Things to think about while buying a first bike

Urban Coyote · 02-25-2008, 10:36 PM

The most common mistakes I am noticing with people asking for advice for a first bike are these assuming that the person already knows what style of bike he wants; cruiser, sport, touring, multi-purpose, etc.

1. People are asking what bike would fit their specific body frame more comfortably. This isn't a good idea. The buyer needs to go to the dealer and actually see and sit on the bike and make that decision for themselves. Usually you can just look at the bike and see if it will be too short, too tall, too light or too heavy. Even if there is someone with the exact same body frame as you, it doesn't necessarily mean that their preference of body position, seat height and comfort and position of controls will be the same for you.

2. People are letting others assume that they aren't able to handle a bike over 250cc because they aren't a experienced rider. I would personally find that offensive. It should be the person's own judgement of themselves of how good of a motorcycle rider they are from past experience or after after completing a motorcycle rider course. Not everyone has money to throw around buying that perfect little 250cc starter bike only to have to sell it or trade it in for a more suitable bike, which even many new riders will outgrow in less than a month and could of saved time and spent a little more money in the first place getting a more suitable bike.

3. Many new buyers aren't explaining fully what they are going to use the bike for. For instance, a cheap 250cc motorcycle may just be perfect for a college student with little money and only wants the bike to ride around town to home and to campus. A larger bike, possibly with storage capacity, may be better for a person who requires a bike for longer road trips and also has that extra money to spend for such a bike.

4. Insurance. Have you checked with your insurance company what your insurance will be for a motorcycle? Are you a young guy looking for a sportbike? Call insurance companies for your area....Don't ask other riders...Call insurance companies.. Your choices for a new motorcycle or even buying a motorcycle at all may have been quickly altered.

magnus · 02-26-2008, 01:43 AM

A 250 would have been useless to me for my first bike. I had to cover to many miles. I bought my first bike for transportation. I started on a 650 and quickly crashed into a bush.

I guess I should have started on a 250 but money was the main issue. All was fine I picked it up and kept learning. I took a 15 year break from motorbikes and had to start over. This time I went with a z750s and didn't hit any yard plants of any kind.

02-26-2008, 01:52 AM

Good points all UC.

ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

Rednarb · 02-26-2008, 01:32 PM

A true newbie with 0 2-wheeled experience (including off-road) can't really have a clue what type of bike they can handle at least until after the MSF. At my MSF I saw some wash-out. She simply could not stay balanced on that little Eliminator 125, and found out then that motorcycling was not for her. I saw others that were very shakey on the 125, and it was clear though that they passed the MSF, they would be ideal candidates for a low-performance bike.

I'd been on bikes before but have not a lot of hours myself. I felt I was a "natural" at 2-wheels even though I didn't have much experience. I ~know~ that I would be miserable on a 250cc bike, especially due to my excess size (6' 260lbs). So I did vigilant research on-line and in-person, sitting on bikes, talking with people, getting all sorts of advice. Eventually I learned which advice was good and which wasn't.
I'm still doing my research, actually. Though I've made my decision on an SV650S (I'm picking it up Saturday) I still read through all the newbie forums and STUDY crash videos on You Tube and Google, and try to absorb as much information as possible so I am as prepared as a newbie can be.

So, I totally agree with Urban Coyote. And every time I see a newbie post some vague "what should I get" question without all the details I roll my eyes and move on to the next post.

strabo40 · 02-26-2008, 01:59 PM

I definitely agree with Urban Cowboy. I just recently went through this in buying my first bike. The last bike I was on was a Honda 350 and was a very long time ago. So when I started to research bikes, I had decided upon the cruiser style mainly because I'm only 5'3" and most if not all sport bikes are too tall.

After looking at the different bikes, I had narrowed it down to the Suzuki C50, Yamaha Vstar 650 and Honda Aero 750. I had decided early on that a bike like a Honda Rebel would have been too small in the long run and did not want to go to the extra expense and time to go this route.

