QuestionHey Pat..
I've got the riding fever or a mid-life crisis one..I'm a 55 yr old 5'9" weigh 155#. I've been on the back of a bike since I was 13...but I never had a desire to actually ride my own until the last couple of years...
Now the time has come...What type of bike do I need to begin on before I make the big dream of my lifetime come true and buy my first Harley???
This is so important to me and I would appreciate your expertise opinion on which direction to start in....
Sincerely,
Linda
AnswerLinda,
Please forgive my late reply. My wife and I just had our first baby and I'm a little scattered.
Rule of thumb: for a first bike, select something that appeals to you stylewise with these criteria: if it has four cyclinders, get a bike no larger than 500cc; if it has two cyclinders, no larger than 700cc.
I'm going to pull a few excerpts from my most recent book, "How to Ride a Motorcycle; A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety, and Skill Development." I highly recommend you read the rest of the book, as well, it will answer--hopefully in advance--most all of the questions a new rider will have about getting started the right way.
What People Say and What People Mean #2: “Start Small”
If you’re going approach motorcycling from a holistic perspective, your first real act of intelligence will be what you choose for your first bike.
When experienced riders tell you to start small, they don’t exactly mean that you should start on a little bike, (though as a rule of thumb, it’s not bad advice.) What they mean is that you should start on a bike that you’ll be able to handle physically, financially, and psychologically. The bike you’re lusting after is almost always NOT the right bike to learn on.
This means start on a bike that’s size and power won’t immediately overwhelm you while you’re still learning to keep it balanced and work the controls. It’s hard enough to get basic motorcycle handling mastered without trying to rein in a bike that wants to continually leap from your grasp or crush you in your garage when you forget to put the sidestand down. Buying an older used bike means when you tip it over or crash it (and you will), the repair bills won’t cost you more than your first car did. Most importantly, starting small means your focus is still on you—your priority is not what bike you own, but learning how to ride. A state-of-the-art machine will whisper to you to do things you’re not ready to do yet. A big, expensive bike will make you look and feel like a better rider than you are, and you absolutely do not need that sort of distraction this early in the ballgame.
Too many riders make the mistake of buying the bike they’re in love with for their first bike. These bikes will typically answer the question, “What is the best bike?” when what a beginner really wants to know is, “What is the best bike for me?” It is only with heroic self-restraint that most new riders can commit to buying a bike they know they’ll outgrow in a year or two. But the riders who do are rewarded with a quicker learning curve and low cost, which leaves lots of room to practice, experiment, and have fun.
The most important thing at this point is to find a bike that’s the right size for you, physically. Buy a bike too big for you and you look like a little kid riding an oversized Big Wheel. Buy a bike too small and you look like a gorilla riding a toaster. You should be able to plant your feet flat on the ground while sitting on the bike, and you should be able to pick it up if it falls over. “Bike size” is closely related to engine size, so you can narrow your selection criteria down to a few tantalizing choices based solely on displacement (normally measured in cubic centimeters, or “cc”). Ideally, set a limit of 500 cc for a four-cylinder engine or 700 cc for a two-cylinder engine. Anything greater than that can get unwieldy and make it difficult for you to learn.
The Cruiser: Style and Function
If your motorcycling goal is to have a traditional, good-looking and mean-sounding bike to use for transportation and/or leisurely rides, a cruiser-style bike is what you want. Cruisers usually offer a low seat height good for smaller or shorter riders, a low center of gravity and good stability, and comfortable seating and riding positions. They tend toward the longer and heavier end of the motorcycling spectrum, and sometimes that can work against you when you’re learning. On the other hand, because they’re a little bulkier, the engine and power is usually a little more manageable, and you’re less likely to have your bike jackrabbit out from under you when you accidentally pop the clutch at a stop sign.
The Virago comes in a million sizes. Their smaller bikes are bulletproof, have a low seat height, sport a V-Twin, and are pretty sharp looking and fun to ride.
Honda’s Shadow is a really great way to cut your teeth. It’s got a beautiful design, low seat height, good power, and a big fat rear tire that will impress even your non-riding friends.
Beginner Cruisers to Consider
Honda Rebel 250, 450; Magna 250, 500, Shadow 500, 600, 700
Kawasaki Eliminator 125; Vulcan LTD 500
Suzuki GZ 250; Savage 650
Yamaha XS 250; Virago 250, 535 V-Star 650
