QuestionI am 36, and have not ridden anything other than mini-bikes, and mopeds as a kid. I have done a lot of web research and seem to come up with a 50/50 split on first bike size. I have also spoken to riders, a bike shop personel who say an 1100 cruiser is fine for a first bike? I am 6'1 275lbs solid, and do plan on taking long rides with frieds. While I know I am not too big for a 650 is it enough or can I go 1100? I will be taking my MSF this month and will get my instructors opinion as well.
Thanks
AnswerWhat 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.
My baseline recommendation for a first bike is 500cc or less if it is a four-cylinder bike, 700cc or less if it is a two-cylinder bike. Due to your size, you may find that something in the 800 (2-cyl) range fits you better. I would not go any higher than that for now.
Good luck and have fun!
Pat
