Best First Bike

[SteveADV]

So, I recently had a contest among my 3 bikes (KLR650, Harley Road King Classic, and even had my CGT in the mix) to see which would sell first as I need to get down to two. Could have sold all 3. Ended up selling none. Too many new riders and I had visions of sending someone out with a bike that was either too tall, too heavy, too powerful, and/or a combination of those.

I actually had one guy who had never ridden before that wanted the Harley. Another guy wanted the Beemer for his wife who had never ridden before (although he did say he liked it so much he might keep it....but he had no idea how to start the bike??). Neither had taken the MSF basic course.

Not that I am really qualified or obligated to make that decision for other adults, but when I get that funny feeling that something is not right, well, I try not to be a contributing factor.

And, yeah, I know what you are thinking...."Uh, Steve, you didn't really want to sell any of your bikes and where only trying to make your wife happy buy making her think you were at least trying." Ok, I admit that might be part of it (or 100% of it).

Anyhow, the experience got me thinking about first bikes. My oldest daughter is considering getting a bike (only after she takes the MSF Basic course....Dad's rule) and a couple others have asked me what I thought a good first bike would be for an adult rider. Others on our forum have many more miles/years on bikes than do I. So, any thoughts?

A great thread from the Stromtrooper site:
Picking the wrong bike for a new rider. - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

 

[JaimeC]

Yamaha VMAX.

 

[grey.hound]

I'm a firm believer in progression. Start small and move up if desired. I got the itch to ride at 39, bought my first ever 2 wheeler later that fall. An Aprilia Sportcity 250. I don't regret it one bit. I made a few rookie mistakes and had they been on a larger, heavier bike, the outcome may have been bad.

Still love riding this thing even after getting the C600.

 

[JaimeC]

But seriously... best FIRST bike? Something small, light and USED. There is a high probability your first bike is going to be dropped... possibly more than once. It "hurts" less if the bike isn't brand new. Used bikes are also generally cheaper to repair. Once you have your confidence up, then you can shop for something new. The classifieds are FULL of small bikes people are looking to sell so they can move up. Shop around.

 

[CTB63]

In my early twenties I rode a 250 Yamaha dirt bike. I didn't take the MSF class, and just rode in the dirt trails and fell off lots. I was young and indestructible or at the very least I did not feel the pain and healed quickly.

Fast forward 25 years or so, without riding any motorized two wheel vehicle, I purchased a Buddy 170i and rode that everyday to work and weekend club rides. I took MSF roughly 4 months after purchasing the Buddy. I kept the Buddy for roughly 9 months, and traded up to Piaggio BV350. I kept that for 11 months and once again traded up to a used C600 Sport.

I too believe in starting small for beginners to learn how to ride without fear of laying it down. For each scoot I rode, I built my confidence and ability to ride safely being able to take full advantage of the C600 Sports capabilities.

Had I started with C600 Sport, I probably would have laid it down, and rode somewhat fearful not taking advantage of the power, and turning capabilities of the scoot

Just my two cents...

 

[wsteele]

The MSF course as far as I know usually use 250 cc bikes for training that might be a good bike to start out with since she would be familar with the bike after the course and are usually plentiful to buy used, than she could up grade from there

 

[TwoPort]

The MSF course as far as I know usually use 250 cc bikes for training that might be a good bike to start out with since she would be familar with the bike after the course and are usually plentiful to buy used, than she could up grade from there

Acres of Honda Rebel's

 

[Spdrush]

Mine is a different story I rode a Honda 305 in the 60's as well as a Lambretta. I'm in my 70's and have the C650. When I checked the Ohio MCE they insisted I ride the Honda 250 and learn the gears. I have two 6 speed cars and learned the proper shifting on the Honda.

The smallest scooter they allow instead of the 250 is a 500cc. They won't let me take the course with the C650. There is an intermediate program and a returning rider program that will allow me to use it but there are fewer courses available and they fill up fast.

I do ride carefully and put about 5000 miles on the scooter last year and have already started riding to reaffirm the instincts especially muscle memory as I don't want to mistake the brake lever with a clutch that doesn't exist.

 

[Sparkrn]

I went full bore and learned to ride on a triumph rocket III. With 2300cc , I kinda did the progression thing wrong. Enjoy my first week w my GT and seem to be in a good place now.

