Buell Blast - My first bike
 

I turned 20 a few weeks ago, and over the past couple months I've been contemplating getting a bike. I've been reading over the website:http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo...cleIntroA.html
After researching several of their bikes I think I'll be going after a Buell Blast. I want one thats 250cc. I'm going to be working this summer and plan to save up to get one. My dad has ridden motorcycles for around 30 years however has made it well known he doesn't want his daughters riding motorcycles. I would prefer to have his help when learning to ride. I'm planning to pay for the insurance (liability) buy the bike, buy the equipment etc. I've also read these bikes get 70 plus MPG however they only have 4 gallon tanks.
I'm 5'7 about 135 lbs. Do you guys think this bike would be a good fit? I've done a good bit of reading but still want some other opinions.

Just a couple questions and then I'll get to my advice.
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?
Do you have your motorcycle endorsement?

I would suggest taking an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course before buying a bike. They'll teach you to ride and give you a good foundation as well as administer the license test. If you take the course through a Harley Dealership they teach you on Blasts.

I own a Buell Blast currently, and by the way it's 500cc but a single cylinder so it's not touchy like four cylinders and v twins can be. It's not my first bike but it was my first street bike when I bought it a year ago. It's a fun bike, and it's very confidence inspiring for any rider. Pretty comfy too. I was happy to have found a bike low enough for me to put my feet on the ground.

Be sure to buy good boots, pants and a jacket in addition to a helmet. People tend to forget that your head is not the only vulnerable part of your body. Don't experience road rash if you don't have to.

Edit: I'm 5'3" and 110 just for the info. My Blast has the low profile seat which is more than low enough, you could probably handle the high profile one.

not to thread jack but, I've always had a very distant admiration of motorcycles, but I felt like the smaller Japanese "ninja" type bikes would always and forever be "not my kind of bike"

I'm 6'6" and they look like they're made for 5 foot tall people.

I'm not into the "biker" type of bikes (sorry I don't know what else to call them)

Anyways, yeah, I'll probably never own one just because I wouldn't want to risk my life on a bike that isn't the right frame for MY frame.

Yeah, bikes aren't really designed for really tall people very often. But hey, Michael Jordan does just fine on sport bikes. It seems to be the case that there aren't too many real sport bikes designed for short people either but after a while you get used to it. Cruisers tend to fit all types pretty well though.

/threadjack

A few recommendations, more about equipment than specific bikes.God quality gear will mike riding much more enjoyable. It really does make all the difference in the world. A good helmet is expensive, but the fit, and function of a good quality helmet is is way better than a cheap one. Wear gloves...trust me on this, your hands will thank you. Leather is your friend, if you ever go down (and I have) you will learn this quickly.

Take the MSF class, then get some seat time, then find a local intermediate class.

Thanks for the info Cadre!

I have never ridden a true motorcycle but I have ridden an old 73' moped that went about 25mph (the kind you had to pedal to start), I remember it being so much fun. I can only imagine a real bike being better.
I was planning to take the MSF class for sure. I've been reading up on the sport and I should have mentioned that in my OP.
Endorsement, I'm a bit lost at what you mean. My dad road motorcycles for 20 years and gave them up when he had kids.
I thought the buell was 250cc, this website recommended a smaller engined bike for new people.
It's good to hear you enjoy yours.
I was reading up about the Kawasaki Ninja 250, any experience on those?

I'm not sure where you're located but in the US you have to have a motorcycle endorsement on your license to ride legally on the streets. The DMV usually has a written test and a road test you have to pass, but in most MSF courses they will administer the test so you don't have to take it at the DMV.

The Blast is a 500cc and is considered to be a great starter bike. The engine's not all that big or powerful. Ninjas are great bikes too, we sell a lot of those (I work at a dealership by the way). I always felt like the Ninja 250 and 500 were really ugly but that's just my preference (they've been redesigned in a good way for 2008 though). The engine is solid and the 250 will take you just as far as the Blast's 500. The Ninja is taller and has a higher center of gravity but if you feel comfortable on it it's a great option too. It's important that you feel comfortable on what you get, and that you like it so get what you want.

As far as your experience goes, I wouldn't necessarily count a moped as being anything similar to a bike. That's okay though, it just means you should definitely take an MSF course and then when you get a bike go to a big parking lot an practice what they teach you in MSF. The people who teach MSF courses often like new riders better because then they don't have to fix bad habits you may have picked up. It's not hard though, you'll get plenty of good instruction and good advice.

Honda Shadow (750cc) is a great starter bike.

http://powersports.honda.com/motorcy...elId=VT750DCA7

Don't buy a 250cc. It's a toy. Buy a vehicle you can enjoy on the highway.

I'd recommend the 750cc as a minimum.

Riding a motorcycle has definitely made me a better driver, by the way. My awareness of other cars has gone up and now I seem to notice every little bump and pothole on the road, whether I'm riding or not. It's definitely a worthwhile experience if you're smart about things.

I've been riding for almost 3 years now. I thought about buying a small-engine bike to start, but then I figured I might as well just buy something that I will use for a long time... so I settled on a new Yamaha FZ6. Well... I laid it down (lightly) less than 3 weeks after I bought it. A part of me wishes I'd have bought a lesser bike or at least a used bike, but I fixed it up and I still have it to this day. It isn't too much for me to handle, but I really don't see the need to upgrade to anything faster.

I think riding a motorcycle is all about the skill and intelligence of the rider... someone who is wreckless/fearless is going to be wreckless/fearless regardless of the size of the engine they have. Personally, I would buy something between 500cc-750cc, and preferably used. Just take it slow and get used to it gradually, and that bike should last you a good 3-5 years before you truly outgrow it. Buying a lesser bike, especially a brand new one, just seems like a waste to me... you'll either outgrow it really quick, lay it down and have to repair it, or both.

Oh of course, I was blanking when you asked me that. I'm in College Station now, so I'd assume we have a law where you have to legally pass a course before being allowed to ride a motorcycle on the streets.
I'm actually kind of leaning away from the Buell and more toward the Ninja. I just don't want an engine thats going to scare me since I'm a new rider. How much do these courses run anyway?

