[bgin2ryd]

Hello,

I was wondering if I can get some advice.
Late 30’s and never ridden a motorcycle. I am eager to learn and plan to take a safety course this spring and purchase my first motorcycle.
I don’t intend to use it for my main source of transportation but to ride on weekends (time permitting) and a few days during the week (weather permitting), I live in the north east.
Not sure which of the 500 series motorcycles will work best being a newbie. Or is a 500 not the best choice?
Will a sport bike (Ninja 500) be easier to learn on or a cruiser (Vulcan 500)?
I would like to see myself someday riding a Harley,either a Street Glide or a Softail.
Thanks!!!

[Kickprivate]

You’re on the right tract here. 500 CC’s is a good range to start in. Check out some of these articles. As far bikes, if you are after a cruiser and want a harley in the future, do your research on the Vulcan or like bike.

https://bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/why-600cc-motorcycle-not-good-beginner-bike-updated

Vulcan Review
https://bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/kawasaki-vulcan-500-ltd-review

And for SAG’s here is the ninja 500.
https://bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/kawasaki-ninja-500-review

I ride a ninja 500 and love it. I also love the fact that you don’t really get into trouble on it until you about 7k RPM’s. That’s when I feel the bike really comes alive!

[bgin2ryd]

Thanks for responding. The Vulcan 500 looks like my best option.

[bgin2ryd]

Someone who has been riding for a while mentioned to check out the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic.
I went down to the local dealer & checked it out. Very Nice bike!!!
Dealer mentioned this would be a bike I could handle after taking the safety class and wouldn’t be over taxing for a novice.
He mentioned it is better to grow into a bike than to grow out of one such as a Vulcan 500.
It is hard to trust someone when there is a sale to be made. The Vulcan 900 felt very comfortable.
Any thoughts on this???

[Ben]

I just don’t agree with the logic “it is better to grow into a bike than grow out of one”. This is going to be your first bike not your last bike, you don’t need something that is beyond your skill level. You don’t throw someone who is just learning to box in a ring with mike tyson, that would be rediculous. Sure he MIGHT learn faster because he is forced to, but chances are he is just going to get beat up a lot. If you throw that same person in the ring with someone who matches their skill then they will learn a lot more, and they won’t get nearly as injured.

The same could be said for motorcycles, and you should get a bike that fits your skill level and not jump into the ring on a bike that is more than a newbie should handle.

Once again, just get a bike that is used, cheap (because you will probably drop it), and one with a manageable power output that won’t send you into trees with the flick of a wrist.

(on a side note although the vulan900 is one of the tamer 900cc bikes out there, I think the fact that it is so expensive and heavier than the vulcan 500 makes it a poor choice as a beginner bike. I dropped my first bike 3 times in the first 6 months and it was only a little gs500 which weighs MUCH less than a vulcan 900).

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Jake]

Definately start on the 500, the lighter the better when you are starting out. You can always move up form a smalller bike,

[bgin2ryd]

Advice makes lots of sense. I’ll go with it – thanks!

[Author]

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