Need a Starter Bike, Too tall for Rebel

[matt6]

Heres the deal:

I am 18 and share a car with my brother. We work in two different places this summer, and I really dont feel like walking. I've started to seriously entertain the idea of getting a bike. I am 6'1' 175 lbs, and every dealer ive talked to said I would look like a clown on a honda rebel. I cant do a sport bike because I hear the insurance is CRAZY, although I love how the Ninja 250 looked.

So I am just looking for some suggestions. I'm really just looking for a bike (NOT SCOOTER) to get around town and my future college campus.

I have around $4k to spend.

I only just recently have my permit, and my parents hate the idea of me getting a bike because no one we know actually rides.

-Matt

[Dodsfall]

Check into some of the dual-sport bikes. The seats are really high and they make great bikes to learn on.

[matt6]

Is there a bike that you can recommend that has the same style as the rebel, but just a little bit bigger?

[Jeff10236]

Is there a bike that you can recommend that has the same style as the rebel, but just a little bit bigger?

Sit on all the 250cc cruisers, one may fit you a little better. Next, the Suzuki Boulevard S40 has a single cylinder 650cc engine. It doesn't produce that much power, and the frame is small (though bigger than the 250s)- it is a great beginners bike. Another good starter cruiser is the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Smaller engine, but it's a parallel twin (2 cylinder), the same engine as the Ninja 500, so it is supposed to be a lot more fun and more powerful than you'd think for the size. Out of those options, I'd go with the Vulcan. If all are too small for you, you have a choice- go bigger (800-950cc cruisers can be acceptable beginners bikes) or go with a different style. I bought an 800cc Suzuki Boulevard C50, but I've been driving for nearly 24 years. I'm not sure if it would be OK for an 18 year old (I know I probably would have killed myself on it at 18).

[matt6]

Sit on all the 250cc cruisers, one may fit you a little better. Next, the Suzuki Boulevard S40 has a single cylinder 650cc engine. It doesn't produce that much power, and the frame is small (though bigger than the 250s)- it is a great beginners bike. Another good starter cruiser is the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Smaller engine, but it's a parallel twin (2 cylinder), the same engine as the Ninja 500, so it is supposed to be a lot more fun and more powerful than you'd think for the size. Out of those options, I'd go with the Vulcan. If all are too small for you, you have a choice- go bigger (800-950cc cruisers can be acceptable beginners bikes) or go with a different style. I bought an 800cc Suzuki Boulevard C50, but I've been driving for nearly 24 years. I'm not sure if it would be OK for an 18 year old (I know I probably would have killed myself on it at 18).

Thanks Jeff!

[casilver]

Hi Matt, if you haven't already, I would invest some of that 4K in the MSF course... best money you can spend on your riding experience IMO.

My first bike (and I'm much shorter than you) was a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. It was a great bike, and the MSF prepared me well for being able to learn on it... but my point is that you can comfortably go with a bit larger cruiser (750 - 950) if you do well and feel comfortable with everything you did in the MSF, and they will provide more versatility and comfort if you decide to take a longer or weekend trip someplace.

Like Jeff said though, your age may add to the "invincibility" factor... the 900 I had (as with most medium sized bikes), while not a sport bike, had enough juice to certainly get someone in trouble if not respected.

Honda has the 750 Shadow, Suzuki has the M50, Kawasaki has the 900 Vulcan, (and 800 older models), and Yamaha has the 950 now, but it's a new model and would be very hard to find one for the price you're looking at.

Go sit on some, take em off the kickstand, balance them, and see how they fit.

[Jeff10236]

casilver's post reminded me of two good (maybe great) options:

If the Vulcan 500 and Suzuki S40 are too small for you there are two good options before you get to the 800-950cc bikes.

The Yamaha V-Star can make a terrific beginners bike. It is a 650cc so it isn't overly powerful (less room for a tragic mistake- though it certain can happen), yet it is on a much larger frame than its 650cc engine would have you think. It might well fit, and it shouldn't be too powerful for you. The one drawback is weight- on a cruiser, weight probably is a bigger deal for a beginner than engine size, and these are relatively heavy. Make sure you are comfortable when sitting on these at the dealer (off the kickstand) before you buy one. Used you can easily get them in your price range, new you might get a leftover 2008 or 2009 for close to it.

