Can you please advise me on my 1st motorcycle?

Question

Hello all,

I am pretty new at this so I am hoping to hear from as many as you riders out there.

Well I am 6'3 and I am looking for my very first new motorcycle. I have done my research and came with the conclusion that I need an expert and an experienced rider's advice. Can you recommend me what I should go for ? what sites to go to? In terms of price range ; anything below 5000 will be ideal. Again I am 6'3 so i definitely need something that would fit me. thank you for your comments

Answer 1

Try ebay they have nice bikes at low prices

for your height you could consider a Fat Boy I am 6'0 and it fits me well but they can run high in price  

Answer 2

Quite a bit of the recommendation would depend on how much experience you have on two wheels.  If you are looking for a cruiser, then any cruiser @ 1000 cc or less would fit.  Of course, we're talking used.  You can find, in some places, some pretty good deals on 07 and 08 models.  Attached is a sample website for a nearby Yamaha dealer who is currently advertising the 1100 and 1300 cc models (new) for not much over your 5000 (assuming dollars).

Good luck, and happy riding.  Oh, be sure to take the MSF course!

Answer 3

well, it's great you are thinking of getting a motorcycle... but your question is a little vague...

it's like asking: I'm 6'3" and I want to buy a car... what do you recommend? see what I mean.

what type of bike do you want? sport, cruiser? harley? standard? if this is your first bike, are you going to take a safety class? you want to spend less than $5K... so a used bike. (probably the best for a beginner. So really it's up to you. I would not recommend a sport bike like a gsxr, cbr, r-6,1, etc.. because of your size. those bikes are perfect for someone who's about 5'10, anything more than that it starts to get cramped. You could get one if you like, but not my choice. I would go for a standard. it's a straight up and down bike. every company makes them and they are not too expensive used. just look at the manufactures websites and you can see "standard" types. I think that is the best advice I can give for now without knowing more about your thoughts and preferences.

Answer 4

Well, that is a loaded question that is asked on here all the time. And, it is almost the same as asking us what you should wear out to dinner tomorrow night. It really is a very individual thing, as picking the right bike is as important as picking the right woman. so, here's how I would suggest you go about it.

First, take the safety course offered in your area. MSF or whatever motorcycle safety course is offered. Even if you think you know how to ride, or a buddy is going to show you how, take the course, it can and will save your life down the road.

Second, determine what kind of riding do you want to do. Is it going to be strictly canyon carving on the weekends? That would require a sport bike. Is it going to be lots of long distance riding, perhaps with a passenger for a weekend or a week quite often. If so, a cruiser.

Perhaps it is going to be commuting, weekend fun on the canyon roads but also those long weekends away with the honey. that catagory is sport touring.

There are many brands that offer these different style bikes. In fact, Yamaha, Honda, Kawi and even harley offer all of these style bikes.

Now, size, your tall, which really opens up a lot of doors as you are not limited by seat height. You did not state however how much you weigh. Weight is more important on a bike than height because you have suspension to consider.

best advice, determine which kind of riding you want to do, and then look at the big 4 manufacturers in each catagory. That will narrow it down quite a bit. Be honest about your size and needs for the bike to handle. If your 6'3 and 150 lbs, but your lady weighs 250, you need to consider that when getting the bike. Just being honest.

Best of luck, oh, and if you take the course, feel free to ask your instructors what bike they would recommend if and when you pass the class. Lets face it, if you can't pass the class what kind of bike you should have doesn't matter.

Answer 5

in my 16 years of experience i've seen people start off on to big of a bike and get seriously hurt. it does'nt matter how big you are, if you dont have the skills your running the risk of injuring yourself or someone else. I recommend a 250 or a 500

Answer 6

I'm 6' 2" 180 and I prefer the style and speed of a sport bike. I'm on my first bike which is a 1992 yamaha fzr 600.  If you're looking for a sportbike, because of your size I wouldn't recommend going above 600cc, because I think my bike is really fast as it is.

If you wanna get a cruiser then you can go to a higher displacement because those bikes are heavier and less likely to wheelie if you jump on the throttle.

also you best bet for getting a decent cheep bike is craigslist, trying and talk the seller into allowing you to take it to a repair shop so they can give it a look over, they can spot a lot of faults right off the bat. one hint is if either tire has any cracks in it or is low on tread then you can knock off about 150 from the price per tire, cuz that's how much it'll cost you. make sure the top of the chain only moves about 1" other wise you may need a new chain or tightening of the chain. check the covers on each side of the engine if they're scraped up then it has been downed, knock off about 50 per downed side, makesure and look really close because I didn't know it when I bought it, but one of my sides was and is cracked and leaking.  Make sure the front fork looks straight. no cracks in the frame, all electrical things work.

Answer 7

Bicycle skill translate directly to motorbikes, which is why so many pro racers crosstrain on ped bikes.  Since you're larger, you can use a larger bike for your first.  Still, my general advice is:  Nothing so small you get bored in 3 months and quit, nothing so heavy you don't feel confident on it, nothing so powerful (or peaky of powerband, like a 2 stroke tends to be) that you're not confident on it.  

I also suggest a dualsport, aka street-enduro style of bike so you can go off in the dirt to practice.  Things happen slower on dirt and when we biff it's much softer than pavement.  For your size I would even suggest something like a Suzuki DR650.  

Have fun & welcome!

masvx800