What was interesting is that when I got on each of the 3 bikes, the Honda and Yamaha fit better than the 2008 Suzuki. I really liked the C50 better than the other bikes, but thinking that the height issue would be a problem, I had decided to go with the Honda Aero. However, due to bad sales people at the local Honda dealer, I went to a Suzuki dealer that had a brand new 2006 C50T. So went down there and got on it and it fit better than the 2008. Don't know why, but didn't care and bought the bike a couple of weeks ago. Now I have the bike that I originally wanted and if it wasn't for a bad sales goober, I would have bought the Honda Aero, which for me would have been settling for something less than I wanted.

All this to say, that you have to get on the bike and maybe different years of the same style and model to see what feels right.

strabo40 · 02-26-2008, 02:00 PM

Whoops! Sorry Urban Coyote...misstated your name.

Moto_Tramp · 02-27-2008, 07:27 PM

All them things you talk about are good to be thinking about but for me the main things are price and what's the paynent going to be and is the bike in good shape.

Urban Coyote · 02-27-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

I definitely agree with Urban Cowboy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by strabo40

Whoops! Sorry Urban Coyote...misstated your name.

That's alright.... It wasn't like you called me Urban C0ckroach or something like that while you dreamt of your favorite John Travolta movie character.

Boss77 · 02-28-2008, 02:30 PM

Hi,

I am more interested in the crusier style. Would a Harley 883 Sportster or 1200 Sportster be too much for a first bike?

Thanks.

magnus · 02-28-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss77

Hi,

I am more interested in the crusier style. Would a Harley 883 Sportster or 1200 Sportster be too much for a first bike?

Thanks.

The nice thing about a cruiser for a first bike is the seat is pretty low with a low center of gravity and on the smaller cruisers the power is not to overwhelming. The 1200 and 883 are close to the same weight but the torque is quite a bit more on the 1200 so it may be less forgiving. I would not buy new for my first bike. It takes a bit of riding to determine what you really want in a bike. Plus it hurts more when you drop a new bike.

Boss77 · 02-28-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnus

The nice thing about a cruiser for a first bike is the seat is pretty low with a low center of gravity and on the smaller cruisers the power is not to overwhelming. The 1200 and 883 are close to the same weight but the torque is quite a bit more on the 1200 so it may be less forgiving. I would not buy new for my first bike. It takes a bit of riding to determine what you really want in a bike. Plus it hurts more when you drop a new bike.

Thanks! I was planning on getting a used one to start.

Boots · 03-04-2008, 01:43 PM

You're right on the money Urban Coyote, especially the insurance bit

cecilbdml · 03-04-2008, 02:19 PM

I must agree with the 250cc thing. Most folks over 180lbs are going to have more than a few problems on something that small. As well, it's going to have problems getting you around.

The MSF before ANYTHING ELSE is probably the best advice given here. They have small cruisers, standard street bikes, and enduro bikes. You can actually use underpowered versions of what you like out on the range, and make your mind up from there. It makes no sense to look at cruisers because they're lower, then find out you aren't comfortable with your feet that far out in front of you. As well the opposite.

As far as an HD Sportie, I wouldn't consider that a cruiser, as it's more upright than the Dynas and Fat Boys and the like. Your feet are out in front of you, so you still have to decide whether you feel comfortable trying to control a bike in low speed maneuvers with your feet in that position.

03-04-2008, 11:18 PM

HI,

My name is Brad i want to go fast. I have no motorcycle expierence at ALL. i plan on getting a kawasaki ZX-14r my first bike. Im not going to take MSF course because i can control my wrist and i know when to hit the throttle and i have a lot of exp riding bicycles and all BTW... can the ZX-14r pop wheelies good enough and go over 160 MPH easily ?

Bullzaye · 03-05-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradleyD1146

HI,

My name is Brad i want to go fast. I have no motorcycle expierence at ALL. i plan on getting a kawasaki ZX-14r my first bike. Im not going to take MSF course because i can control my wrist and i know when to hit the throttle and i have a lot of exp riding bicycles and all BTW... can the ZX-14r pop wheelies good enough and go over 160 MPH easily ?

