Recommended First Bike -- With a twist

[Foxtrot Tango]

Hi everyone. Sorry if this has been done to death, but I'm asking for advice for a first bike. I've been wanting one for about a year or so now (unemployment got in the way of that) and am getting close to the point where I might be picking one of these up in the future.

Eventually I want a Buell - I can't decide between an XB12R, XB12Ss, or perhaps one of the mysterious AX, SX or RX listed on EBR's website. I was never attracted to plasticky Japanese sportsbikes that rev to 1,000,000 RPM and have all the torque of a weed-whacker. I love the idea of having torquey, usable power at low RPM, the amazing engineering of these bikes, and of course, V-twin exhaust note. Right now, I do NOT have the experience to properly ride one of these. Zero experience with motorcycles, and I'm clumsy.

(There's an infamous video of a newbie wrecking a Lightning on Mulholland Hwy. I don't want to replicate that.)

So I need a starter bike.

The twist is that I don't think a 250cc is suitable. Between my route (I need to do 70-75 MPH on the highway for 45 minutes to get to either work or nice riding areas), my non-athletic build (6', 250 lbs, gut), and high crosswinds where I live (Mojave desert), I have horrible visions of being too slow to pass anything and lacking any agility needed to escape an accident.

I do have self-control, but I'm not bold enough to immediately buy a 600cc-class bike.

What would you gentlemen recommend for someone who needs more kick than a 250, but would rather not be carried away on a stretcher after wrecking a 600?

EDIT: And please don't suggest a cruiser. Fat people deserve sportsbikes, too.

 

[Applepooh]

Buy my Buell blast off me. 500cc, I learned on it. WIll get you up to 80 super quick... will cruise 80-85 good. Not much past that though.

Any real Buell as a first bike may be too much for ya.. specially since you mentioned you're clumsy... I know if you give my xb12s too much throttle it WILL kick you off lol.

 

[vanson1200r]

Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Ninja 650R. Dont let the 650 fool you. These bikes have around 60-70 HP and both have a huge cult following with tons of aftermarket parts and are well rounded enough to be starter bikes and also keep you happy after your experience increases. The Suzuki is a V-twin and the Kawasaki is a parallel twin.

 

[poolguyJ]

Buy a new GSX-R 600. All the new Suzuki sportbikes have a MODE switch. You can actually turn down the performance of the bike until you get use to it then you can turn it up as you feel more comfortable.

 

[oh9bolt]

^Worst idea ever...

SV650 is a good beginners bike, 3 of my friends have SVs and they love them past the beginners stage. I started on my xb12 as my first bike on the street it can be done. The guy in the video (Mulholland) wrecking the Buell could have been on any bike not just because it was a Buell, that was riding error. Take a msf course learn how to ride and then get a bike and learn to ride even better don't get it to be "cool", you can be cool when you know how to ride.


GL

 

[anrkizm95]

the xb9 and xb12 are both perfect for beginners both have good controlable power.both have less power than any of the 600r bikes.the first bike my wife rode was my xb12 and she has no problems.

There's an infamous video of a newbie wrecking a Lightning on Mulholland Hwy. I don't want to replicate that.)

then dont grab a handful of front brake in the middle of a turn

welcome to buellxb

 

[christianmb]

[up] for oh9's post

My XB12S was my first bike, and had only been on a dirtbike once before I got it. As with anything, take it easy at first, and it won't be too much. With the extra torque of these, I found it is easier to ride than bikes with a torque curve that doesn't kick in until 4-6k RPM. That is frustrating IMO.

 

[wolfo68]

I think you'd be fine with any xb, just don't act like you know everything. ease into it, I'd say they're really easy to learn on. especially if you have anyone to help you learn how to ride.


you said it's your first bike, does that mean you've never ridden a motorcycle?

 

[captain chaos]

The Suzuki SV650 is IDEAL given your criteria. They come in naked and semi-naked flavors (just like the XB's), they are an excellent all-around bike (even past the beginners stage), They will cruise interstate speeds with ease (that 650cc v-twin makes very good power) and they can be picked up for CHEAP, often under $2000 for nice early examples.

