Looking for advice on a good beginner's motorcycle

[ScottyK]

Looking for advice on a good beginner motorcycle. Never ridden one. Need to be riding comfortably by July 23rd for a group ride that I am participating in. Any help will be much appreciated... Thanks!!

P.S. The ride will be from Duluth to the metradome in the cities, so it needs to be able to go 70+ mph.

[CleanZX3]

how much are you looking to spend? Theres a nice 250 ninja in the for sale section right now. Great beginners bike, unless your super huge like me.

[Steve@Tasca]

how much are you looking to spend? Theres a nice 250 ninja in the for sale section right now. Great beginners bike, unless your super huge like me.

I'm thinking the CC's should not be equal to or less than the riders weight in which case you're both out of luck with the 250

Not a bad bike but I think Scotty nust be something like 6'3" or so and being 6'6" I know how hard it is to find a bike that fits.

[frankjt96]

Honda Shadow VLX 600cc (cruiser). Good bike, it's what I currently ride.

[Monkey-Gein]

scotty's a big boy

[focinite]

buy the biggest bike you can afford(a busa, or a r1, or 999r) and that way you will always be scared of it and you will live to enjoy it.

[frankjt96]

buy the biggest bike you can afford(a busa, or a r1, or 999r) and that way you will always be scared of it and you will live to enjoy it.

In that case get a boss hoss, 454 V8 on 2 wheels

[ScottyK]

I am looking for a 1000cc + and I want to stay cheap, so it'll prob. be an older bike or a bike with a lot of miles. I like the style of the Honda Shadow, Kawasaki Vulcan and Yamaha V-star. I also like the Hoda Valkyrie models, but don't think I will find one in my price range. I have found a few here and there varying in price from $800 - $3900. THe cheaper the better for now. I'll keep you guys posted on what I get, if I get anything.

Right now I am focuing on losing some weight first. I am trying to lose about 80 pounds. I'll let you know how that goes too....

[frankjt96]

Look at the honda Magna. It's only a 750 but its a 4 cyl Vtwin. Powerful bike, amazing ride.

[ScottyK]

Good advice. THe Honda Magna is looking pretty sweet. I like the style, it's definately what I am looking for and seemingly inexpensive so far. Right now, I am saving up the money and doing the research. The Magna is in my top five choices along with Shadow, Vulcan, V-star and Valkyrie.

Also, on trading my focus...I am going to keep it. With the new air filter, there have been trips where I edge 45mpg That, to me, is amazing. I always get over 30mpg and the car looks, drives and performs great.

I am SUPER excited to get a motorcycle, but it probably won't happen till later on this summer cause I gotta save up $$ and lose weight first.

Thanks for the good advice Frankjt!

[frankjt96]

Not a problem Scotty. For more info on Honda bikes (mainly cruisers) check out this forum...

http://www.hondashadow.net/index.php

[Steve@Tasca]

My suggestion on a used bike is to buy the nicest you can and make sure it runs perfectly.

Stay away from fixer uppers and bikes that "just need a tune up/carb cleaning" unless you can do it yourself or can afford a big repair bill.

Bikes really suffer if they aren't stored properly over the winter season up here and getting them running right can be expensive.

[focinite]

Right now I am focuing on losing some weight first. I am trying to lose about 80 pounds. I'll let you know how that goes too....

good for you. i have lost about a combined 110 pounds. i will lose a lot then gain it back. but in the last 6 years i have found the trick for me.
1.no energy drinks at all
2.no eating after 8 pm
3.take what you normaly eat and cut it in half, make the same amount you normally would,eat the first half and then wait 15 min(i found my "im full" reflex is slow) then if still hungry, eat the rest.
4.25 knuckle push ups and 25 situps(do not anchor yer legs as the need for balance will tone the small core muscles) every 2 days, after you can do the push ups and situps no prollem move to 30 of each, and so on.
for me i follow this and in months i will shed around 40 pounds, plus you will feel the body improve on all levels. the hardest part of this is to tell your self no matter what" i need to do this".

i wouldnt normally coment on a topic such as this, but 3 weeks ago a close friend(i call him uncle jesse) had a hart attack at the age of 30, i almost lost my friend, im sure you have friends that feel about you they way i feel about jesse. good luck its not easy, but for some reasone its easier than quiting smoking.

[ScottyK]

Thanks for the tips focinite . 110 lbs!!! Congrats! That's awesome.
1. No energy drinks ( I have not had coffee or soda for two days. I know, it's not much...but its a start and it's more than I have had in the past year of my 80+lb. weight gain.)

2. No eating after 8PM.(This one is tough for me, but it is on my list too)

3.Cutting in half my normal portions (I have not done this in the past, but I will start now and see how it goeseth)

4. 25 push and sit-ups. (I will try this too. Every two days. I am pretty sure I can not even do one push-up without stopping. Is it okay to stop inbetween push-ups while building endurance? The sit-ups I should be able to do)

5. Telling myself "no matter what,... i need to do this" (This is also hard...and it shouldn't be. I am totally lacking self-control and it makes me really disappointed in myself as a person.)

Last notes: Thank you again for your honesty and kind words. They are very appreciated. I biked 5 miles today and took my dog for a 2 mile walk, along with a few other things, some listed above. I signed up for a 5K race in 2 weeks. I have ran the Grandma's 1/2 marathon the last seven years in a row. THis year is the first year I have not signed up in a long time. I think I am ready to change, and making the effort...just now. I know I can do it. I am sorry to hear about your "uncle jesse". I am also 30 years old and heart problems are apparent in my family history. Your story helped me stay motivated. Thank you.

[focinite]

any thing i can do. its a hard thing to do, but it looks like you got the more imortant part started. if you burn more calories than you take in you will lose mass( i dont like to say fat), your muscles are very good at using energy like water and sugurs(this is the no no for me). i quit drinking soda for a summer once and i lost 15 pounds alone in a matter of weeks( like 5). stick to it and you will no loger have the gut push the air out yer lung when bending over to tie yer shoes. but i need to work on these my self as i have lost alot of muscle after my sun was born by not lifting, so im a flabby and jiggly 215 from a solid and beefy 235 8 months ago.