My car is going to be paid off by the end of this year and I’ve wanted a motorcycle since I was a teenager. I’ve talked it over with my wife and she said it would be ok for me to get one this next summer if I were so inclined. (Yeah I talk to her about every major purchase. I’m funny that way.)
I’ve closest thing to a street bike I’ve ever been on was a motorscooter in 1990 or so. I do know how to ride a dirt bike though. I’m trying to get a good idea of what make and model I’m going to want. I’ve eliminated the ones that look like racers because I’m not that interested in speed and they don’t look very comfortable. Here are a few of the models that interested me.
BMW R1200C
BMW R1150R
Harley Davidson: I can’t even narrow down one bike from them.
Honda: I like many of their Shadows and the Valkyrie
Now if someone asked me a year ago what bike I wanted I would have said Harley. But I’ve come to realize that if I stick with Harley alone then I’m limiting my options for no reason. It is difficult to find objective information about motorcycles as people are fairly loyal to their brand.
I just bought my first motorcycle last month. It took me forever to pick the right one but I was glad I took the time to do my homework.
Originally I wanted to get a Cruiser but after I rode one I realized it was too big for my skills. I highly suggest riding a bike - most dealers wont let you but a for-sale-by-owner probably will.
You should also look into taking the Motorcycle Saftey Foundation class which I have found to be valuable.
To to OP, I selected a Kawasaki ZR7 it is a 750cc street bike. I liked the bike because it was a standard street bike with center controls and a fairly upright seating position. The price was reasonable and it looks pretty sharp.
If your looking for a used bike, take your time. I found the prices for used bikes to be all over the map.
One of the best things about Harleys is that they do not devalue much, just about every other bike drops, the Japs with their fast model turnover moreso.
The exceptions to the Jap bike devaluation rule are the Goldwing and F6C Valkyrie, these hold their price well and to some extent still have some cred with the Harley crowd.
I’ve heard folk describe Beemers as being agricultural but if you are thinking along Harley lines this is not an issue. Older Beemers have an unusual habit of pulling to one side under accelaration on a bend due to the torque reaction from the shaft drive but it is just something that owners get used to.
I do believe you would be better off with a more conventional machine with enough power to keep from getting bored, the Honda 750 Nighthawk is ideal in this respect as it is cheap enough, big enough to get a true big bike feel, it helps you along as it is very forgiving, and has a very tough engine.
Such a bike would then still give you the choice of a Harley or go down the sportbike route.
Ride one for a year or so, do some advanced riding courses then check out what you really want, by then you will have a better idea of what you want from your machine.
Honda = Nice Bikes. I’ve always owned Hondas myself. My first bike was a 85 Gold Wing
Harley = Well, nice but not my cup-o-tea
Pretty much all newer bikes are “nice” and ride pretty well. Advice time though, MGibson. You said yourself the biggest bike you’ve been on is a scooter several years back. Do not bite off more than you can chew for a first bike. Thats either a real fast way to learn, a fast way to get overconfident, and/or a fast way to get hurt.
Either get some professional training first or at the very least buy a $1500 <750cc bike for a first one. Do not get a 1200cc brute for your first. I did myself but I sure don’t reccomend it.
What do you mean by agricultural? Around these parts when I think of agricultural machines I think John Deere and Case.
Arkansas ABATE offers classes that give you the opportunity to ride different types of bikes. I won’t be making my final decision until after I take their basic course.
I completely agree. I’m not looking to get the biggest baddest bike I can possibly find. The scooter was the only thing I’ve had experience with on the street. And I was 14 and driving it without a license when I borrowed it from a friend. I’ll be looking for a bike that I’m comfortable with. I’m not a big speed freak and I’m already a pretty defensive driver. I don’t expect that to change with a motorcycle.
I just wanted to hear how others liked their bikes. Most people I know drive Harleys and I’ve yet to meet someone with a BMW. In fact I had never considered them until someone mentioned that they made pretty good bikes.
I’m going to get professional training. Although I know how to ride a bike I’m unfamiliar with riding it on a street. Getting professional training doesn’t cost much and it will give me a better idea of what kind of bike to get and it might save my life.
I’ve owned several Hondas in my lifetime, including 2 Hawks, a Nighthawk, and a GoldWing. They no longer make the exact type of Hawks I owned (1988 & 1989) but if you can find one used they’re excellent. Goldwings are great if you’re into a big bike. The stereo, criuse control, and reverse gear on them are the cat’s ass.
The Night Hawk is a good standard bike. They come in 250 & 750 cc. Every Honda I owned was reliable to a tee. Very low maintainance too.
I know ride a Harley Custom Sportster. It’s 6 years old but I still get comments from strangers at stop lights about how sweet it looks. If you go Harley, get the bigger engined ones. An 883 Sportster will bore you. At very least get a 1200 or bigger. The Sportster sport 1200 is really fast and great in the corners. It’s like having a sport bike/cruiser/super standard all in one bike!
BMWs are not agricultural. They’re a bit pricey but they’re worth it in that they hold their resale value very well, they run forever, and they are designed for real people in real-world situations.
