My 24 year old daughter said she wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. It was something we could do together. She’s 5’4 and I’m 6’1″. I looked around for a while and found a used 1996 Yamaha virago 250 with 5,000 miles. It was light enough for Mary, and she could touch the ground. It also fit me. At first, this bike seemed huge. At first, this bike seemed more than we could master
We got our permits and signed up for the “Riders Edge” course at the local Harley dealer. Boy was that ever a good decision.
$300 bucks a piece but really worth it. We got all the embarrassing, silly, mistake stuff out of the way on a big parking lot with great instructors who showed us how not to develop bad habits right from the start. Passing that course got us our endorsement, making it easier to get a license
We practiced around home in parking lots and on side streets and gradually getting better. We went to dealerships and bought helmets and gloves and jackets.
Within 4 months we saw we were outgrowing the Virago. You could ride a bike that size forever, but there comes a point where you want to feel comfortable on a freeway or larger highway, and you see how lightweight helps you learn, but doesn’t help you when a big truck goes by.
I advertised the virago and sold it within a week for the same price I paid for it, $1400. I looked around for a few weeks and found a used Yamaha v-star classic 1100 cc, for $5000, with 7000 miles. It’s amazing, and counterintuitive, but once you learn on a small bike, the step up to a larger cruiser makes riding seem easier. It’s heavier and more powerful, but it’s also much more stable. It’s one of those “aha” moments. The freeway is easy once you are capable on the larger bike. Plenty of power, and you feel very secure. (Remember the rider’s edge course forces you to learn how to control a bike at slow speed.)
I could have stayed with the 1100 forever. It’s plenty of motorcycle for anybody. But just like any hobby that you get into, you eventually want to get the feel of a new bike. I traded the 1100 for $4700. After 8 months of fun and learning how on the 1100, I bought a new Yamaha V-star 1300 tourer. Total cost of the new bike was $11,000 including prep and tax. Fuel injection, lots of power, great looks, some nice chrome, and the touring package. After the trade in, the monthly payment on the balance is about $180.
I couldn’t be happier. It costs money to learn and to move up through the smaller bikes, but I believe it’s worth it. Safe practices and safe handling is “everything” . It’s way too easy to get killed or maimed. It’s very serious stuff. But it can be done, and you can have incredible amounts of fun during a process that took us 18 months. My daughter got a hobby and a safe way to learn as she goes through the process of getting her own bike. We learned a lot and I ended up buying a bike that fits what I like to do. I didn’t know it at first, but I’m a cruiser guy, so I need luggage racks and saddle bags and a windshield, and enough engine to get on the freeway safely. All of which I bought, once I had the experience to know it.
I hope all newbies get a chance to read this, and I hope it is helpful.
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