Newbie needs advice on what bike to get
Claude Gerin
lb man???
I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
Any advice???
Kuryliak, Dan [CAR:VG18:EXCH]
If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, sign-up with the
Ottawa-Carleton
Safety Council and take their course. It could save you from grievous
injury in the first season of riding. On a motorcycle, it's a "jungle
out
there", you are very vulnerable with no metal cage around you facing the
odd braindead motorist that will do something stupid out of impulse...
like running a red light while you're trying to turn left
at an intersection, or turn in your path because "they didn't see you".
The course will teach you street smarts and survival skills!
I suggest a USED cruiser anywhere from 500cc to 650cc. You'll run into
situations in the first season of riding, where you'll probably drop the
bike.
There are simply too many situations to cover in this reply, but there
are quite a few ways to drop your bike or have it fall over.
Bike parts are expensive! You would feel really bad about having
your new bike scratched or dented.
Look for a used cruiser price range up to $1500. There should be quite
a good selection of bikes from the mid to late 80's in that price range.
No matter which bike you choose, they have to pass a safety inspection.
Don't buy one without a safety, unless it's a real bargain, and you know
what it will cost to get the bike repaired. Motorcycle tires, for
instance last an average of 12-15,000km and are expensive. $130 and up.
Here are some models you could look at, some of the other readers may
have more suggestions for you. Avoid getting a big powerful 800cc (and
up)
cruiser in your first season of riding, not only are they heavier to
handle, but the engine power available will override your sense of
caution, getting you into trouble. Following a tight curve
on the highway is a situation where engine power has to be handled with
skill and experience.
- Older versions of the Honda Shadow 500cc Vtwin (500cc and under
are
much lower
insurance
premiums)
- Yamaha Viragos 500cc/535cc - 750cc.
- Suzuki/Yamaha parallel twins 500cc -750cc
- Kawasaki twins 440cc - 650cc
Dan
--
********************************************************************
Dan Kuryliak da...@NortelNetworks.com
YZF Bigs
> Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> lb man???
>
> I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
>
> Any advice???
Is this the Claude I know??? With his own consulting company??? (Worked at
Builders?) Anyways you should take the OCSC motorcycle course. Then look
for at least a 600cc because you will get fed up quickly of the lack of
power. If you get a big bike, take it really easy at first. Get a trader
and go see a couple of bikes. Dealer, well they have some also, but it's
nuts in there at this time of year.
Good Luck.
Ciao!
--
Bigs
'97 YZF1000
Henderson, Greg (EXCHANGE:CAR:VN15)
>
> Claude Gerin wrote:
> >
> > Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> > lb man???
> >
> > I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> > no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
> >
> > Any advice???
>
> Ottawa-Carleton
> Safety Council and take their course. It could save you from grievous
> injury in the first season of riding.
Agreed.
> I suggest a USED cruiser anywhere from 500cc to 650cc. You'll run into
> situations in the first season of riding, where you'll probably drop the
> bike.
For new riders I think a standard riding position is better.
If your heart is set on a cruiser, then go ahead. But I think
the standard riding position offers more all around control on
the bike.
Perhaps a cruiser with a neutral riding position (avoid bikes
where you lean back for your first bike).
--
Greg Henderson | Ride For Somethin'
96 ZX-6E | http://www.insites.ca/ride/
80 GS1100E | Remove "u"s for e-dress
Claude Gerin
How are things man???
YZF Bigs wrote:
> Claude Gerin wrote:
>
> > Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> > lb man???
> >
> > I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> > no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
> >
> > Any advice???
>
Kuryliak, Dan [CAR:VG18:EXCH]
>
> Kuryliak, Dan [CAR:VG18:EXCH] wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> > > lb man???
> > >
> > > I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> > > no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
> > >
> > > Any advice???
> For new riders I think a standard riding position is better.
> If your heart is set on a cruiser, then go ahead. But I think
> the standard riding position offers more all around control on
> the bike.
>
> Perhaps a cruiser with a neutral riding position (avoid bikes
> where you lean back for your first bike).
Why would you want a "neutral riding pose?" Either your hunched over
hugging your tank like two toads mating, or you sit comfy and lean back
with yur forward controls and feel the sun and wind on your face. Slap
on some really loud pipes and putt along real slow...don't wave unless
it's
to other H-D riders....don't forget to that lots of non-functional
chrome and leather accessories help too, since the babes are only
interested in shiny parked bikes. :-)
*******************************************
Dan Kuryliak da...@NortelNetworks.com
Mike Long
> ...don't wave unless it's to other H-D riders....don't forget to that lots of
> non-functional
> chrome and leather accessories help too, since the babes are only
> interested in shiny parked bikes. :-)
>
> *******************************************
> Dan Kuryliak da...@NortelNetworks.com
I've got a 1980 Honda CB 650 (chopped in the rear, with a solo seat and tons of
chrome). It's a great looking bike and sounds great, I just don't see why many
HD riders don't appreciate this enough to wave. Stuck up, pretentious, or just
plain ignorant? Most HD riders are great and appreciate bikes like mine for
their individuality, but the odd few really burn my ass.
