NMNA - - $500. The kind of bike you can watch tip over and you don't pucker. Nearby if you need eyes or storage until you can pick it up.
NMNA - - $500. The kind of bike you can watch tip over and you don't pucker. Nearby if you need eyes or storage until you can pick it up.
Buy what you want, they all cost the same to drop.
The "Starter Bike" thing was made up by a salesman so he could move inventory that would otherwise not sell. Preying on the weaknesses of a newbe..... That starter bike will likely wind up rusting in the pile behind the garage in a season or so, unless you are ambitious/lucky enough to find a sucker and your starter bike still runs well enough to sell.
Don't buy a bike you will outgrow in 2 weeks.
Don't buy an Asian bike if you really want a Harley
Dont buy an XL just to have a Harley when you really want a big twin, in the end you will spend more on the XL than a BT would cost, and XL's don't make good BT imitations.
A Softail is easier to handle than a Sportster, lower seat height and COG.
Anything newer than an EVO is not the bike you see in your dreams......
Brought to you by Been There Done That.
Lots of dead guys on "it's just a 600" didn't think a starter bike was a smart idea, either.
I do miss my KZ, and Ballston Spa is not that far, but I made an agreement with the wife. Must resist.
Honestly, a starter bike should be a light, standard bike. Probably 500cc and under. Harley would be the LAST bike I'd look at. Not a sports bike either. The mid 70s CB 450 twin is a great bike.
A Harley gets expensive fast when you chuck it down the road the first time.
I'm glad my first bike was a CX500.
Hard to get upset when you ride the Camry of motorcycles.
In reply to ShawnG :
Cx500 is a good 1st choice. The 300cc bikes from many makes, including BMW, are actually good choices. I'm 6'4", and for the BMW 310GS
If someone were buying new, I like those smaller Husqvarna street bikes, they look fun.
I've had a BMW K-1200LT, an R-1150rt, a K-100rs, pretty sure I'd rather parking lot U turn with too much front brake, or overfill the gas tank on a hot day with a $500 something than any one of those. You know, starter bike mistakes. (don't think a salesman invented the term).
In reply to 914Driver :
I had a r65rt, euro model. Take off the rt stuff and it'd be a great 1st bike. Can ride 2 up, well-balanced and bmw quality plus insanely easy to maintain
Still got my R-90 S clone, bum stop seat, cafe fairing etc. Low CG is nice.
I had an R90RT.
Aero was great on that bike but I couldn't fall in love with it.
I love my 'Guzzis though. By all accounts, the new V7s are great.
I run with two guys that have older Duc 900ss, God I love the sound!!!!
In reply to 914Driver :
The 90s 900ss has been described as the best all around bike. I have a 900ss/cr with a little over 100k. Easy to work on, reliable, enough hp and a good riding position. I love my 916s but my back gives out after 30 to 45 minutes. Sucks being over 50
FWIW, I have a 97 f650 project that I may never get around to, if someone is looking for a cheap BMW
A first bike should be one that doesn't need hours of time messing with to get running and may leave the rider on the side of the road wishing they had spent more. I did that; my first bike was a GS500 turd with a rusty gas tank and a half dozen previous owners who weren't interested in maintenance. Forget that noise. Were I to do it over again I'd spend no less than $3k on an SV650 or similar. This is a restoration project.
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