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Automatic for beginners
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July 22, 2010 at 4:35 pm #4129plasticParticipant
After doing a bit of looking, I’m really inclined to give the Aprilia Mana 850 a try, mainly for it’s automatic features. I have a bit of a weak left wrist do to my work (typing/computer+a bit of tendonits).
It does have some “tame” gear modes and even a “rain” mode which puts my mind at ease. It is however a bit heavy (600′) and potentially fast (850cc). Also tempted by the honda dn-01, but that one is quite pricier.
Any thoughts?
A quick about me. Beginner bike, only rode friend’s bikes when I was 16-17, never past 3rd gear (ie – around the block). Beyond that, only mopeds and bicycles. 5’7″, 145 pounds.
Also would like any specific gear tips (jackets, etc) specially for SoCal summer.
Thanks! And awesome website.
July 22, 2010 at 4:49 pm #27690WeaponZeroParticipantI would not call either the DN-01 or Aprilia Mana 850 suitable for beginners. Stick with learning a manual for beginners. Worked for all of us.
For gear advice, feel free to contact me. I could write essays on it (in fact I have, for a class assignment LOL).
July 22, 2010 at 8:04 pm #27695ranetteParticipantWould the issue with your left hand absolutely keep you from using a clutch, or would it just be a bit of an inconvenience? If it’s just an inconvenience I’d also urge you to learn to ride a standard transmission. Learning to only ride an automatic will severely limit your choice of rides as you go forward. Take the BRC, learn to ride a traditional bike, once you’ve done that, if you still feel the need, go with something like a Mana or one of the maxiscoots. The DN-01? The look??? The Price??? Has anybody seen one outside of a dealership?
If the clutch is a deal breaker, why not start on a scooter and move up to one of the larger automatics once you have a feel for two wheels?
July 22, 2010 at 8:41 pm #27696Jeff in KentuckyParticipantAlso check out something like this, if you want no clutch lever and the ability to do long 75 mph trips for less money:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2008-yamaha-majesty-review-86641.html
July 23, 2010 at 12:16 am #27700gitchy42ParticipantI would suggest taking ranette’s advice on taking the BRC and considering a scooter.
July 23, 2010 at 6:54 am #27710plasticParticipantYep, either way I still want to take the full riding class (having scheduling conflicts at the moment). As for the wrist, it is hard to tell how it would react, being contitnuos clutching is not something I do. The scooter sounds interesting, but the riding position makes me wonder… If I do go clutch, the suzuki grx and ninja felt pretty good on a “sitting / feel” test – although the sitting position of the suzuki grx’s, etc feel more comfortable to me than the ninja 250.
Again, I will probably find out more once I take the class, yet, still curious as far as the mana, is the oposition to it is it mainly for not learning the clutch or there are also specific power/balance issues for a beginner?
Thanks again.
July 23, 2010 at 12:26 pm #27714ranetteParticipantI learned on a larger bike than most on this site and things have worked out well. Mine was 100lbs lighter, but then again I had the clutch to learn so that probably evened things out.
The reason for my response was more a feeling that it’s best to learn on a geared bike because that is what most bikes are and you’ll be limited in your choice because of a limited skill set. Personally I’m glad that I learned without ABS, though it would certainly be something to look for should I be in the market for another bike.
I think the Mana is a beautiful bike. Though not a typical choice for a beginner, would the 10 or so HP and 100lbs that it has above an SV650(I guess the largest bike that is generally recommended as suitable for any beginner) be offset by not having to learn to use a clutch? Since I’ve never ridden one I can’t give an honest opinion. All I can say first hand is that learning to ride an automatic, in my case a 150cc scooter, was an excellent first step on two wheels.
Other factors would also come into play, your age and maturity level, where you’d be learning(urban, suburban, rural), do you have someone to ride with or would you be on your own, your physical size and condition(you’re talking about a 500lb+ piece of machinery that I guarantee at more than one point you will be trying to catch before it hits the ground), etc.
July 23, 2010 at 1:01 pm #27713CBBaronParticipantNothing wrong with starting on a scooter. They are very practical and still fun to ride.
I think the Mana and DN-01 are a little large and expensive to start with. I would suggest 250cc class scooter. If later on you want to learn to ride a motorcycle it should be a little easier to transition.
If you take a basic rider course they will provide a motorcycle to learn on. So you will have the oppurtunity to learn to shift and use a clutch. If your hand/wrist can survive the class then I think you will not have any trouble with using the clutch on a regular basis. The class is alot of low speed maneuvers so you will use the clutch in the class much more often than you normally would unless your riding is off-road or in the city.Craig
July 23, 2010 at 5:50 pm #27717eonParticipantAs a scooter rider for the past 2 years I can confirm they can be a lot of fun. Lots of choices out there depending on what appeals to you. BUT, given you were pointed in this direction because of a weak left wrist I have to point out the back brake on a scooter is the lever on the left handlebar. Basically you have just replaced the clutch with the back brake. It’s probably a bit of a wash which one puts more strain on your wrist but in the event of an emergency and your wrist isn’t cooperating quickly enough what would you prefer to mess up, pulling in the clutch or the back brake?
