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Self control is more appropriate.
Any motorcycle is capable of speed that is fatal, even the 50cc scooters.

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A bit critical to someone you don’t know..

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Sportbikes durability like GSXRs are difficult to determine, majority of their owners either ride them hard or crash them hard, you probably will not find a GSXR type moto that have little mileage and the previous owner have only easy touring miles on the engine.

Check the tire/chain/sprocket wear if the moto have been ridden hard.

Check the steering bearing if the moto has been doing wheelies/stoppies.

Check the wheels/brake rotors for round and true if it might have been crashed hard.

Depending on your budget, personally I feel something under $3000 is a good start for a beginner bike, mid/late 90’s Honda CBR600F’s are great beginner sportbikes. Hit up your local craigslist, show up with cash in hand usually good for $50 less on the price for me.

If bike needs new tires -$200 from Bluebook price or whatnot..

If bike needs new brake pads/rotors/fluids -$100-250, need new sprockets/chain, -$120

Check the inside of fuel tank for rust; if engine hard to start when cold/idles funky or @high rpm, carbs may require cleaning.. -$100

Buying used moto from a dealer is probably safer, but do expect to pay 15-30% more than private used moto sales.

As I said before, go to your local dealers and try to sit on ALL of the bikes they allow you to.

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At 6’1″, 210 lb. you should have no trouble with most of the motos available out there.
Go to your local dealership, sit or straddle as many motos that your dealer allow you to do so on the showroom floor. Get a feel of what might be comfortable for your physique. Take along a buddy with you, while you straddle the motos, your buddy can hold the moto upright from the forklegs to allow you to try out the seat to peg distance for knee comfort.

Determine what type of riding you plan to do the most, whether it be commuting in city traffic, long distance highway, on/off pavement dual sport rides, twisty canyon carving, multiple day trips.. one moto is not likely to do it all without practice, lots of it.

In my experience, as soons as tempwerature warms up above 40’s for a week the used moto pricing starts to climb… but that’s the eastcoast… don’t know where you are located.

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Thruxton / Scrambler are heavy, torquey bikes.. they look very nice and retro.. I think Monster has better handling character.

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Years back (prior to 2001) as a beginner rider who’s only moto riding experience was 250cc MSF training bike for a few hours.
I travelled overseas to Switzerland. I rented moto for 3 days from Nice, France. The only motos they had available was giant BMW GS or Ducati Monster. I was 5’10” 130 lb., I felt more comfortable on the Monster than the GS. so I rode it through the French/Swiss Alps. It’s a great handling bike, lightweight, and good seat height (for me). Throttle responce can be snatchy, just avoid grabbing a handlful of throttle at all cost.
In the twisties mountain passes in the Alps, the Monster was a great moto… after that experience, I was 80% ready to ride any moto, as if I tamed the wild Italian stalion, I remember I rode a yellow Monster..
If you have a choice, start with the less expensive moto to gain experience, or you could just rent one and buy all the insurance to cover for any mishalp. Monster 750 is not as good of a “beginner moto” as a Ninja 650R, but it is a better bike overall IMO. Just make sure the carbs on that Monster are clean, sync’ed and balanced well.

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I just layer up for the cold/wet/whatever.. it’s been sub-freezing since the new year ’round here, I rode 4 out of 6 days so far this year..

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At 6’3″, your must have somewhat long legs, smaller displacement motos tend to have shorter distance between seat and pegs; having long legs riding a smaller displacement moto would most likely require you to bend your knees more, possibly even bend your knees outward on the moto.. not pretty nor safe.

Motos with single cylinder engine tend to vibrate a bit during highway speed, that vibration tires the rider without warning.

For moto under $2000, you might also look for a used Suzuki Bandit 600.

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Doesn’t look like the covered bridge is meant for vehicle traffic… but I guess it will have to do..
Post up the next tag already…

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Most cycling rain jacket I know have the back of the jacket dorp pretty low, to avoid “rooster tail” wet spots.. You should pull the rear end of your cycling jacket down behind your butt.

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Sometimes carb cleaner or “SeaFoam” would work better if you let it sit in the carbs overnight..

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There are about 20 covered bridges in NJ.. according to: http://www.dalejtravis.com/cblist/cbnj.htm

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The tag requirement clearly states: “a motorcycle and a covered bridge.”

You’ll have to include both in your tag picture.. I don’t want to be so specific that your MP3 is not considered as a motorcycle.. but if you include your MP3 in that covered bridge picture, that would be acceptable.

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$1000 is more than I would spend for a 27 year old moto w/12,000 mi. I’d offer around $500-750 considering it’s wintertime, depending on the conditions of the tires, brake pads, hoses, etc,..

GS650G is a decent bike, but more than likely not worth $1000, I’d save your money and look for a mid/late 90’s Ninja 250 around $1500.

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I have lane splitted with less than enough clearance between the handlebars and still have never hit a car mirror.. 2 feet of clearance on each side is like moving through regular traffic flow..

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