The Honda Shadow may be a near ideal beginners bike. Just about every review on these comments on how easy they are to ride. They have enough power without having so much to put most beginners at risk. They are lighter than many cruisers (which is great when learning- it makes slow speed maneuvers much easier), yet have enough room for most riders up to about your size. It might be a tad tight, but should certainly work (the V-Star is in the same boat on this). In fact, I think if I was 18 (so the 800-950cc bikes might be a little too powerful to safely handle), wanted a cruiser, and the S40 and Vulcan 500 were too small this would almost definitely be the way I'd go. I think in your shoes my preference order would be the Shadow and Vulcan 500 nearly tied (which do you like better after sitting on both), the V-Star (it might be a bit too heavy), the S40, then the 800-950cc bikes if you are significantly more mature and aware of your own mortality than the average 18 year old (use your parents and teachers' opinion of this, not yours).


Edit: Disregard my weight concerns on the V-Star. I just looked it up and it is actually a little lighter than the Honda (it just looks heavier). Either would probably make a nearly ideal starter bike (as would the S40 and Vulcan 500 if they'd fit you).

And I should second that you should take the MSF course, maybe even before you decide which bike you want (it may help you decide).

[67fire]

Some to consider...

Not a sport bike, so insurance is less:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Honda-NT700V-Varadero.htm

At 420 pounds, not heavy:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Suzuki-SV650S.htm

And, mentioned earlier, at 380+ pounds:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Suzuki-BoulevardS40.htm


Eric :)

[justin68106]

Ninja 250s are cheap to insure, and if you skimp on the rates (not recommended) you can have it insured for under $20/month (think the 16yr old I bought my old one from, was an 09, said he paid like $17 or $18 a month for insurance).

So if you like them, go sit on one and look for some used ones at dealers or on CL. Definitely take the MSF course and don't forget about budgeting for gear!

[gojira]

If you have $4K, I suggest you get a car first because you'll need year-round transportation during college.

[Progress]

I pay $140/year (everything but collision) for insurance on my 650R and that's in New York.

I paid around $4,000 out the door for my bike.

I guess I'm partial, but don't overlook the sport/sport-standard bikes.

[jag13]

I agree with Jeff, the shadow 700 and the v-star 650 are in my opinion, two of the best cruiser styled starter bikes for those who are taller or who need to travel longer distances. (Rebel and S-40 both have to work harder to maintain highway speeds and tend to vibrate a bit more at those speeds).

[matt6]

If you have $4K, I suggest you get a car first because you'll need year-round transportation during college.

Haha, thats a good point.

Also, with regards to insurance, the person at the dealership advised me against sport motorcycles saying that it would cost at a bare minimum $1500 for me to insure a sport bike (Ninja 250) and 30-40% less for a cruiser.

And the Motorcycle Safety Course is something I am definitely going to do.

Also, any advise for parents threatening to throw me out of the house if I buy a motorcycle?

[67fire]

And the Motorcycle Safety Course is something I am definitely going to do.

Also, any advise for parents threatening to throw me out of the house if I buy a motorcycle?

Move out. I did!
Even got a Judge to give the okee dokee. :thumbsup:

Eric :)

[Jeff10236]

Haha, thats a good point.

Also, with regards to insurance, the person at the dealership advised me against sport motorcycles saying that it would cost at a bare minimum $1500 for me to insure a sport bike (Ninja 250) and 30-40% less for a cruiser.

And the Motorcycle Safety Course is something I am definitely going to do.

Also, any advise for parents threatening to throw me out of the house if I buy a motorcycle?

Um yeah, don't buy a motorcycle until you can afford to move out on your own. Then, move out and wait a couple months to get a feel for for what it will really cost to be on your own before you buy one (you might be surprised at how much you will spend on food and utilities).