 

[ItsPhilD]

My first bike was Yamaha 500cc twin with omni-phase balancing. I went from that to. Honda CBX 1000 inline 6 cyl. As I use to manager a dealership I saw several people think the best thing was to go small. We sold many Honda Rebel 250's and 450's.

My opinion is too little power is worse to learn on. They may be fine for closed course MSF courses but out on the road you need to have enough power. My GF started on a Honda NC700X. It is a great bike with a wonderful engine for a beginner. It's not a screamer but it has a very nice amount of power. But go with at least a 500cc bike.

 

[JaimeC]

FYI: A modern 250 makes more power to weight than 80% of the cars out there. In Daytona Beach this year we met a young woman touring the continent on a Ninja 250. She left Toronto last October and hasn't been home yet. Don't get suckered into the "You need at least a 500cc" mindset. It just isn't true.

 

[SteveADV]

In my early twenties I rode a 250 Yamaha dirt bike. I didn't take the MSF class, and just rode in the dirt trails and fell off lots. I was young and indestructible or at the very least I did not feel the pain and healed quickly.....

Yeah man, I that's me except I moved up to a 400 class bike, did some competition stuff and got pretty beat up. But you are exactly right, we did not feel the pain back then and 30 minutes later we were back at it.

The kid of mine I referred to remembers an accident I had. She was very vocal about me not getting back into motorcycles and yet....Now she wants to be a riding buddy. (Probably just wants to keep any eye on me.)

She knows I have always had an eye on scooters; some just look like works of art to me plus they are so doggone versatile. And, today, she called and said she is thinking about a Kymco. Ha, I told her they made the engine in my CGT. Is that right or did I just think I heard that somewhere?

 

[wsteele]

Yes kymco makes the engine for the c scooters and other BMW bikes

 

[SteveADV]

......When I checked the Ohio MCE they insisted I ride the Honda 250 and learn the gears. I have two 6 speed cars and learned the proper shifting on the Honda.

The smallest scooter they allow instead of the 250 is a 500cc. They won't let me take the course with the C650. There is an intermediate program and a returning rider program that will allow me to use it but there are fewer courses available and they fill up fast?....

Hey Kim, Maybe we take that course together and then report back our findings to the gang. Send me a PM if interested and we can meet at Starbucks...errr...Chagrin Falls Biker Central to kick it around.

Today at Biker Central there were a couple dozen bikes. Most of them Harleys with a Triumph and a couple BMWs sprinkled in for good measure. A spectacular day in NE Ohio. Skutorr (a former buckeye) beats me weather-wise on most days...but not today.

 

[wsteele]

I went full bore and learned to ride on a triumph rocket III. With 2300cc , I kinda did the progression thing wrong. Enjoy my first week w my GT and seem to be in a good place now.

Gee a small bike to start out with Were do you go from there

 

[SteveADV]

That has been my suggestion. I think (hope...so I can ride it once in awhile???) is that she will go with a scooter.

Just as a yuk....Here's downtown Chagrin Falls today in front of our Starbucks.


The guy in the front on the Deluxe Classic is my pal Dave who retired 10 years ago, is a VERY experienced motorcycle guy (did S. America on a r1100gs) and is buying a CGT.

 

[Spdrush]

That has been my suggestion. I think (hope...so I can ride it once in awhile???) is that she will go with a scooter.

Just as a yuk....Here's downtown Chagrin Falls today in front of our Starbucks.
View attachment 1133

The guy in the front on the Deluxe Classic is my pal Dave who retired 10 years ago, is a VERY experienced motorcycle guy (did S. America on a r1100gs) and is buying a CGT.

Drove by Friday and couldn't find a parking space. Today I dropped off the C650 in Aurora to get the tensioner and switch replaced as well as the 6000 mile service.

 

[Snowdog]

It depends on who is learning to drive. An overly cautious person who is afraid of the bike should start on something small so they can gain confidence fast. Some people can start on anything. But, you probably learn faster trying to ride a slow bike fast.

 

[Colin J Monteith]

I watch these little e-bikes going around Toronto here and being at the very low end of scooters can't think they are safe. They can't even do the 50kph limit and piss off drivers no end. So for any newbie riders I would say their safety starts at around 125-150cc. E-bike riders can be as safe a rider as any but being able to keep up with the speed of normal traffic is vital for safety.

 

[Snowdog]

I agree, it is important to be able to keep up with traffic in the city.