Mike Long
Henderson, Greg (EXCHANGE:CAR:VN15)
>
> Henderson, Greg (EXCHANGE:CAR:VN15) wrote:
> >
> > Kuryliak, Dan [CAR:VG18:EXCH] wrote:
> > >
> > > Claude Gerin wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> > > > lb man???
> > > >
> > > > I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> > > > no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
> > > >
> > > > Any advice???
>
> > For new riders I think a standard riding position is better.
> > If your heart is set on a cruiser, then go ahead. But I think
> > the standard riding position offers more all around control on
> > the bike.
> >
> > Perhaps a cruiser with a neutral riding position (avoid bikes
> > where you lean back for your first bike).
>
> Why would you want a "neutral riding pose?" Either your hunched over
Nice bait or floydian slip? I thought Claude wanted to ride not pose...
> hugging your tank like two toads mating, or you sit comfy and lean back
> with yur forward controls and feel the sun and wind on your face. Slap
> on some really loud pipes and putt along real slow...don't wave unless
> it's
> to other H-D riders....don't forget to that lots of non-functional
> chrome and leather accessories help too, since the babes are only
> interested in shiny parked bikes. :-)
I'll be shining up my 2-stroke 90cc Harley real soon. :-)
--
Greg Henderson | Ride For Somethin'
96 ZX-6E | http://www.insites.ca/ride/
80 GS1100E | Remove "u"s for e-dress
.
Andre
cheap and the engines in both bikes are die hard.
"Henderson, Greg (EXCHANGE:CAR:VN15)" wrote:
> Kuryliak, Dan [CAR:VG18:EXCH] wrote:
> >
> > Claude Gerin wrote:
> > >
> > > Anybody out there have any advice on a good starter bike for a 6'2" 230
> > > lb man???
> > >
> > > I have no clue what I should get... Looking for a simple street bike,
> > > no crazy fairing, good for summer cruising...
> > >
> > > Any advice???
> >
> > If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, sign-up with the
> > Ottawa-Carleton
> > Safety Council and take their course. It could save you from grievous
> > injury in the first season of riding.
>
> Agreed.
>
> > I suggest a USED cruiser anywhere from 500cc to 650cc. You'll run into
> > situations in the first season of riding, where you'll probably drop the
> > bike.
>
> For new riders I think a standard riding position is better.
> If your heart is set on a cruiser, then go ahead. But I think
> the standard riding position offers more all around control on
> the bike.
>
> Perhaps a cruiser with a neutral riding position (avoid bikes
> where you lean back for your first bike).
>
Paul
was a fun little bike to ride, I have to admit that I felt a little like a
bear on a minibike. I'm about your size and it just felt small. It could
be that I'm just used to my GS850G which outweighs this one by a good 250
lbs.
Another one to consider (if you're looking for a cruiser) is an old Kawisaki
LTD (My first street bike was an 83 LTD 750), they come in 450(I think),
750, 1000 and a couple of other sizes in between. One in good condition
will probably cost you less than $1,200. They aren't too heavy, they're
cheap and easy to fix, and they're not bad in the city or on the highway.
Good luck, and take a safety course if you haven't ridden before, (you might
want to anyways).
Paul H.
Andre wrote in message <373A02B8...@idirect.com>...
som...@someplace.somewhere
> I just took a friends GS 550 for a ride and although it performed well, and
> was a fun little bike to ride, I have to admit that I felt a little like a
> bear on a minibike. I'm about your size and it just felt small. It could
> be that I'm just used to my GS850G which outweighs this one by a good 250
> lbs.
>
> Another one to consider (if you're looking for a cruiser) is an old Kawisaki
> LTD (My first street bike was an 83 LTD 750), they come in 450(I think),
> 750, 1000 and a couple of other sizes in between. One in good condition
> will probably cost you less than $1,200. They aren't too heavy, they're
> cheap and easy to fix, and they're not bad in the city or on the highway.
Older LTDs are known to have electrical problems, especially with the
charging system. Definately worth getting it checked out before you
buy and the parts are absurdly expensive. Other than that they are
very solid and dependable (though they are heavy and handle like a
cruiser).
I would echo what others have said and suggest a mid 80's standard as
the best starter bike (GS650/750/850, CB750, CM400, etc). A standard
will definately handle better than a cruiser.
bj
Paul
electrical problems too. (Seems that the regulator gets overcharged and
cooks the battery at the same time on a lot of models). Supposedly this was
the biggest problem with these bikes, the engines and everything other then
wiring is said to be bullet proof.
Whatever you go with, ride safe and enjoy.
Paul