I'll second Crompsin's Shadow recommendation. You can get them with a smaller engine if the 750 seems like a lot to you, although I don't think there's a Honda Shadow out there that doesn't handle smoothly. I don't know that I'd call a Ninja a beginner's bike, but then I don't like sport bikes in general. The short rake and smaller wheelbase makes the steering a bit twitchier, and personally I just think they're less comfortable.

I can offer no useful advice on licensing, since I'm almost entirely certain that our system is completely different from yours.

The Buell and Ninja have roughly equal HP ratings, however the Buell has much more torque. Parts for the Ninja are likely to be much cheaper, and probably more readily available. You WILL outgrow either bike very quickly, and soon will want something more powerful. I would suggest a used bike, as these bikes are considered beginner bikes and lose their value quickly.

I will also caution you that motorcycles require much more maintenance than cars, and parts are EXPENSIVE. Go into this with your eyes open, and be fanatical about maintaining your bike, and it will serve you well.

Go with the buell. I LOVE my lightning and it was my first bike :thumbsup: Buells are so unique.

Crompsin and Martian, I don't know why you would recommend any bike over 500ccs for a starter. Even a cruiser. I hope no one listens to you (and I mean that in the nicest way possible).

And Ghoastgirl, I don't think the Ninja is at all a bad choice, in fact it's a good one but really, almost all beginners can handle the Blast. It may sound like it's more but the engine build is different. It has more low end torque but it's not touchy like the newer super sports at all. You'd be fine with it and I'd say that you may get bored of it less quickly than a Ninja 250.

And yes, eventually you will get bored with either bike, that's just how it is. But that doesn't justify starting on a bigger bike considering how much you put at stake when you ride.

Maintenance isn't really any worse than a car, but with a car you can get away with not doing it for longer. The Blast has to be serviced at Harley so that will cost you more but you can do things like the oil change yourself and then it's not as bad. Parts are a bit higher for the Blast also.

Another difference is that the Blast weighs more than the Ninja so when you dump it, and you probably will, you may have an easier time picking up the Ninja 250. (Though as I said it has a higher center of gravity so you will have to lift it farther)

I really wouldn't take a buell to harley for service. It's suprising how many harley guys dont know a damn thing about buells even thoug they are supposed to. Plus they are expensive as hell. Just find a 5 star service shop somewhere is what I do.

I read that on the website as well Cadre, they suggested not starting higher than 500cc, since you work with in the business I'll trust your opinion. I like hearing it echoed throughout my reading, makes me feel more confident about it all. I'm excited but also a tad apprehensive about starting the process, I'm well aware of buying a used beginner bike because they tend to hold their value for resale and more and more people nowadays are beginning to ride bikes.
A guy in my geography class mentioned that the Buell was not a highway bike and that it could barely break 65MPH? Is that true? If so, then would the Ninja be the better all-around bike for highway and around town?

No offense taken. Preferences are preferences and there is no "wrong" answer to somebody learning to ride. Motorcycles offer freedom.

(part of me had wanted to say, "Stop being such a girl!")

Here's my point (again):

As with firearm users... don't buy a dinky .22 pistol to learn how to use a firearm if you're going to be carrying a concealed weapon for self defense or becoming a law enforcement officer. You'll get little out of it. Learn on what you'll use. Go out and buy the Glock or Sig and train on it. You'll suck at first, but the learning curve is much sharper and you didn't waste money on that initial step.

Safety measures are the same regardless of the size of the bike... whether it's a Huffy, a Vespa, a Honda Shadow, or a Valkyrie Rune. Point: Don't do dumb shit. Safety measures remain the same: proper maintenance, proper safety equipment, proper attitude, and proper riding location.

Motorcycle Safety Statistics: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/crash.htm

A motorcycle (even preowned) represents a significant investment of money for a young person. Buy something you won't grow out of quickly to save the heartache and walletache of upgrading in a year.

You wouldn't recommend somebody learn how to drive a car by using a riding lawn mower... so why would you essentially do the same thing with a motorcycle?

In my opinion, a bike with less than 500ccs is a toy and is not something I'd trust anybody with on a highway. No balls. A underpowered motorcycle is like a dull knife... it's lack of decisive performance gets people injured. Acceleration is a useful tool on something that has half the wheels of a cager (person who drives a car) and requires the operator's feet to stay upright at a stop.

...

I'd never ridden a motorcycle before March '07 and the first bike I purchased was a 1100cc Honda Shadow Sabre. I was extremely careful with it, took the rider safety class, stalled it around the neighborhood a zillion times, and now I take it on weekend trips from Maryland to Virginia to Pennsylvania to West Virginia.

Very well put. I've known tons of people who have started on bike over 500cc and have had no problems. The thing about acceleration is very true. Smaller bikes are like riding a kite on the highways at times.

I feel reasonable engine "oomph!" + reasonable weight is safer for new riders.

Crompsin, you've definitely made some good points, but you're comparing apples with oranges. A 750cc Honda Shadow V-Twin has a 0-60 time of 7.24 seconds and 40hp. The Buell Blast on the other hand, only has 500cc, but has 34hp and a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds.

Now compare those with the Ninja 500R... 498cc, 52hp, and 0-60 in 3.76 seconds. Biiiiiig difference in performance, and in no way is it a "toy".

Sorry... Disclaimer: I only do cruisers.

Crotch rockets are for space cadets.

500cc crotch rocket weighs 260ish pounds.

1100cc cruiser weighs 580ish pounds.

A little math to contemplate.

Stick to the cruisers then and talk of what you know. Clearly you don't know about sport bikes. Also, if you've only been riding a year you are by no means an expert. (Again, no offense, just speaking frankly)

Learning on a big bike is not at all the same as learning to shoot a big gun. The chances of you getting killed because you're learning on a high caliber gun are much lower than the chance of being killed on a bike that's too powerful. By far, most riders are killed in their first six months of riding, it's best not to make things worse by adding in a powerful machine. You make a couple of good points but I don't think that it's worth the risk for a new rider. And like dirtyrascal said, it's apples and oranges.

Oh and by the way, this is not my opinion as a woman. It's the opinion of many seasoned riders I know and my own experience as I was raised around bikes.

