Help me find a perfect first bike

[Nihilistic Mind]

I think I like what I'm seeing as far as specs and potential for the yamaha v-star 250. Seems like a good fit for me and I know it's not a motorcycle I will have forever.

The only concern I have is that I would like to do commuting with it, as well as taking my wife cruising up north on weekends, once I feel comfortable enough for that.

Will a 250 be enough to haul 2 people at speeds of 65 mph for extended periods of time (an hour and half or so)?

I intend to use this bike mainly for commuting, even if this means using side streets rather than freeway. I just want to make sure it's versatile enough for an extra rider, etc.

[goalie]

I don't know your size or your passenger's size, but it sounds like you'll be fine provided you are not on heavily trafficked interstates. You may find that you will need a year to feel confident to carry a passenger at high speeds for distance. By then, you may want to sell the 250 and move up in size.

If the 250 fits what you primarily want to doand you think it would be a comfortable bike on which to learn, I would recommend going for it. You already said that you know its not a bike you will have forever.

Good Luck.

[Nihilistic Mind]

Originally Posted by goalie

I don't know your size or your passenger's size, but it sounds like you'll be fine provided you are not on heavily trafficked interstates.

I'm 5'9, 165lbs; she is 5'6, 127lbs. The interstate can get kinda traffic heavy especially close to the city (Phoenix).

Considering it will take time for me feeling comfortable riding the both of us around, I'd be fine sticking with less frequented roads at slower speeds. For us it'll be all about enjoying the ride rather than speeding through to the end...
I just want to make sure a 250 would be adequate with the both of us riding.

[goalie]

Its not a bike that is really used much for 2-up touring. It will also not be all that comfortable for your wife sitting on the passenger pillion for a long time. The seat is going to be pretty narrow.

Its just that the bike is fine for everything else you've stated.

[fjones]

Depending on your skill and coordination, I would be looking at something around 650 to 750. You won't out grow it as quickly and it is a good size bike for commuting. My wife started with a 250 bcause she new nothing about bikes. She took it to the end of the driveway and asked where reverse was. She only lasted 6 months on the 250 and moved up to a 750. She now drives a 900, but decided it is too big and heavy. She wants to go to a 750 Shadow again. We travel from FL to NC about once a year and I only have a V-Strom 650. I've had it for 5 years and have 80,000 miles on it now. I'm 210lbs and ride 2 up when I take my daughter to work, and she is 190lbs. I've had bikes from 250 to 1800, in the last 40 years, and the WEE is the best bike i've owned.
I'm 65 now and plan on riding the WEE an0ther 30 years. 650-750 is plenty of bike to have fun with, even 2up.
Enjoy

[Dodsfall]

The engine on the 250 will probably pull you both around at 65 MPH, but it's not going to be comfortable riding 2-up for long distances. I'm sure it will be fine for a trip across town doubled-up or even riding further when solo. That motorcycle is simply not designed for riding long distances on the interstate, especially with a passenger.

I'd recommend getting a healthy amount of riding solo in before taking on a passenger. Motorcycles are harder to ride when carrying a pillion, and their life is in your hands while riding with you, a lot more so than when driving a car. I'd give it at least a solid riding season to wrap your head around the mechanics of riding and how traffic reacts to motorcycles before doing a trip farther than just around the block for fun.

[Nihilistic Mind]

Thanks for the advice guys!

[bajakirch]

There's a reason the 250-cc bike is probably the most common displacement around the world. It's small enough to be affordable and nimble, but has enough guts to take a person where he/she needs to go. Check the interweb and you'll find all sorts of goofy pictures of people in 3rd-world countries toting entire families, stacks of cargo or even livestock on their 250 bikes. Sure, it can handle what you're thinking about.

Buuuuut...you have the advantage of living in a place with much greater choice in MCs. While a 250 will serve you fine for commuting and can even handle the light touring you discuss, it's not going to be great for long-term 2-up riding. Will it get you up to 65 mph with a rider, passenger and assorted gear? Sure. Will you grow old while it does? Yes. And, from a safety standpoint, there are times you just need the punch you get with a larger engine to get you out of trouble.

My recommendation would be 1 of 2 options:
1. Get the 250 and ride it for a year or so without a passenger to get comfortable and competent. Then upgrade, with a better knowledge of what will serve you best.
2. Get a 450 or 500 that will be a better all-purpose bike.

Have fun figuring it out!

[Nihilistic Mind]

Originally Posted by bajakirch

My recommendation would be 1 of 2 options:
1. Get the 250 and ride it for a year or so without a passenger to get comfortable and competent. Then upgrade, with a better knowledge of what will serve you best.
2. Get a 450 or 500 that will be a better all-purpose bike.

Have fun figuring it out!

Sounds like the best options I have.

At this time, I'm thinking option 1 just so I can keep the 250 as a back-up bike when I'm ready to upgrade.

I think I'll have a better idea after I go through a training course, which probably won't be until later this year.

Damn, I can't wait!

[bajakirch]

At this time, I'm thinking option 1 just so I can keep the 250 as a back-up bike when I'm ready to upgrade.

Or, it's available as a starter bike for your wife if she gets the bug...

[Nihilistic Mind]

Exactly! Right now she says she isn't but sometime in the future, it would not surprise me

[skysearch0005]

Originally Posted by Nihilistic Mind

I think I'll have a better idea after I go through a training course, which probably won't be until later this year.

Damn, I can't wait!

Man, I know just how you're feeling. Going through the course, and getting on the bike those first months was exciting as hell. I can remember inventing reasons to go to the store, pick up a perscription... anything to get on that bike for an all new adventure. Each time I decided to branch out into more challenging situations just ratcheted up the anticipation. The key question is always, "when am I ready to jump into real traffic situations?" Though the temptation was great, I held off until I no longer had to think about how to mechanically operate the bike, and my body automatically reacted to situations (just like in the car).

Four years (and 15,000 miles) later, I still really enjoy riding. It's fun, a great stress reliever; just a great way to get away from it all. Oh yeah, also started commuting on the bike (my least favorite riding).

Enjoy the journey.

[fjones]

Originally Posted by Nihilistic Mind

Exactly! Right now she says she isn't but sometime in the future, it would not surprise me

I bought a Venture so wife could have a very comfortable seat and 1 year after that, she asked if I thought she could learn to ride her own bike. We bought a 250 and she took the class at the college. I lost my passenger and used the passenger seat to carry dog food. That was 12 years ago. She dumped the shadow twice doing turnarounds at very slow speeds and now we ride everywhere together. She's a very good driver and enjoys every minute on the bike.
Anything is possible.
Enjoy
Fred