Here in Pensacola, FL.........
Posted July 24th, 2008 by chevyridin850
Hey all,
My name is David. I live in Northwest Florida. I have rode bikes all my life (about 7 years of my 19). I have never rode on a sportbike, however. Always dirt bikes, mostly always kx125 or kx250's. I can't wait to take the motorcycle course this weekend, and go pickup either the GS500F or the SV650. I have great things about both on the net and on this website. Any reason I should get one or the other? Hope to hear about it soon.
Either is a fantastic
Either is a fantastic option. I am partial to the GS500f option, myself.
New Bike what to get??????
Hello,all greetings from southeast Texas. I will be taking the MSF safety class next weekend. First time rider. I am so confused on what bike I should get. I for sure want a cruiser not a street bike, not that there is anything wrong with street bikes. The problem is that I am 6 ft 3 in, and weigh 205lbs. Also what should I be expecting for the MSF class. Thank you, any input would be great.
P.S. What a great site.
Why is that a problem? They
Why is that a problem? They have short doorways in Texas? Seriously, you could ride either a sportbike or a cruiser. do you want your knees bent in front of you or behind you. Look at the Versys, it sits up really high.
"I am the best I am at what I do, and what I do ain't nice."-Wolverine
You do realize they say
You do realize they say everything else in Texas is bigger. No but seriously what size bike would be best for my frame (cruiser bike)
Jeremy: Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Jeremy: Kawasaki Vulcan 500 or older Yamaha Virago 535 (discontinued in 2001). The Yamaha V-Star 650 cruiser (replacement for Virago 535) MIGHT also be suitable, but not sure. I know cruisers are generally underpowered compared to standards/sportbikes so the V-Star 650 could probably do you good but it's probably really heavy and that's bad. I'd say go with the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 just based on the fact that it's got a Ninja 500R engine, so you know it can zip. It's also really light weight for a cruiser, which is a good thing for commuting (realistically what you'll probably be doing on your bike in the beginning) and for making it easy to handle.
If i were more of a "cruiser" guy I would have searched long and hard for a good deal on a Vulcan 500 for my first bike and I wouldn't have let a salesman talk me into anything else, except of course for the mid-80s Honda V30 Magna 500cc V-Four cruiser (assuming I could find one).
MSF Class here in PA is 4 days: 2 classroom and 2 riding. It is free here in PA and completing the MSF course is an alternative to taking the state riding test to upgrade your permit to a full Class M License, so it's hard to get in.
Thank you for the
Thank you for the information, a Vulcan is what I have been looking at also. In Texas you just pay the money for MSF and your in. Thanks again.
hey David
Hey David I am here in Miami.. How are the city car drivers up there?? Down here they are super crazy..mainly because down here you can get your licence from the back of a truck if you know what I mean! There are a lot of people down here that do not know how to drive and that is what's keeping me back in a wierd way ya know??
Well anyways it was just nice to meet another Floridian and just be safe and keep riding
D-havoc
Miami,FL
Florida boys
David, I am your size and reached to a Sportster. Would I recommend it? Hummm. Heavy bikes are hard in these early days. Your size will not matter once you are moving, physics and skill take over, and skill you lack. Lots of added stress, but it does fit nicely, and it is my favorite bike anyway. The problem is you rationalize you'll take it easy and be careful, however the extra weight requires a little more momentum and added confidence in all the slow stuff! You have to move and react faster than on a lighter bike! And 600 lbs is a lot harder to catch than 275, not a forgiving choice . . . Kind of the reverse of your newbie instincts, ya know? I have less than 500 miles, and that whole dynamic is still a LOT of extra work and worry. No getting around that. Power wise, I have not had any issues with it really. I have driven lots of stick shifts, and the low end torque on this lets you idle in and out of gear. She is tractor strong. Easy throttle control . . it just rumbles along. LoL When you get on it . .well lets just say I have not even tested those waters yet. Zero to 60 happens very fast. It scoots right along. Plenty of power to kill yourself with later. LoL
I also am in Miami! Talk about a scary place to learn to ride! LoL These people think they are going to score a prize if the can hit me, they aim for you! LoL I think they get a bonus if they can cut you off and turn you into a bumper sticker! Be good on those quick stops! Anyway, butt test a lot, take the class and see how you feel. I am a cruiser guy period. I didn't even like sitting on sport bikes. They are great machines, and in skilled hands amazing to watch . . they are just built to ride in a way opposite of what I enjoy. (-: I am 48, I like to lean back and just enjoy the ride. A multi use, enduro style would have been the "smart play" for my long legs and would have kept me on a 250 for a while . . . worth looking at. Being hard headed might not necessarily kill me, but it is working me a little harder for sure. That stresses the fun factor some. Right now some real work is involved in getting my skill to catch up with the bike I picked. LoL Just things to consider as you shop . . . I bet as you tell us what you are sitting on I could list off already the ones that will "feel" the best while sitting on them "PARKED" LOL They will all be heavy when you get rolling after a 250 . . . . .
Stay safe, and welcome. One weekend I'll have to ride up to your side of the state and try riding with sane people. LoL
D-Havoc . . . . nothing odd about looking at this riding environment. I "thought" about this for 30 years. Miami is just not motorcycle friendly, that's a fact of life. Lets face it, it is "square riding", square blocks and 90 degree turns at all the intersections, and traffic. I have been rear ended 11 times in 30 years in Miami. I think about that every time I stop at light on this bike. I have lived in NC and TN years back. . .much nicer riding environment. I hope to find my way back in a few years. (-:
""""Democracy is Two Wolves and a Lamb Voting on What to have for Lunch. Liberty is a Well-Armed Lamb Contesting the Vote--Benjamin Franklin"""""
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