Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Little and new, wrong bike, decent shape

Question
This is the same question you have heard a million times. What size of bike for a newbie. First of all I haven't been on a bike in 20 years of which I only rode a street bike, 350, once and an dirt bike once.  I have decided I might want a bike of my own. I am taking the the MSF class this coming weekend. I wanted to do this before I purchased a bike since it seems sensible to spend 200.00 and find out you don't want to take on the responsiblity then it is to spend thousands and find out. Plus, my husband requires I take the course. Anyway, I am 5'1" and in pretty decent shape as far as strength. People keep telling me I should try the Shadow but I felt real comfortable when I sat on the Rebel. This might sound stupid and I know to most riders,  the Shadow seems small but I felt intiminated by it. Please give me some expert advice on this choice. Again, I'm not to sure what I'll do until after this weekend.  

Answer
Pamela,

Thanks for the question, and yes I do get it a lot, but it is by far the most important question I get.

Let me say first that you are doing all the correct things to get started, both from a safety point of view and from a financial one.

Many riders fall in love with a bike, buy it, and only then discover it is either the wrong bike for them or that riding motorcycles is not what they thought it would be. That's where the bikes for sale with only 300 miles on them come from. You have made the smart choice by taking the class before buying a bike.

And kudos to your husband for insisting you take the class.

As far as your new bike goes (if you decide to take that step), if you are intimidated by the larger Shadow, then by all means do NOT buy it. If you do, I guarantee you that you will not ride it, because you will not enjoy riding it.

The vast, vast majority of people who ride motorcycles in the U.S. ride because they enjoy it, not because they have to (which is the case in many other countries). Therefore, it is very important you get a bike you enjoy riding, no matter if it's a fat Harley, a cutting-edge sport bike, a 50cc Vespa or the Honda Rebel. Get the bike you like riding, and you'll ride it a lot more than getting something that someone else says you should get. It really is that simple.

Later on, if you decide you have enough confidence and really want to move to a something bigger/different, then revisit the Shadow, or another larger bike. In the meantime, there is no hurry. The Rebel is stone-ax reliable,, inexpensive, easy to ride for a beginner and will take you anywhere you want to go (and get what, 75 mpg?). You may find that the Rebel is all the bike you'll ever want or need, and if that's the case, call it good and take care of it.

Enjoy the class, Pamela, and don't let anyone (hubby included) tell you what to ride. It is very important to follow your instincts in that regard. Ride what YOU want to ride, and I'll guarantee you'll become a better rider because you'll have fun on YOUR choice of a bike.

Take care, ride smart,

Bill Roberson