[Bob Harley]

I finally got the bike I wanted. However, reflecting on the journey this far I can say I now understand why some bikes are better than others for beginners.

At the end of the MSF class, the instructor emphasized that we start small, like 250cc’s and graduate up to bigger bikes as we gain experience. I was going to go out and buy a new bike, maybe a gladius or ninja 650, but the money wasn’t there. Not wanting to finance, I decided to wait and began riding my wife’s S40. The 650 single cylinder cruiser is ideal for around town riding (under 60 mph), with power comparable to a small v6 or healthy 4 cyl. car. Swift, but not blazingly fast. It is light and relatively agile for a cruiser, I would ride to work or take a weekend stroll to the foothills and back. What was in my mind a temporary situation, lasted for a year and a half. I came to respect the little cruiser and found that it was rather reliable and easy to use. What I did not know was I was developing my clutch control, braking, acceleration and handling skills. Sure I knew I was getting better, but turning those skills into reflexes is what prepared me for what happened next.

Last weekend I went out to look at a SV650. Used, low milage, good price. Dealer gave me the keys and told me to take it for a ride. On my first right hand corner, at 5 to 10 mph, the back end slipped out from underneath me (It had new tires too). Without thinking, I adjusted the throttle and steering and corrected the mistake without disaster. I bought the bike and have been riding it daily every since. But in all honesty, if I hadn’t earned my experience on the S40, I would have dropped the SV650 first time out. For those who ask, “I’m gonna buy my first bike, is a 600cc bike ok? What about a 650 v-twin?” I think I would now say “Choose wisely!”

Some riders have a gift and can start off with nearly any bike, I’ve meet a few. But the conventional wisdom seems to fit conventional people like me. I recommend earn your experience and skills safely.

And as a side note to buying new bikes or bikes with fairings, I already dropped mine while parked. No damage to my naked bike, but if it had been a bike with a fairing, the way it fell would have damaged a fairing quite badly. I was certain I would never drop my shinny bike. Yesterday I learned that I am not special and mistakes happen. I hope someone benefits from this experience.

[madjak30]

Excellent example of why you should start out with a lower powered bike, the more power there is, the quicker things can go sideways on you…(pun intended…)…the other thing that I would suggest, make sure it is comfortable for you…I bought my bike because I liked the looks of it (and it was highly recommended as a beginner bike…GS500) and found that the leg room is a little tight for me…now I am wanting to upgrade this year to a bike with more leg room(I’m going to a more powerful bike at the same time)…I really don’t need the extra power, as the GS500 has enough to get me into trouble, but if I am going to buy a new bike I am going to get one with a little more powa…although I still like my GS, so I am really looking at a naked Bandit…similar looks and lots more room and power…or maybe a Honda 919…

Later.

[Author]

Posts