[Munch]

Side note: also look at teh Vulcan 500 before I sold mine I was avg’ing 48-50 mpg all at 75+ mph. My ride to work is 36 miles to work and well depending on my mood various on the way back. It holds highway speeds very comfortably and does not get pushed around either. It has the same engine base as the Ninja 500 just geared more for cruiser style riding. Also the positioning of your feet is not that far forward. Just addin options.

[Munch]

Personally, let “them” provide everything you can get from them. You provide only your interest in the bike. If you feel like you need to take money bring only enough to convince the seller to hold it for you. Gives you time to walk away and de-dazzle yourself and think rationally on the purchase. Ask any and all questions…even the seemingly dumb ones. Check your motor vehicles sites to see what is gonna be required for title changes and tag registration. Also make sure you are up to date on your states inspection policies if any apply. As a matter of fact you can use those policies to help look for possible problems before the purchase. If you know it won’t pass the inspection process likely there’s underlying things wrong also. If you state doesn’t have inspection laws ( Ga does not if I remember correctly so not all will) Use another states.
As always look for dents, scratches and rust. Observe the site in daylight and shadow to get a good chance to see imperfections. Ask the person to fire it up, even ask them to give you a demo of how well the bike works, meaning make them actually ride it. Try to get any and all service records. …..ummmm
ok distracted by lasagna will add more as my stomach allows.

[Munch]

First question…. what style? Sport, dual sport, cruiser etc.

[Munch]

Congrats!!!! I have heard the regulations on military bases are more strict then civilian standards in most states. Just be careful and …well….. as we used to say when we were kids…. your only in trouble if you get caught. LOL…. I know not the right thing to say, but I can never manage to get a new toy and not play with it the first 15 mins its in my possession.

[Munch]

Practice or not to practice. I did…. so I can’t say not to. However I can say this….
When I got my V500 I had my boss man ride it home for me. It gave me a chance to watch how he rode and the mechanics involved in it. For my brain it helped me. I can watch others on their bike and then hear me tell myself that its gonna be different for mine cause I have a different bike. Well after he dropped it off I waited for him to leave, geared up and went through every sighting I could of controls and mechanisms. Then I went through the start up process several times. Next step was just getting use to the clutch. MSF will do this for you to when you take it….though I didn’t know that at the time. I would let the clutch out extremely slow to get used to the point of engagement and release. Rocking back and forth for what was probably mundane. Once I felt comfortable with that I got used to the throttle, out of gear. Alot of beginners don’t realise how little the throttle has to be turned to get a response. Once you feel comfortable with that…. put it in first again (shoulda added that part with the clutching aspect but I figure it would be assumed)slowly let out the clutch and give it very lil throttle. Go about a couple of feet and start the whole process again. Your building muscle memory. I went through as far as Shut down, kickstand, dismount….then back on, start up , kick stand and clutching again. Eventually move your distance traveled a bit further each time and next thing you know your off and running. The very next most important step is to train your right hand to relax … ESPECIALLY on left hand turns. Alot of people keep the death grip on the throttle and when turning left the throttle goes away from your body, death grip on…the throttle starts to roll and ut oh…… better make sure you are in the frame of mind to remember that the clutch disengages forward motion. Not ok lets ride this bugger out. After that…its just pushing your comfort level increments at a time.

[Munch]

LOL….make sure to leave the camera on when you try that theory. I want to hear the OH $#1T!

[Munch]

Just want to make clear.. .I am all about helmet usage. The constitutional argument has actually worked on some cases. Though I do not have to worry cause my skull is worth more to me then a lawsuit or ticket.
The thing that got me searching is the fact that I work on some LEO’s private cars here and they couldn’t ever agree on one standard. Even the DOT sticker is subjective as apparently there are some out there with bogus ones that tend to muddle it up more.
I have heard even in some cases in NY where a LEO (I’m not from there, this is from an ex LEO) has it in his power to step on the alleged helmet or infraction and if it cracks they get ticketed twice. Not to mention buy a new helmet.

[Munch]

Still mulling over the “street classic style” idea. Nightster and 883 I do not recommend. Not impossible to learn on but the odds are against ya a bit more then normal.
5’7″ and they are too small for you… nah don’t see it. I am 5’10’ and started on a Vulcan 500. Compared to length, and power its smaller then the nightster and 883. Someones trying to get a comission of ya.
The only right advice anyone really can give is to sit on anything and everything you can and find whats comfortable for YOU. Leave the ego at home, heck leave the friends at home if they can’t be more concerned for your safety rather then their “cool factor by proxy”.

[Munch]

I agree. Not sure if what you use has IP capture or not, but I am assuming un verified does not. If they want to be part of the community they will have no reserves about registering. If they do have issues with it, likely they are up to less then good anyway. Takes less then 30 secs to log in.
Especially since if you type “Best beginners bikes” in the search bar BBM is #1 listed.

[Munch]

Grats! and while its still….. “cool” in TX temperature wise… to help with the copenhagen..get a full face helmet….First time you figure out you’re better swallowing then trying to spit… Yea quitting will come easy.

[Munch]

I had put the tape on my leather bags on the V500…. my co workers followed me home one time and told me they are almost too reflective. Which is a good thing. I am plotting spots on my V900 but theres lil black to put them on. So I will think on designing something on my custom home painted helmet instead. Besides that I have a Chrome “sissy bar” plate that sends their headlights back at them.

[Munch]

Actually I am more familiar with the point and origin of chaps than likely anyone on here. I grew up ranching and rode bulls for a couple of years . TBH most of my riding is back and forth to work which is 95% super slab. 70+ mph …no ass is the least of my worries.. this summer though I am looking at getting some Draggin’ Jeans though.

[Munch]

TBH I think I have my near final bike with the 900. Will see how it goes in 8 more years after the least kid is on her own.

[Munch]

I wear chaps… aside from the Village people comments it is decent protection…and easier to deal with when you drink to much water.
Besides after you explain what they are really for and the consequences with out them, they usually quiet up.

[Munch]

Welcome!
First and foremost it will depend on your comfort level. Only you can answer that one. The little bit that I know of about the Magna it should be relatively cool for a first bike, just make sure as you said You are VERY careful in the early goings. Make sure to take the MSF or equivalent to help you get a better start. Sit on them both, see which one feels right to YOU.

[Author]

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