the best cruiser motorcycle for a beginner?

Question

I'm in the process of getting my motorcycle endorcement and i was wondering which cruiser is the best for a real novice something durable i can go pretty far with (college out of state up town etc..etc) also...
-a lot of people have told me a harley is too much for a beginner is this true?

Answer 1

The right Harley is not too much bike for a beginner. The 883L Sportster ("L" designating "low") is a very good bike with a low seat height. The last couple year models do not shake the crud out of you like the older ones so will be tolerable for longer rides. Other good choices are, as mentioned above, Honda Shadow VLX 600 or Honda Spirit 750. Both of these are lightweight, by cruiser standards, and are low enough to give you a solid footing when stopped. Also consider a used Kawasaki Vulcan 800 (they do not make them anymore as of 2007) or Suzuki Intruder 800 (now called the S50).

The Harley runs in the $7,500-$8,500 range. The others are all $6,000-$7,000 range. Go to some dealerships and sit on a few different models, lifting them off the kickstand to gauge the weight and managability. You'll find one that feels right for you.

Answer 2

Best Cruiser Motorcycle

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
the best cruiser motorcycle for a beginner?
I'm in the process of getting my motorcycle endorcement and i was wondering which cruiser is the best for a real novice something durable i can go pretty far with (college out of state up town etc..etc) also...
-a lot of people have told me a harley is too much for a beginner is this true?

Answer 4

A Honda Rebel would be a good bike to start with. They are lighweight (250 cc), stone dead reliable, and very comfortable for shorter folk. Honda Rebels are often used for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation classes (which you should be signing up for), and are usually available at a reasonable price used, since people often upgrade after they get comfortable riding. After about a year on one, you can step up to a 650 - 800 cc cruiser like the Yamaha V-Star 650, a Triumph Bonneville America, or maybe a Harley Sportster, if that is your thing.

Answer 5

Cruisers can seem like a more comfortable motorcycle for beginners because the seating posture is more natural and less agressive. However, be warned that most cruisers are exceptionally heavy machines. Don't be freaked out if you drop yours while you are waiting for a street light to change, or at a stop sign, or while trying to start your bike on a hill. They can be nearly impossible to get back upright without the help of some kind passerby.
The smaller engine bikes, such as the 250cc's are generally considered ideal training bikes. If you have your heart set on a cruiser, buy something that is lightweight, low to the ground (seat height is an issue for many women), and be prepared not to freak out in case you drop it.
All of the motorcycles you should be looking at will be relatively equal in safety and ease of use. Price, and special features (if you need any) should be your deciding factors.
Good luck and have fun.

Answer 6

Most of the Harleys are indeed a bit heavy. When I was taking my motorcycle class, I met a woman who had been trying to ride a Fat Boy. Found it way too difficult. After the class, she decided she wanted to get something a lot smaller.

If you want to take fairly long rides, a 250 will have trouble on the Interstate keeping up with traffic. They are quite good for in-town riding, though.

For longer trips, I'd say your best bet would be a cruiser in the 500 to 750 cc range - you'll have to decide just how big for yourself by sitting on them and if possible seeing if you can pick one up. All four of the major Japanese manufacturers have something to offer in this range, and a new or relatively new one from any of them ought to be pretty dependable.

The Harley Sportster is out of this range, and I would only recommend this if you are a bit on the tall side for a woman as it is a little larger (not dangerously larger) than most cruisers recommended for beginners.

Answer 7

Harley Davidson Sportster

Answer 8

i guess my question to you would be how tall are you? 5'2" or 6'2" what is your weight? you obviously have some riding experience. what have you ridden? which one feels the best to you? i would go to several dealers to get a feel of how they feel. some dealers won't so much as let you sit on the bike let alone ride it, while others are more flexible. but without an endorsement i doubt if any would turn you loose on one. talk to other riders of about your same stature to see what they think. there is nothing worse than getting a bike that is too small or too large for you. if your endorsement process is like it is in my state, i would recommend borrowing the lightest street legal bike you can find. that way you can manuever it more easily and concentrate on the course rather that the bike.

Answer 9

If I recall, Honda or Kawasaki has a few models with an Automatic Transmission.

How Novice are you?

If you already know how to shift gears, you ought to get one of the Japanese small four cylinder bikes.
They run smoother, get great gas milage, won't get stolen (like a Harley) as much, and since they are basically street motorcylcles the insurance is more reasonable. The insurance on an Enduro or Dirt/Street bike is very high.

I'd recommend something in 150cc up to 300cc as a starter bike, coz you're gonna need some power, especially if you're gonna be packin a babe and a saddle bag with amenities,... from time to time.

Answer 10

I would suggest something in the 250cc class. I have a Yamaha Virago 250. I weigh about 165, I'm about 6 foot. this motorcycle is definitely a good novice bike. And at around $600- 950 it's a pretty fair deal. It also get good mileage.