But back to the real topic here:
Ghoastgirl, the guy in your class is correct.. kind of. The Blast will top out at about 90 but it's not the most enjoyable ride at that speed. It's more of a city bike than a highway bike. You'll love it for riding around on surface streets and all that but you'll find that when you're riding at higher speeds there will be a lack of power. A Ninja would give you more even power both on the highway and on surface streets.

That said, I ride my Blast up and down altitude and all around the state without a problem, riding with cruisers I have no problem keeping up and with sport riders there will always be someone slower than you.

Oh yeah and samcol is correct, I mispoke, must've been the dealership speaking. You probably shouldn't take your bike to a Harley dealer for service unless you have to (ie warranty work). That said, I wouldn't suggest tinkering around with these bikes unless you have a decent understanding of what you're doing and I wouldn't trust just anyone with the job either. At least a dealership has to fix any problems they cause (and for the most part, they will..if they give you any trouble, contact the company they're dealing for).

I thought about going to the Harley Dealership we have in town and trying a few bikes out for size and fit. What should I be looking for in a proper fit for a bike? Since y'all have mentioned that the Ninja would probably be better for both highway and around town then maybe I'll change my desire for a Buell to a ninja.
I just don't want a bike that's going to be too powerful me, scares me, and make me too afraid to get back on. I plan to practice in the local park extensively before actually taking the bike out.
Also, since I'm a girl I don't want to be told something different by the people at the dealership. My dad never buys from the dealership and has always been convinced they'll try to screw you out of money any way they can. So growing up with that attitude I'm very skeptical of buying from a dealer. Like I mentioned before, I'm hoping to get lucky on Craigslist or eBay this summer.
I've gone to auto mechanics about things on my car and they have preached me pure bull shit and I have called them on it before so now that I'm getting into something newer I want to be just as aware of what I'm doing.

You should sit on the bikes and find which one is most comfortable for you. Go with the one you feel like you could move around and be comfortable at stoplights on.

Going to a dealership is a good way to get a chance to sit on bikes, just don't take anything they say as fact. Some of them tell the truth, don't get me wrong but many will change the facts to get the desired response. I work a fairly responsible dealership and I even find my sales guys doing this. It is their job after all.

It sounds like you have a good understanding of the dangers and you will be plenty cautious so don't worry about the Blast having a bigger engine. I've only ever heard of one person who had a Blast get away from him but he probably shouldn't be on two wheels anyways.

So Cadre now that you know more info about my situation, would you recommend a Buell or a Ninja?
I'll update after trying some bikes out tomorrow.

Let see, there's a million ninjas on the road...GO WITH BUELL :P Be more unique and totally awesome at the same time.

There are a million ninjas on the road...meaning that parts and knowledgeable mechanics are not only more readily available, but likely to be cheaper. Having said that, I like the looks of the Buell better, but I think I would go sit on both bikes and see what is more comfortable. What is the price difference?

I would say go and sit on both, and then you decide which one you want. There's really nothing wrong with getting one or the other. They're both great bikes but they feel a little different when you're sitting on them so the one that feels best to you would probably be best.

As far as the price goes you can probably find both in good condition for as little as 2,300. It may be easier to find a Ninja but in the same regards it may be harder to sell one down the road since there are a lot out there.

Oh, I can't believe I forgot to mention this but if you go with the Blast, make sure it's 2003 or newer! The originals had some issues with the engines. You can still find one for cheap, in fact, I bought my '04 for 2,300 since it had been down. And there's no reason you can't buy a bike that has a few scratches, they're beginner bikes so chances are they've been dropped a few times. As long as it's all minor, take a bike expert with you when you're looking at the used bikes so you don't get screwed over (private sellers will lie just as much as dealerships).

Gonna have to wait till the weekend. My excitement for getting into the motorcycle stuff has clouded my upcoming deadlines for projects.
Although 1 out of 2 are done, after tomorrow I can focus more seriously.

The only other advice I have is this --

Once you figure out what you want, be patient and search around before buying. When I decided to get a bike, I just went out and got one... and probably screwed myself out of a few hundred dollars. It's really tempting to buy something and start riding, but it's best to take it slow, both before and after buying your first bike.

Good to see another new rider catch the bug, you've got your head on straight and good advice here so hope to see you on two wheels :D

OMG!!!! your insane and gonna get yourself splattered on the highway!

haha just kidding.

But I am not riding in your sidecar!

I just got my motorcycle learner's permit today. Was going to start a new thread, but this one seems to be going along quite well...

Pennsylvania offers a free beginner's course. It's 15 hours, and they provide the bike and helmet. I don't own a bike, but suspect it might be a good idea to take the course before buying one.

That being said, I'm curious if anyone is familiar with the layout of the course? It's a 15 hour course, and upon completion, students are awarded a M class license. Does anyone that is familiar with motorcycles and related training programs know, or have ideas as to, how many days the course would run?

The course seems like a great way to learn to ride a bike without investing in one, while also allowing one to get an idea of the kind of bike they would like to pursue buying when they do make that decision.

The basic rider courses typically run 3 days, the bikes they use are indeed beginner bikes so you really don't get to feel what kind of bike you want but you do learn about the different bikes and how comfortable you are riding the beginner bike they teach you on.

If your thinking of getting into a course I'd start looking to get in ASAP because riding season is here and there are alot of potential new riders who will be looking to fill the classroom seats.

Yep, both of you get into an MSF course as soon as possible. They fill up fast. :thumbsup:

Edit: Ghoastgirl I was talking to one of my sales guys the other day so I asked him what you should expect as differences between the Blast and the Ninja 250 as highway speeds (as I've never taken one out). Basically, he confirmed my suspicion, you won't have more power with the Ninja at high speeds but you also won't get the vibration that the Blast's engine puts out. Personally, I like vibration...but maybe that's just me.

Haha! You just brightened my day. Stayed up till 6AM working on this damn paper. Still working on it now after a few hours of rest. I'm going to wait till I'm home in Fort Worth for the summer before I sign up for one, gotta finish my stuff here first. So that top speed for the Ninja and Buell is roughly around 80 max? That same guy said he wouldn't feel comfortable taking either out onto the highway...is that true?

I try not to get too invested in engine size. It's an important factor in how the bike handles, but it's not the only one.

Like Crompsin, I'm really a cruiser guy and don't know a whole lot about sport bikes. I've been out on one, didn't like it, that was that.

