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beginner motorcycle for 6' dude

R

randal

Golden Member
I'm really looking at purchasing a motorcycle to use as my daily commuter and to get around town in (already own a truck). I'm 6' about 205lbs. I've ridden motorcycles a few times in my life, maybe a total of 16 hours of riding time (very newbie). I am interested only in a cruiser-style bike -- don't want a rocket of any sort. My max budget is $3k, but I am aiming for $2k. I don't really want to get a brand new bike; something used is better (cheaper). I have looked at the Honda Rebel 250, and it's a small little thing, and I am afraid that although it might do the job well, in 6 months I'm going to be looking again. I checked out the Honda Nighthawks also, and the 250 was really nice, the 750 was nicer, but waaay huge. If they made a Nighthawk 400-600 I'd be sold, but I haven't seen any at local dealers.

I plan on taking the MSF course in 3 weeks when they re-open. I've already got a helmet, leathers and gloves, just looking for a good, cheap, cruiser. Any ideas / suggestions?

Thanks!
randal 😀
 
I wouldn't get a 250. You will outgrow that way too fast. Once you get riding for a month or two you will be ready for something bigger. Also, a 250 wouldn't be the best if you are planning any highway/freeway driving. A 750 may seem a lot bigger but its really not.

I have ridden a couple of 250 cruisers and they just aren't as comforable as the bigger bikes (too small), and they don't have the power to get up to freeway speeds.

I am a sportbike guy, so I don't have a recommendation off the top of my head, but I can ask my riding buddies who are into cruisers if you would like.
 
There are countless motorcycle threads on here already. Look in the archives.

A 250 probably isn't a bad idea to start out with, you can pick it up pretty cheaply. And pick it up pretty easily when you drop it. Buying one and upgrading in six months isn't a bad idea. Either than or an 80s 500-600cc bike, if you go for a cruiser it's not going to be tuned nearly as 'peppy' as a sportbike so should be relatively safe. Look for small & cheap to start out with and save your money for a pretty bike once you're more comfortable with your own skills. Highly recommend the MSF course...
 
I read through the archives already, and it seems like everybody wants to get a sportbike (gsxr, cbr, ninja, etc), and they all want 250s. Well, I don't want either of those, so I ask a very detailed question -- mid-range cruiser for a guy like me.

Any more ideas? I just enrolled for the MSF course today, and am looking forward to getting some spring riding in.

Thanks!
randal
 
Get a used UJM in the 600-750 range. Sell it when you stop dropping it maneuvering around in parking lots.
 
How about an Old Honda Hawk GT or Nighthawk.

It is not a cruiser so much as a standard, but that is a better type for getting around...
 
Note - the Hawk GT's of recent years are more sport bike than standard and I am talking about the older ones. I'll see if I can find a link...
 
My first streetbike (after years on dirtbikes) was a Kawasaki 305 CSR. A little black & chrome bike, it didn't have enough guts to pop wheelies but it would cruise along happily at freeway speeds. You have to ask yourself if you really want advice or not. If everyone is recommending a small bike to you but you already have your mind made up to get a bigger one, then there's no sense in asking for advice. If you keep asking long enough you'll eventually find someone that agrees that you should go for a literbike, but they're not going to be in the majority.
 
Get a mid 80's Seca 2 from yammmmmahhhhaaaaa

There are so many bikes. If you are looking for something that you can maintain, without major work, settle for some early 90's model of a good year and make. Get a bike thats around 500 or up, maby a 500 that has a smaller and less weight shell. I am 6' 3" and I ride a Yamaha Venture Royal. . .She's a beast at around 500 lbs i think. Its sometimes iffy on handling, but if you can get something around maby like 200lbs or so. . .

I think its 500lbs, i'll have to double check. . .


Hope this helps.

-Steve

btw, any older honda will do the trick to. . .I would stay away from everything cept 'Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki'

 
I'd look for a used Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic or Custom. They're very well balanced, light and enough power for a rider your size. (I'm 6'3" and was almost 300lbs back then and it handled me just fine). See the links in this post for pictures of my old bike or go check out Yamaha's web-site. I paid $4300 for a 2 year old bike in perfect condition (they run about $5300 new), so you should be able to find a 4-5 year old one for less than $3k I would think.
 
A good all round bike thaat will do what you want is a Honda Shadow. Look for something in the 83-87 range and the VT500 or VT750-VT700 engine soze. Yiu should be able to get a good one for around the low 2K's and it has good power and is very reliable. It is a V-Twin. You don't want a 4cyl for a crusier, esp your first one.

I myself own a 86 VT700 Shadow. They are Shaft drive so no belts or chains to worry about and are not to bad to work on. You can get plugs, oil filters, and oil at Autozones for the Shadows.

I would rather have a Harley or a GSX-R but they are mad $$$ for a GOOD one that has not been beat on.
 
Anybody have experience or thoughts on the Suzuki LS650? They seemed to be priced well here in Colorado Springs. Every place I've called about used bikes says that they have a couple (people getting rid of them?) and say that they are great.
 
If I were you I'd get a Yamaha V Star 650 Classic

LINK

You can pick up a nice used one for $3000-$4000 range.

That is going to be my next bike 🙂
 
Originally posted by: randal
Anybody have experience or thoughts on the Suzuki LS650? They seemed to be priced well here in Colorado Springs. Every place I've called about used bikes says that they have a couple (people getting rid of them?) and say that they are great.
Click to expand...


I would pass on that. It is a Single Cyl bike.

Try and get a V-Twin. Good power, MPG, and looks and sounds good.

 
Originally posted by: Tripleshot
Find a used Harley, and go for it. They are out there. You will never go wrong with a hog! 😉
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2-3K does not get you much, if anything. If it did I would have a Harley instead of a Honda Shadow


 
You also may want to consider the Yamaha Virago 750
The Virago has a great reputation and quite a cult following.

I currently own a Virago 535 which is perfect for me right now as a newbie, but I have been told I will outgrow it soon. I am 5'11" and 150lbs, so I think you may need something a little bigger.

 
You will never go wrong with a hog!
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Dude, there are so many ways to go wrong with a hog, I can't even begin to tell you. $3K might get you a POS Ironhead Sportster that will make you rue the day you were born.
Anybody have experience or thoughts on the Suzuki LS650?
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Single-cylinder, kinda slow. You'll get bored. Popular with really short riders. You might be a little cramped.

Here's the deal - your first bike should be something that works well, but that you don't really give a sh*t about, because you WILL drop it. Drop a nice bike, and your heart will break - you'll be kicking yourself for weeks. Drop a Radian, Seca II, an old Nighthawk, or whatever, and you pick it up and go without shedding a tear. There are a zillion of those kinds of bikes that can be had for $1-2000.

Ride it, drop it, move on. Wait until you feel comfortable before you spend real money on a bike that you care about.

 
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