Top 10: Starter Bikes

[shah269 0]

(Because every now and again it's been asked)

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/cars/top-10-starter-bikes.html
The tumultuous rumble of dual exhaust cans drowns out the stale elevator music on your way up to the office. You daydream of wheelies, knee-dragging and checkered flags. Sleep is a fond memory, due to motorcycle-induced insomnia. If you experience any of these symptoms, you’ve got the fever, and once you’ve been bitten, there is no antidote. After completing your MSF safety course, obtaining your motorcycle license endorsement and purchasing the proper riding gear, there’s only one thing left on the list: your first motorcycle.

Shrewd riders will opt for a bike with a smaller engine, lower seat height and comfortable riding position to aid the two-wheel acclimatization process. Bikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZX-14 and Yamaha YZF-R1 are certain death rockets for beginner riders, so hide the pride and spring for a tamer machine. Entry-level motorcycles usually tend to be wallet-friendly and produce exceptional gas mileage, which is paramount in these preposterous economic times. Have a good hard look at our list of top 10 beginner motorcycles that are on the market now, and work your way up to that Z1000.


Enjoy and please be safe.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[AggieDave 6]

All of those bikes and the Honda Shadow 750 isn't listed? That's a shame, its a perfect entry bike or in town bike!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Boris73 0]

Booo where is the KTM 450SMR? In my opinion the best first bike you can buy, well at least get a supermoto. The handling on them will beat any sports/tourer/cruiser bike etc. They are built like a brick shit house, If you come off very cheap to repair, most often then not you don't even have to repair anything. Acceleration is amazing, top speed is around 90mph so not fast. They are also very light about 105Kg dry weight, and because of this I have gotten out of very scary situations where as other bikes would have gotten me at least injured if not killed. Oh yes lets not forget the noise. As quoted by a sportsbike rider, "we could hear you coming a mile away, it was like rolling thunder" Only downside is oil change every 500 miles, oil filters every second oil change, and valves around 1500 miles

[Bodhisattva420 0]

Suzuki SV650s

[shah269 0]

My very first bike was a race prepped 1987 Honda VFR 700.
Was it right for me? Yes. Was it right for every one? No.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[BikerBabe 0]

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Suzuki SV650s

this! S version for the "sportbike" feel, the non-faired version if you want a more upright seating position.

Also, about the supermotards...yes, they are awesome, but if you're short like me, it isn't a starter bike. hell, it's a "never" bike because i'll never grow longer legs to reach the ground. This makes me sad, but i'm consoled by the fact that most of the sportbike manufacturers have lowered the seat heights to where I can ride them all straight off the lot, rather than having to worry about a lowering kit.

I remember when I first started, i couldn't even comfortably 1-foot something like a GSXR600 and now i can tiptoe both feet on a GSXR1000 no less.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[ferrisssavior 0]

Exactly.

No one is the same. If the rider if mature enough, he could ride a Harley with a 1600cc engine the first day. It all depends on the maturity of the rider and his willingness and ability to limit himself.

I ride a Suzuki SV650S.

[skybytch 273]

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Also, about the supermotards...yes, they are awesome, but if you're short like me, it isn't a starter bike. hell, it's a "never" bike because i'll never grow longer legs to reach the ground.

I'm a bit taller than you, but still can't do better than tiptoeing on my b/f's Suzuki DRZ400. But when I asked a mechanic friend what enduro I should get, he highly recommended the same bike and told me that the seat height can be lowered.

As soon as we have garage space for another bike, I'm hoping to find out for sure.

[skyrider 0]

My first bike was a 1942 Harley WR (45 inch suicide shift) I had no where to go but safer from there....BUT, here I am 45 years later, still riding a 1942 EL (61 inch) Suicide Shift Harley!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/apes/waterfall112.jpg

[skyrider 0]

My sons(15 years old) first "Street" bike, a Harley 1947 FL (74 inch) BUT , he didn't grow liek most kids, he has been on motorcycles all his life... he also rides a 03 DR 650 Susuki to school and for fun..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/Bikes/003-1.jpg

[AggieDave 6]

Sure, but you have a REAL foot clutch, with the spring loaded locker. A lot of folks just take their shift pedal and route it through the clutch. Then they're left with trying to find N while they're stopping and falling to the left.