Between da spouse and me, we own or have owned 5 different BMW models: the K75s, the R1100RT, the R1100S, the K1200RS, and the F650GS. All are nice bikes and have their purposes. The one I would recommend for a beginning rider is the F650GS–it’s smaller and lighter than the rest of the BMW line and doesn’t have lots of bodywork to mess up if you drop it.
As for the two you mention specifically, the R1200C is a nice techni-cruiser, though you might find it uncomfortable over long distances. The R1150GS is a tall bike. If you’re not 6 feet tall or more, you might have trouble putting both feet down at stops, which can be disconcerting to a new rider (I’ve been riding since '91 and it’s still disconcerting to me!)
One suggestion I’d agree with is to take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) beginning rider course–you can do this before you get your bike, and if you buy a new BMW they’ll reimburse you for it.
Another one is: don’t skimp on your gear! I don’t know what state you’re in and whether it has a helmet law, but don’t believe the stories about how helmets mess up your field of vision and can cause head injuries. Both of these are true in a very small number of cases, but considering the number of lives they’ve saved (falling on your head even at low speed is no fun, or so I’m told) it’s worth the risk. Get a good full-face helmet, a good jacket, gloves, and boots. If you need to cut back on the price of the bike a bit to do this, do it. Your hide and your head are worth it.
I really don’t care much for Harleys. It’s not the bikes so much; it’s those people who ride them who have “attitude”. There are a lot of Harley drivers who think that all other bikes are lesser rides, and if you ride a Japanese bike you probably feltch goats. They don’t seem to understand that we’re all on two wheels. Of course not all Harley drivers are arrogant snobs or rednecks. But those who are pretty much spoiled Harleys for me.
As for the bike itself, it does have a good resale value. Like most cruisers, they’re pretty in an antique sort of way. (One cruiser that’s not antique-looking is Yamaha’s V-Max. Not for the beginner, as it’s got a lot of power.) I see more Harleys on the side of the road than any other make. And they’re hidiously over-priced. IMO/YMMV.
I see a few BMWs on the freeway. Nice looking. The CHP rides them. They’re renouned for their durability. James Bond rode one. The torque will pull you to one side on any bike with a shaft drive, but you’ll hardly notice it.
HYKS bikes (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) are very reliable and you get the most bang for your buck.
I ride a 1994 Yamaha XJ-600 Seca II. I would prefer a “crotch rocket”, but they were more expensive. When I got it I needed a fast, reliable bike that was inexpensive. I’ve put about 70,000 miles on it and it’s a trouper. It’s small, so I can share lanes in California traffic. Harleys share lanes too, but they have a harder time of it. I’m never getting rid of it, but I’ll get something else after I move. I’m thinking of a Yamaha R-1, Yamaha R-6 or a Ducati 748. Recently I’ve been thinking of looking at the BMW line.
I’ve been riding since I was six (mini-bikes until I was 10, then real motorcycles). The best way to learn to ride is when you are very young, and keep riding as you grow up. Otherwise, take the course. It may save your life.
BMW’s are rough around the edges when compared to the Jap bikes, maybe its because they don’t use so many balance shafts to counter vibration, I dunno.
They have a strange turning light system compared to most bikes which takes a little while to get used to, and when you hav ridden a large Jap bike of around 900cc or more you will notice the brakes seem to be less powerful which caused a friend of mine to get himself into a minor tumble.
The ‘flying brick’ inline four BMW’s are smooth enough but I personally think they are very heavy for what power you get, although this weight is very low down so it is not as intimidating as it could be.
Other options might include the 600cc Bandit, the Honda 600cc Hornet(which can be as calm or as mad as you want) or maybe the Yamaha Fazer or Kawasaki Zephyr.
I’ve got my eye on a used cop bike. 1000cc Kawasaki bike, maybe 35K miles, going for about 2K. I haven’t ridden in a few years so if I dump it I won’t sweat it too hard. Definitely going to take the MSF course in CA, it goes for about $200. Insurance on that bike is about 250 for the year, liability only. No reason to get theft ins. on that bike, I doubt anyone would have the balls to steal it.
V-Max is big-time not for beginners My dad rides one; a) it’s fuckin’ huge, and b) it’s designed to put all that power from rubber to tarmac and then go really fast in a straight line. It handles like a pregnant cow on the twisties, but straight line? Rocks.
BMWs are nice bikes, but watch out for the boxer-wobbles. Can be distinctly unsettling…
I’m planning on picking up a Yamaha Virago 250[sup]1[/sup]. Cruiser style, not too heavy, enough power, and handles like a dream; it flicks through corners nicely, and it’s pretty forgiving. It’s one of the best-selling bikes around the world for learners and, because they’re in demand, they hold their value pretty well, provided you maintain it.
[sup]1[/sup]Biggest I can legally ride for a while. L plates and the law…
My first bike was a Kawasaki GPZ 550. Quick enough to be fun, but not so powerful that it would get out of hand with no warning. My second bike was a 1991 Harley 883 Sportster. I bought it in 92 (used) for about $5000 and sold it in 2000 for about $5000. There are probably more used 883’s than 1200’s out there, so finding one relatively cheap should be easy. If you want the performance of a 1200, the 883 can be converted. I’ve seen shops advertising 883-1200 conversions for as little as $300. But if you can spend some more, there are loads of things you can do to a Sportster to improve its performance.
