- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by Munch.
I can’t decide…
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August 20, 2009 at 6:01 pm #3333atomxParticipant
Hello: new to the board–first post. It looks like a great place for me to start!
I am planning on getting my first ride within the next year or so, and I am trying to find a bike that will fit my needs the best. I have never before ridden. I will most certainly take the MSF course when I am ready to jump into this. I am 6′ 1″, 185. I will use a motorcycle for a 26-mile commute from Pasadena to the San Fernando Valley (traffic can be a bit rough) and for weekend road trips in excess of 100 miles. I am interested in comfort, a stable ride, and enough power to make the long trips enjoyable. I also want to make the right choice in terms of developing my skills as a rider. I am in my mid 40’s, so I am past the point in my life of living and driving recklessly, and am in excellent physical shape.
To this point, I am looking at the following:
1. Kymco Venox 250–affordable, 418 pounds, beginner bike that looks like a larger one, not so great in hills.
2. Kawaski Vulcan 500, heavier at 471 pounds, not as visually appealing as the Kymco IMO, but perhaps a better long-term purchase…
3. Honda Shadow 750–the largest and heaviest at 553 pounds, the most expensive, and the most visually appealing to myself. I know this one is big for a beginner, but I have found several comments on the web stating that it “rides small,” (whatever that means), and that it could be a good first bike for someone my size and maturity. I’d like this one, as it is one that I could see holding onto for a long time, assuming I safely learn how to use it at the beginning, but don’t want to take unnecessary risks.So, I’d appeciate any comments about any of this. Are there any other bikes I should consider, given my needs?
Cheers.
August 20, 2009 at 6:17 pm #21825zeppelinfromledParticipantHow set are you on the cruiser style? I would at least look at and sit on some sport bike/sport touring bikes. As a first pass, check out the Kawasaki lineup (Ninja 250, Ninja 500, and Ninja 650) as well as the Suzuki SV650. These bikes have a more upright posture (if that’s part of what draws you to cruisers), but you can still tuck down if you want. The seat tends to be higher off the ground, which wouldn’t be a problem with your height, although the four bikes that I mentioned have lower seats than a lot of true sport bikes. I ride a Ninja 650, and it fits all of your requirements as far as I’m concerned. You’ll need to work up to trips over 100 miles, but I suspect that you’ll need to do that on whatever bike you get.
So those are the sport bikes I would look at. I’m not very knowledgeable about cruisers, so I can’t comment too much. But I know that the Vulcan and the Shadow are popular bikes. If I had gotten a cruiser, it probably would have been the Shadow 750 (I didn’t do that much research, so I can’t be sure).
August 20, 2009 at 6:47 pm #21826MunchParticipantFor cruisers… the V500 is a great bike to start with. At 6′ 1″ it might come in a touch small. Forward controls can be had to help it fit. My uncle started on the Shadow 750 and it is a bit larger then the V500. With your mindset and you stick to it, I see no problems with it being a viable first for you.
Take the MSF first and foremost. It’s a smaller investment to see if you even like riding. After that , butt tests are next. -
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