hey dudes, i've decided to get my first bike. but i'm not sure what would be an appropriate bike for a beginer. i've really like the sportsters but i've been told that they are pretty top heavy for someone who's never ridden before. i also like the super glides. what do you all think would be a good beginer bike?

 

Well.

Buy used.

Buy what fits

Buy what you can flatfoot.

I do not find the Sportster top heavy, but then I am 6'4" so............

 

A used Kawasaki Ninja 250 for $1500. You won't cry nearly as much when you drop it the first time. You can learn how to ride proficiently on it, and you can sell it a year later for about the same you paid for it.

Dan

 

If you're new to the sport the first thing you do is take a MSF or comparable course. Then buy yourself an older 350 - 500 cc metric (Japanese) motorcycle. It would be a shame to buy a new or real nice bike as you are going to drop your bike once if not several times if you're anything like the average beginner.

Doing this you will accomplish several things. You will practice your skills and gain confidence and experience on a bike that's very easy to handle. You will not be trashing "the bike of your dreams" and when you go to sell it you won't loose an arm and a leg because you bought it cheap, and I think most importantly is the fact that you will have had several months if not longer to form a better idea in your mind what kind of riding you're going to be doing which will have a large influence on the next bike you want to purchase.

 

I agree with whaap. Take the MSF course, theh find a cheap, older bike that you can manage easier, and practice.

 

Take the MSF and get a cheap metric, like a Suzuki Savage or Intruder. Both are easy to handle but will still go highway speeds. After six months or so, you can shop around at the Harley shop and get the bike you feel most comfortable with.

 

As a follow up, read the post in this same forum that starts off FRACK!! and posted by Urban Coyote. You'll get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

 

If you have the money and you have your heart set on that Harley sound, get a Sportster and sign up for the safety course too.

 

Damn, you mean I can't buy that CVO for my "wife's" starter bike?!? Been telling her all along that if we get this bike or that bike...just as soon as she takes the MSF she'll already have a bike waiting