First Motorcycle?

[bighammer]

OK, maybe I'm dreaming here, but I just went on a 100 mile ride with my brother, a couple of his sons and and a handful of their friends. I hadn't ridden any kind of bike for years but my nephew put me on his '06 Kawasaki Z1000. Now I'm HOOKED!!

After the ride, all the bikes were lined up at the curb in front of their house and I rode every one of them. (except my brother's '73 Triumph Bonneville-- I'm looking at newer bikes :-laf ) I really liked a Suzuki SV650 because of the twin power and light weight and price. Am I nuts to consider this as a first? I feel like I'm too old to get crazy on 2 wheels so it seems like enough power for me.

I think I need to find a way to get my cycle endorsement so I can test more before I take the plunge, but I thought other riders might have suggestions or ideas that might be of help to me. (dealing with an angry wife might be an obstacle to be dealt with too :{)

 

[JFaughn]

Its your job to make yourself happy .
Which bike , is related to the 1st line .

 

[AndyMan]

First off, congrats on the hook! I'm not familliar with the bike you rode or the bike you proposed... but the most important thing is buying the one you feel comfortable on. A 650cc bike should be more than adequate.



I would humbly suggest that you take the motorcycle safety foundation fundamentals course. It's about $200, and you'll spend a couple of days with it. You'll do some things that seem silly to you since you're not a complete novice, but you'll also learn some very valuable skills. best of all, you get to practice all these things on their beater bikes. Also, in most states, after completion of the course, they'll give you a certificate to go to the DMV and get your endorsement after passing a vision test.



check it out

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

An SV650 would make a GREAT first bike. They've got pretty decent resale too once your past the new bike hit they all take. I'd suggest buying one 2-3 years old that's in good condition.

 

[Teacher]

Congrats on your new adventure! I know the feeling. My wife bought me a new 2007 750 Honda Shadow Spirit for my birthday (60). I've never really ridden motorcycles. The suggestion about having it "fit" you is important. I am short legged and this bike is built so that my feet touch the ground(very important). Taking the Safety Course is another great suggestion. It is well worth it. The more ride, the more you like it. Have lots of fun (and watch out for the OTHER guy on the road).

 

[MEby]

If you plan on riding long distance, get as large of a bike as you can handle. I am on a shadow 1100 and would'nt want to do long distance rides with anything smaller. Especially if you do any freeway riding. Congrats on getting hooked on bikes, I've been riding for 3 years now and love it.

 

[Boondocker]

These guys said all the right things.
* Take the motorcycle safety course first
* Buy a used bike that seems to match your needs
* Buy and wear safety gear

After riding on and off for most of my life, I bought a Vmax last year and am all into motorcycling again.

One thing I've learned in the past 10 months of regular riding is that the Vmax, as much as I love it, is not best suited for the type of riding I do (mostly commuting) and the types of riding I want to do (light adventure touring). I'm looking to replace it with a V-Strom (DL-650, cousin to the SV-650). Both are practical, all-purpose bikes and would be excellent starter, if not keeper, bikes.

Enjoy the ride.

Neil

 

[16919]

First off, congrats on the hook! I'm not familliar with the bike you rode or the bike you proposed... but the most important thing is buying the one you feel comfortable on. A 650cc bike should be more than adequate.



I would humbly suggest that you take the motorcycle safety foundation fundamentals course. It's about $200, and you'll spend a couple of days with it. You'll do some things that seem silly to you since you're not a complete novice, but you'll also learn some very valuable skills. best of all, you get to practice all these things on their beater bikes. Also, in most states, after completion of the course, they'll give you a certificate to go to the DMV and get your endorsement after passing a vision test.



check it out

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Ditto... take a safety course and you will usually be able to get your license. :-laf

 

[KSears]

I ride a Harley Electroglide,, I have ridden for many years and you can never be too safe. Harleys of course aren't bikes to invest in as a new rider, but then any new bike probably isn't either. Look for a nice used one that suits your comfort level. This fall would be an ideal time to do that. Definately take a safety course, its great for beginners , heck its good for anyone. Take it slow and ride often with many different people in addition to riding alone. The most dangerous thing is over confidence. Also people in 4 wheeled vehicles, most never look for motorcycles. Most Hondas have relatively cheap upkeep and fair resale value, they are usually very reliable. Most people trade up after a while to bigger bikes, that is why I would suggest not buying a new one to start with. Some people have a scare and never ride again. Be sure the bike fits you size wise, its very important for safety, a bike too big or too small is hard to control,,,, good luck, enjoy!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Ditto on the safety course, I've ridden bikes of all types my whole life but never got my license until I was 33 and I was in Maine at the time and a safety course is required. I learned alot, actually I think every person in America should have to take it, they would have allot more respect for motorcyclist after they did.

 

[McLaughlin]

I went through this a year or so ago.



Take a motorcycle safety course. In CO once I passed the course I only had to give the DMV a dollar for the motorcycle endorsement on my license.



Get a used bike you are comfortable on (you may want to change it after a year or so for something different and you will probably drop it a couple of times). Ride a couple of different styles (cruiser, sport, touring) before buying if possible. A sport bike, cruiser and touring will all handle different. Also, don't get either a to small or large engine. I went with a dual sport 650 (handles much like the newer Triumphs). I enjoy the bike for commuting but am looking for something a bit more street oriented but also don't like how the cruiser's I've ridden handle.



