first bike problem/advice - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

hannukah harry · 04-14-2008, 08:25 PM

so i'm hoping to buy my first motorcycle this summer... i'm already got my endorsement and know the basics of riding. my problem though, is that for a starter bike, it's often recommended to start with a smaller bike. now, i don't mind getting a less powerful bike, a honda rebel 250 or whatever, but i don't know if that'll be powerful enough for me. i'm a big guy, 285lbs, and i don't know if something as small as 250cc will be powerful enough for me to safely ride, especially at highway speeds (i generally stick to the speed limit, but occasionally go 80mph, so i need to be able to get that fast with some room to spare for safety).

would something that's only 250cc's be powerful enough for me? or do i need something in the 400-600 range?

any advice would be helpful. thanks!

Plan9 · 04-15-2008, 04:03 AM

Hebrew Hammer? NICE!

...

Yeah, no offense... but at 285 lbs... you're going to want a cruiser with at least 1100cc to be safe at highway speeds. You have to figure you weigh almost as much on the bike as when it's loaded with two "normal sized" passengers (according to the manual). The ~90 horsepower that a 1100cc Honda engine provides will ensure you have enough acceleration and power to handle ramps, passing, hills, etc. The full size design of the bike ensures that you'll be more comfortable on the saddle and with the controls than on a 500cc bike, which are generally a little more cramped in my experience.

Honda Shadow (Aero, Spirit, Sabre submodels) is a fine example and many are available used for cheap on sites like CycleTrader.com.

These bikes weigh a little under 600 pounds, but they're relatively easy to handle and even my scrawny ass can push one up a hill if it dies on me.

Don't be afraid of power in a motorcycle. It's safer for you if you're safe with it.

hannukah harry · 04-17-2008, 02:29 PM

hey, thanks for the reply. i know long term i do want to get something more powerful, but everything i've heard is that you should start low for learning. i think i may be looking as high as a harley davidson xl 883. the big problem is the more powerful = more money. so we'll see. i'll take waht you said into consideration... hopefully the wallet agrees! ;-)

Plan9 · 04-17-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannukah harry

hey, thanks for the reply. i know long term i do want to get something more powerful, but everything i've heard is that you should start low for learning. i think i may be looking as high as a harley davidson xl 883. the big problem is the more powerful = more money. so we'll see. i'll take waht you said into consideration... hopefully the wallet agrees! ;-)

Check out my spiele in the thread that Ghoastgirl had regarding the Buell Blast.

www.CycleTrader.com <- used bikes for cheap

Coastey · 04-21-2008, 11:29 PM

I agree with Crompsin. My first bike was a Honda 750 Nighthawk, but I ended up with a Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan cruiser after a year. The cruiser was much more comfortable than the standard bike and much more forgiving than a rice rocket. If you weigh in at 285 lbs a mid-powered cruiser (1100 - 1300 cc) would be the way to go for a first bike.

cadre · 04-22-2008, 06:00 AM

If you already know the basics of riding and you respect the bike you could probably start on something bigger with out a problem. With cruisers you won't have as much of a problem with bigger engines as you would with sport bikes.

The 750 Nighthawk isn't a bad bike and you can usually find them around, and both Honda and Yamaha make nice bikes with bigger engines as well.

If you go the Harley route, know that you will end up paying a lot of extra money just for the name.

souzafone · 05-02-2008, 02:08 PM

I totally agree that a small, lighter bike is easier and safer to learn on, however at your size the suspensions available on a smaller bike negate any safety advantage it may hold. Have you considered learning to ride in the dirt? It's a great way to develop good instincts, hurts less and causes less damage when something bad happens, and most dirt bikes have adjustable long travel suspension. It's important to be able to react instinctively, things happen very fast on 2 wheels, and the higher center of gravity involved takes a lot of experience to feel comfortable with. It takes a lot of skill to ride safely under control, but any monkey can twist the throttle and go like hell. Good luck.

04-14-2008, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	first bike problem/advice so i'm hoping to buy my first motorcycle this summer... i'm already got my endorsement and know the basics of riding. my problem though, is that for a starter bike, it's often recommended to start with a smaller bike. now, i don't mind getting a less powerful bike, a honda rebel 250 or whatever, but i don't know if that'll be powerful enough for me. i'm a big guy, 285lbs, and i don't know if something as small as 250cc will be powerful enough for me to safely ride, especially at highway speeds (i generally stick to the speed limit, but occasionally go 80mph, so i need to be able to get that fast with some room to spare for safety). would something that's only 250cc's be powerful enough for me? or do i need something in the 400-600 range? any advice would be helpful. thanks! __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

04-15-2008, 04:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Hebrew Hammer? NICE! ... Yeah, no offense... but at 285 lbs... you're going to want a cruiser with at least 1100cc to be safe at highway speeds. You have to figure you weigh almost as much on the bike as when it's loaded with two "normal sized" passengers (according to the manual). The ~90 horsepower that a 1100cc Honda engine provides will ensure you have enough acceleration and power to handle ramps, passing, hills, etc. The full size design of the bike ensures that you'll be more comfortable on the saddle and with the controls than on a 500cc bike, which are generally a little more cramped in my experience. Honda Shadow (Aero, Spirit, Sabre submodels) is a fine example and many are available used for cheap on sites like CycleTrader.com. These bikes weigh a little under 600 pounds, but they're relatively easy to handle and even my scrawny ass can push one up a hill if it dies on me. Don't be afraid of power in a motorcycle. It's safer for you if you're safe with it. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 04-15-2008 at 04:12 AM..

04-17-2008, 02:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	hey, thanks for the reply. i know long term i do want to get something more powerful, but everything i've heard is that you should start low for learning. i think i may be looking as high as a harley davidson xl 883. the big problem is the more powerful = more money. so we'll see. i'll take waht you said into consideration... hopefully the wallet agrees! ;-) __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

04-22-2008, 06:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
cadre The Worst Influence Location: Arizona	If you already know the basics of riding and you respect the bike you could probably start on something bigger with out a problem. With cruisers you won't have as much of a problem with bigger engines as you would with sport bikes. The 750 Nighthawk isn't a bad bike and you can usually find them around, and both Honda and Yamaha make nice bikes with bigger engines as well. If you go the Harley route, know that you will end up paying a lot of extra money just for the name. __________________ My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

04-21-2008, 11:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Coastey Upright Location: California	I agree with Crompsin. My first bike was a Honda 750 Nighthawk, but I ended up with a Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan cruiser after a year. The cruiser was much more comfortable than the standard bike and much more forgiving than a rice rocket. If you weigh in at 285 lbs a mid-powered cruiser (1100 - 1300 cc) would be the way to go for a first bike.

05-02-2008, 02:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
souzafone Insane	I totally agree that a small, lighter bike is easier and safer to learn on, however at your size the suspensions available on a smaller bike negate any safety advantage it may hold. Have you considered learning to ride in the dirt? It's a great way to develop good instincts, hurts less and causes less damage when something bad happens, and most dirt bikes have adjustable long travel suspension. It's important to be able to react instinctively, things happen very fast on 2 wheels, and the higher center of gravity involved takes a lot of experience to feel comfortable with. It takes a lot of skill to ride safely under control, but any monkey can twist the throttle and go like hell. Good luck.