Wanting to get into Motorcycles

ryanjoachim

steveinaz wrote: »

Cruisers are typically V-twins (2cyl) though there are some V-4's out there. Most sportbikes, (sans Aprillia, Ducati) are in-line 4cylinder machines, a man your size should be on a cruiser though. I don't know what you are willing to spend, but I'd take a look at the Yamaha RoadStar (1695cc, V-twin). As big as you are, you're gonna look funny on small cruiser, seriously. If you're looking for a touring machine, the Honda GoldWing boasts an in-line 6cyl.

The RoatStar's are certainly a nice-looking bike. For the time being though, I'm going to have to stick with a cheap used bike for under $2k. Until the wife gets a full time job, I'm paying for rent for both of us, so monthly payments are a big no-no.

steveinaz

Maybe look for a used, older model Kawasaki Vulcan in 1500cc? Don't know if they'll go that low in price though...you could hang with an 1100cc, but it is going to bore you quickly.

bobman1235

That is some extreme advice Steve. He's JUST getting into riding, I can't imagine him "boring" that quickly. My ride is pretty low-powered and granted once in a while I wish I had a few more HP, for the most part when I'm riding, I ain't bored.

WilliamM2

exalted512 wrote: »

Yea, actually I do. I've never seen/heard of a head on collision killing 4 drivers in 4 different cars. Plus the fact that the driver in the avenger didn't die.

Here's another one that probably wouldve turned out different if they were in cars
http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/news/worst-motorcycle-accident-ever-seen-by-arizona-safety-officials

Just saying, while motorcycling is one of my favorite hobbies, even on a leisurely ride, you have to be in a constant state of awareness of whats on all sides of you.
-Cody

The driver of the avenger didn't die, but his passenger did, could have been both of them with anohter car involved. I've seen 7 people die in a two car head on crash. My point was that you need to pay attention no matter what you are traveling in, and sometimes there's nothing you can do about it anyways.

exalted512

bobman1235 wrote: »

That is some extreme advice Steve. He's JUST getting into riding, I can't imagine him "boring" that quickly. My ride is pretty low-powered and granted once in a while I wish I had a few more HP, for the most part when I'm riding, I ain't bored.

I have to agree with this. My 2cyl ninja 500 would get up to speed just fine even when I was riding 2 up with the wife. My 600 would do every bit of 150 even with the wife on it if I wanted to. My 500 would keep up with older Corvettes...not sure how fast you want to go, but he wants a cruiser so I'm guessing that's not his biggest priority.

WilliamM2 wrote: »

The driver of the avenger didn't die, but his passenger did, could have been both of them with anohter car involved. I've seen 7 people die in a two car head on crash. My point was that you need to pay attention no matter what you are traveling in, and sometimes there's nothing you can do about it anyways.

The passenger was killed when a motorcyclist went through the windshield. I agree, it could've been worse for the avenger if it was a car and not a motorcycle ...and everyone does need to pay attention while driving...but they don't. Motorcycles don't have the luxury of a steel cage. All I'm trying to get across is that as a motorcyclist, not only do you have to pay attention for yourself, but you also have to do it for every other driver within 3 car links because you never know what **** is on their phone, eating a Burger and putting on make up. Even things as harmless as driving behind a truck is dangerous. Ever been hit by a beer can while you're heading toward it at 70 MPH and its heading towards you at who knows how fast after it flies out of the bed of a truck? It doesn't feel good.

Just yesterday I was behind someone who had a plastic child's play house in the bed when the top flew off. Thank God they had just switched lanes not 2 seconds before.

-Cody

ryanjoachim

exalted512 wrote: »

I have to agree with this. My 2cyl ninja 500 would get up to speed just fine even when I was riding 2 up with the wife. My 600 would do every bit of 150 even with the wife on it if I wanted to. My 500 would keep up with older Corvettes...not sure how fast you want to go, but he wants a cruiser so I'm guessing that's not his biggest priority.

That's true. I want to be able to "git-up" and go, of course, but I'm not one of those people who want a speed-demon.

ben62670

Any overhead cammed 650-750 will have all the balls you need. I had an FZR1000 that I have done 165 on and that little NiteHawk was still very fun to drive even after the FZR. V-twins need to be a little larger to really get them moving. Stick with an over head cammed 4.

steveinaz

That's why my recommendation for 4 banger's was lower in cc's. Can you really picture a 300lb guy on a 750cc sportbike? Not being an ****, I'm talking about comfort level. Sportbikes are of course more powerful--no doubt, I've owned numerous sportbikes and crusiers. For a guy his size, I stand by my recommendations--could he ride less? Sure, he could tool around on a riding lawn mower too.

ryanjoachim

steveinaz wrote: »

That's why my recommendation for 4 banger's was lower in cc's. Can you really picture a 300lb guy on a 750cc sportbike? Not being an ****, I'm talking about comfort level. Sportbikes are of course more powerful--no doubt, I've owned numerous sportbikes and crusiers. For a guy his size, I stand by my recommendations--could he ride less? Sure, he could tool around on a riding lawn mower too.

Don't tempt me...those riding mowers are freaking fun.

ben62670

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Don't tempt me...those riding mowers are freaking fun.

And dangerous. I have wheelied them over before. Sorry Steve I never did get Ryan's size.

JimKellyfan

700 to and 1100 at most.
I am 255 and even with the wife on, we still did 0 - 60 in 4 seconds or less.
Alone I was 3.5 seconds.
That was on my 1984 Virago.
Of course, it had no mufflers ( gutted out ) and big jets ( carburetor jets over-sized ).
But, it still was a 700.
At 300, no less than 700, no more than 1100.
Get a used one, as any bike you get, you will want a different upgrade or two on your next one. And like someone else said, dropping it once or twice, even parked is an inevitability for new riders.
Me, I had only low or no speed wrecks or drops on my own.
My high speed wreck was as a rider of my own bike.
DOH!

I gave up bikes and the wife said I could get a boat instead.

Which has turned out to none of the above, dang it.
Enjoy, riding is great.
Just be cautious and sober when you do it.

JimKellyfan

Virago 1100 was made through 1999

exalted512

steveinaz wrote: »

That's why my recommendation for 4 banger's was lower in cc's. Can you really picture a 300lb guy on a 750cc sportbike? Not being an ****, I'm talking about comfort level. Sportbikes are of course more powerful--no doubt, I've owned numerous sportbikes and crusiers. For a guy his size, I stand by my recommendations--could he ride less? Sure, he could tool around on a riding lawn mower too.

I've seen a 288 lb, 5'10" guy on a 600cc sport bike before...i didnt think he looked like he was 'too' big for it. Besides the difference between a 600cc bike and a 1000cc bike isnt much in terms of how big the bikes are.

I totally understand cruiser bikes are different, and I've rode a couple of them, but not extensively and they were customers bikes so I wasnt ripping through the gears, but I cant imagine a 750 v-twin is going to be 'too little' of a bike for a beginner.

On a comfort level, sport bikes are out completely :biggrin:
-Cody