Posted by Mark Olson on June 6, 2006, 6:33 am
Nikita Synytskyy wrote:
> too small, and the 650 can definitely be too big. Check out, if you
> haven't already, Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It has a 500 cc motor, it's a
> cruiser which is seemingly what you want, and it strikes a nice balance
> power- and size-wise. It is definitely big enough to go on the highway,
> but not as powerful as the 650 V-Star. And it is not as heavy, which means
> it is easier to pick up.
You're right about the Vulcan 500 being lighter than the VStar 650, but
wrong about the power. The VStar makes 33 hp, the Vulcan 500 makes 40 hp.
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13 '81 CM400T
OMF #7
Posted by Johnny1000 on June 6, 2006, 10:29 am
sschwartz@aecom.yu.edu wrote:
>Hi Folks,
>Newby here. I"m a 47 year old man who finally
> convinced his wife to let him buy a bike. I was
> thinking about something like a Yamaha
> Virago 250. Of course the salesman wants to
> put me on a V star classic 650.
You sound like you're in the same boat I was a few years back. I
bought a Virago 250 to get my licence, but out grew it in about a
month. ...Sure you can cruise down the highway at 60mph, but come to a
steep hill, or the need to pass, and you find there's absolutely no
reserve power. ...Plus you'll find it feels a little too light. ...And
after about an hours ride, the seat becomes extremely uncomfortable. (I
think it was designed by a female, 'cause it causes a certain body
appendage to "go to sleep") ...And finally, just try to locate some
decent saddlebags for this guy!! Listen ....Go for the 650.
..Jon
Posted by steveschwartz on June 6, 2006, 3:45 pm
Hi Folks,
Want to thank all of you for your replies - as one said - seems to be
about 50/50. I am going to go with my gut and start with a small bike.
If I ride it for a few months and really feel I want something bigger,
next spring I can go for a bigger bike. I also really don;t want
anything too old. I think I will go for the Yamaha 250. I can get one
with very low mileage a year or two old for about 2k. If I decide I
hate to ride, I can sell it for 1700 next year. If I decide I love to
ride I can sell it for 1700 next year and buy a bigger bike.
I will take the MSF course before I do anything. Thanks again for all
your responses.
Posted by Mark Olson on June 6, 2006, 4:09 pm
> Want to thank all of you for your replies - as one said - seems to be
> about 50/50. I am going to go with my gut and start with a small bike.
> If I ride it for a few months and really feel I want something bigger,
> next spring I can go for a bigger bike. I also really don;t want
> anything too old. I think I will go for the Yamaha 250. I can get one
> with very low mileage a year or two old for about 2k. If I decide I
> hate to ride, I can sell it for 1700 next year. If I decide I love to
> ride I can sell it for 1700 next year and buy a bigger bike.
>
> I will take the MSF course before I do anything. Thanks again for all
> your responses.
<speechless>
Well done, it appears you are one of the fewer than 1 percent of all folks
who ask what sort of bike is appropriate for a beginner, who listens to
the group consensus and actually decides to do the sensible thing.
On the other hand, there's the young FedEx guy who told me the other
day he intended to get a Yamaha R1 as his first bike. When I gently
suggested he start with something a bit less missile-like, he asked for
reassurance that an R6 would be a good 2nd choice.
I wish I could purchase life insurance policies on any person I chose,
without their consent-- I would be a multi-millionaire in a short time.
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000A-13 '81 CM400T
OMF #7
Posted by Chickenstrip on June 7, 2006, 2:59 pm
I learned on a 650 and taught my wife on a 650...
If you can plant both your feet and control the bike at slow speeds...
Drive on
Find a safety course and enroll.
FYI Most safety courses for begginers supply the bikes and some even
give you a waiver for the test if you pass the course.
sschwartz@aecom.yu.edu wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> Newby here. I"m a 47 year old man who finally convinced his wife to let
> him buy a bike. I was thinking about something like a Yamaha Virago
> 250. Of course the salesman wants to put me on a V star classic 650. I
> sat on both, and the 650 obviously feels a LOT bigger - kind of scary
> for a brand new beginner. I am 5'4" (yeah really short), and weigh 150
> pounds. I do have a bit of motorcycle experience - riding a tiny one in
> college a lot of years ago. I do plan on takin gthe MSF course (or
> equivalent).
> My wife tends to agree about the 250, but is a bit worried that if I do
> take the 250 on the highway at all, it will be significantly less safe
> because of lack of reserve power. She tends to think if I take a 250 on
> the highway, I will die immediately. We live outside of New York City,
> and to get anywhere serious, I would want to go on a highway, if only
> for short trips.
> My gut reaction is to go with the 250. If I love it and feel good, I
> can trade up. This seems to be the advice of blogs on beginning
> motorcycling I have read. So money aside, how much harder would it be
> to learn on the 650? If I could be comfortable with that from the
> start, then obviously I have a much more capable machine. Do I go with
> gut reaction from sitting on them in the shop?
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
> Steve
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> haven't already, Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It has a 500 cc motor, it's a
> cruiser which is seemingly what you want, and it strikes a nice balance
> power- and size-wise. It is definitely big enough to go on the highway,
> but not as powerful as the 650 V-Star. And it is not as heavy, which means
> it is easier to pick up.