Still, a little 250cc Ninja can make you just as dead as a 600cc Shadow can. I wouldn't want someone having a false sense of security, thinking that there's some sort of indefinable safety factor to a smaller bike that isn't really there.

Safe riding practices > engine size.

It's not that smaller bikes 100% safe it's that they get out of control much less easily. Out of the 3 of my close friends who are dead from motorcycle accidents, 2 of them died because they started on a bike with too much power.

While I'll admit that it's not as big of a factor for cruisers, a couple hundred ccs and a different engine configuration can easily make a difference.

Also, a new rider should be concentrating on all the other things on the road rather than keeping an engine under control.

Cadre, in these classes...are people going to give me a bunch of crap because I'm a girl? I'd prefer to be prepared for it instead of blindsided. Oh and how much do these courses run money-wise? I'm expecting several hundred.

I dunno about this one. GG isn't 170 lbs. and she's not been IN THE FUCKING DESERT, so it may be better for her to start out on something that's not going to get away from her if she over-revs. Not to mention, heavier bikes are harder to keep up if you become imbalanced when stopped. I even have trouble with larger bikes and I'm a big strong handsome man.

Try the Honda Rebel
It's about the most forgiving bike I've ever come across, though I'm not an expert.

NOPE! People who ride are some of the coolest people ever. I've only ever once met a guy who gave me shit, and he doesn't count cause he just rides since it's what his friends do. In my class it was about 5 women and 7 men or so. If anyone gives you any trouble just send them my way. :thumbsup:

As far as costs go, they vary quite a bit depending on the organization that does it. Some cost $200 or less and some cost as much as $500 (usually the ones run by Harley are more). Just look around and call people up for pricing if you have to. You shouldn't have to spend any insane amounts of money here.

Do you have any gear though? In some classes they require that you bring your own helmet, but this isn't all of them so I would check on that with whatever class you choose.

If we were talking about a Fat Boy or something else that's ludicrously huge, I'd see your point. Even a 750cc Shadow really isn't all that much bike, though.

A Honda Rebel is a toy. Buell's are for people like my mother (5'2", 115 lbs). A decent sized cruiser that's stable and easy to handle is, in my opinion, the happy medium. Like Crompsin, however, I'm more or less clueless about crotch rockets.

I haven't ridden a motorcycle in years except for a putt around the block to check out a couple friends have bought and one trail ride on a buddy's 4 stroke something or other. I think it's time to get back in the wind.

All the sudden after reading this thread, I want a Buell Blast! Those things look great. Good mileage, good power, THUMPER! Mmmm, one spark plug.

Since I haven't ridden in so long I will be taking some sort of course. From what I've gathered, dying sucks.

Dying indeed does suck, I make it a daily goal to avoid dying--so far so good :)

Going to try out a bike for a fit tonight! Very excited!
I discussed riding with my dad for the first time and it was pretty interesting...his first statement was "In no way am I going to encourage this" and then he followed on to talk for an hour about stories of his days on bikes back in England and up till when he decided to sell his.
He started riding when he was 14 and stopped in his mid thirties. Apparently while riding in ATL traffic a guy on a cell phone nearly killed him, missed him by a couple inches. He said after that he sold the bike the very next day. He also gave a few stories of riding in the rain and how dangerous it is and how miserable it can be. He said 500cc sounds reasonable but he wanted me on a bike that can get me out of the way fast enough if need be. He was very impressed that there are classes for novice motorcyclist now, apparently they didn't have those back then. The Honda Rebel is what he learned on so he said he really enjoyed that bike. He said to opt for something that won't be too hard to pick up if I end up dropping it (meaning only 3 people to help lol)
I also wouldn't be riding it in ATL traffic, it would be in Bryan/College Station and only occasionally in Houston.
He did end the conversation with this "now if you end up a quadriplegic or paralyzed your mom and I won't be responsible for you, the state will." Feeling the love lol. I'm very excited about it.
I'm glad my dad was willing to talk about it, I didn't think he would.

Well there's always these:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/S40K8
Suzuki S40
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GS500FK8
Suzuki GS500
Both good beginner bikes. And if you really want to make me jealous...(used to be a modest 600, which you could get used)
http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorth...tml?model=2381
Ducati Monster 695

Get used to hearing stories of people getting run off the road, or almost doing so because of cars. For some reason bikes are invisible, so just pretend like no one can see you. I've come close a couple times already, the good thing about MSF courses is that they'll teach you what to do if a car gets in your way or something and then they'll practice it with you.

Your dad is correct though, you want something you'll be likely to be able to pick up. Which may or may not be possible but some of the cruisers out there really do take 3 people to lift. The Harley Sportster for instance isn't heavy but something about the way it's designed really makes it hard to lift (not that I'd recommend that anyways). The Ninja and the Blast are both relatively light.

As far as other bikes suggestions such as these guys are making, there are plenty good starters out there but I think the two you have in mind are good choices so I'm not going to add anything on that note.

Hey guys, went to the Harley Dealer here and sat on some Buells, they felt really good and comfortable. I think I'm going to stick with the Buell route for now. They also told me about the course they offer which was about $300.00 and I would be learning on a Buell which looks good too since thats probably what I'll be investing my money in. **excited!**

(This is GG on James SN) whoops!

I went to two Yamaha dealerships today, and the only one I felt remotely comfortable on was the Yamaha FZ6, which is a sport/touring hybrid. I gather it's a tuned down version of the sportier bike that I can't think of off hand.

I'm a tall guy (6' 2" or so) and have very long arms. Aside from the exception mentioned above, I was most comfortable sitting on the passenger seat on all of the other sport bikes I tried. If they had flat seats, they'd be ideal, but the raised hump for the passenger makes them awkward to realistically ride for distance.

I talked with some of the guys on the floor and gather that a sport bike (Ninja, etc.) is a comfortable ride for not much more than an hour, maybe two. Given that I love going for drives in my car for hours, this kind of turned me off the sports bike class. A hybrid might be ideal, but I have long arms, and comfort is my primary concern. That being said, I would like a bike where I am primarily over the handlebars and not "cruisin'". I sat on a used Ninja and my dad said I looked ridiculous, as my arms are just too long to feasibly ride such a bike comfortably.

