Question about what size bike to get. Details below.?

Question

I'm 6' tall and a little over 200 lbs. (mid 30's). A little experience riding, but not hours and hours of seat time like some riders, mostly on friends 1100cc cruisers and the such. Ok...now for the question. Lacking the $$$$ to be able to buy smaller, get some experience, buy a little bigger, get some experience, buy a little bigger, etc...(and loosing money each time when I sell), would it be completely foolish of me to buy an 1800 cruiser as a practically new rider? Plan on taking the safety course too. Not a new 1800, but one that's 4 or 5 yrs old, and something in the $6,000 range. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yamaha dealers in my area are selling brand new 08 V Star 1100 Customs for $5995 with very few left and 08 is the last year for the 1100

That's a lot of a bike for that price, the 1300 cc Yamaha and Honda's are $7995

Answer 2

buy whatever you'd like, sure lots around here say to start ridiculously small, but if you have enough brains to not let power go to your head, buy big and enjoy it.  makes perfect sense

if a person needs to be limited to their power, then they are just like a kid that gets divvied out just 1 candy per day or else they'd pig out on it... there are some who know better than to eat a whole sack of candy.  there are some who can buy a big bike with no experience and not overdo anything.  knock yourself out if you have confidence in yourself

Answer 3

look for a used yamaha warrior great crusier for a tall person

Answer 4

At last, a question that makes sense. I think that if you have a little time on a larger cruiser you should consider a 750 Shadow or something in that range. They're not exceptionally large but have plenty of nads. It handles well even in the upper 80s which is plenty fast for anyone on two wheels. I ride mine between 55 and 65 and average 58mpg. A new one without any frills is around 7 grand and you can add optional lights bars and bags and racks as time and money permit. Take the cash you have now and put it for a down pmt and finance the rest. Excellent bike and good reputation from what I have read and heard. Buy what you WANT now because you hit the nail on the head about losing money every time you buy.

Answer 5

Probably not. I have ridden Honda VTX 1800 and frankly didn't like it. If I were to sub contract moving boxcars around the rail yard for Union Pacific then I would have a use for one. Other wise short of brutal straight line acceleration the bike is to big for most uses and sucks too much gas to be a cruiser.

Look at Kawasakis 1600 Vulcan. Get crash bars front and rear ( it may come with them). Also take a look at Suzukis V Strom 1000 just for the heck of it. Yes it is ugly but it will haul, go long long distance and holds almost 7 gal fuel. Have fun.

Answer 6

Go for it you wanna learn on the bike your gonna ride not on one your not planning on rideing because your already used to the one your on and not the one your getting each bike handles differently then other sizes. Just use cation and take your time. Safety course is a great step in right direction.