[project2501]

Hey everyone … thanks in advance for reading. I am about to buy my first bike and after doing a lot of research I am looking for something that is small enough for me to handle (as a beginner) but something that I won’t be bored with in 3 months. Looks-wise, I’m looking for something in the “standard” neighborhood. I really love the looks of the Harley Sportster, but I am obviously not going to run out and buy one as the smallest ones I’ve seen are 1200cc and there’s no way in hell I’m starting on something that big. Same goes for the Honda VTX … love the way they look, but they just dont make em small enough.

I guess what I’m asking, in a very roundabout way, is for some suggestions of Year/Make/Model that are in the vein of those two bikes i mentioned above… I know that the true test of which bike I buy will be to actually RIDE, but as I’m still in the process of getting my license and training, looks are all I have to go on…

Thanks again for any suggestions you may have!

[Munch]

Go butt test everything…. sit on it…. get the sales person to hold it fully upright for you and get your feet off the ground and on the pegs/floor boards.

Note: The basic Sportster is an 883…not the 1200.

[CBBaron]

I believe most/all of the Japanese manufacturers have a cruiser in the 500-650cc range.
Sportsters have the advantage of a low seat and reasonable power (similar to a 650 sport twin) but they are heavy for a beginner. A sportster weighs around 550lb while something like a Ninja 500 is 400lb, and a 250r is about 350lb. This means slow speed handling can be a challenge to learn and little mistakes can result in a drop where a lighter bike you can recover.

If you are a large strong person then that may work for you. Myself i would rather get a good used smaller bike to learn on then when I have more confidence buy what I really want. I think I will know much better after riding a bike for 5 or 10 thousand miles what I want in a bike than I do right now.

Craig

[TrialsRider]

2010 Honda Shadow RS has the H-D 883 look down pat, but it’s still large for a beginner at 45 cubic inch. (Owlie is gonna love this:) Check out the Suzuki S40 at 40ci. it makes for a perfect entry level cruiser engine. Has been around forever so there should be lots to choose from used.

[Rab]

You’ll find older S40s called the Suzuki Savage. It’s the same motorcycle.

It’s an old style “thumper” (single cylinder engine), so has user friendly power delivery.

They look pretty cool IMO.

Might be a little snug for those over 6 foot tall though.

[project2501]

Good point. I’m 6’1″ and 190lbs. Taking the final classes this weekend .. then next week take the written DMV test and get my permit. THEN maybe I can test some of these suggestions out!

[Author]

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