, comfortable and very easy to ride. I am now looking for an upgrade since I've outgrown this one but, it is still one of my favorites.

What I can tell you is do not cheap out on gear. Get a good helmet, jacket and gloves. Your body will thank you in case something were to happen.

You are somewhat local to me so if you want to take a look at my bike, let me know, I am actually in the process of selling it. PM me if you want more info on it!

EDIT: Oh and I noticed some other people are saying to get a 250 or something under 600, but IMHO, at 250lbs, you will outgrow that very quickly and it will be hard to resell it.

[jrossowvue30]

BUY MY BIKE!!

Seriously though, it is really good to hear you want to get a starter bike and not go all out on a really nice bike. Too many people out there try to get powerful bikes and either wreck it or can't ride it to it's potential because they never got the basics down. The bike I have now (Suzuki SV650) is my first bike and I've been riding it for 3 years now. It is probably the best bike to learn on, especially if you are going the sport bike route. They are quite fast, albeit not as fast as a CBR600 or R6. I like it because it is very forgiving, comfortable and very easy to ride. I am now looking for an upgrade since I've outgrown this one but, it is still one of my favorites.

What I can tell you is do not cheap out on gear. Get a good helmet, jacket and gloves. Your body will thank you in case something were to happen.

You are somewhat local to me so if you want to take a look at my bike, let me know, I am actually in the process of selling it. PM me if you want more info on it!

EDIT: Oh and I noticed some other people are saying to get a 250 or something under 600, but IMHO, at 250lbs, you will outgrow that very quickly and it will be hard to resell it.

I am interested, I'd like to take a look at a sv assuming it is in my price range.

I have been texting back and forth with a guy locally who has a 01 ninja 250r he is willing to sell for $800. I am only even thinking about it because of the $800 price tag. I figure if I outgrow it by the end of riding season I could unload it for at least that.

[TurboJake]

I'm gonna say this. My first bike was a CBR600 F4i that was heavily modified. I was 240 and it still creaked 150.

Biggest mistake ever. I never crashed it, but the speed was always too tempting and I would always go a little bit faster. Combine that with no drivers ever fucking looking out for you. I'm very surprised I didn't smash into the side of someone that pulled out in front of me and went sailing to my death. Or highsided it. Or death shook/tank slapped/speed shimmied it. Etc.

Whatever you do, don't go on engine size as a medium. Go on actual power figures. Nowadays, I'm happy with 60hp on a bike. My RD350 makes 40ish and it still is plenty fun. It's also a two stroke but we won't go there..

[gtdragon980]

I am interested, I'd like to take a look at a sv assuming it is in my price range.

I have been texting back and forth with a guy locally who has a 01 ninja 250r he is willing to sell for $800. I am only even thinking about it because of the $800 price tag. I figure if I outgrow it by the end of riding season I could unload it for at least that.

You got PM.

[Nitro Nick]

Do not get a ninja 250. That thing will barely pull you up a hill and you will get smoked by a 57 year old on a new full dresser. Get an sv Suzuki or one of the naked kawis. They are not a full blown race bike like a CBR or r6 but it will pull you around enough to let you figure out what you want next. Trust me on the ninja 250. You should be able to find some decent deals on an older sv. Or the guy above recommended the Honda vfr, you can find those cheap and are good starters too.

[jaywood]

Having ridden both street bikes and enduros/supermotos, I'd look into getting an enduro/supermoto. They are more fun (IMO), lighter, less power and less of a top speed. You can still cruise on the freeway but good luck getting over 90MPH.

BRB, find a dirt road? Go tear it up.

[jwalther]

Buy an 80s vintage UJM, something like a Suzuki GS. Perfect starter bike for a bigger guy.

http://www.thegsresources.com/

[jrossowvue30]

Buy an 80s vintage UJM, something like a Suzuki GS. Perfect starter bike for a bigger guy.

http://www.thegsresources.com/

So, I've been looking and talking to people but have not sat on anything yet. I found a very local 1980 Yamaha XS 400. It looks to be in pretty nice shape and is right in my price range. My only concern is that it has the handle bars for a cafe racer, otherwise the bike looks pretty stock with very recent maintenance. Obviously I won't know until I sit on it and feel it but just wondering what those of you who ride think, worth consideration or keep looking?

Here is a picture of said bike: