[K.Stein]

Hello all,

so I have been reading the reviews on this site (very helpful by the way) and had thought that I liked the look of the Honda rebel. However, the disclaimer proved accurate and it is really a bit too small for me. In addition I would like something that can fit two people, but is still a good beginner bike. Is this possible to find a bike that is both big enough and has few enough ccs to avoid the “learning on a Lamborghini” problem?

[Munch]

What style of bike you looking?
Seeing that you stated rebel, I would be leaning towards thinking cruiser in which case you have the staples:
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Yamaha V-Star 650
Honda 750
Being that these are cruiser set up bikes the higher CC’s aren’t as huge of an issue as the same in a sport bike. The weight of the bikes can be as much as an issue as the power bands. Sit on some , take the MSF, oh and get a lot of solo seat time before you drag a passenger with ya. Huge responsibility.

[briderdt]

The Suzuki version of the V-Star 650.

[CBBaron]

Dual sports and supermotos are light weight smaller engined bikes that usually seem made for tall people. They have higher seat heights and usually greater seat to peg distances than other styles. Most do not provide much room for a passenger, however that is not something you should be doing until you have considerably more experience any ways.

A GS500F seems to be the best fitting of the small sport/standard bikes. It sits upright so it is more of a standard than sport despite the fairings.

Pre-08 Ninja 250Rs also fit pretty well. I’m 6’2″ and its what I ended up with. Your legs are pretty well folded however the rest of the bike feels much larger than bikes like the Rebel. They are also cheap and plentiful, which means its easy to find an inexpensive started bike.

If you buy used and you don’t wreck, then it should cost very little to ride a beginners bike for a season or 2. If you decide you want something different then you are out very little.

Craig

[K.Stein]

Thanks guys, all of these comments have been really helpful. At the moment I am at the beginning of the buying phase, and do plan on checking out (and sitting on) several more bikes before making a decision.

At this point I think that it is very likely that I will buy a bike used, and will try to follow all of your advice.

Thanks again.

[Author]

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