Purchasing First Bike

 

I am about to purchase my first bike.  I have done a little riding,
very limited experience, but I will be taking a class. I've wanted a
bike all my life.  I am now 39 so I am interested in the crusiers.  I
have been considering the vstar 650 and the honda shadow 600 or 750.  I

am short about 5'8 and around 200 lbs. so I need something that will
carry me with reasonable comfort.  I will some times ride to work which

is around 60 miles round trip.  I would greatly appreciate some
experienced advice.  Also so which is better air or water cooled?

            Chand66

 

I'm surprised nobody's replied to this yet.   Everyone loves giving
advice to newbies. 8^)

 Don't buy a new bike for your first bike.  In fact don't even buy as
good of a bike as you want.  You're going to abuse your first bike.
You're going to burn up the clutch, maybe drop it a few times in
parking lots on or on the driveway.  Get an old beater off Craigslist,
maybe one that already has some cosmetic damage.  You'll have a good
time on it, and next year you can sell it for about what you paid for
it and get the bike you really want.

The MSF class is a great idea!  When you finish it you'll know more
about what kind of bike you want to buy.

If you're 5'8 you're going to want something with a low seat.  There
are real 'cruisers' and other bikes that are just cruiser-styled.  The
VStar and Honda Shadow are both good choices.  You don't want anything
too big for your first bike.  A 650 would be very adequate for the
freeway.  Make sure you can put both feet flat on the ground while
sitting on it.

Air and water cooling are different, neither is better.  Water cooling
is smoother, maybe a little more luxurious, but it adds weight, it
costs more, including  higher maintenance.  Air cooling is lighter,
and I think it has more of that intangible  'motorcycle' character.  I
have one bike of each type and they're both pretty good.  

I can tell you from my own experience that a newbie has a good chance
of a few minor spills.  Hitting some loose gravel in a turn, for
instance and having the bike slide out from under you.  Or losing
balance at low speed in a parking lot.  So I would say a helmet, a
good jacket (either leather or motorcycle-specific abrasion-proof
textile), and leather gloves were mandatory.  I wouldn't get on a bike
even today without at least those three.  The gloves are more
important than you might think, because when you fall you reflexively
put out your hands to stop yourself.  If you want to get into long
weekend rides, boots and abrasion-resistant pants would complete the
ensemble.

Best of luck to you!  And be careful out there!

 

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice.  I  never really considered
buying a used one, but I will seriously consider one now.

 

chand66 wrote:

Definitely do so. I started riding just last September, and I am glad I
got a used bike first. Not only did it help my skills, but I was a LOT
better informed when I started shopping for a new one.

That said, when you DO start looking for a new bike, add the Honda 599
(or in Europe: Hornet 600) to your list to consider.

 

Look at a used or new Buell Blast, great for a new rider.