[EdmondsCubFan]

Hi. I don’t own a motorcycle but two people in my condo are married, in their 50’s and just bought Harley’s. Harley’s are too pricey for me. I’ve never ridden on nor driven a motorcycle. I don’t want a racing bike. Just something “old-fashioned” looking (black, chrome, big and able to move someone my size 6ft 3 205 lbs around easily. I don’t want to spend a ton of money. Although some of the models at 15 K look pretty cool, I can’t afford that. I live in the greater NW so I probably would only ride from March through September. So, if I’m “gonna” buy it would be in February 2009. I have so many questions: best bike for a big guy? what do I look for? How long does a bike last? where to store in cold months? where to take classes? How to practice before I get license? How much is insurance? How much do riding pants, jacket, helmet, boots, and other accessories cost?

I’m totally new. Please be patient with what are probably very common questions. thanks,

Luke the cubs fan in Edmonds

[smokeizfire]

http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/bg-first-bike.php

Now, assuming that you saw this page……
https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/beginner-motorcycles-dont-look-beginner-motorcycles
…and you still don’t like any thing there(don’t feel bad, I didn’t either)…I suggest these
Honda Shadow Aero…(the biggest that most people say you should go)
http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/cruiser_standard/model.asp?ModelName=Shadow+Aero&ModelYear=2008&ModelId=VT750C8
V-Star 650 Classic
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/21/0/home.aspx
Hyosung GV650
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/newsNservice/service_hotproduct.asp
Or my favorite Hyosung GV250(proud owner)
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/product/introduction.asp?Cat=Cruise&model=GV250
More Alternative Cruisers Johnny Pag 250-300cc motorcycles
http://www.johnnypag.com/
And the bike my friend started on
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2008_Motorcycles/2008_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US

Just a few selections and alternatives out there for the picking.

Believe me when I tell you. You are going to get a lot of…start 250cc or no bigger than 500cc. If you were shopping in the sport bike market I would agree. However, as for cruisers, a friend who is a little younger than you are started on a 883 Harley Davidson. In my opinion, if you’re pretty tempered in driving. You’ll more than likely be the same on a bike. Speaking of driving, in California your driving record will determine your rate of insurance on a bike(of course other aspects as well like your neighborhood, length of time you’ve had a license, etc.) Don’t know if it’s the same in your state. If so, hope you been keeping the moving violations to a minimum.LOL As far as gear goes, you’ll pay as much as you do or don’t…will or won’t shop around. I think a fair estimate for Helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots can range from around $400-1000. Depends on how deep your pockets are. Condo you said? Yours seem deep enough. LOL : ^ )

HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS

[zgotzilla]

Fully agree with above post. Honda Aero or Yamaha Star offers very good quality, outstanding cruiser looks, and very reasonable prices. Seems to me Honda and Yamaha have locked up quality, while HD has a reputation for requiring constant repairs. Check how many Honda and Yamaha cycles are on the road or for sale after twenty years. Buy a quality Honda or Yamaha for a fraction of an HD, and enjoy riding your cycle, instead of constantly having to repair it.

[Rab]

Spend some time looking back through the threads on this board and you’ll find out most of what you want to know; or at least be aware of all the varying opinions

A great place to start is by getting yourself a copy of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles” which should be available at any of the big book chains or online. It covers a multitude of things a new motorcyclist should know.

The main thing I disagree with the book on is some of their “Recommended First Bikes”. I’m of the opinion that most brand new riders should begin on a 250 c.c. bike for 6 months to a year (think “training wheels”) before moving on to something bigger. If you buy a used 250, you can sell it in 6 or 9 months for pretty much what you paid for it.

You *can* learn on any engine size bike, but learning to ride a 250 to its limits, will make you a better rider than learning on a 650 or bigger and being scared of it.

BTW: I was older than you, 6′ and ~185 when I started riding; on a Honda Nighthawk 250 which is not fake retro, it’s real retro

Suggested *second* “old-fashioned” bikes? Yes, any of the japanese 600 c.c. and up cruisers, an HD Sportster 883, or if you like the old Brit Bike look, a Triumph Bonneville (Triumph started making them again).

[Rupmisc]

Agree with the prior post. You should do your research, and the book Rab recommends is quite good (I wonder when they will update it). A used nighthawk 250 is quite retro and can be had used pretty inexpensively.

[Author]

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