[SIZE="5"]NO![/SIZE]

Tim

cecilbdml · 03-05-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradleyD1146

HI,

My name is Brad i want to go fast. I have no motorcycle expierence at ALL. i plan on getting a kawasaki ZX-14r my first bike. Im not going to take MSF course because i can control my wrist and i know when to hit the throttle and i have a lot of exp riding bicycles and all BTW... can the ZX-14r pop wheelies good enough and go over 160 MPH easily ?

Huh? I KNOW this particular thing was touched on in this thread already...

Boss77 · 03-05-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilbdml

Huh? I KNOW this particular thing was touched on in this thread already...

He's just trying to get a rise out of people.

03-05-2008, 12:33 PM

I was Joking about that post

cecilbdml · 03-05-2008, 12:43 PM

Well, DARN IT, mister...I simply refuse to have to think before 10:00AM! How dare you!

Refuse to think before 10:00am? God, I hope not! That would paint a new picture of my early morning commute, wouldn't it?

02-25-2008, 10:36 PM	#1
Urban Coyote COUNCIL MEMBER Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 285	Things to think about while buying a first bike The most common mistakes I am noticing with people asking for advice for a first bike are these assuming that the person already knows what style of bike he wants; cruiser, sport, touring, multi-purpose, etc. 1. People are asking what bike would fit their specific body frame more comfortably. This isn't a good idea. The buyer needs to go to the dealer and actually see and sit on the bike and make that decision for themselves. Usually you can just look at the bike and see if it will be too short, too tall, too light or too heavy. Even if there is someone with the exact same body frame as you, it doesn't necessarily mean that their preference of body position, seat height and comfort and position of controls will be the same for you. 2. People are letting others assume that they aren't able to handle a bike over 250cc because they aren't a experienced rider. I would personally find that offensive. It should be the person's own judgement of themselves of how good of a motorcycle rider they are from past experience or after after completing a motorcycle rider course. Not everyone has money to throw around buying that perfect little 250cc starter bike only to have to sell it or trade it in for a more suitable bike, which even many new riders will outgrow in less than a month and could of saved time and spent a little more money in the first place getting a more suitable bike. 3. Many new buyers aren't explaining fully what they are going to use the bike for. For instance, a cheap 250cc motorcycle may just be perfect for a college student with little money and only wants the bike to ride around town to home and to campus. A larger bike, possibly with storage capacity, may be better for a person who requires a bike for longer road trips and also has that extra money to spend for such a bike. 4. Insurance. Have you checked with your insurance company what your insurance will be for a motorcycle? Are you a young guy looking for a sportbike? Call insurance companies for your area....Don't ask other riders...Call insurance companies.. Your choices for a new motorcycle or even buying a motorcycle at all may have been quickly altered.

02-26-2008, 01:52 AM	#3
COFats Guest Posts: n/a	Good points all Good points all UC. ride safe & long, Colorado Fats

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02-26-2008, 01:43 AM	#2
magnus Motorcyclist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 11	A 250 would have been useless to me for my first bike. I had to cover to many miles. I bought my first bike for transportation. I started on a 650 and quickly crashed into a bush. I guess I should have started on a 250 but money was the main issue. All was fine I picked it up and kept learning. I took a 15 year break from motorbikes and had to start over. This time I went with a z750s and didn't hit any yard plants of any kind.

02-26-2008, 01:32 PM	#4
Rednarb Verified Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Posts: 51	A true newbie with 0 2-wheeled experience (including off-road) can't really have a clue what type of bike they can handle at least until after the MSF. At my MSF I saw some wash-out. She simply could not stay balanced on that little Eliminator 125, and found out then that motorcycling was not for her. I saw others that were very shakey on the 125, and it was clear though that they passed the MSF, they would be ideal candidates for a low-performance bike. I'd been on bikes before but have not a lot of hours myself. I felt I was a "natural" at 2-wheels even though I didn't have much experience. I ~know~ that I would be miserable on a 250cc bike, especially due to my excess size (6' 260lbs). So I did vigilant research on-line and in-person, sitting on bikes, talking with people, getting all sorts of advice. Eventually I learned which advice was good and which wasn't. I'm still doing my research, actually. Though I've made my decision on an SV650S (I'm picking it up Saturday) I still read through all the newbie forums and STUDY crash videos on You Tube and Google, and try to absorb as much information as possible so I am as prepared as a newbie can be. So, I totally agree with Urban Coyote. And every time I see a newbie post some vague "what should I get" question without all the details I roll my eyes and move on to the next post.