Wear safety gear when you ride.



It is never to late. I didn't really start riding until I was over 50.

 

[Matt400]

If you stay with a more upright seating position for a first bike I think you will be more comfortable in addition to possibly ridding safer than in a bent over "race" position. The race position becons you to run hard all the time.



I wanted a Kawasaki Versys 650 as they are now available in the States but not in CA for some reason.

#ad




So I opted for the 07 Triumph Tiger... man that bike is sweeet!

#ad

 

[bighammer]

I think the safety course is a great idea. I've looked into some in our area and plan to take one after I get home. I rode a friend's bike quite a bit growing up, but it was all in their orchard and on roads with no traffic. I feel comfortable with all the low speed stuff and shifting, but I think learning how to deal with the quick stops, evasive maneuvers, etc. could prove invaluable. I was really taking it easy on the twisting mountain roads just for that reason.

As far as the bike, I guess I'll keep looking. If I can take the course first and get the endorsement, then test rides will be possible.

Link below is like the one I rode and liked best. A little more upright and less power than my nephew's bike: (I'm still watching, but Virginia is a ways away and I think a stock pipe would be better for me)

eBay Motors: Suzuki : SV (item 110166313582 end time Sep-10-07 14:50:14 PDT)

 

[AndyMan]

NICE bike Pete!

The naked bike style is my favorite.



You will learn ALL those things and more in the MSF fundamentals class. Glad to hear you're looking into it. You'll be riding ridiculously tight figure 8's and hitting curbs head-on in no time!

 

[Lorenz]

Are you wanting to ride it to work and on the weekends, carve the canyons, or ride long distances for multiple hours at a time?

I'm in favor of light bikes that are easy to manuver. I've ridden the sv650 and I think you might grow out of it fairly quickly?... The front is real spongy, I was able to bottom it out by applying the brakes hard. Great for comfort, real bad for emergency manuvers and carving canyons. The sv650 has a cult following kind of like us CTD guys. They have thier own race class as well.

If you're into bombing and don't mind throwing some $ into mods to bring it up to sport bike status then I would give the SV650 a go. Do they still make the SV1000? It is the take off from the TL1000 that I loved minus it's long stance.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I 3rd the safety course.

Also, I suggest that if you are going to be into "trips" that you look at the Honda Goldwing series. They go back all the way to 1975 or there abouts w/1000cc. Then 1200cc in the early '80s. From 1988 to 2000 they are 1500cc. I only paid $7k for mine. See it here.

#ad


My 1994 Honda Goldwing GL1500SE and my mom who is a young 88.

#ad

 

[Gaylord]

As one who puts about 25K a year on motorcycles, and has ridden since age 14, (now 65) I have some suggestions.



Take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) basic riders course.



Get a bike that fits you AND how you intend to use the bike. There are many, many machines out there today & most are excellent.



Get the proper motorcycle clothing. The picture of John & his Mom is NOT an example of proper motorcycle riding gear. I'm an ATGATT (All the gear all the time) rider. Half helmets (donor lids) and open face helmets do NOT provide adequate protection in the event of a collision. A full face helmet is the way to go.



Jackets & pants or a one piece suit that have elbow, shoulder, hip, back & knee armour is a minimum. Boots that cover the ancles are a minimum. There are many good products out there today.



I ride a BMW K1200RS & a Yamaha FJR 1300A. Neither of these are beginners bikes... ... but what a joy either is to ride.



Whatever you do, stay safe and enjoy.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Get the proper motorcycle clothing. The picture of John & his Mom is NOT an example of proper motorcycle riding gear.

Jackets & pants or a one piece suit that have elbow, shoulder, hip, back & knee armour is a minimum. Boots that cover the ancles are a minimum. There are many good products out there today.

What Gaylord says is true.

I am also of the wear the gear "most of the time" camp. I should have said so in the post. In the picture (which was all I had), I was just giving my mom a short ride in an area where we would not be bothered. Very rural outside the houses where she lives.

I have all the items he mentioned, and I wear them 99% of the time. It is that 1% of the time, when you are less than 2 miles from home that will get you.

Thanks Gaylord for pointing out the important safety facts.

 

[NPloysa]

Good points guys!



BigHammer, welcome!



I ride a 2006 KTM 950 Adventure S

-



But I started on this, a 2005 BMW F650GS Dakar, which is for sale! Lucky you?

-



The BMW is great. I only have 9500 miles on it but love it. I love the KTM more and can only afford one right now.



650s are a great size. The V-Strom in 650 is nice, the KLRs are ok too. Most, ok, almost all 650s are Thumpers and vibrate. The BMW vibrates probably the least and has a Rotax engine.



Anyway, I took the MSF basic course and am ATGATT all the time with an Arai XD helmet, Olympia pants, jacket, gloves, and Sidi boots.



Good luck, be careful and PM me if you want a 650



Nick

 

[bighammer]

Well, I came home from vacation with a bike in the truck. Oo. Probably should've discussed it with the other half before pulling in the garage with a motorcycle. (she hates 'em #@$%!) There was a lot of :-{} but I'm keeping it.

I picked up an 04 SV650 (yellow naked model) with about 10k on it. I've passed my written test and need to get some practice time on it to pass the driving part. I'm having a ball.