I was surprised that the BMW GS was listed. Its a tall bike. BMWs are really tall bikes. They're also top heavy, which isn't a big deal, but could get interesting for a brand new rider (as I've seen before).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skyrider 0]

Quote

Sure, but you have a REAL foot clutch, with the spring loaded locker. A lot of folks just take their shift pedal and route it through the clutch. Then they're left with trying to find N while they're stopping and falling to the left.

I was surprised that the BMW GS was listed. Its a tall bike. BMWs are really tall bikes. They're also top heavy, which isn't a big deal, but could get interesting for a brand new rider (as I've seen before).

i've ridden Both,(roicker, and spring/suicide) no problem either way...BUT, I also use real jockey top shifter drums, NOT Ratchet...so I can hit nuetral on a roll from any gear! (gears are in a straight line, not ratcheted in one at a time!)

[AggieDave 6]

And Baker has come out with a N on the bottom 6-speed HD conversion tranny. Well, they did a few years ago when the huge chopper craze hit and everyone wanted a butt scratcher.

Either way, I bet if you showed up to a MSF course (2nd course with your own bike) with a jockey shift, they would probably raise a stink.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Nataly 38]

Woo hoo!! I have the baby version of the number one bike

"There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse."
- Chris Hadfield
« Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. »
- my boss

[BikerBabe 0]

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Woo hoo!! I have the baby version of the number one bike

yah, unfortunately, i think the 500 is the smallest you'll find in the states. Which is sad, because 400s and 250s are fun.

This was my first bike: Honda CB-1. 400cc naked sportbike...really ahead of its time style-wise, and a fun little bike. I swear, i miss that baby. My hubby used it his first season of racing, then passed it to me when he moved on to 250 gp bikes.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Squeak 17]

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I was surprised that the BMW GS was listed. Its a tall bike. BMWs are really tall bikes. They're also top heavy, which isn't a big deal, but could get interesting for a brand new rider (as I've seen before).

the 650 GS is not that tall in the seat, AND they have a lowering kit just for the real short ones.
My wife can ride on stock and she's short

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[AggieDave 6]

The 650's that I've seen in the dealership still seemed tall. The 850 GS, 1150 RT and 1200 RTs are really tall, though.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[NickDG 23]

No matter the machine you decide on most will suggest taking a MSF Basic Rider Course, or at least buying the 'Ride like a Pro" videos . . .

But I'll save you some money, here's all there is to know about riding a motorcycle . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXMovIvr-o

NickD

[xtravrtsoul 0]

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Suzuki SV650s

That is what I got as my first bike and it rocked, but it is not for all because it can be a bit touchy. But honestyly it is a nimble little beast and I love it. I still love it!!!!

You create life, life does not create you.

[shah269 0]

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Woo hoo!! I have the baby version of the number one bike

And I have the 1100CC sport touring version.
See I knew you were cool!

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[skyrider 0]

Quote

No matter the machine you decide on most will suggest taking a MSF Basic Rider Course, or at least buying the 'Ride like a Pro" videos . . .

But I'll save you some money, here's all there is to know about riding a motorcycle . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXMovIvr-o

NickD

ROFLMAO........BTW, My son last night on his 47..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/field/ridenknuck016.jpg

[AviationTD 0]

That's right!
M first and current bike is 1985 Honda Shadow. Great bike based on my limited experience. (Been riding for a year)

[SpeedRacer 1]

So, bikers ride motorcycles, and cyclists ride bicycles, and motorcycles are called "bikes."

Speed Racer
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[Southern_Man 0]

I hope to be in the market for a starter bike this year. Currently learning to ride on a friend's bike (or currently when it finally warms up a bit).

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[Boris73 0]

Here is my bike, this was taken at a track day and it's road legal

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr150/R-Boris/mejumping.jpg