Opinons on beginner bike
#21
#22
I'm fully aware of the performance limitations that a smaller bike has over a Heritage.
Also, on any trip my Wife and I take we rarely go via highway but rather cruise only on back roads.
Even with the time savings I'll never understand why anyone would take the highway when there's a back road available that will get you to the same place.
I would much rather take 3 days getting somewhere by back roads than getting there in 2 days via highway.
To me and the Wife; the ride getting to a destination is as much if not more of the adventure than the destination itself.
Again thanks everyone for the input.
I've decided to go with a smaller metric cruiser.
#23
I would much rather take 3 days getting somewhere by back roads than getting there in 2 days via highway.
To me and the Wife; the ride getting to a destination is as much if not more of the adventure than the destination itself.
Again thanks everyone for the input.
I've decided to go with a smaller metric cruiser.
To me and the Wife; the ride getting to a destination is as much if not more of the adventure than the destination itself.
Again thanks everyone for the input.
I've decided to go with a smaller metric cruiser.
Ride safe.
#25
THIS ^^ is the question.
My wife has zero positive physical/strength characteristics. She has no desire to learn to ride, and I would never suggest it.
Point #1: A Sportster is not a beginner's bike. Period. I don't care what anybody says. It weighs the same as a Hayabusa. It doesn't matter that you can flat-foot it. It's too tall and too top-heavy, and too heavy. No.
Point #2: If your wife is 5' 10" and a fit 150 pounds, or is 5' 2" and not physically fit, or some other combination of short and not fit, then that's going to be a huge decision factor. Huge. No pun intended. If she's not strong and not fit and easily physically intimidated, then you need to get a bike that is NOT physically intimidating.
I'll go along with roughly 3,597 other experienced riders and suggest a 500cc (give or take) used metric. It's the right size, it's the right weight, it's the right power, it's the right price.
So what if you have to swap it out for something better in six months. That means she's improving, right?!? Yes. If she doesn't improve, then you keep the used Rebel, or whatever, a little longer.
Really. I love Sportsters. I've had three. I'd like another one day. They are NOT beginners bikes, particularly for women who aren't also athletes. Really.
My wife has zero positive physical/strength characteristics. She has no desire to learn to ride, and I would never suggest it.
Point #1: A Sportster is not a beginner's bike. Period. I don't care what anybody says. It weighs the same as a Hayabusa. It doesn't matter that you can flat-foot it. It's too tall and too top-heavy, and too heavy. No.
Point #2: If your wife is 5' 10" and a fit 150 pounds, or is 5' 2" and not physically fit, or some other combination of short and not fit, then that's going to be a huge decision factor. Huge. No pun intended. If she's not strong and not fit and easily physically intimidated, then you need to get a bike that is NOT physically intimidating.
I'll go along with roughly 3,597 other experienced riders and suggest a 500cc (give or take) used metric. It's the right size, it's the right weight, it's the right power, it's the right price.
So what if you have to swap it out for something better in six months. That means she's improving, right?!? Yes. If she doesn't improve, then you keep the used Rebel, or whatever, a little longer.
Really. I love Sportsters. I've had three. I'd like another one day. They are NOT beginners bikes, particularly for women who aren't also athletes. Really.
#26
After careful research I decided against a Sportster all together.
The more I read about them the more I came to the conclusion that they are just probably not a good "learning bike".
Eventually likely my Wife will be moving up to a Sportster but only after having some serious time in the saddle.
So you guys will likely see me on the Sportster forum in a year or two.
I also came to the conclusion that a Honda Shadow wasn't the best learning bike either.
So what did we chose? A Suzuki Boulevard S40.
It's 650cc, 350 lbs., has a 27" seat height, is about as simple of a machine as they come and they are priced right.
I picked up this 2005 w/2700 miles on today for $1200.
My Wife will sit firmly flat footed on it and it's so nimble feeling it shouldn't be intimating.
After the weather warms up I'll get her in a open parking lot with some cones and start the learning process.
Of course before she hits the open road she'll need to attend a MSF class.
Thanks all for the advice.
The more I read about them the more I came to the conclusion that they are just probably not a good "learning bike".
Eventually likely my Wife will be moving up to a Sportster but only after having some serious time in the saddle.
So you guys will likely see me on the Sportster forum in a year or two.
I also came to the conclusion that a Honda Shadow wasn't the best learning bike either.
So what did we chose? A Suzuki Boulevard S40.
It's 650cc, 350 lbs., has a 27" seat height, is about as simple of a machine as they come and they are priced right.
I picked up this 2005 w/2700 miles on today for $1200.
My Wife will sit firmly flat footed on it and it's so nimble feeling it shouldn't be intimating.
After the weather warms up I'll get her in a open parking lot with some cones and start the learning process.
Of course before she hits the open road she'll need to attend a MSF class.
Thanks all for the advice.
#28
After careful research I decided against a Sportster all together.
The more I read about them the more I came to the conclusion that they are just probably not a good "learning bike".
Eventually likely my Wife will be moving up to a Sportster but only after having some serious time in the saddle.
So you guys will likely see me on the Sportster forum in a year or two.
I also came to the conclusion that a Honda Shadow wasn't the best learning bike either.
So what did we chose? A Suzuki Boulevard S40.
It's 650cc, 350 lbs., has a 27" seat height, is about as simple of a machine as they come and they are priced right.
I picked up this 2005 w/2700 miles on today for $1200.
My Wife will sit firmly flat footed on it and it's so nimble feeling it shouldn't be intimating.
After the weather warms up I'll get her in a open parking lot with some cones and start the learning process.
Of course before she hits the open road she'll need to attend a MSF class.
Thanks all for the advice.
And it's a gorgeous bike!!
#29
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
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#30
All it really needs is fresh tires.
The ones on it only have 2700 miles on them but they are 13 years old.
However let's face it; tonight it supposed to drop down to -23 degrees here in Omaha.
To say it's a motorcycle buyer's market right now is a bit of an understatement.
I think we'll keep it for a while.