Choosing Your First Motorcycle
In many if not most classes, someone asks about good choices for a first motorcycle. Most of the time, after we discuss it for five minutes, the student reveals that he's already purchased his first motorcycle. I suppose that they're just looking for reassurance that they didn't buy something foolish. Well, if you've already bought the bike, why ask now? Just move on to the next web site or the next topic on mine.But if you're asking the question with the intention of considering the answer before you buy, here's the advice given by every reputable motorcycle magazine and every reputable dealer I've ever heard of:
Smaller is Better
Nobody wants to hear it, and so the objections start: But my friends all say that I'll outgrow a 600cc Ninja or a 750cc cruiser in the first season. And besides, it'll only be good for short trips, not a cross-country jaunt. I won't even be able to keep up with my friends on 1000cc bikes, let alone the guys on the Triumph Rocket III (at 2300cc).It's interesting to me that the person making the argument that a smaller bike is good only for short trips is generally the same one who tells me he'll never ride in the rain. So it's clear he's never going to take a long trip, let alone the cross-country trip he's afraid the bike won't handle. (Or did you think that you could get from Washington DC to Los Angeles, and back, without any rain?)
Anyway, not one of those objections holds any water. Anyone who thinks that a 600cc crotch rocket like the R6 (Yamaha), GSXR (Suzuki), Ninja (Kawasaki), or CBR (Honda) will be too small after a season, or 5 seasons, doesn't have the slightest idea of the capabilities of the 600cc sportbike class. Very very few riders will ever be able to get everything out of a 600cc sportbike. In fact, the problem with the 600s isn't that they're too small for a first bike; they're too big. The ONLY good thing about any of the 600cc sportbikes mentioned above is that choosing one for a first motorcycle is not as dumb as choosing one of their 1000cc counterparts.
How about the cruisers? There's no doubt that a cruiser by its nature is a far less highly-strung mount than one of the sportbikes, but they have plenty of bite. A 750cc or smaller cruiser from any of the major Japanese makers would be a fine choice in that category. If you're a Harley fan, the 883 Sportster is the entry machine, and a good choice, especially if you're concerned about height — it has a very low seat height.
If you're concerned about being unable to keep up with an accomplished rider who's on a larger motorcycle, you're right; you won't be able to keep up. But you won't be able to keep up with an accomplished rider who's on a smaller machine either. Face facts: The only way you'll be able to keep up with an accomplished rider is if he's on a bicycle and you're on a motorcycle. And even then, he'll still beat you if you crash in the first corner.
Keep this in mind:
This isn't your last motorcycle; it's your first motorcycle.
At least, it won't be your last motorcycle unless you kill yourself on it. If you want a sportbike, try a Ninja 250 or EX500. Plenty of motorcycle. A 750cc cruiser for the laid-back crowd. A dual-sport in the 250 to 500cc range. A standard around 500cc. (Though all the major motorcycle magazines say the Suzuki SV650 is a terrific choice for the new or returning rider, and won't be outgrown in two or five years.) Buy it used from a local dealer, take care of it, and if you really do outgrow it in a year or two, you can sell it again for 3/4 of what you paid.There's an internet enthusiasts' group for just about any motorcycle you can imagine. The best way I know to find them is to consult Carl Paukstis' mailing list roundup. Find one or more, sign up, make a single post introducing yourself and saying that you're new here and thinking about this motorcycle, then keep quiet and read what the riders have to say.
I have this feeling of futility any time the subject of first bikes comes up, because people are so set on getting the latest, greatest model. So if you actually do take my advice, and that of many many other people who know a lot more about motorcycles than I do, and get a smaller model, then please drop me a line and tell me about it. It would make me feel that this page isn't wasted.