I have heard the Honda Rebel is a good one to start with. It will be more than anything my daily transportation in Florida. Are there any bikes comperable to this?
2007-06-29 01:00:01 · 17 answers · asked by chiteface 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
You should take a motorcycle course before you buy your first bike. It's the perfect chance to get certified for bike riding, (which can lower your insurance rates and make it easier to get your motorcycle lisense) AND find out if a motorcycle is really for you in the first place.
Let's say that it is?
Start out with a used bike in a good condition. (you can get one for 500-1k on craigs list)
Don't go past a 650 on a starter bike; and make sure you are geared up; like others have said, you WILL ground your bike at least once in the first six months. (wipe-out)
2007-06-29 01:09:04 · answer #1 · answered by redsquirrelpooka 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Honda Rebel is a good starter if you are small or a woman. Otherwise get something bigger at least 600cc or larger. People tend to outgrow the small bikes like a Rebel in 6 months. So buying a Honda Rebel is a waste of money. Get the biggest one you can that you can sit on and flat foot the ground. A 250cc motorcycles isn't any easier to ride than say a Suzuki Boulevard if your feet are solid on the ground. So get the bigger one you will keep it longer.
2007-06-29 04:06:58 · answer #2 · answered by HD Rider 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of idiots answering your question. If you get an R1, you WILL die. That is an insane amount of bike for a beginner. That is an insane amount of bike for an expert, too. You will probably lay down your first bike at least once. So get something cheap. Go to your local community college and sign up for the MSF rider course. They will teach you everything you need to know about how to ride. And they will give you a license at the end. Your insurance will probably be lower too. USAA wouldn't cover me unless I took the course. In the course you ride 250cc motorcycles. My course had us on Honda Rebels, Nighthawks, and Suzuki 250s. The 250s are really small bikes. I started on a Kawasaki 500 cruiser and it was perfect. If you want a sportbike, stay at 250 or 500. 600 is a lot of sport bike. Remember, MotoGP uses 600cc bikes. If you want a cruiser, 500cc is good. 600cc is alright if you are a big guy. 250cc might be too small. Defiately take that course!
2007-06-29 01:51:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would go with some thing a bit bigger than 250. I would also choose and older one that is inexpensive. The reason is that you will still be learning, and it is likely the bike will be on it's side. Don't forget there are two kinds of bikers....those that have been down and those who will go down.
Opt for the cheaper older one, because parts are often times cheaper and it doesn't hurt the wallet (or the ego) as much to drop a $1000- $2000 bike. Today's sport bikes look great, but the plastic parts the scratch when they go down are expensive and look terrible before you can get them fixed.
2007-06-29 05:53:44 · answer #4 · answered by ffroadking 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answers suggesting a riding course are spot on. For one thing it will help you pass your riding test. Some do it in the course, so you use the bike you've been riding, which raises your confidence.
In California if you don't have an M1 license when you buy a bike, you can't ride it home.
One piece of advice: If you have a budget, take that number and subtract the cost of a first class full-face helmet, leathers, gloves and a pair of sturdy riding boots. You have no business getting on a bike without them, especially starting out.
As someone else posted, you are guaranteed to lay your first bike down within the first month. (I did it within a week when some idiot turned left right in front of me.) So make that first bike a used one.
Just about any Japanese road bike 600 cc or under should be okay if you can keep the red mist down. I am prejudiced in favor of Yamaha for no good reason.
2007-06-29 02:05:48 · answer #5 · answered by theomdude 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Somebody else mentioned taking the safety classes first, that's a good idea. Make sure it's something you really enjoy before spending money on it.
If you do enjoy it, buy your starter bike. Buy a nice but inexpensive USED bike. I can't stress that enough. Everybody lays down their first bike at least once, and it's going to hurt a lot more if you do it on something rediculous like an R1. AFTER you have owned that bike for at least a year, then consider upgrading to something better, but still within your skill level.
If you can't live with the cheap motorcycle for a year, you're probably going to get bored with motorcycling no matter what you buy.
2007-06-29 01:47:14 · answer #6 · answered by shiznannigan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anything from a 600CC on down is a good starter bike. Don't listen to the retarded ones saying get a R1 - (1000cc) that is way to much for a starter bike.
You want something that is light, maneuverable and something that you feel comfortable riding.
2007-06-29 01:27:32 · answer #7 · answered by cgriffin1972 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) Take a class first, it's a life saver ...
2) 500-600cc is perfect so you won't outgrow it. My first was an Honda F4i -- handles very well, very reliable. 1000cc, you'll kill yourself ...
3) Get "sliders" as you WILL drop it, either while riding or just standing still ...
Don't worry, it's not bad. And once you're on your bike, you will LOVE it
2007-07-02 00:13:02 · answer #8 · answered by Fabian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the rebel is a cheap way to start but it wont be worth anything after a few short years. if you can afford it go for the harley sportster 883. run u about 9k but the value will hold and will be able to help u upgrade easier. many harley shops will finance with no money down also.
2007-06-29 03:59:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any Honda is a good reliable bike track well and are forgiving in steering ~~
2007-06-29 01:08:23 · answer #10 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