I've also decided I am going to start on a 500cc or higher bike. 250's are small and given that I had trouble finding a 500+ that fit, I'm not even really considering smaller bikes at this point. I also feel that I'd prefer owning a bike longer and one I won't outgrow sooner. I realize the extra power could be dangerous, but I'm a disciplined guy and don't drive my car excessively fast, despite it being able to accomplish higher speeds. Dad actually supports this decision, which admittedly surprised me a bit at first.

So far, I've only visited Yamaha dealers, but intend to check out Honda and Suzuki dealerships in the upcoming weeks. I have an alternate spot in a training class in a few weeks, and if that doesn't pan out, I'll likely take a guaranteed spot in May or June.

As I research and sit on bikes, I'm definitely getting progressively more psyched about riding... It also seems I am seeing a lot more bikes on the road of late, but I guess that's partly a credit to the beautiful weather and changing seasons.

Bikes I am excited to check out include the Suzuki SV-650 and Bandit 600. The Katana seems like a nice bike also, but I suspect both it and the SV-650 will be too small. I'm not really familiar with Honda's offerings, but I've been impressed by their reliability in car form, and ideally they have some bikes I can add to my list of potential rides.

Ideally it's alright if post my experiences/comments in this thread. I'm in about the same situation in that I'm starting out, and given that the information is likely to be related to some extent, I figure my posts might fit just as well in this thread, instead of creating a new one.

Lastly, I found a pretty informative guide about beginning motorcycle riding, which includes bike recommendations, pricing, sizing, insurance, and worthwhile safety modifications. It can be viewed at Epinions (http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-...3A46624A-prod3).

Sportbikes aren't really designed for cruising and long rides, though some work for that. You'll find they're more designed for handling and sport riding. Sport touring bikes will be more comfy for long rides and maybe provide you some more leg room. Most companies make some but I don't know a whole lot about them unfortunately. Also, not all of the smaller bikes have smaller frames, I'm 90% sure that the frame on the Ninja is the same for both the 250 and the 500. The SV650's a good bike, not a bad starter, just take it easy.

The Harley Rider's Edge course is what I took. I wanted to see how a Buell rode and it was nice. I ended up in a class with a lot of cruiser people much older than me but it was still cool. I just went and got my bike this weekend and rode it back up here, it was really nice being able to ride it around again. It's a good bike, except it ran out of gas on me about ten miles from home..and the reserve didn't work. Never had that problem before though, and it shouldn't happen again.

When my wife first learned to ride we bought a 500cc Buell Blast which she rode for a year before moving up to a big twin Harley. The high torque characteristics are similar.

It was interesting when I took the riding test for motorcycle endorsement the number of big twin Harley riders who were there for a second time after failing the first time around. They were borrowing other riders smaller Hondas and Suzukis which were much easier to minipulate around the cones etc.. It was funny to watch them ride in on their big Harleys, borrow someones small bike for the test and ride away with their endorsement on their big twins.

Another site for bike reviews (reviewed by website, and then commented on by actual owners) http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.c...er-motorcycles

I agree with your dad about making sure you get something you can pick up. If it starts to tip on you at a stop, you're less likely to actually fall if you're strong enough to pick it back up. My girls have had dirt bikes since a young age. The bike weight is the one thing I will pay more attention to, when our youngest is old enough.

Haha I've seen that too. The Buell has that advantage which is another reason I like it. It's light and easy to throw around, always reminded me of riding a beefy dirt bike. :thumbsup:

Might be worth checking out a Kawasaki Versys, Jimellow. I've heard some good things about them, and they're easy to move in traffic, due to being a "town commuter" bike.

Its no sports bike, but with 70hp (650cc) it'll comfortably accelerate most cars.

Thanks for the recommendation. Coincidentally, I just read an article in Sport Rider that compared the BMW F800S (too pricey), Kawasaki Versys, and Suzuki DL650 V-Strom.

The Versys and DL650 both sounded nice, and I noted that the DL650 had a higher ride height, and was quoted as being more comfortable over long distances.

I'm curious if there are Versys models available prior to 2008? I thought I read something about them being a European bike, and only being brought to America for 2008, but I could be wrong.

Also, is the DL650 V-Strom a newer version of, or related in any way to, the Suzuki SV-650?

I'd really like to buy used if possible, not only due to pricing, but also because I won't be riding scared and overly conscious of scratching or otherwise damaging the bike. Unfortunately, the used market around here seems to be pretty weak. I found a used 2005 Yamaha FZ6 with 2000 miles or so, and the seller is asking $5500 (http://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/601023331.html). To me, that seems a bit pricey, but the bike does seem to be in great condition, and it's the only used FZ6 I've found in the area.

Again, I've only been to a Yamaha dealer so far, but this week intend to check out Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki dealerships as well. My thought is I will go to dealers, sit on bikes, find ones that are comfortable, and note them so I can look for them in the used market.

I really want to ride, but that requires a bike first. My dad had a 1976 Honda 554 that was kept outside and not maintained, and we gave that away less than a year ago. I suspect he wouldn't have let me ride it, as it was rusted and likely not safe, but it would have been nice to have something to ride until I did get my own bike.

I'm definitely psyched to ride, and this beautiful weather doesn't help the fact that I don't have a bike yet. That being said, I don't want to rush into buying a bike and being discontent with my selection.

I also think it's interesting how dealers show their true colors in regards to safety vs making a sale. I went to a smaller Yamaha dealer on Saturday and the girl there was indicating I should consider a 998cc Yamaha YZF-R1, despite me telling her it was my first bike, and I was in the process of getting my license and taking a training course. Then, at the larger dealership, my dad was sitting on a 600cc FZ6, and the dealer assumed dad was the one going to be riding it. About halfway through the discussion, I asked if the bike would be a good starter bike for me, and he said, "No, it has a lot of power" (70-80 horses, I think), but then said with training classes, it might be doable. It's just interesting to see how some people are strictly concerned with selling the most expensive bike, whereas others are actually considerate of one's safety and prior experience riding motorcycles.

I'm not well versed in motorcycles as I don't ride. Due to the way the law operates, to ride bikes over a certain horsepower, you need to have ridden for 2 years, or be over 21, so you're stuck on pretty low powered ones.. I think I'll wait.

