Motorcycles

**DwarvenChef** · 09-11-2007, 04:15 AM

I miss my Harley...

**FiReSTaRT** · 09-11-2007, 04:24 AM

Andrew, as a rider who just got started this season, I do have a few pieces of advice to offer, stemming from my learning process..
1) The second biggest safety factor (other than the rider) is your gear. A DOT+Snell certified lid to protect your noggin. Even if you get a cruiser, get a full face helmet. Even though lots of cruiser riders like to go all in black leathers, brighter colours make you more visible to the cell-phone talking, suv-driving housewife. Silver is a good compromise. Make sure your gear at least has padding, even though body armor is a great investment in safety. Image or lower medical bills -- your choice. P.S. Once you get all the gear, wear it.. All the time. It's like fastening the seat belt -- a drag, but it becomes a habit.
2) Take the safety course. Some may even offer you a whole variety of bikes to learn on. From 125cc dirtbikes to 600cc supersports and some cruisers added to the mix. If no course in your area offers you that sort of a variety, you can at least have a foundation so you can start renting various types of bikes to decide which one suits your personality.
3) When you're out there riding, you have to make the following assumptions: Most don't see you. Those that do are out to get you. That's the safest attitude for riding in traffic.
4) Even though you like the look of cruisers, they're not really city bikes. I think the perfect bike for suburbia would be a naked Suzuki SV650. (The ones with full fairings look like street bikes, but naked ones have more of a conservative look). http://moto.suzuki.ca/Products/Defau...CA&province=ON You get the rumble of a v-twin, the handling that's almost as good as a street bike's and a good level of comfort. In addition to that, they are fairly light, so they are easier for parking and low speed maneuvering (parking lots, driveway etc.). Another option would be to get a real sport touring bike. BMW has some real lovelies and they're backed by their excellent reputation.
5) Whatever you get, don't forget to wave back

**denmason** · 09-11-2007, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Andrew, as a rider who just got started this season, I do have a few pieces of advice to offer, stemming from my learning process..
1) The second biggest safety factor (other than the rider) is your gear. A DOT+Snell certified lid to protect your noggin. Even if you get a cruiser, get a full face helmet. Even though lots of cruiser riders like to go all in black leathers, brighter colours make you more visible to the cell-phone talking, suv-driving housewife. Silver is a good compromise. Make sure your gear at least has padding, even though body armor is a great investment in safety. Image or lower medical bills -- your choice. P.S. Once you get all the gear, wear it.. All the time. It's like fastening the seat belt -- a drag, but it becomes a habit.
2) Take the safety course. Some may even offer you a whole variety of bikes to learn on. From 125cc dirtbikes to 600cc supersports and some cruisers added to the mix. If no course in your area offers you that sort of a variety, you can at least have a foundation so you can start renting various types of bikes to decide which one suits your personality.
3) When you're out there riding, you have to make the following assumptions: Most don't see you. Those that do are out to get you. That's the safest attitude for riding in traffic.
4) Even though you like the look of cruisers, they're not really city bikes. I think the perfect bike for suburbia would be a naked Suzuki SV650. (The ones with full fairings look like street bikes, but naked ones have more of a conservative look). http://moto.suzuki.ca/Products/Defau...CA&province=ON You get the rumble of a v-twin, the handling that's almost as good as a street bike's and a good level of comfort. In addition to that, they are fairly light, so they are easier for parking and low speed maneuvering (parking lots, driveway etc.). Another option would be to get a real sport touring bike. BMW has some real lovelies and they're backed by their excellent reputation.
5) Whatever you get, don't forget to wave back

Good advice Ilija,

Been on Harleys most of my life, '07 Ultra Classic at the moment. Make sure you really want one, there are lots of bikes out there for sale and sitting gathering dust because the owners found out that bikes just were not for them. Harleys are big bikes for a new rider.

**Jimbo** · 09-11-2007, 08:38 AM

It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I've heard good things about the new "retro" Triumphs - Bonneville (generic and T100) and Scrambler.

The Scrambler has certainly caught my eye. Although it's a larger capacity bike than you might normally associate with a novice machine, the HP is moderate, the seating position is upright, and it looks the goods (IMHO)!

If you're not sure on the cruisers, and don't want sports, consider taking a look at these.

James.

**Linc** · 09-11-2007, 12:41 PM

You want one of these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEuzxC4eGc

**FiReSTaRT** · 09-11-2007, 02:18 PM

Lol, that's a funny vid. Now that one'd definitely be too big for a beginner. That's the problem with most of the nicer cruisers. Their size can be intimidating to a new rider. The reason I recommended the naked SV650 is that it has plenty of introductory elements to a cruiser that once you get used to it, you can easily move on up in size and have fun while you're at it. They top out at about 115-120, so they've got plenty of speed and they handle well enough that they can even tag along with crotch rockets operated by intermediate level riders, in the twisties. They have an upright seating position so you're not on your belly like on a crotch rocket or taking a nap in a 2-wheeled cruiser-recliner.
As for me, I like the noise of a high-revving i-4, the predatory forward-leaning position, knowing that I can reach some insane top speeds and most importantly, the handling of crotch rockets.

**str8_razr** · 09-11-2007, 02:27 PM

thanks for all the replies... keep them coming. I want as many opinions as possible.

Andrew

**AntC** · 09-11-2007, 03:27 PM

Definitely take the class first of course. There's a lot of good information in there that will help a ton. I'd also recommend starting out on a smaller, used bike in good mechanical condition as well. As mentioned before it makes dropping it in the garage a little less painful on the pride/pocketbook. A smaller bike will be easier to handle initially and help with low speed situations (also easier to pick up after a drop).

Practice your skills a lot in empty parking lots (churches at night can be good sources of no-traffic parking lots). Even when you're experienced practicing quick stops, swerves, etc. every year and with every new bike is a good habit to get into.

Style is really a personal preference. I've had a standard, sportbike and cruiser and really liked each for different aspects. Your first bike will most likely not be your last and usually your dream bike will change after a little while spent riding and figuring out what really works best for you (not just what may catch your eye).

There's a lot of good options for beginners in each style. The BMW F650 is a great standard bike and offers ABS (although expensive), the Vulcan 750 is a nice light cruiser and quicker than some of the big boys, the Ninja 500 is a great starter sporty bike and is not nearly as aggressive as the race replicas (almost standard seating in fact), etc. A number of people I know have also had good success with the Suzuki M50/C50/S50 range. Kawasaki and Yamaha's bikes in the 800cc range also seem to do well as do the 600/750cc Hondas. Unfortunately the only small Harley is the Sportster which is really top-heavy compared to most other cruisers though it's worked for countless people over the years to start on as well.

While its possible to start out on almost anything, IMO you're skills will develop faster on a smaller initial bike. I started out on a BIG sport bike and really regret the time wasted. I learned but at a slower pace due to the additional effort required to deal with the extra weight, power, etc. All of those things were equally applicable on smaller bikes and much more forgiving/easy to learn.

www.beginnerbikers.org and www.beginnerandbeyond.com are both great communities dedicated to helping beginning (and experienced) riders that I would highly recommend.

I'd also highly recommend David Hough Proficient Motorcycling, More Proficient Motorcycling and Street Strategies. They're great books with practical everyday applications.

Ant

**mhailey** · 09-11-2007, 04:24 PM

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0

**Jonedangerousli** · 09-11-2007, 04:48 PM

Three letters: BMW

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