02-26-2008, 01:59 PM	#5
strabo40 Verified Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 20	I definitely agree with Urban Cowboy. I just recently went through this in buying my first bike. The last bike I was on was a Honda 350 and was a very long time ago. So when I started to research bikes, I had decided upon the cruiser style mainly because I'm only 5'3" and most if not all sport bikes are too tall. After looking at the different bikes, I had narrowed it down to the Suzuki C50, Yamaha Vstar 650 and Honda Aero 750. I had decided early on that a bike like a Honda Rebel would have been too small in the long run and did not want to go to the extra expense and time to go this route. What was interesting is that when I got on each of the 3 bikes, the Honda and Yamaha fit better than the 2008 Suzuki. I really liked the C50 better than the other bikes, but thinking that the height issue would be a problem, I had decided to go with the Honda Aero. However, due to bad sales people at the local Honda dealer, I went to a Suzuki dealer that had a brand new 2006 C50T. So went down there and got on it and it fit better than the 2008. Don't know why, but didn't care and bought the bike a couple of weeks ago. Now I have the bike that I originally wanted and if it wasn't for a bad sales goober, I would have bought the Honda Aero, which for me would have been settling for something less than I wanted. All this to say, that you have to get on the bike and maybe different years of the same style and model to see what feels right.

02-26-2008, 02:00 PM	#6
strabo40 Verified Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 20	Whoops! Sorry Urban Coyote...misstated your name.

02-27-2008, 07:27 PM	#7
Moto_Tramp Verified Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida Posts: 24	All them things you talk about are good to be thinking about but for me the main things are price and what's the paynent going to be and is the bike in good shape.

02-28-2008, 02:30 PM	#9
Boss77 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3	Hi, I am more interested in the crusier style. Would a Harley 883 Sportster or 1200 Sportster be too much for a first bike? Thanks.

03-04-2008, 01:43 PM	#12
Boots COUNCIL MEMBER Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington DC Posts: 289	You're right on the money Urban Coyote, especially the insurance bit

03-04-2008, 02:19 PM	#13
cecilbdml Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 348	I must agree with the 250cc thing. Most folks over 180lbs are going to have more than a few problems on something that small. As well, it's going to have problems getting you around. The MSF before ANYTHING ELSE is probably the best advice given here. They have small cruisers, standard street bikes, and enduro bikes. You can actually use underpowered versions of what you like out on the range, and make your mind up from there. It makes no sense to look at cruisers because they're lower, then find out you aren't comfortable with your feet that far out in front of you. As well the opposite. As far as an HD Sportie, I wouldn't consider that a cruiser, as it's more upright than the Dynas and Fat Boys and the like. Your feet are out in front of you, so you still have to decide whether you feel comfortable trying to control a bike in low speed maneuvers with your feet in that position.

03-04-2008, 11:18 PM	#14
BradleyD1146 Guest Posts: n/a	HI, My name is Brad i want to go fast. I have no motorcycle expierence at ALL. i plan on getting a kawasaki ZX-14r my first bike. Im not going to take MSF course because i can control my wrist and i know when to hit the throttle and i have a lot of exp riding bicycles and all BTW... can the ZX-14r pop wheelies good enough and go over 160 MPH easily ?

03-05-2008, 12:33 PM	#18
BradleyD1146 Guest Posts: n/a	I was Joking about that post

03-05-2008, 12:43 PM	#19
cecilbdml Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 348	Well, DARN IT, mister...I simply refuse to have to think before 10:00AM! How dare you! Refuse to think before 10:00am? God, I hope not! That would paint a new picture of my early morning commute, wouldn't it?