Anyway, when I was looking (prior to finding this out), I considered the versys and I can say that it was produced before '08.

According to wikipedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Versys) it was introduced in 2007 in the US, and 2006 for Europe.

I personally think they look nice, and the fact they're suited to town driving is ideal. Not slow either, especially compared to my car (insurance is insane here for even the slowest cars when you are under 20).

I just got back from a Suzuki dealer. Their sporty bikes were more comfortable across the board.

The Suzuki GSX650F was the most comfortable bike I've been on so far, and the SV-650 was also comfortable, though not as comfortable as the GSX650.

For my body type, I find the Suzuki's to be comfortable across the board (even at 1000cc and up), whereas I found the Yamaha's to be uncomfortable across the board, with the FZ6 being the sole exception.

The Suzuki GSX650F was $6999 new, and despite it being a very nice bike, I still intend to buy used for my first bike. The used bike market seems to be noticeably smaller than the used car market, so finding one of the bikes on my "list" in used form could be a bit trying; but I'm in no rush, and I'm not keen on buying a new motorcycle at this point.

The sales representative at the Suzuki dealer said Honda's generally have a similar body style, so perhaps I'll be able to find a few comfortable Honda's as well. I'll likely check out Honda and Kawasaki dealers as the week progresses.

----- Added the following just now, and it was merged -----

I've been doing some searching and research about Suzuki's and I have a question I was hoping to get some help with...

I found a used 2002 Suzuki GSX-R600. How much different would that be from a GSX650F?

In the link ghoastgirl1 originally posted, the advice presented is that "Honda CBR anything; Kawasaki Ninja ZX anything; Suzuki GSXR anything; Yamaha YZF or FZ anything" are really, really bad bikes for beginners. Yet, the person that wrote the article recommends a Suzuki GS500 as being a valid starter bike.

Does the "R" make that much difference, or is it the 600cc aspect? I felt very comfortable on the GSX650F and gathered it had less low end torque than the SV-650, which ultimately results in needing higher revs to get speed, but I am curious about the difference between a 2002 Suzuki GSX-R600 and a 2007/8 GSX650X.

Realistically, I'd prefer not to drop seven grand on a new bike, but if I can find one a few years older for half that, or better, I'm more likely to consider it, providing it isn't hugely different than the newer model I sat on today.

Thanks!

BIG DIFFERENCE! The GSXR is a Super sport bike, meaning you could take it to a track without any mods and keep up just fine. It's also very touchy. Not a good beginner bike. Ever. IMHO

The GSX650 is a decent beginner bike for people who want something a little bigger though I wouldn't recommend it all the time. There's also the GS500 which is similar in styling with a v-twin engine that's a bit smaller.

Good info regarding the GSXR. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, as it seems like a great bike, but good information nonetheless. :)

As for the GS500, I suspect that is too small for me. I sat on two 650's at the Suzuki dealer, and there was a 500 beside it. It was noticeably smaller, and I felt I was too big for it.

Whats are yalls opinions on this bike:
http://collegestation.craigslist.org/mcy/650654973.html

They say they're selling it to upgrade to a bigger bike, but keep in mind it's been crashed, and that could be why they're selling it. I'd be worried about bent forks/frame etc. The clear title may just mean they never reported the crash to the insurance company.

There is enough in the ad to make me suspicious.

From the ad, it looks like a decent bike. However you should keep in mind that it's hard to really tell just from an ad. Do you have someone that knows bikes who you can take with you to look at bikes? That will be helpful since it's hard to spot some problems unless you know what to look like.

I went to a Honda dealer today, and the Rebels and Shadows felt to small. The CBR600's felt very comfortable, and they also had a YZF600R which seemed to be more of a hybrid that I really liked.

I also got to sit on a Suzuki Katana 600 and really liked it as well.

Thing is, bikes are expensive. If used, it seems to be a crapshoot in terms of finding one without a shady history, and if new, you're spending upwards of $5k even on entry-ish level bikes. I found a promising 2004 SV-650 with under 6,000 miles, and with a few scratches (according to owner), and he was asking $3900. That's about the best deal I've seen, but the used bike market is much smaller, which in my experience, results in less selection and higher prices for the models that are available.

We stopped at a used bike lot on the way back from the Yamaha dealer, and the prices they were asking for used bikes was just ridiculous. One was a Katana, over five years old, that had clearly been put down hard on the side, and the price was over four grand. I've only been seriously looking at bikes for a week or so, and I think that price was ridiculous.

Lastly, I will link the listing for the bike I did find, in the hopes that I might be able to get some feedback. It's a 2004 SV-650 (http://allentown.craigslist.org/mcy/649421387.html), that has some scratches on the muffler and rear grab bar. It had two owners, the most recent acquiring it in a trade for a car, and the original owner working at a bike shop and taking good care of it. The asking price is $3995. I welcome any and all thoughts in regards to this bike, or any aspect of my post.

In my dealer visits I'm being exposed to a lot of really impressive, and expensive bikes. Finding the same bikes in the used market, let alone at a reasonable price, is proving to be a bit of a chore though.

I have some friends in Fort Worth who know their bikes. I was just curious what you guys would say after looking at the ad so I know what to scrutinize. I'll most likely take my dad with me when I go see bikes.

Well, I can say I went with a Buell xb12s as my first bike and tonight its power might have helped me. I was at a stop sign and I saw an SUV coming up way too quickly in my mirror so I tried to get away as fast as possible.

He nailed me and I was pushed about 20 ft. forward even after trying to speed away. Luckily I was unharmed. My bike's license plate was bent and my rear passenger foot pegs were ripped off but that was the worst of it.

I had recently heard of a motorcyclist get hit in a similar situation at 40 mph, so I guess the moral of the story is to check your mirrors when you're stopped and to flash your brakes off and on so you can be more visible.

Wow! Glad you're alright, I feel for your bike though! I hope you gave those assholes an earfull. I sure would have. I've also been looking into brake lights that flash so people notice them more. I plan to have god awfully gaudy brake lights so people will see me.
My dad had a friend who got sandwiched between a car and SUV because the SUV just plain wasn't paying attention. I hate SUVs because I have nearly been killed by more than one so I'm biased...What happens to the bike now?

