Choosing the right bike as a novice is key to your success in passing the skills test and staying safe on the road. Here my top 5 picks for beginners based on an informal on-line survey I conducted via Facebook and e-mail.
(If you want a more in-depth article about beginner bikes, check out this website by Chuck Hawks: Good First Motorcycles.)
1. The Honda Rebel is the top pick for smaller-sized beginners. Its engine size is used in most motorcycle safety classes. Riders’ muscle memory is easily ingrained when using this bike because people are able to concentrate on the techniques, rather than the fear of dropping their motorcycle.
PROS: Beginners, smaller built individuals, and older folks find this bike a perfect fit. (My buddy, Ray, started riding his Honda Rebel at the age of 74!) Because it’s lightweight, it’s easier to keep upright and you’ll be less likely to drop your investment. It has a nice, low, center of gravity, making balance easier for the newbie, and it’s easy to resell because of price. Beginners look for an inexpensive bike to start out on. There are not enough of these bikes to go around. This keeps their resale value high.
CONS: Most bikers grow out of this bike quickly. Within in a few months to a year, they are ready to move up to a larger engine. The Rebel is not a touring bike, but it’s fast enough to go 65 MPH on the highway and will give the beginner an excellent start in learning the basics.
Other good choices in this size include: Yamaha V Star 250; Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
2. The next choice for taller or heavier riders is Honda’s Shadow Line. These 745cc bikes are the perfect size and fit for inexperienced riders wanting a meatier ride.
PROS: This bike will keep the novice rider happy for years. There is plenty of power for touring, and the bike has the looks of a big cruiser. According to the Honda website, the Shadow Spirit features alow 25.7-inch seat, beefy V-twin and long, lean lines stretching to its 21-inch front wheel for a vibe that is classic ‘dragbike.'” The low seat makes it easy to put both feet flat on the ground – a plus for beginners who are concerned about dropping their investment.
CONS: Don’t plan on taking any long road trips with a partner. The passenger seat is small and the pegs are high, making for an uncomfortable ride for taller folks when going farther than the corner ice cream shop.
3.In my survey, no one mentioned this bike, but it’s my favorite because it’s my first and only bike (so far): The Suzuki S50. (This was formerly the Suzuki Intruder. I ride a 2003 Suzuki Intruder VS800.) According to Top Speed “the best of that light and versatile chassis is that it offers a 27.6 inches seat height, meaning that short riders and girls are also in for a piece of the Boulevard action.” I have ridden my Intruder over 15,000 miles on four separate road trips of over 800 miles each with no problems. It kept up with my husband’s Harley (1200 Custom Sporster) and traveled the same miles at the same speed with complete ease. As a first bike, it has offered me four seasons of perfect riding. Its low seat keeps my feet flat and I feel safe on this bike. It’s not too heavy for me, and I’m able to travel short distances with my teenage son on the back.
PROS: Low seat, good “chopper-like” looks, can handle long road trips with ease with no need to go up to a bigger bike if you don’t want to. This bike will do it all. I rode this bike from Northern Indiana to North Carolina/Tennessee to Deal’s Gap and conquered the Tail of the Dragon. It handles curves beautifully.
CONS: The stock seat is uncomfortable. But to be fair, most seats that come with bikes straight from the factory are uncomfortable. I invested in a gel seat from Mustang. If you are taller than 5’7″ (my height), you will need forward controls on this bike. Even then, the bike might be too small for you and a taller and longer bike would be a better fit. After getting my gel seat, my backside never tires, but my long legs do, even with forward controls. Passengers would not be comfortable on long rides on this bike if they are over 5’7″ tall as the pegs are high and the seat fairly small. Short distances are not a problem.
Other bikes in this size: Yamaha V Star Custom, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom.
4. The brand new 2010 V Star 950 Tourer is another favorite among my riding buddies. Besides its smooth, good looks, it’s a comfortable ride and offers plenty of comfort on long road trips. According to Top Speed: “Further spotting the bike’s advantages we get to the 26.5 inches low seat making the V Star 950 ideal for the average sized rider and even female riders. The only down point that the low seat might imply consists in a pair of harsh suspensions, but this Star works with 5.3 inches of travel up front and 4.3 inches of travel at the rear just to make us swallow our words.” Other bikes in this category: 2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom.
PROS: This bike is brand new and the jury is still out. Check online, and check out similar bikes before choosing this one.
CONS: Again, a tall rider may find this bike too low for comfort.
5. The overwhelming Harley favorite for newbies are the Sporster 883s. I will focus on the Sporster 883 Custom Low. I like this one for beginners because of its low profile ergonomics with a seat height of just 25.3 inches. However, if you’re a tall rider over 6′, you’ll want to check out the Sporster Custom 1200 line of bikes.
PROS: Harley’s are an American favorite, and a lot of people grow up wishing to own one. They are an iconic. One of the benefits of owning a Harley is in the dealer network and availability of replacement parts. But for me, the best part is the sound of that Harley engine.
CONS: The price. For the same price you can own a bigger metric. Harleys weigh a lot more than a metric, too. But these are both because of the chrome vs. plastic parts on the Harleys and metrics. You’ll just have to decide which you prefer to pay for should you drop and damage it.
The bottom line: sit on a lot of bikes before making the decision to buy your first one. Take a seasoned, responsible rider with you who knows about bikes and get their advice. If you’re tall, you’re going to need a taller, bigger bike. But if you’re small it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a small bike, either. Choosing the right sized bike is relevant to your level of ability, your physical coordination, and your willingness to practice on whatever bike you choose. If you aren’t strong physically, be smart and buy a bike that will keep you safe at intersections and sudden stops. For one rider, that’s a 250. For another, it’s a big tourer. For many, it’s something in between.
The most important thing to consider when choosing your first bike is whether or not you can place both feet flat on the ground at a stop. No matter the size of the engine, if you can’t touch the ground, it’s probably not the right bike for you. If you sit on a 1200 and your feet touch the ground, and you think you can handle the throttle without throwing yourself off doing a wheelie, go for it!
And get training. The best training videos on the market are Ride Like a Pro. Do what these videos teach you, and you’ll be a safer rider.
Another important thing for young new riders to remember is this: don’t be a show-off and don’t be too proud to practice your training and ask questions. Riding a motorcycle is a risk. It’s up to you to make smart choices in order to keep living to ride another day. No matter how cool and big your bike is, road rash, broken bones and death are not.
Be choosy. Be smart. Ride safe.
