Author Topic: New Biker....ME!! Well kinda..... (Read 70461 times)

Fobroader · « **on:** February 03, 2020, 12:59:32 pm »

So, after about 20 years of not shitting and not getting off the pot, I am finally planning to go for a motorcycle safety course this spring, get my class 6 and buy a motorcycle of sorts this spring/summer. Now I know asking "whats the best bike for a beginner" is like asking what the best beer is, so I won't be doing that. However, I have been looking around, watching some videos and the Suzuki Vstrom 650 seems to fit the bill for my wants/needs. Slap some more dual purpose tires on there and I can even do a bit of a dirt road every now and then. Thoughts, opinions?? Thank you

Fobroader · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:04:30 pm »

Quote from: wongpong on February 03, 2020, 01:01:01 pm

A used burgman 400.. lol

A what??

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:14:28 pm »

A big scooter.

Good for you. I want to get on two wheels eventually. I'm hoping that when my Dad gets too old to ride, he just donates his bikes to his sons. He's got two bikes. A Harley Davidson Sportster, and a Triumph Bonneville T100. Both are 800's. I'm trying to convince him that my brother is a good fit for the Harley (he isn't), and that I'm a good fit for the Triumph.

Fobroader · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:16:29 pm »

Quote from: Great_Big_Abyss on February 03, 2020, 01:14:28 pm

A big scooter.

Good for you. I want to get on two wheels eventually. I'm hoping that when my Dad gets too old to ride, he just donates his bikes to his sons. He's got two bikes. A Harley Davidson Sportster, and a Triumph Bonneville T100. Both are 800's. I'm trying to convince him that my brother is a good fit for the Harley (he isn't), and that I'm a good fit for the Triumph.

I've wanted a bike since I was a teenager, I'm finally in the financial position where I can afford one without causing any kind of waves in our financial well being.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:27:14 pm »

do it (Indian FTR1200S).

Fobroader · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:29:01 pm »

Quote from: dirtyjeffer on February 03, 2020, 01:27:14 pm

do it (Indian FTR1200S).

well thats feckin beautiful!!

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2020, 01:36:47 pm »

I had a Vstrom for a number of years. It's a great all purpose bike with lots of options available to customize as you need

A bit on the top heavy side for a learner, a bit on the tall side, and is kind of made to break its turn signals/dent the tank if it goes over.

So it would be doable, especially if modified (suspension can be dropped, tank guards added, etc) but not the easiest thing to start with

If not I have a TW200 sitting in the corner of my garage I'll sell you cheap, basically a fat tire dirt bike with lights

blur911 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2020, 02:06:28 pm »

Cool, it's a fun thing to at least learn and know how to ride, even if you

A Vstrom 650 or 1000 (1050) is on my short list of next bikes.
You won't go wrong, they are super reliable and tough.

As mentioned, they aren't the lightest thing to learn on. If you're a bit short in the inseam and don't have great balance/strength, you might be needing the aforementioned guards and stuff.

Another option might be a DRZ400S, still tall, but substantially lighter and easier to handle at low speeds.
Yeah, uncomfortable for highway driving, but dirt-roads, or no-roads are it's forte.
Depends on what roads are accessible and what kind of riding you want to do.

Gurgie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2020, 02:25:19 pm »

Check to see how the insurance rates are for a new rider as well. They're stupid about the cc's usually, so take that into consideration as well. Might have to start with a 400 for a season or two, then move up.

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Arthur Dent · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2020, 02:25:41 pm »

A friend has a Suzuki Vstrom 1000 and it is an impressive but heavy beast. The 650 is less so but might take a while to get comfy on. I guess it depends what you want to do. Cruise on the weekend, gravel back roads, big road trips, commuting?

Most new riders drop their bike at least once so having a less fancy learner bike is good.

Something like PJungnitsch's TW200 would be super easy to build your skills on and you can flip it to the next person next spring.

Insurance is definitely a concern.

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2020, 02:45:44 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on February 03, 2020, 02:25:41 pm

A friend has a Suzuki Vstrom 1000 and it is an impressive but heavy beast. The 650 is less so but might take a while to get comfy on. I guess it depends what you want to do. Cruise on the weekend, gravel back roads, big road trips, commuting?

Most new riders drop their bike at least once so having a less fancy learner bike is good.

Something like PJungnitsch's TW200 would be super easy to build your skills on and you can flip it to the next person next spring.

Insurance is definitely a concern.

Whatever I decide on will be used and will definitely get more protection bars than your average playground

I have no illusions that I won't heroically drop the bike in a crowded parking lot lol

johngenx · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2020, 08:42:29 pm »

Damn, should have kept my 'Busa for you...

rrocket · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2020, 09:53:25 pm »

I'd consider a Honda CB500x too.

johngenx · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2020, 09:56:12 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on February 03, 2020, 09:53:25 pm

I'd consider a Honda CB500x too.

Oh, hells yeah. Amazing starter bike and you don't have to sell it right away, a very livable bike.

Fobroader · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2020, 12:25:18 am »

I like the look of the Suzuki SV650

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ktm525 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2020, 12:51:17 am »

I have a line on a very lightly used Suzuki Marauder (12k kms). 1600CC performance cruiser. A great starter bike.

It is sort of a "mid size" cruise as I think they modified a GSXR chassis. It was a strange cooperation between Suzuki and Kawasaki (called a mean streak). It didn't sell because it was not named Harley. This specific example only left it's crate in about 2010.

ktm525 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2020, 12:52:28 am »

Here is a Kawi version.

rrocket · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2020, 12:58:49 am »

^^Yamaha made a similar one called the Warrior...except it had aluminum frame and swingarm and 1670cc!

ktm525 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2020, 01:26:23 am »

Oh yeah the Warrior. Didn't sell either. I may just pick this thing up next spring. For $3k it is hard not to.

rrocket · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2020, 01:30:16 am »

True, true.