Over Advised or Stubborn or Scared?

[dustbuster]

Yes, I'm looking for my first street bike. I'm getting advice from these forums, riding co-workers and friends.
I'm finding the best advice on the internet I think, which seem to point out that this will be a learning experiance and start used and smaller than you think you want.
My friends and co-workers who know "how I am" mostly agree with start used but point me to the bigger CC bikes cuz "your sensible and won't over ride your abilities", and you'll be riding with "US" and gotta keep up......etc..
I think I "need" something between 800 to 1100 cc cruiser to get me to work and an occasional trip up the hill, (maybe 100 to 150 miles, some freeway use). I'm refusing to consider any above 1200? Am I wrong, chicken or as they say "Sensible"?

One another note, I received a comment on my preferred bike syle, (I guess it's "custom"?) thinner, taller front tire/wheel. I was told these are prone to vibrate more???

[Schneiderman]

In my opinion, an 1100cc cruiser is a viable first bike, as long as you can handle the weight, and of course are responsible.

I don't know the exact characteristics of tall, skinny front wheels. I don't like them.

[primalmu]

What I'd like to know is, having never ridden a bike, how did you come to the conclusion that you "need" a 800-1100cc bike? For most people, it seems a 250cc bike would take care of their actual "needs", and anything more is for the added fun/power/etc.

Just my thoughts...

[dustbuster]

Didn't say I've never ridden a bike, it's just been about 35 years for a two wheeler, Kawasaki 175 and Suzuki 185. Still do the quads in the dunes. Any way your right, a 250 Rebel would certainly get me to work and back, but probably not up to the Julian apple fest. So I'm looking for a cruiser type the next size up, which leads to the 750 spirit, Suzuki M50 range, and used. Actually have my eye on an 05 Vulcan 800A....hence the thinner front tire question comes into play.

[Schneiderman]

I don't "need" a concours14, but I still really... really want one.

And it's not just about the power of bigger bikes, it's the comfort, the features and usually the styling. Bigger bikes are usually built for longer cruises, and usually have a bigger luggage capacity. I totally understand dustbuster's desire for a larger bike.

[primalmu]

Didn't say I've never ridden a bike, it's just been about 35 years for a two wheeler, Kawasaki 175 and Suzuki 185. Still do the quads in the dunes. Any way your right, a 250 Rebel would certainly get me to work and back, but probably not up to the Julian apple fest. So I'm looking for a cruiser type the next size up, which leads to the 750 spirit, Suzuki M50 range, and used. Actually have my eye on an 05 Vulcan 800A....hence the thinner front tire question comes into play.

Sorry, I guess I misread your post. I guess I just don't understand the whole bigger is better idea. I would think that the 600-800cc range would be the ideal "general use" size bike. I just question the people who say "I *need* a 1200cc bike" the same way I question the people who say "I *need* that huge SUV for my daily commute."

[dustbuster]

Primalmu, that's exactly my point at the beginning of the post! I'd rather stay away from the 1000 cc bikes, but I'm being "advised" by experianced riders that I gotta have at least that much due to (insert whatever reason)! best I heard was "bitten by the bug". I think I'll be more comfortable with less cc's and IF I can't keep up....what's the rush? I'll get there when I get there.

[HarveyCreek]

Am I wrong, chicken or as they say "Sensible"?

I'd say sensible.

I had enough time off from riding btween my last bike and when looking into buying my current bike, anything over 1000cc's looked like too much weight to deal with for the type of riding I was planning on, and chose a C50 (800cc). Looking back on that decision I think I made a correct choice. When I ride with a group, its with cruisers in the 650 to 1500 cc range. There is no issue with keeping up, even with the VRod. I've been on many a three tank trip and I'm no worse for wear than the rest of the group. In fact when we are in the twisties, I find its is the big bagger bikes are the ones having to keep up. (Though I imagine the sports bike crowd would think we're taking a leisurely pace.;))

[loudest143]

I'm voting with Harvey here. Sensible. What advantage do you have with the bigger bike? Lower gas mileage? More weight? Higher top speed?

Nothing at all wrong with a bigger bike. But think about what you REALLY are gonna be doing MOST of the time with YOUR bike. Not what your friends say, your coworkers think, or what your wife/partner/significant other thinks.

If you can nail down your usage, you will be fine with a bike in the middle cc range. I ride with a guy all the time who has a brand new Kawasaki 900. Fuel injected, super sweet cruiser. I've got my old 850 right up next to him, and can out corner him any day. He's got that skinny front tire that you referred to, and he's not overly thrilled with it, as it can land in potholes or thin cracks rather oddly from time to time, so you have to stay very aware of that. I've got a big oldschool bike, with a fat front tire, so I'm good. For a new bike, I vote for wider tires, and midrange CCs.

just my 2 cents. (which won't buy any fuel these days.)

loudest143
*ride on:cool:

[chr1s4]

I'm in your boat too. But I'm a true Newbie. Everyone was saying 250, "but you'll outgrow it soon", and then some were saying start w/ a 1100 or even 1400. I went with the Vulcan 800 classic. Just picked it up this morning, and have done a whopping 20 miles on it. It handles well, is weighted such that I can control it, and has PLENTY of power. And wouldn't ya know, some schmuck pulls up on my tail at 55mph on my first day riding. If I woulda had the courage to pull a hand off the bike, he woulda got the bird. :D

Anyway, stay w/ the midrange bikes in my opinion.

Great forum, I'll be on here alot with all my Newbie questions.

[iamgumby]

All that you mentioned are wre worth looking into. Have a seat. Find your best value. Honda 750 Spirit, Suzi M-50 (800 Volusia), Kaw 800 Vulcan and the Yamaha 650 V-star are all quality machines, quite capable for the road.

[stuco]

With gas prices rising, I'd look for something in the 500cc or less range.

[newmark]

I can relate to your confusion. my dad has ridden motorcycles all his adult life and mentored many people to ride. He starts people out on a 1300cc honda.
He was disappointed when I got the 250 cc nighthawk. It was the right decision for me...good luck with everything.
Mark

[hereswhere]

You sound like you are just being responsible, but practical. (Admitidly though- too much advice can make your head spin) Normally I would recommend smaller 250cc bikes for beginers, I am a fan of the Rebel. But if you have a lot of hills, and doing a lot of riding to work, fun trips, etc- why not split the difference and look at a 650cc? It might be a fair compromise to start with. Plenty of power- but still in a good starter range. Someone had mention the V-Star, they're good, or the Shadows . . . you don't have to go from one extreme to the other, you got a fair range to work with.