[MntShadow]

I picked up a Honda Shadow 750 Aero last year after not riding for close to 30yrs. So Basically starting over. Loving the bike. Plus you should be able to pick up a pretty nice one for 4k.

[Kingshead]

OK, my 2 cents, the smaller cruisers may be heavier but the sport bikes and dual sports seat's are so much higher it's a little unsettling for a beginner. Take the course first (they have small 125-250cc starter bikes to learn on), this will give you a chance to decide if this really is what you want and gauge your skill level. It will also go a long way for showing your parents you can be responsible and may just save your life some day.

My starter (2 yrs ago) bike pictured is a 1999 Honda Shadow VT1100C2 A.C.E., very easy to become acclamated with and decent on gas as well.

[CaptCrashIdaho]

SUPERMOTO. SU PER MO TO.

Ride up sidewalk. Park on sidewalk. Wheelie off sidewalk. Ride it into the elevator and hide it in your dorm room.

SU PER MO TO.

Cheap to insure. Easy to ride. Cheap to fix.

DRZ400SM...4K...not too hard to do.

[BikeCycleMan]

I don't think you are too tall for a rebel. What criteria was used for that opinion? Sit on one and see what you think.

[justin68106]

I saw my friend sit on a Rebel that's about the same height as him and I thought it looked cramped, he also bottomed the suspension out when he sat on it, he weighed a bit more though.

[aaronrkelly]

I agree with Jeff, the shadow 700 and the v-star 650 are in my opinion, two of the best cruiser styled starter bikes for those who are taller or who need to travel longer distances. (Rebel and S-40 both have to work harder to maintain highway speeds and tend to vibrate a bit more at those speeds).

I was just going to say VStar 650. Im 6ft4in and have one....I put a set of 3" extensions on the forward controls I got off eBay for $75....works perfect. Seeing as your 3" shorter....you shouldnt need them.

They are dirt cheap....in fact the market is flooded right now. Ive been trying to sell one of my two for the last 2 months.

2007 VStar 650 Midnight Custom with 8K miles, Vance and Hines Short Shots.....good tires, all maintenance....needs nothing.

Advertised it at $3200 and only got 1 call.

Thats alot of bike for very little money.

[internationalballer]

/\ Hey Matt I know a guy you can get a v-star 650 off of./\ LOL

[aaronrkelly]

/\ Hey Matt I know a guy you can get a v-star 650 off of./\ LOL

Aint that the truth.....hell Id take $3000 for it today and probably be thrilled.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs496.ash1/27109_1151184999122_1812559313_272469_8270889_n.jp g

[bluesjr]

I went through the same drill. Wanted a Rebel or V Star 250. A local small dealer warned me that they weren't really fit for the freeway. Not only that, but the 250's retain far too much of their value, making them not a great value used.

I forced myself to wait for the MSF course, and passed on many great used bikes on craigslist. Once I passed the course, I got something quickly. Almost bought a Honda Shadow, but found an '02 V Star 650 Custom with 2K miles for $2.9K (that's less than half the new price). The '05Honda was only $3.2K, and had a bit more room, and 5K more miles. If you could find either one, you'd be a lot happier than on a rebel, imo. The Honda might fit you better. The 650 Custom was the only sub-500lb cruiser, which was important to me. I don't really consider the 250's cruisers (just like Harley guys don't look at mine a 2nd time).

But be sure to take the class. I can not imagine teaching myself. As it was, it took a couple of weeks on the bike before I started to feel like I could ride.

[jthompson]

i took a course three years ago, and bought a honda nighthawk 250. it's been a great bike to learn on. i like the neutral riding position and mid- to-high seat (and i'm only 5-8). rode a rebel once, felt like my butt was four inches from the ground. didn't like it.

one caveat: i don't take the nighthawk on the highway. it's just not enough bike for that.

[evilgnomes]

try looking at a dual sport like the others said, i just got my endorsement waver card yesterday and i plan on practicing for acouple weeks on dirt/back roads in my town just to get the feel for my old 76 dt250.
just a suggestion: Take the safety course like everyone else said! you will NOT regret it. It even helps with insurance which is a must..