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fist bike: cruiser/standard or sportsbike?
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October 21, 2008 at 1:49 pm #14121Clay DowlingParticipant
I don’t know about all of them, but my Magna is definitely not in that crazy feet-forward position. The shadows that I have seen are also like that, but there is a lot of variation in the Shadow line.
October 21, 2008 at 5:16 pm #14137DeD FredGuestIve riden stuff some of you have never even heard of before. They are long forgotten.
I rode dirt bikes from the timer I was 5 until I was 18. Both my parents were professional racers.
My ole man would say: “Dont matter how fast you go, if you dont know how to fall, your going to get hurt”
I have ridden standards, many many cruisers, and a few superbikes, (big sporkbikes)
When starting out you all will have to find your balance point.
The more aggessive the rider position, and the more foward your body weight is, the less your weight you have sitting over the rear tire.
The less weight you have over your rear tire, the more apt it is to kick out from under you.
I allways reccomend a standard when starting off, then you can progress to a sportier style frame.
October 21, 2008 at 6:05 pm #14143Maverick9110EParticipantWould you guys consider a Ninja 500 more of a standard? I too am debating between the two, i havent sat on either but the thought of being hunched over a tank just seems uncomfortable. it seems like the 2000ish design of the 500 seems a little more upright and theres no huge tank to “hump” so it seems like a good first bike. I like the look of the 250’s but it definitley seems to small for me. (6’2″ 250lbs) my dream bike even though ive never ridden one is a Harley V-Rod muscle. i love the muscle cruiser look, and it seems fairly comfortable. it seems like a hybrid between the two, however spending 19k and having a 1000+ cc harley as your first bike is retarded to say the least, lol. Espescially when im trying to keep the cost of it down. I really want something to commute back and forth to work on and around here its half back roads and half highway. plus id like to do a little pleasure riding on the weekends. so i really do need like a good combo bike.
October 21, 2008 at 6:28 pm #14149Clay DowlingParticipantIf you’re gonzo for the Harley look, but don’t want the Harley price tag on a first bike (which is perfectly reasonable), look at the Honda Shadow. For a lot less money you can get the same kind of power. Most importantly for you, there is a good used market for them, so you can get one without breaking the bank. I know two people with Shadows and they really like them. You can also get them in a 750, which is a little large but saner than a liter bike.
October 22, 2008 at 1:23 pm #14180AndrewParticipantI think the Ninja 500 from 2007 and earlier has the same almost standard riding position as the 250.
October 22, 2008 at 2:12 pm #14181JimParticipantYes the Ninja 500 has the same body style has the pre 2008 Ninja 250. Nice thing about that style is you can ride straight up or if you want to shift your butt back you can get a more tucked position. When I took my 8 hour ride, switching between the two helped with back pains after such a long time in the saddle.
October 22, 2008 at 5:23 pm #14189Maverick9110EParticipantthat’s great news, because the thought of being crouched over for hours on end seems like its just like asking for a sore back. Are there any other standard style bikes like that around that price range i could look at as well? i just like to have options. The honda shadow looks like a great cruiser if i go that route. so far im leaning towards the ninja 500 though. Which im hoping should be just right for my 6’2″ 250-260lb frame
October 22, 2008 at 5:55 pm #14191AndrewParticipantThe Nighthawk is a standard and comes in different sizes.
October 22, 2008 at 11:41 pm #14197DaggerParticipantIf you like the Harley look, the best cheap cruisers you could start on would be either the Honda Shadow, Yamaha V-Star, Suzuki Savage or Kawasaki Vulcan…
I just want to make it out of this life alive…
October 23, 2008 at 8:11 pm #14229Maverick9110EParticipantOk so i’m really liking the Vstar lineup, from what i’ve reaserached and asked around about. However everyone i talk to thinks im crazy when i talk about a 650. They say im way to big for it? 6’2-3″ and 250-260lbs. average build. however i really like the looks of the 950. but i’m worried it might be to much power for a new rider who’s never ridden before? Am i thinking correctley? I don’t really intended to goes balls to the wall with the bike. just back and forth to work, and some cruises on the weekend through the backroads. Granted i totally see myself getting hooked on motorcycles and doing it for a long time.
So is everyone else right about needing a bigger bike, or should i stick with a smaller 650? I really value your guys opinion over everyone else’s.
October 23, 2008 at 11:50 pm #14234MunchParticipantStick with the 650… It’ll be lighter, more manageable, less on insurance and more then you’ll really need. I have the Vulcan 500…..realistically I never need to upsize, I drive 30+ miles one way to work and then back + a few extra if I get out early enough. She handles 80 and 90 mph easily with plenty for passing. Another thing to think of if not for mere forgiveness of a rookie operator in most cases the higher the CC the lower the MPG.
Theres not a rider I ride with that would be able to outrun me with me on my Vulcan…honestly they are smart enough to worry about such pissing contests…. besides they know how I race :^) ( “Officer I would like to report a reckless motorcycle driver…I am holding highway speeds and he went by me like I was standing still….. the license number is………. “)The 650 is plenty, if your comfortable on it…..then thats all that matters.
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm #14248bryan1980ParticipantI was a cruiser guy, but now I’m more interested in sport/standards, like the Ninja 500R or 650R. That 650 looks like a really sweet bike! It seems to me that you get more for your money (disc brakes front & rear, fuel injection, etc.) with a bike like a Ninja 650, than you do with an entry-level cruiser. My ultimate goal is to get one of the big sport-tourer mounts one day. My plan goes in this order:
1. Start with a Ninja 500R or 650R
2. Move to the Honda Interceptor (what a sweet bike!!!)
3. Then maybe a Concours, FJR1300, or ST1300
4. Then, if the wife will ride with me, Goldwing all the way!October 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm #14247Maverick9110EParticipantGreat!! thanks for the suggestion. That’s pretty much where my train of thought was, just wanted to sort of confirm it. I mean, i don’t see how having a lighter easier bike to ride would be a bad thing, lol. plus MPG and cost is a big factor for me for this bike. Thanks for everyone’s help. you guys are great!
and as for the VROD thing, i totally didn’t mean buying it as a first bike, lol. Maybe one day down the road, but definitley not anywhere near great for a first bike. i just love the styling of it, and the VMAX from yamaha, its like that sporty, muscle, cruiser look. i love it. i wish they made a less CC version of one.
October 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm #14256DaggerParticipantI’m 6’1, 190lbs.. The size of the V-Star 650 is pretty perfect for me.. I am thinking about extending my forward controls more forward so I can stretch my legs out a bit more.. But over all it’s a nice fit.. Also the weight of it is not too overpowering.. I feel like it’s a bike I can control rather than a bike that will control me.. You can pick up a 650 used for about 3500 off of Craigslist usually.. Good price for a starter bike.. Then after a year you can always move up to a 950 or 1100..
Dagger
I just want to make it out of this life alive…
October 25, 2008 at 3:04 pm #14295Maverick9110EParticipantdo you have a custom or a classic?
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