Off the top of my head I’m pretty sure the Mana still has the back brake under your right foot so your left hand has almost nothing to do. I’m sure you could learn on the Mana. I haven’t looked up the specs and how much the rain mode subdues things but I’m sure it’s possible. Not the easiest choice but certainly doable I would think.
It’s hard to make a recommendation without knowing the extent of your problem. But my gut feeling is if you cannot handle a regular bike then I would think long and hard about before going for a Mana. Your left hand does more than just operate the levers, it also provides steering input. If you need to remove your hand from the bar for extended periods to rest it then that puts you at risk.
And by Suzuki GRX I take it you meant GSX-R? If so then that bike is not suitable for any beginner regardless of your condition.
July 23, 2010 at 6:50 pm #27718TrialsRiderParticipant…just some points to be aware of: Some bike clutches are cable actuated and others are hydraulically actuated, hydraulic has a much lighter lever force and can be recognized by the fluid reservoir on the top of the lever. Cable actuators get progressively stiffer with ageing of the cable and the internal nylon ‘cam’ parts.
Lever positioning can make a big difference also, moving the lever in on the bars will give you a better purchase, if your fingers are long enough and rotating them on the bar to a different aspect can accommodate personal comfort preference.
The bigger the engine, the stronger the clutch need be to hold it’s power. Some bikes even have a dry plate clutch ( like a car ) instead of the more popular multi-plate wet clutch. Dry clutches are physically lighter and hold the power more easily because of inherent increased friction, but they do not take anywhere as much rider abuse.
July 24, 2010 at 4:27 am #27722eternal05ParticipantA lot of your (plastic) comments suggest to me that you’re severely handicapped by not having riding experience. I’m not talking about thousands of miles. I’m just talking about two days’ worth of comprehensive riding (i.e., all aspects of riding covered). I know this is impossibly idealistic, but you need to take that MSF beginning riders course before you go thinking about what “feels comfortable,” what suits you, etc. I’m not trying to slam you or make you feel dumb. You’re doing exactly what I did and what everybody does when looking into starting a motorcycling career: you look for what fits the image in your head and the intangible desires you have, rather than trying to figure out what’s really right for you. That’s natural, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you realize it and catch yourself.
I have nothing against Suzuki GSX-Rs, nor do I have anything against the Aprilia Mana. They’re great bikes. But neither are beginner bikes. This is particularly true of the GSX-Rs, and the fact that you, at 5’7″, were more comfortable on a GSX-R than you were on a Ninja 250 tells me that you simply don’t know what to look for yet. My GSX-R is track-converted, and it’s a fantastic bike for that, but it’s uncomfortable as all hell next to any “standard” bike. The seat is high and the clip-ons are low; your upper body is pushed forwards, and your feet are shoved practically up to your butt. Hell, at 5’7″ I’m amazed you could even get your feet to the ground over the 32″ seat (33″ is the half-way point up your body). The Ninja has a much more upright sitting position, a more relaxed position for your legs, and would put you a lot lower to the ground, making it easier to flat-foot and easier to catch if the weight gets the better of you.
Finally, with respect to clutch vs. automatic, I’d be surprised if you could really not use a clutch yet still manage to ride a bike. All the same, I’d definitely check out the BRC and see how two days of solid riding feels. If your hand/wrist really do bother you, try a scooter. If they don’t, then your whole world has opened back up and you have tons of great beginner bikes to choose from.
Good luck figuring this stuff out, and do let us know how things go!
July 24, 2010 at 8:00 pm #27736Jeff in KentuckyParticipantAnother tip for a scooter is that the brake levers at the handlebars can be moved to foot levers, with a fairly small amount of custom fabrication. This would be a lot cheaper than the Aprilia Mana in stock condition, and you would not have a motorcycle with too much power for a beginner.
I would sign up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner course, and rent a little scooter for at least a day or two while you are waiting for the class, to do some parking lot practice for braking and turning slow.
July 24, 2010 at 8:02 pm #27737plasticParticipantI actually meant the gsx 650, and/or the gladius (they are somewhat similar in height, etc). I figure again the class is the way to go, unfortunatelly I will have to wait for that as they classes I s found in a 20mile ratio all include an (impossible) 4pm wednesday classroom.
A friend who is rider is very anti small bikes – he claims the lack of power/weight could actually get me in trouble (balance, wind, bumps), which is why I was pondering on the suzuki’s, being it the next small on the line. The wrist should be figured out in the 2 day class…
In any case, thanks again for all the info, and for “pulling me off the automatic cliff” – my impatient was about to take the best of me.
Any more advice is of course helpful. And I update as son as I take the class.
July 24, 2010 at 8:14 pm #27739Jeff in KentuckyParticipantThe Suzuki GSX650F with an MSRP of $7,899 is really too much power for a beginner on the street, unless you have some dirt bike experience and your wrists are fairly strong.
In most cases, the 250cc Kawasaki Ninja moves around just a little extra from the wind, and only for the strongest side gusts. It is not the most comfortable for riding 500 miles a day at 75 mph or with a passenger, but these should be avoided by a beginner anyways. In the 1970s a lot of people rode 350cc bikes across the country with a passenger, but power inflation to make dealers more money and give riders more status has made this seem impossible to many now.
Here is a good article about first bikes:
July 25, 2010 at 5:26 am #27751eternal05ParticipantThe GSX650F is about 500 lbs.
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