How many CC do I need?

Question

I am looking at buying a bike to ride around town, no long trips just put around on. I weigh 230 lbs, how many cc is enough, or how many isn't enough? I saw a bike with 110 cc? Is that too small?

Answer 1

Agree with the others... nothing smaller than 500. Given your size, you may wish to be a bit more comfortable in the 800 to 1000cc range, but that's entirely up to you.

Why not stop by a local dealer and sit on a few different styles to see what suits you?

Answer 2

Where do you live? In the United States, there aren't too many bikes that small except dirt bikes and some cheap Chinese imports. Still, sometimes you may run across a small Kawasaki or Suzuki in that size range.

I'm about your weight. I took the MSF class on a 125 cc Honda. It was rather cramped (I'm also 6'2"), but I could see myself running errands on this thing if I could stick to streets where traffic wasn't faster than 40 mph or so.

Right now I have a 500 cc bike. It's got enough power to go on the Interstate with no problem; I've ridden it for an hour on the freeway several times. Haven't tried carrying a passenger on it, but it feels like it should be up for that too. 500 cc's ought to be more than adequate for your kind of riding.

If you don't plan on going on the Interstate too often and do not want to carry passengers, you could get away with a 250. The Ninja 250 has enough power to more than keep up with freeway traffic too. Most of the other 250's will top out around 70-75 mph, which may or may not be enough for Interstate riding depending on how crazy your local drivers are. The only cruiser in the 250 cc class that I've found seems to fit tall riders, however, is the Hyosung / United Motors GV250. Most of the other true cruisers are uncomfortable for tall riders. The Nighthawk 250 also has room for big riders.

If you do not live in the United States, you may have that choice made for you. Some areas restrict learners to smaller bikes like 250's or even 125's. The upside of living in one of those areas is that you have a lot more options in small, economical bikes than we do here in the US.

Answer 3

Yes, 110 cc would be too small, I weigh 235 and I ride a Honda Shadow 1100 and I feel it is a bit small for me. I reccomend a bike not less than a 750cc, because a 750cc is mid range and you can ride distances as well as around town, not too heavy and not too expensive. If you purchase a smaller cc bike you will soon find yourself yearning for more. There are bikes that go up to 2200cc and are being ridden by small women. I say get the largest bike you can afford where both feet can be placed flat on the ground when standing still.

Answer 4

It 100% depends on the STYLE of motorcycle you are looking at. A Honda Shadow 750 has a 750cc V-twin engine and isn't all that fast- but a Suzuki GSX-R750 has a 750cc in-line 4-cylinder engine and is HELLA fast. It depends on the state of tune of the engine and the transmission gear ratios and overall drive ratio. But, 110cc sounds like a moped- you need more if you want to take it on the highway, reguardless of gearing. A Honda Rebel is a 250cc and a great started bike, and so is a Kawasaki Ninja EX250 or EX500 if you like the sport bikes.

Answer 5

110CC is way too small. every 1000 CC (cubic centimeters) is one liter. For a bike just to put around town on the best size would probably be somewhere around 500. Professional Dirt bike riders ride motors bigger that 110CC. The last thing you want is for a dirt bike to have a bigger engine than your bike. I recommend...as a car dealer...somewhere around 500CC.

Answer 6

You'll need atleast a 250 if ur just riding around town, but if u plan on goin on the high way, ull need a 500 a good 250 is a Honda rebel

Answer 7

Have you considered scooters? If you're going 250cc or under and will be solely city riding...no interstates...they're a great alternative. Incedible mileage too.

If you're going over 250cc, you might consider the Suzuki sv650 or sv650s. Incredibly maneuverable, light and an absolute blast to ride...great resale value...a great bike for beginners or experts.
There are some websites devoted to them...used ones abound.

Answer 8

yes 110cc is too small for riding around town.
honda rebel is 250cc and is a good starter bike.
Do NOT go out and buy a sportbike like one of the suzuki gsxr's or yamaha r6 or r1 or honda or kawasaki equivalents because they are way too much bike i repeat way too much bike for a new rider ! if you have'nt already go take a motorycle safety class , then ride like nobody can see you because alot of people will not ,
and take it easy on your new bike.

Answer 9

110cc is too small. I would suggest 400cc if you are never going to go above 45 mph.
If you want to ever go on the highway, you'll want more. It's probably better to go bigger that way your skill level won't out grow it as quickly.

I started out on a Kawasaki KLR650 - I was a bit intimidated by it's size at first but I caught on in no time.

Answer 10

I weigh the same and I've got a Honda Shadow 750cc...it's my first bike, and it has decent power, but I do wish it was a little more powerful. I think 750cc is a good start.