Best Motorcycle for beginners but good for Long Trips?

Question

I am going to be attending a Motorcycle Riding Class to get a Motorcycle endorsement. I'm looking for something that is good for beginner or intermediate users but can still travel long distances, ie.e. 1000 or so miles for a trip. I really like the look of the Kawasaki Ninja 500R, but really confused at what the 'cc' is and can really use a little educational assistance on motorcycles and what I should look for!

Thanks Tons!

Answer 1

I agree about finding a bike that is comfortable. There is nothing that says a smaller bike can't take long trips. My Sportster was way more comfortable to me than my old Roadking. Something about the seating position really killed my back. My Cyclone is even better than the Sportster. My old 1100 Katana was the worst, but my old GS850 Suzuki was the best by far.

Once you have a bike that can maintain highway speeds all day long, you just have to find a bike that fits you. It also helps to find a bike that has good luggage available.

If you are looking for a bike that is both sporty and REALLY good at traveling distances, then the recent versions of the  Honda Interceptor are hard to beat. They can pass for a more focused sport bike in most situations and they tour as well as many bikes that are made just for touring.

They are not really a beginners bike, but they aren't some crazy 'Busa either. I am a huge believer in personal responsibility. Your right wrist tells the engine how much power to produce. Some bikes are overwhelming for an intermediate user, but most aren't. If you aren't a moron, you can ride a lot more bike than most people recommend.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First off the c-rocket is not good for long trips. For this you need a cruiser type. My wife is 5 foot I an 5 foot 10, we both felt good on a Honda 750, its water cooled so its good for distance or heavy traffic. I started riding a H.D. 883 sportster. No classes just hard knocks ed. after two weeks I took my test been riding ever sense. I DO RECOMMEND THE RIDERS COURSE. Ishould have taken it

Answer 3

I know someone who started on  500cc  Kawasaki Vulcan and  eventually rode it  border-to-border.

Answer 4

Something YOU feel you can handle. If you want a 'Road Warrior' aka crotch-rocket, don't plan a doing 1k mile trip in any short order.  If however that is the 'look' you're after, that's you choice.  When talking a road trip, look for a scoot that can carry you AND gear.  Buell has a newer multi-user model called the Ulysses. Dennis Gage, host of My Classic Car, took a trip into Canada, up into Quebec, from the New England area.  He and two other cyclist, all mounted on rented BUELL ULYSSES and spoke highly of this machine.

If you'd like, go to the site I've listed for another review of a 1600 miles trip story.

Answer 5

well, any bike can go long distances, you just need to find something you're comfortable on

CC is engine displacement in cubic centimeters. 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400 etc etc

similar to "Liters" on a car engine (usually a 3.1 liter will have more power than a 1.3 liter)

Answer 6

"cc" is the motor size cubic centimeter's a 500 or 650 would be a good starter bike , If you are looking for a long distance bike , you Don't really want a "sport" bike My wife has a Yamaha V-Star 650 silverado  , it is the perfect size for power and comfort for her and great for distance , it has room to pack some belongings to take along . the bigger the cc the bigger the bike , both engine and frame in most instances . check out all of them before buying , shop shop around ,