Nobody should have a bike they can’t handle, whether it’s their’ first month or tenth year of riding. I agree.
I’m not saying that.
I sense that I may be offending some folks with smaller bikes. This is a beginner’s bike forum, I’m not wanting to appear to be a cc snob.
I’ll apologise, it’s not my intent. I’m simply trying to save a few people some frustration and money down the rode.
It’s not really complicated.
I’m a founder of a local riding club that’s been around for years.
It has over 100 active members and over 1,100 internet users.
We see all kinds of riders. We are very newbie friendly.
I meet and become friends and acquaintances of new riders like many of the good folks here every month.
There are many experienced riders in our’ organization helping with advice, working on other member’s’ bikes and encouraging new riders every week among other things
Peer pressure NEVER fits into the equation.
So yeah, I’m speaking from experience. Perhaps more than I will explain here.
The single biggest problem I hear from the new riders I meet is not “dropping their’ bike” or going “down”.
Many complain that they should have picked a different bike to start on.
Many wish they would have bought a bike that had “longer legs”,a bike that would have grown a little more with them.
This includes those of smaller size and women.
I’m not recommending a liter bike or big cruiser either. Most any middle weight bike will do whatever you need it to do and again fom experience, a middle weight standard or cruiser is very accomodating to a new rider. (But not a middle weight sport bike however. Those things are indeed rockets!)
As I suggested before, research your’ new bike, see what will work best for you and don’t believe for one minute you are polarized into buying a light weight bike when a middle weight may in fact work best for you.
If you can afford a new 250cc or 500cc, you can afford a used 800cc.
Don’t dismiss the used bike market. there’s a lot of low mileage used bikes for a good price out there.
If you have absolutely no intention of riding with anyone else with a larger bike, then a 250 or 500 is a great and fun bike.
Perhaps a light weight bike is all you need ? That’s fine. You should stick with that bike then.
Just know that it’s limitations will become more apparent when/if you ride with others. You won’t find this out riding by yourself.
I’ll repeat ” WHEN / IF YOU DECIDE TO RIDE WITH OTHERS”.
That’s it, it’s not a social statement or dogma, just a very real motorcycle factor that the informed consumer should be aware of.
Good luck with whatever you decide.