The odds of you dropping a first bike are very high (it happens to the best of us).
I would hold off on the Buell just for the simple reason that there aren't that many of them and finding parts to repair a drop can be expensive and time consuming.

BTW,"drop" doesn't necessarily mean "wreck" so don't freak out at the thought of dropping your first bike. Often times it's as simple as not having a good footing on loose gravel or stopping with the wheel turned and losing your balance. Pretty much EVERYONE drops their first bike at some point due to a stupid mistake. It's practically a "right of passage".

 

[anrkizm95]

EVERYONE drops their first bike at some point due to a stupid mistake.

i would disagree.there are a lot of riders didnt drop their first bike.just as many that have been riding for years and still drop their bikes.i have been down plenty of time but have never dropped any of my bikes.

 

[wolfo68]

I never dropped my first one or second one I dropped #3

 

[batman6669]

Buy a dirt bike first. Learn in the dirt it will make you a better street rider. At least that's my opinion

 

[McMurphy]

First bike I ever rode was my 12R. Bought it, dealer delivered it, rode it the next day.

As long as you aren't stupid, you can get around being clumsy. Just take it easy while you learn, take an MSF course, and buy a full set of gear. Ground off skin is harder to replace than a jacket.

 

[anrkizm95]

Learn in the dirt it will make you a better street rider. At least that's my opinion

[up][up][up]

 

[JRage]

my first bike was my 12r and first bike i have ever been on. as a personal opinion i feel the buells are better starter bike than the ninja 250s. they are easier to take off on hills due to the torque and the cornering is night and day. slow speed buell feels much more in its element were the 250 i had to work at it. thats a personal opinion since everyone is different. id would say take the msf course first and the 9r or 12r are very possible bikes to learn on.

 

[2004xb12s]

Learn in the dirt it will make you a better street rider. At least that's my opinion

If you can avoid mud, rocks, and traverse logs you can ride on the street and it will give you better instincts in times of danger. Practice riding with others and reading the changing surface of the trail.

 

[noone1569]

I'm completely surprised by the amount of people recommending a 1203 or 984 cc heavy Buell as a first bike.

The XB's throttle is twitchy.
The XB's breaks are strong and accurate.

These do not make for good first bikes. Stop selling this guy bad advice. Sure it may have worked great for you. I'm sure you started on your 1203 and are the fastest dude ever at track days now. Great.

DO NOT BUY AN XB as your first bike. Silly.

SV's are great and very forgiving. 650r is a little more twitchy but still forgiving. What about a Ninja 500? Can pick these up used for very good deals. . .

 

[anrkizm95]

These do not make for good first bikes. Stop selling this guy bad advice.

they are great bikes for most beginners including my wife.for some your right though a lot of people have poor judgement,balance and a poor control of their motor skills.for those i recommend the superlow by hardly.

 

[Sirius815]

To the OP:

IMO - go ahead and get an XB - either one, doesn't matter as they are all about the same speed/acceleration wise. The biggest thing about the xb's is the twitchy throttle as noone mentioned, however just a little of practice and you'll get it. Clutch control is a good part of it. I trailed my xb to the MSF course, people laughed, but they definitely taught me a good bit. I got to know my bike pretty well over the three day course.

As many people have said - ease into riding. Practice in parking lots using your throttle, clutch, brakes etc.

As for noone's comment "I'm sure you started on your 1203 and are the fastest dude ever at track days now. Great." No need to be a douche.

As for the SV - I have zero experience with those, but IMO - why get a forgiving bike? I would think that you get used to it and the moment you hop onto your XB and ride it like you would an SV - the XB won't be as forgiving as you say and then what? Rider down?


Back to the OP:

If you feel that an XB is too much, then by all means get comfortable riding something less expensive that you won't have to worry too much about messing up. After all - nobody on this forum wants to see a rider go down.

 

[batman6669]

If you can avoid mud

Wrong!! Ride directly into the mud, rip it and if your lucky you get to cover your buddy with mud. [up][up]