What is a good beginner motorcycle?

Question

I have my license, but haven't much experience. I'm looking for something used, but good quality. It also needs to be a smaller and lightweight. What do you suggest?

I love that everyone has given me so much information. I am also very short and will be looking most likely for something used.

Yes, I did take a MSF approved course, and rode two different bikes. After the course, (here in PA), they then allow you to take the test. I scored wonderfully, and was confident, even though I dumped the bike, during the second day. I didn't like either of the bikes because they were too high. I switched bikes the second day, because I didn't like the rear brake position on the first bike. On the second day I was annoyed with the position of the clutch.

I've had my license since summer, and really want to get a chance to gain experience.

Answer 1

since i live near the snowbelt and ridin is not possible at this time, i consider myself a slight rung above rookie, but not quite a full 'advanced'. i started with and still own, a 1200 sportster. they're a forgiving bike actually. it's very nimble in the corners, decent pickup, and wont try to buck u off grabbin a big handful of gas from a dead stop. i have the 1200cc version. put on a good seat, and u can ride as far as u want easy and their fun to ride. is relitively cheap also.

Answer 2

Well you did not disclose your height (inseam) or weight for starters so here are my suggestions.
First go on-line to some of the motorcycle manufacturer's web-sites to check some of the specs on the style of bike you like be it Sport or Cruiser, etc. Everyone I know that has bought a 600/750cc bike was not to happy with that size bike after a few months and the following year bought a bigger bike by the next riding season. And this is where size matters!

Cruiser bikes have the lowest seat height but don't jump the gun quiet yet because, not all seats are created equal, width also plays a big part here if you have short legs. So let say you have picked two bikes for your possible purchase and they both have the same seat height 26.5", but when you sit on them they both feel different. Maybe one you can place both feet flat on the ground and the other just the ball of the feet. Two reasons here, first that seat width and second...suspension set-up, if set soft, the bike will go lower to the ground as you place your body weight on the seat.

Any of the dealerships I (or friends) have been too they do not allow you to test ride a new bike, but they may have some used bikes you can take around the parking lot or around the block. Privet partys should allow you to take the bike for a ride and if not, get back in your car and take a look a another sellers bike.

I'd like to suggust that you look into an 750 to 800cc Cruiser, it will be the most comfurtable and easy the get use to. I'd stay away from those used Sport bikes only because more then likely they have been beat-on and they will not give you that all day ride comfort.

I hope this information will become useful in your search. Ride safe and good luck. (77)

Answer 3

Joulesofa congratulation on your getting your license!!! Did you take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation endorsed class? And if so ,you practiced on their bikes I am assuming and passed the agility course so that you would not have to take the riding part of the state exam . The bike(s) you rode were street legal right? So how did you like what you rode? If ya did then maybe look for something along the line of what you passed your riding agility test on. BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE , REMEMBER TWO THINGS!!! #1 when you sit on the bike both feet are flat on the ground when you are at a stop!! No tippy toes trying to hold it up. #2 is at least 250cc and up and it is street legal(headlites,taillites,turn signals,rear view mirrors) . 250cc - 350cc isn't the best thing to be on on the interstate as they are a little too light weight and acceleration isn't all that great for merging in and out of traffic. But they are very good for around town$600 -$800 is a good price range for a used beginner bike s you will have a few minor accidents ,like dropping it at stop signs or turning and stopping in traffic where your balance is not exactly lined up(we have all done it starting out)Stay away from "crotch rockets" as they are too hard to get a grip on because of the :"torqueiness"(wheel spin and wheelie hopping on you) You need one that you sit up straight on and like I said ,with both feet flat on the ground. My daughter took the beginner's riding course and did fairly well as I would take her for rides on the back of mine and explain shifting,leaning ,downshifting and manuevering in and aroundcones and leaning the bike so that she and the bike were onewith each other. When it came to buying a bike she went with a "friend" who had a "friend " with a bike for sale. It was a 450cc Suzuki GS - L Not bad bike for the price , "but it had a salvage title(been wrecked and rebuilt ) But her "friend" said it was just a bent fender,wheel and broken handlebar (yea right) She never noticed her feet didn't touch the ground without standing on her toes,and that was on just one foot.Well to make a long story short , after a couple of wrecks an dthe fact that the bike won't travel in a straight line without considerable leaning and steering the right cause all it wants to do is go left,she has lost all confidence in her riding ability and everyone who comes to look at the bike walks away after finding out it has a salvage title

Answer 4

the air cooled v-twins wont produce quite as much power as these water cooled crotch rockets, and they'd be alot more forgiving. when on a twisty road, i find it's good practice to go thru a series of switch backs at medium speed; a speed that ur not really pushing the bike hard, but not so slow a farm tractor could pass u up. then go back the way u came and bump the speed up slightly. and repeat. familarity of the road can help gain confidence to push the bike a bit harder, and u also find where those limits are safer by taking baby steps.

Answer 5

I have rode motorcycles my whole life, I began on a mini bike when I was 10. I would recommend something like the 250 honda shadow, as it has controllable power. I now ride a superglide, it is big and powerfull. When you get good at it, buy a Sportster, then get a big twin. Do not buy a Jap bike that has incredible power, I have had several, and they are not for beginners.

Answer 6

Get yourself a nice enduro. I'm in the same boat as you are, license with little experience or confidence. I'm starting out on a 250 dual purpose. That way I get on road experience on a bike with manageable power and I can take it off road to gain riding time out of traffic. Not many people sell their enduros but they are not too expensive to begin with. If you catch a sale you can get a 250 for about $6500. And they are lightweight and sturdy, you can drop it, not fell bad about it and pick it up easily. I'm 5'4', 120lbs and I can get it off the ground pretty easy. When you're ready to get a bigger bike you'll probably even hang onto it to kick around the bush on.

Answer 7

All the ladys around me kept handing over a 250 honda shadow there must of been atleast 6 ladys that learned to ride on that bike and they were all short. Its a low profile bike and lite weight so its easy to handle and very cheap to buy a good used one and if you drop it cheap to fix. After you get your bike the very best thing you can do is find a good rideing school you'll be glad you did.

good luck and I know you'll have a blast once you get riding.

ride free
ride hard
refuel
repeat

Answer 8

What ever the small Honda sabtes are now days.. around 750 or so CC's a femal friend of mine just got one a few months ago as a first bike.. she loves it.. My X wife started out on a harley 883 Sportster Hugger.. 750 or so Suzuki intruder if you want light weight.. not much lighter than that.. (personally i wont ride anything under 1100cc's my self.. had a bit of a problem with winds by palm Springs in the old days.. if i wann change lanes i wanna do it myself..

Answer 9

Depends what you want from a bike. I would recommend the Suzuki SV650, it's a twin cylinder and available with or without fairing. Easy to ride but still quite quick, reliable and well made, very user friendly, handles well and has a low seat height, reasonably priced and won't cost the earth if you drop it - spares are plentiful and easily available. Cheap to insure and good on gas. Perfect first 'bigger bike'.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/SV650K7/Default.aspx

Whatever you choose, enjoy and ride safe.

Answer 10

If you can find a 750 Honda Shadow they are great starter bikes. They also have a resale value when your ready to buy that Harley Davidson you know you will want.