[ej]

Everyon here suggest a low cc mc for a beginner bike. I don't understand????
Instead of suggesting a 250cc mc and say be careful how about finding something that fits-touch the ground, feet get to the rest, can touch the handlbars and then suggest don't turn throttle all the way. Then when they get used to it they don't have to sell a little bike and buy a larger one. Most people know what style of mc they want befor ever getting on one ie sport bike cruiser dresser or enduro or whatever.
Buy one that fits and use some good old common sense to learn how to ride it and yes don't turn throttle wide open.

 

[WhiteLightning]

I agree 100%.

Saying that 600 or 7500 or even 1400cc is too much for a beginner rider is ridiculous.

 

[Flyer]

Some of us lack the self control though. Throttle control is sometimes a hard learned skill.

That being said, I bought the what I could afford, which happened to be a 750 (cruiser style).

 

[WhiteLightning]

Some of us lack the self control though. Throttle control is sometimes a hard learned skill.

If you lack self control than you will still be going 90 mph on the 250cc bike. 90 mph sure seems like plenty of speed to win a nice hospital visit.

 

[texasnh]

As for me, my priorities as a new rider were don't get hurt, don't crash, don't drop the bike, etc. Don't lose money by selling my 250 after 6 months is way low on my list.

The funny thing is that eventhough I thought a 250 would be too under-powered when I first got my license and would sell it after a few months, I've decided to keep my 250 because it is more manueverable around city traffic than bigger bikes. With the kind of driving I do, a bigger bike would be more work--less fun.

 

[cecilbdml]

More oft than not, new riders AREN'T going out and dropping 5-8K on a NEW bike. They drop a lot less on a used one so they can get the feel of riding without destroying their baby. Also, smaller ccs are suggested for the same reason. You don't get the feel of the throttle by cracking it wide open on a ZX14 then picking yourself and the bike off the rear end of a tractor-trailer. And believe you me, I've seen that sort of thing before in my life. That's why I DO suggest starting out with smaller displacement engines.

It's not an insult or something to be taken personally. You ask for information, opinions, and advice. You can do you own research (something we ALL suggest you do ANYWAY), but we've taken a lot of the hard knocks and the like already. So don't blow a gasket and think we're making comments about your ability to learn, your courage, or anything like that.

If you want to start on a larger-displacement bike, it's a free country. If you have the discipline not to stick your rear into the side of a building or paint a road with it, then go for it. One way or the other, learn the rules of riding first before you think you're ready to bend them.

 

[Urban Coyote]

People shouldn't ask for suggestions for a first bike unless they provide the information of how much experience and training they had on a motorcycle, how tall they are and how much they weigh, where, how often, how long and what conditions they plan to ride in, do they plan on having a passenger, what style or bike and the most important...how much money do they want to spend and if they have a preference on a particular brand of motorcycle, because gosh darnit, it doesn't make sense for a person to suggest a bike that costs $15,000 if the person has only $3000 to spend and wants to buy the bike new and now you are limited to bikes that are in the 250cc range.

You should not suggest a Honda Rebel 250cc for a guy who is 300lbs and has $10,000 to spend.
You also cannot suggest a Harley for a person who is looking to spend only a couple thousand on a 250cc bike and if you are one of those Harley guys that suggests buying a $15,000 model Harley because you think the 883 is too slow for a beginner, then some people are going to decide those Harley owners are idiots and look at Kawasakis.

If the person comes of as some punk kid who wants to tear up the pavement and find ways not to get caught by the cops, then you can suggest a XBox 360 or Playstation 3.

 

[Guest]

Recomendations

There are two sides to making a recommendation to a new or wanabe rider.

The poster needs to provide personal information and traits. Age, height, weight, prefered style of MC, budget, and how they expect to use the MC once they have the basic technique and mechanics of riding behind them.

Members responding have the responsibility to consider all that info before making any comment! Respondents are dealing with the health and potentially influencing the well being of a new rider with their advice!!!!

I have seen far to often on these forums advice given based on nothing more than 'I have this MC so should you!' Or generic advice just because of a person's percieved newbie status '250 cc Rebels are great beginner MCs'. Or most dangerous is the newer rider that thinks he is knowledgeable enough and expert enough to make any recommendations just because he has not gone down in his two month riding career.

When making a suggestion to a newbie I consider and promote the ergonomics of rider/MC first.

Second I consider the rider age, and make some assumptions based on the age and the context of his posting question. If he says 'I want to go fast', or conversely 'I don't want to do 90 mph...' that will influence my comments and suggestions. It is a judgement call on my part to try to assess his maturity and self control. I remember all to well how I was at 14-16 yrs old,never backed off a dare or challenge, and felt I was so cool and indestructable. I probably would not give a teenager the same advice I would a 40 yr old first time rider.

Considering his budget is next on my list. It is important to remind the requestor of the full cost of MCing! Equipment, insurance, training courses, helmet, etc. not just the purchase cost.

CCs are not high on my list of criteria for MC selection!!! I don't put a 5'2" rider on a 28-29" high seat of a 900 lb Mc no matter what the CCs. Ergonomics is the #2 most important consideration! The rider maturity, personality, and such are the #1 most important issue.

Not to fault any of our members, all mean well in giving advice. But often I see one liners that obviously did not consider all the pertinent facts needed to make a reasonable, rational experienced based recommendation that leads to a SAFE, successful, thoughtful choice of MC by a newbie.

I think there is an obligation on our part to try to assure that a persons first MCing experience is as enjoyable, safe, and successful by considering carefully any advice we provide.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats