Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Motorcycle suggestions

I'm seriously considering taking the plunge again...

No, not that - I do, occasionally, learn. I mean getting back on a bike.

It has been YEARS (like since I was a kid), and I probably need to relearn everything.

So, I need a good "beginner" bike - preferably used (i.e. one that's already depreciated to the bottom, so when I sell it in a year or two, I get back at least close to the purchase price), and one that I can 1) work on, 2) not really screw up if/when it goes down, and 3) is pretty dead-nuts reliable.

Suggestions?

Probable upgrade afterward will either be a Harley (if I hit the lottery or talk my old man out of his - which he ain't riding... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> ), or an old Beemer. Somehow, a crotch-rocket just doesn't fit my personality and doesn't trip my trigger.

you have a death wish?

Funny...

I was about to post something re: over 100 views and no replies.

Come on, women haven't killed me (yet), though it appears as though they have tried...

And, drinking/etc. from my younger days (given up now) didn't kill me (yet), though I am sure it tried...

Heck, people TRYING to kill me haven't succeeded (yet), and I KNOW at least one tried...

So, why not? Besides, I need a new, expensive, time-consuming, potentially deadly hobby...

BTW - Jed, how did I KNOW that you were gonna be quick with a reply... You ride?

I did...I know better now.

I would go with a Honda for a starter bike. Look on ebay to get an idea on prices, milage etc. If you do decide to upgrade I would take a hard look at the Victory's before Harley.

EG

Look for one that comes with training wheels. I got my first case of road rash a few summers ago. The rash itself wasn't too bad, but the three or four cracked ribs hurt! For a long... time! Note to self: road bikes and steep gravel roads=BAD...stupid, dumb, what the world was I thinking?

....see?

Motorcycles and country roads are a blast (if they're not gravel). I especially like to ride around at night and watch what the various critters are doing. Last year I came around a curve and almost had a head-on collision with what must have been a great horned owl that was just standing in the middle the road. Owls are able to give that same kind of bored, stuck-up "how dare you bother me" kind of glare that an especially spoiled house cat can give.

There are a lot of good choices for a beginner's bike. Most any used, mid-size Japanese standard or cruiser that checks out mechanically should be a decent bike. One that has had a reputation for being a really good starter bike is the Suzuki GS500. I would suggest staying away from the sport bikes - they are purpose driven machines that don't make the best day-to-day riders. They are unforgiving to ride and can get one in trouble in a hurry.

Another option, if it fits your budget, might be a Harley Sportster. Notwithstanding the fact that it is Harley's entry level line, they are nice bikes. They are hard to find dirt cheap, but they do hold their value really well and you would likely recover most of your investment when (if) you decide to upgrade.

Finally, be sure to save enough in the budget for some decent riding gear. Better to skimp a little more on the bike than to go riding without the right gear.

My last suggestion is to take a riding course and get your license that way (if you don't already have it). Some dealers will let you test drive if you have a license. Also, Harley has a rental program where you can rent bikes by the day (again, if you have a license). For about $75, you can rent a Sportster and ride unlimited mileage. That would be a good way to decide if you wanted to spring for a Harley. Just food for thought....

I lived on motorcycles for ten years and 200,000 miles (no car, ya can do that down here). There are fews feeling to equal that on the morning of a long road trip, motorcycle loaded up with tent. tools, saddlebags and bedroll.

Incredible moments of pure exilaration; tucked in and flat out at 100+, or leaned over hard in a tight curve, or drifting and sliding down a dirt road.

Motorcycles brought me lifelong friends, the companionship of pretty women, and much laughter. Motorcycles were how I met and courted my wife (geeze, I should open a dealership <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />).

On the other hand, they ARE dangerous, for me it was worth it . If ya have kids be aware though that more'n a few life insurance companies won't cover you if you die that way.

In recent years I've drifted away from 'em, my dogs won't fit on the back. If I were single, I'd be back on two wheels in a heartbeat.

ANYTHING will work as a "beginners bike", and there are few lemons out there anymore. For most Jap bikes though if its more than seven years old parts can be hard to get, check on that before you buy.

I've had fake Harleys, sport-bikes and dual purpose (dirt). Sport bikes are overrrated, sure they'll do 150 and look cool. But all that plastic is expensive when they drop, and for the times you'll want to just mosey along, you and a honey, on a beautiful day they are both uncomfortable and worse, dull.

Cruisers get you down down the road in laid-back style with a throaty rumble, and they'll still go fast enough to be right exciting. Women like'em too.

But for me, dirt bikes is where its at. Once you've headed up a mountain fire road you'll be hooked. Light and nimble, they can be flogged through the corners like a sport bike. Put a woman on the back and you can just thump along to the beat of that big single on a pretty day.

Big thumper dirt bikes can be had for $5,000 brand new (less used), and will not become obsolete when you get that Harley

Take a motocycle foundation safety course to brush up your skills, watch that front brake when its wet, and near as I can tell you'll be ready to get started.

On my own part, I would just skip the "beginner bike" entirely, buy the one you want, and ride it. Start slow and work up as you get used to it.

Accidents are mostly likely to happen in the first 5,000 miles, in that dangerous interval after you ain't scared of riding anymore but haven't yet had enough close calls to remind you of all the awful things that could happen.

Birdwatcher

VAnimrod First to consider is your physical size.That said, what kind of riding are you planning?.My wife's son has a Suzuki GS450 a great little commuter bike as would be an older Yamaha 650 twin or any bikes along this price/style range.Moving up in size I have ridden several BMW KT 1200s both old and new and was surprised how cheap they can be had for and they're dead nuts reliable and ride like you're on a cloud.Moving on to the Harley a FLHT standard with a couple of years and a few miles under its belt would be another sound choice.

I like bikes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Currently in my shop there are seven. Five Harleys and two Suzukis.Some are VERY fast and some are, well, very slow.

Last but not least.Take a rider safety course.You'll pick up on those stale riding skills and have a blast at the same time.

Having rode MC proffesionally for about 10 years, i never became a Harley fan- they are 100% status and not much for performance. If you like loud and attracting attention, then the Harley is the way to go. I would suggest a cruiser style bike- I personally prefer having a fairing. Having the wind in your face is fun- for a while- it can really get old on long trips.

I too would recommend a riding course where you can learn some avoidance manuevers and such. Buy a used bike and it will keep its value pretty well. Once you feel comfortable, get a Beamer!

I went looking last summer and it seems that the only street bikes out there are either the crotch rocket sport bikes, the big two wheeled, fully accessorized land yachts like the Honda Gold Wing or the feet forward cruiser types.

Nowhere did I find a nice commuter bike like the old Honda CB series. I had a CB 350 and it mayhave been small but handled like a dream and was not too heavy � most importantly it stopped on a dime. These days I�m thinking a good 450 vertical twin would be perfect

Honda makes a little 250 but even that has the foot pegs way forward � I don�t flippin� want to ride with my feet stuck out in front of me like Easy Rider! I want to sit upright with my weight and balance such that I can throw the bike hard into a corner or do some other maneuver if needed.

Does anybody still make a decent mid-sized motorcycle in the 350-500 cc range?


FWIW, I see Triumph is back in business and making an updated copy of the old Bonneville. Those things (before they changed the frame in 1969 or �70) handled like they were on a railroad track. Looked like it would ride pretty good, but was really expensive compared to the Jap bikes. About two weeks ago I saw a Norton 750 Commando parked in front of someone�s house, all shiny black with the gold Norton logo on the tank � looked brand new. I had a 1970 Commando back when and just about crapped myself, it looked so damn nice!

My wife rejected the idea of a bike. Said I should have gotten my kicks flying jets off boats for twenty years. I even promised to buy the safest bike ever made, an old Triumph.

Figure I'd never be able to make it run and I'm not likely to get hurt fooling with it in the garage <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Allen

BLASPHEMY!! UNADULTERATED BLASPHEMY!!! The new 88ci dual overhead cam fuel injected HD's have plenty of performance. My last HD, an early EVO, only needed an upgrade of the Carb and Cam to pull wheelies HARD in third gear. There are things like style, panache and aura to be considered!! Im with ya, bubba, get some jap junk to fall down with and then go Harley!!!

Pretty close to reality. My Norton was a 3/1 bike. For every three days on the road it spent one day in the garage for maintenance. 1940's technology and 1940's electronics and brakes from...well, who needs brakes, right?

But oh man, when it was running...! It felt like I can only imagine flying a
Spitfire was like. Hot oil smell, throaty exhaust, an absolutely flat power curve from idle to red line, and it handled like there was a direct link from my brain to the tires. 120 mph down the Florida turnpike was an experience that won't be forgotten. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's sure nice to have disk brakes and electronics that work and all that, but man oh man, them was the days!

I ran into an older motorcycle gang who were touring out in Montana, a few summers back. These boys were all at least in their mid-to late 60s and having a grand time. One of them was riding a fairly late model BMW in the sport/touring category.

I have long lusted after something in the BMW line. In some ways, I think motorcycles are like women, in that there are lots of appealing models out there, but it's hard to put into words what it is about one that just calls out louder to an individual guy on the what,... desire-o-meter<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I spent a few minutes talking to the BMW driver. When the rest of the pack started up and went roaring out of the gas station, he stayed behind for a minute to keep on talking. When the last of the roaring pack was starting to get beyond earshot, he got quiet for a second, gave me a sideways smile and took off in sort of a stealth fighter jet whoosh....

Someday I'm going to have one of those!

Well, I ride an old '83 Honda CM450 that I picked up for $500 from a guy who never rode it. I've had it for a couple of years now and it has it's problems (like any old bike will) but it is still fun. I'm hoping to pull it apart this winter and do two things at once. Rebuild the motor (hopefully to banish the engine gremlins) and learn as I go. I figure not many bikes will be much simpler than a vertical air-cooled twin.

As for a good starter bike, I would look at the Honda Shadow's in about a 750 or so. The 600's are underpowered since they are a 4 speed. I can beat them off of the line with my bike. (I really embarassed a cocky co-worker that way once. He has since bought a Harley Sportster 1200R). There are a tonne of the Honda's around and they all run well and are smooth to ride. I also really like the KLR650. It's not the best at any one thing, but it's the best at doing it all.


SS

I had a Beemer (R100 G/S PD) for a couple of years. Serious bikes for serious riders, and a Beemer rally was one of the few places I could ride in a pack, going fast, and not have to worry too much about the skills of the other riders.
A pretty sedate crowd though, no one goes to a Beemer rally for the party and the women.

Harleys, tremendous charisma, loads of fun. Can't leave 'em parked anywhere though, not even at the mall.

Dirt bikes: I've seen three that blew all the rest away. One a white Yamaha 500, blasting up the street of a dusty West African town, the Dutch guy on it on his way across the Sahara. The other two; battered red Honda 600's, ridden down from Seattle, parked out in front of a seedy dive in Oaxaca, Mexico. THAT, my friend, is adventure.

Birdwatcher

Seems I remember the 70's triumph's had an option for trail pipes.I sure do like the idea!

Makes it easier to scoot under radar when you can ride off road.