[rookie]

I’m just getting started with my motorcyle adventure. Next month I will take the course and hopefully shortly after that will purchase my first bike. My imediate plans are to commute back and forth to work. This will be approximately 75 miles per day round trip. Some of it will be bumper to bumper and some of it will be open highway 65-70 mph. Several people have suggested a big bike (1k and up) some have suggested 750, and most of the postings here say 250. based on what i have read here I’m leaning more to the 250 Rebel. My concern is comfort on this bike. I’m 6′ 1″ and 170lbs and 46 yrs old. The commute is about 1 hr-1.5 hrs. How comfortable will I be on this bike? My other question has to do with approriate dress. Going to work is business casual and the temps here can reach high 90’s-100. How do you deal with that? Do you arrive at work hot and sweaty? How do you dress for safety but still be able to maintain the dress for work? lastly my long term goal is to get into a touring bike for vacations and weekend getaways. I know my skill will increase based on my own abilities however, should this be a gradual increase in size or do i ride the heck out of a small bike then jump right into the Gold Wing? If i do increase slowly how would you do it and what about the cost factor? Do keep selling and buying as skills increase?

thanks in advance,

[SuperMotoRider]

Comfortability is your preference… you just have to sit on one and decide for yourself.
I’m a 150 lbs and I took the MSF class on a Honda Rebel. Even though, I only went 25 mph tops. The bike felt pretty comfortable and stable for me. I’m sure it would of been a great commuter for me, but I’m still young. I’ll get a cruiser when I’m 40, but for now I’m sticking with dirtbikes.

But hey, check this motorcycle vlog video out… It might help you make up your mind.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/76DE415B6E1F4F68ADAD54989BF8D611/honda-rebel-250-interstate.aspx

[Matt]

My Mother has a 1983 Honda Custom 250. This was the rebel before they called it the Rebel. It is almost identical to the current Rebel 250! (Shows just how much Honda has changed the Rebel in 25 years).

The bike is small, but not uncomfortably so (I’m 6′, 180 pounds). I would not recommend the bike if you have to do stretches above 60mph. The bike tops out at 110kph (65mph). And that is running the engine for all it’s worth. It’ll more happily cruise at 100 (60kph). My Mom (a rider who is always out to enjoy the ride, never to get anywhere) rarely takes it above 80kph.

I would suggest the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 instead. A very well reviewed basic cruiser. The highs for it from reviews point to how it is more comfortable than other “small” cruisers, dirt cheap, and has a very friendly engine. The engine is the same parallel twin off a Ninja 500 (so you know it is bullet proof). You need to rev it a bit more than most cruisers for passing power, but the engine is designed for that (unlike some lower reving V-twins).

As for progression, smaller displacement bikes have less depreciation than their bigger counterparts (higher demand). I’d get a good beginer friendly bike, ride it for two years, and upgrade if/when you feel the bike no longer fits your needs.

As for gear, I have a number of co-workers who commute (45 minutes freeway) on cruisers, they almost all chose to wear textile over-clothing pants and jackets over their work clothing (slacks and shirts around here). A good three-layer mesh jacket will feel like nothing at all at speed (keeping you at a nice temperature), but be a little warm in stop and go (a good time for a small displacement bike since the engine puts off less heat). Plus it gives you the option of wearing warmer and/or waterproof layers when required.

[Ben]

Thats some really great advice matt, I for one am a big fan of the vulcan 500. Although there is a brand new Rebel that parks next to me at school and I can’t help but admire it whenever it is there, it is really a great looking bike!

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

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