First Motorcycle for 20 year?

Question

I've been wanting a bike for a few years now, and I'm looking into getting my temps and starting classes this week. I'm a 20 year old male and I was looking for some help/advice on buying a bike.

I don't want anything too big/heavy, but definitely nothing too small either. I am looking for a cruiser style bike NO CROTCH ROCKETS, and my budget is about $5000.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I'd recommend a Harley.  The only Harley that will be in your price range though is an older used Harley Sportster.  That will serve you well as a beginner bike.  You might like it enough to keep it for a while or you might want to start saving for an upgrade to one of the Harley Dyna or Softail models.  In my opinion Harley makes the best cruiser style bikes.  Welcome to the two wheeled world.  

Answer 2

Dude, I'd get a Sportster. I know lots of guys think of the Sporty as a "girlie bike" but with 883 cc's of displacement and its tight geometry, it has the stance of a Vincent Black Shadow and the handling of a cafe racer. It's a fun bike to ride, and with all the aftermarket parts, it's easy to customize and modify. Your budget is enough to get you a very clean used bike with many years of riding left in it.

Answer 3

Why are people reccommending Harley's to first time riders.  If you buy a Harley you had better be a good mechanic or have lots of money for repairs.  Buy Japanese bikes!  They run relatively maintenance free for years if you do the regular maintenance required.  I would reccomend a Suzuki Boulevard if you buy a new bike.  The C50T would be an excellent first Suzuki at around $9000.00.  If you by used the Boulevard was previously called the Intruder and before that the Maurauder.

Answer 4

Ask yourself this question

1. How do I want to look?

If you don't care get anything in the 500 to 750 ranges. Any year.

2. If you want to gets lots of attention

A loud bike=Everyone will close there windows around you.

A Crotch Rocket=Kids love Rocket bikes they all want you to do a Wheelie!

3.If your heavy get a big bike or you will get laughed at and quit riding.

$5000 will get you lots of choices.

Take the MSF Class in your area. You will save on insurance and probably save your life too :)

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

While the old scenario was that Harley took alot of maintenance I don't think the newer ones are that bad. Although if you take one to the dealer to get it worked on your in for a soaking. Obviously with a 5k limit your pretty much looking at a used bike. I don't think sport bikes are the way to go. Un comfortable for more than 30 min and a used one is probably rung out cause the guy before you though he was a road racer. All most any metric cruiser in the 700 to 1000cc range would be a good start. You need to go to your local dealer and "trial fit" a few different types. I personally like the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic, although the Custom in the same bike is nice. Honda Shadows are a reliable ole stead and have ben around for quite some time. I have started looking for another bike and have found if I look around I can get a good used Victory for around 5-6,000. These would probably be to big for you as they start at over 1500cc.