What is the best big motercycle for a novice rider?

Answer 1

Honda Magna. It's a 750, but it's got a low seat height, and it only weighs about 500 lbs.

With all due respect, I have to defend my answer against bluffmike's veto of the Magna.

I'm a 5'3 (never mind my weight) woman, and I wish the Magna HAD been my first bike. I started off with a 1996 600 Eliminator, which was only about 50 pounds lighter than the Magna. I got the Magna 4 boring years later, and it was so much better. Granted it's heavier, but it's a very well made bike - easily manueverable and low enough (although I lowered it even more) that it increased my driving confidence and skills tenfold. I FELT like a novice when I got it! Not only that, but it almost filled my need for speed. Certainly for power!

I did start my riding career after taking the safety course, and with every new bike I've gotten, I've put in my time in the parking lot.

So assuming you do take instruction, and do give yourself time to become familiar with whatever you buy, I truly believe the Magna is just fine for starting on. I just don't believe in starting so small that you will be wanting something else in 2-3 weeks.

Answer 2

Here's the best advice I can give you. Go take the motorcycle safety course and learn to ride first. Then go to all the dealerships and look at every bike. Rent one of each or try some out, before you drop some money on one.

Harley has a dailey rental program, rent on monday-thursday, it's cheeper.

The motorcycle you choose will be depending on how far or how long you plan on riding, also you should think about if you plan on only keeping the bike 2 years or so, I would say buy a harley if you don't plan on keeping the bike very long, you will get most of your money back or more, depending on the one you buy.

Honda Goldwing is a great bike
Kawasaki Ninja's are good.
Suzuki has some good cruisers
Yamaha also has many styles to consider
Triumph has a deeper sounding bike, they are great bikes
Buel has a well made bike
Ducatti are very expensive, more if you are into speed
Aprilla has a good bike, which is more exotic in the USA.
BMW has the longest break in period of and bike I have heard of 25k miles before it's even broken in. High price.

Answer 3

Definitely take an MSF (Motorcyle Safety Course) in your area first...I took it in May and am glad I did. You learn things there you'd NEVER just guess or figure out on your own, and many people out there on bikes haven't taken the course so cannot tell you.

Then, as suggested, go to shops and sit on bikes (alas, they don't tend to allow test drives). Talk to people who own bikes, if you can ride then ride.

I bought my first bike a couple of weeks ago and I got a Yamaha V-star 650 (that bike was probably the top one recommended by riders I know as being a good starter bike, but not being so small I'd outgrow it quickly).

Finds something that fits you...your body size and rider skill (after the course).

Good luck and happy riding!

Answer 4

Find the cheapest bike you can somewhere between 650-800cc. You'll probably only want to keep it for 6 months to a year but the experience will be invaluable. Get a couple thousand miles under you belt and then consider upgrading to a bigger bike.

As said before, take a Motorcycle Safety Course. It's good practice plus most states will waive the formal driving test when you go to get your license.

Answer 5

What ever you do don't buy any Suzuki! My brother and I bought 2 new bikes for a summer vacation. His 1200 Bandit leaked gas and ruined the motor before it got 2000 miles. We asked Suzuki to replace the motor so we could go on vacation.
It took 2 months to get a rep, then he said it’s to expensive and would cost $3000. After 4 months and the vacation gone they got the motor rebuilt at a their cost of $3700. The dealer wanted to replace the motor but Suzuki Rep squashed that.
The gas stained cases and burnt exhaust pipes were not replaced. The bike got nicked and scratched all over from being apart for 6 months. The rep rode it and looked at it, then said it’ good as new. It ran like crap and looked worse.
We called Japan, and even wrote the US CEO all for nothing. We spent $15,000 for the bikes to get ripped off by Suzuki. We spent our vacation hassling with Suzuki, and not one person there gave a damn!
Beware Suzuki’s warranty is not worth the paper it’s on! Buy one of their lemons, get shafted, we did!
I’m a 30 yr garage vet and I know when a rep and a manufacturer have ripped off a customer. This one stinks to high heaven! RUN from buying any Suzuki!

Answer 6

There are no "big" bikes good for novice riders. You need something light, maneuverable, and not too overly powerful to learn on.

Answer 7

NOT the Honda Magna. Its not appropriate for a novice. A Honda 600 Shadow VLX would be a better choice.

We have both in our stable.

Answer 8

a 500--800 cruiser would work great for you.
They are fairly light and you can touch the ground easily

Answer 9

there is no best big bike you need to start small and work your way up