[an-evil-doer]

I am going to look into this very soon, it seems like a much better option for me and will probably end up being less expensive than taking time off work anyway.

[maltesefalcn]

Howdy… I took the MSF as a new rider this past March, spent the entire riding season (1500+ miles) getting used to riding on a 10-year old Sportster, the 883 Low. It was a lot of fun, with just a few missteps. Now my wife is taking the MSF course (beginning this evening, actually), so I got to go buy something new and pass along the old Sporty to her.

I fell in love with the looks of the Scrambler, and I did test ride one before I bought it. I’ve had it for two weeks or so, and I’m not here to talk you out of it because it’s a lot of fun. Got plenty of pep for being an 865cc, I don’t know how it compares to sport bikes because I’ve never ridden one, but it’s faster than most cars on the road I can tell you that. It also handles well at both high and low speeds, good around curves as well as parking lots. The heat shields over the right-side exhaust pipes work fine, I wear nothing more than regular jeans when I ride.

That said, I am only 5’9 or so, and the one downside (apart from the lack of self-cancelling turn signals, which I do miss) is the reach to the ground. My inseam is only 29, so there ain’t no flatfooting it on this bike, as opposed to my 883 Low that put my soles firmly on the ground. This is of no consequence while riding, the midmounted pegs and wide bars are quite comfortable. Even stopping at traffic lights is okay, you just do one-foot-down. But backing up the bike by foot, especially up an incline, is challenging. Be sure to get your hands on one at a dealership (if you haven’t already with this 2 month old forum thread) and make sure you are comfortable handling one, emergency stopping with feet down, etc.

I like my Scrambler, but glad I did some months of riding on an “easy” bike like the Sporty Low first.

[plastic]

I’m pretty new myself. I took most of the msf on a the virago V250. Very easy to ride, but wasn’t a fan of the foot pedals, although I’m sure that could be fixed.

I did test drive a v7 guzzi, which looks awesome, btw. And did test a ninja 250 and an aprilia shiver. the V7 of all those had a very “touchy” clutch – basically the only bike I stalled of the 4 I rode. And I stalled 2x. So do ride it before you buy it to check it out.

All the other ones felt fine, but I guess you’ll find out for yourself on the msf.

Enjoy!

[an-evil-doer]

I finally went to sit on a few bikes. The scrambler is way too tall to be comfortable for me. I can’t reconcile it at all because it obviously would be much harder to learn on when I can’t even touch toes down, and even if I was able to talk myself into it by abandoning common sense for image–I imagine I look more like a little kid with his feet dangling while he sits on the can than Steve McQueen when I am on it.

The Bonne was a much more comfy but still is a bit intimidating at this point for weight. I looked for the tu250 but it is not available in CA. As much as I thought I wasn’t into sports bikes I started to warm up to the ninja250 with the idea of graduating to a street triple R or little monster when I get mo better. They all three seemed pretty comfortable and can be lowered with seats shaving and link springs.

Still have been way too swamped at work to sign up for the class but I have made a deal with myself that I have to do this in the next month or so. Have to. None of the HD dealerships near me offer the riders edge course. So I have got to take a weekend off and that isn’t easy.

I talked to two salesmen, one (triumph) immediately told me I would hate a 250 within a week–he also knew far FAR less about the bikes he was showing than I did from my research. The other (kawi/suzuki/duccati/aprilia) lightly alluded that I may get bored with a small bike quickly, but did admit it wasn’t a bad idea to start small in a quiet voice. Both were crestfallen that I didn’t fit very well on the big money bikes. As a salesman myself I was reminded just how much good service means. Either one could have won me over because one of them is likely to get a big sale in a year or so from me, even if I don’t get my first bike from them in the next few weeks. Neither quite did it.

From specs, the V7 looks to be too tall too. I still want to see it in person and find out about lowering options. I guess I am probably mostly shopping for my second bike right now though. It is becoming pretty clear to me that a 250 is the right choice for me to start.

Eli

[ranette]

You need to sit on each bike. You can have bikes of the same seat height but a narrower seat will enable you to get your feet down while a wider seat wouldn’t, and if you are only talking about 1/2″ to an inch sometimes that can be done by reshaping the seat rather than any sort of lowering links.

I’ve written this before in other threads, but I’ll repeat it because you state that you’re pretty much talking about your second bike. Once you have some miles under your belt seat height will become less and less of a factor. Take it from me and my 5’6″ frame with very stubby legs, there are simple steps to ride comfortably, safely and confidently without being able to flatfoot your bike; again, I am talking about your second bike.

[Author]

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