Thanks, the bike still owns most ricers when it comes to cornering or tooling around town :P

As far as the wreck, I really wasn't mad at him at all. I was just glad nobody got hurt. He was more shaken up than I was and agreed to pay for the damages. Parts can be replaced.

Flickering brake lights are a great idea though. I upgraded to brigher lights, but apparently they didn't help in this instance lol...

It's not that it's all that hard to find cheap starter bikes, it's that you want a bike that's not really the cheap starter type. If you want to save money, go older. And the CBR600 by the way, is no easier as a first bike than the GSXR. The Katana can work though. And I know a few people who have started on SV650s. But really, these bikes aren't all that much bigger than the Ninja 500 for example. I think you just want a bigger engine and are using your size as an excuse (no offense, it actually happens a lot).

And Samcol, in some cases the brightest lights ever won't make up for a person not paying attention. And since bikes are small, the not paying attention thing can last much longer. Flickering lights can help but they can also confuse people. I'd go with LEDs and just watch your mirrors.

It's a reality of riding on the street, cagers just won't see you sometimes. (Cagers = people in cars)

I sat on a Ninja 500 yesterday and it was pretty nice. The first Ninja I sat one was much more cramped and uncomfortable, though I didn't get the specifics of the bike. Perhaps it had a smaller frame, or was from a different year, though it seems to be that Ninjas have changed minimally over the years.

I don't think I am necessarily using my size as an excuse.. I have long arms and am a taller guy, and almost every Yamaha I sat on was uncomfortable, whereas the sportier Suzuki's and Honda's were much more comfortable to sit on, and feasibly ride. I'd likely prefer a bigger engine as well, because if I am dropping upwards of four grand on a bike, I'd like it to be something I can grow into instead of out of; and while I'm not cocky or ignorant, I know I'm a very good and observant driver, and that if I did get a bike, I wouldn't drive it like a reckless speed demon solely because I possess the ability to do so. This is mostly driven by the fact that I enjoy life and have no desire to end mine prematurely or become a paraplegic at the cost of being a moron for a few hours on a motorcycle. Accidents are accidents, but one can certainly take means to reduce the odds of this happening. Not buying a bike in the first place is likely a great way of reducing such odds, but at the same time, I think a bike would present a nice change of pace from driving a car every day.

That being said, I've found more uncomfortable sport bikes than I've found comfortable ones, and I credit that to my body type, primarily because I gather that's the primary factor in determining one's comfort on a given bike. The bigger engine sport bikes have proven to be even more uncomfortable for me, because in my experience, they require more leaning, and more weight being put on the hands and lower arms while in the process of riding. Thus, I think a hybrid sport/tourer is going to be ideal for me. Given that I'd prefer riding for more than an hour at a time in comfort, I gather I may not be that interested in a full on sport bike anyway. They look fun, but they don't seem like they would be nearly as comfortable as a bike with a more upright riding position.

The comfort thing comes up a lot, but it's about 25/75 with experienced riders. On a sport bike, it usually takes time for one to get used to the position. You should never be supporting yourself by your arms but rather with your back, and that will seem weird but it makes riding more comfortable.

Anyways, the Ninja 500 and 250 were both redesigned this year so I think the frame's a bit bigger but really the main difference was the styling. My point is though, you don't have to drop 4k on a bike. If you're smart about it you can usually spend less than 3. This means, no new bikes, and nothing that's even remotely new unless you wanna go with a small bike like the Blast or the Ninja 500 (which both sell pretty new for 2.5)

Have you looked at cruisers at all? Maybe you'd find them more comfortable.

What is the oldest (years/age) you think one should go back in terms of buying a used bike?

I sat on a few cruisers, and am not sure if I would be comfortable or not on them. I'm a tall, thin guy, and I think I might be more comfortable, and feel safer, if I were sitting upright and equal to, or above, the handlebars, than below them.

Are there any sort of used motorcycle pricing guides/books that provide some guidance in regards to how much one can expect to pay for a used bike, depending on age, model, miles, etc.? I picked up a Cycle World buyer's guide, but that just reviewed the new models, which is nifty to read, but generally irrelevant to me at this point.

Thanks.

Oh I know what would be good for you! Dual sport bikes are often really tall. And by dual sport I mean street/dirt bikes. They're good bikes and can keep up with other bikes just fine but they tend to be like dirt bikes in that they sit higher and maintain that sitting straight up posture.

As far as pricing guides..I don't know of any really. There's KBB and ...I'm blanking on the other one but anyways, those can give you a basis but KBB is always higher than the other one. Hmm..can't think of the name at the moment though.

Then on the how old is too old thing? Well it really depends on the bike and your expertise.

I'm not planning to spend more than 2Gs on a bike and I'm sticking to that. I've seen several good deals on bikes on craigslist.
Found a course for motorcycle stuff online.
http://www.moto-ed.com/standard.html
I know its not a harley dealer however they seem alright to me. What do you guys think?

It's hard to tell from a website, but it sounds good. You both should look around www.twowheelforum.com. It's not the best motorcycle forum these days but I bet there's someone from your area that can give you more info than I can. Sorry if that breaks any rules

Totally new world! I've found two new forums, one specifically for the Buell. Awesome! I'm still going to harass you for information Cadre. :-)

Sounds good. :)

It seems this thread has pretty much died, but I wanted to post a follow-up to my own experiences.

A few days ago I finished the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program and received my M class license. It was a very worthwhile experience, and without the class, I know I would have crashed my first bike while leaving the lot.

There is a lot going on when riding a motorcycle in an isolated environment, let alone out on the road where there are other cars and careless drivers. I found the course to be very helpful and consider it to be a win, win, win situation. It's free (in PA), they provide the bikes and helmets, and upon completion, you receive your license and likely an insurance savings as well.

As for my first bike, I'm not looking for something new, but instead one that is used and reasonably priced. A 90's Suzuki Katana would be nice, but I found most of the Honda's and Suzuki's I sat on to be quite comfortable; and given the smaller size of the used bike market it's likely best to not be too picky.

I'm really stoked to get a bike and go riding, but am fully aware that there are quite a few careless drivers on the roads that are very capable of ending a rider's life in an instant.

This thread motivated me to get a new bike. I hadn't ridden in 15 years, 95% offroad. Last week I bought a 2007 Honda XR650L, a dual-purpose bike that is a street legal dirt bike. I figured I would start on the street with something familiar. It has been both a frightening and exhilirating experience to ride on the street, something I've never done before. One's senses are bombarded with stimuli, from that of the bike itself and also the street environment.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...tch77/bike.jpg

Buells are cool bikes. After I have a few thousand miles on the street, I'm going to give some thought to a Buell streetbike, perhaps something from the Lightning series. The styling of these bikes is amazing. I will also look at the Triumph Tiger and Street Triple 675 and the Ducati Monster.

I was recommended a book on motorcycling that is highly regarded in motorcycling communities as a source of insight into riding safely and enjoyably on the street.

BUMP

Still looking into getting a buell, just waiting for the money to flow in. Should be getting my first paycheck ina few days to start saving! Woo!

Someone remarked to me today at a Harley dealership that there's never been an American-made dirtbike, ever. What a thing to hear. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha. One relatively tiny island in the Pacific Ocean has sold millions upon millions of dirtbikes around the world while the US and Britain haven't made or sold a single one. Right now in America there are untold numbers of people in urban and rural areas riding and racing Japanese dirtbikes and atvs because there is no American Dirtbike. Even Sweden makes dirtbikes.

What is up with that?

Well since this a is a Buell thread I thought I'd post this here :thumbsup: I've been pushing my xb12s to the limits recently and last saturday I walked off the back of a stand up at 70mph and totaled it.

Anyway, Progressive was real nice to me so I'll be picking up a new 1125r this weekend. Hopefully Ill get some pics soon.

Nice...weighs about the same as the XRL, only with 100 more horsepower. Good lord man, drive safe.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/q...ttachment1.jpg

Old xb12s

New 1125r

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/q...Attachment.jpg

Okay, you're going to have to translate that for us non-riders.

he fall down, go boom. :lol:

sorry, bad joke.
all the chicks I know around here ride zzrs, ninjas or gsxrs.
my man has a Gixxer 750 that I can't even begin to try to right when it tips.
like when he says, "Hey babe, can you hold this for a second?"
I did help get the 'busa on a stand once.
that thing was massive.
I don't ride by 93% of my friends do and I definitely concur with making sure the bike is something you can pick up when you drop it.
and 95% of new riders will drop it. it's okay. and that's from the know-it-all boys. :)
and I have a friend who is 5'4" and 107 lbs... she had to pull off in a sandy area once for some reason. and had to call someone to help her right her zzr when i tipped.

Congrats samcol! Is it fast... ? :lol:

I was doing stand up wheelies and got too high so I fell off the back. Luckily I had my amored gear on that day except my legs. Got out of it with some stiches on my knee.

Thats the kinda things that gets people killed on those sport bikes more then the big cruzers. Not so much the bike itself but the things people do on them. Keep the bike on two wheels and you will have a much better chance of not going splat. Good to hear you had safety gear on and didnt get badly hurt.

One thing i didnt see anyone mention yet in the thread. Loud pipes save lives! It has been mentioned that motorcycles are invisible and its true lots of people dont notice them. A bright brake light or whatever can help but if a person is on the phone or screwing with the radio just watching the big semi truck out of the corner of there eye they wont see the bike. Make that bike so damn loud they will know your there long before they see you. Sure it pisses people off and you might even get a $50 ticket every once and a while. But it will save you from getting run down simply because they will be annoyed at how loud your bike is instead of not knowing your there in the first place.

Just assume when your riding that everyone driving around you is a total moron and not paying attention and they have no idea your there.

Ya, I accepted the fact that I would probably go down at some point while practicing stunts which is why I was doing it on a desolate road and had the appropriate gear on (cept legs :()

Definetly agree with the loud pipes thing. I had the loudest pipe available for my old bike. Also one of the biggest safety factors that is overlooked in my opinion is the bike itself. I feel much more comfortable riding my sportbike knowing that I can swerve, accelerate or stop on a dime if I need to avoid something. However, cruisers feel heavy, clumsy, and unresponsive to me.

You usually don't hear the loud pipes until they are beside you or have gone by. This means there is no deterrent from someone turning left in front of the bike.

then they are not loud enough. Plenty of bikes out there you will hear a long time before you hit them. But yeah someone cutting you off from the other direction you just need to watch for. Watch for others slowing down in the other lane. Slow down if you think someone might want to turn in front of you. Loud pipes wont always save you but they will help a lot.

I read a funny the other day on a bike forum: "If loud pipes save lives, then why are there so many GoldWings still on the road?"

One more vote for the Honda Rebel. From my research it would be a great starter bike. Not a bad investment either. If you don't pay too much snd don't ride it too long it should be a break even situation when you sell it and move up to more cc's. (And you will)

There used to be a few small companies making dirtbikes out of the US back in the day I think but none of them were any good. The Euro and Japanese companies have this technology down.

You're lucky, are you going to invest in some protection for your legs now? Just keep the stunting off roads with traffic and I don't have a problem with it.


As far as my update goes, the Blast is gone and I have a project CBR600F4i now which of course I love.

i enjoyed reading your post, I think it's just ok for you to have that bike... seems your height is ok, i think that is fit for you...

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/category...NMO3594_mx.jpg
Thought you guys would like this.

Dude, GoldWings don't need loud pipes... they have more lights on 'em than the landing strip at LAX.

The "ugly" factor also attracts enough attention to help people steer clear of 'em.

(pets his '02 Shadow Sabre w/ 2.5" DG kickers)

You can hear my bike across town.

Haven't checked this in a while. Still want that Buell...of course the summer passed and my job stuff messed up my savings spree.

C'mon, you have to make sacrifices for a motorcycle. Sacrifices! You get your backside down to that plasma donation center right this minute and start filling baggies for a bike!

j/k

I started on an old boyfriends Ninja. Never start on a crotch rocket. Way to much torque for beginners.

A few years ago I bought a Honda Shadow 750cc. At first it was intimidating but in time I grew out of it.

Right now I am saving for a Harley Roadking. My uncle lets me ride his '95 Electra Glide from time to time. It has the works, ...big side bags, the trunk on the back, even a trailer hitch, the whole bit.

My advice is get something you are comfortable with and take a driver training class. You won't believe how much you learn, and how much it can save your life.