beginner bikes

[MarkRB]

The wife and I just got our learner permits, very excited, next the saftey course, then the bikes. We are both going to get a bike and here is what we are thinking about now: Suzuki S40, Kawasaki Vulcan 500, Honda VLX and the Yamaha V Star Custom. We both need bikes that are easy to sit on as we both have short legs. Most of our riding will be local country roads with some highway driving, I am an artist and hope to use the bike to allow me to pull off the road to do paintings that my truck is just to big to allow. Looking for opinions on the bikes, if any one has any, LOL. Thanks.

[cfift]

I had a VLX and it was a great first bike. All the bikes you listed are great bikes to start out on. I chose the VLX cause of the styling.

[DeRiggi]

You guys are definitely doing things in the right order !!

Any of the bikes listed would be good starter bikes, but have both of you considered buying a used bike? You can practice your skills on a bike you wouldn't be so leary of laying down, and since there is a decent demand for used Mid-Weight cruisers, you very well may be able to get your money back on the purchase. At that point you can go purchase something new and shiny =]

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by MarkRB

Most of our riding will be local country roads with some highway driving,

If you will be doing little or no interstate riding, don't dismiss the 250 class bikes. Since you are looking at cruisers, the Suzuki GZ 250 would be an excellent first bike.

[Prisoners]

My first bike was the V-Star Classic,which mechanically is identical to the Custom. It was a great bike to learn on but not an ideal ride on expressways. Most of my riding is on the major highways so I bought a Honda VTX1300. If I was doing mostly country roads I would probably still have the V-Star.

[pgman]

I would also add that the Suzuki LS650 (Savage / S40) is a great choice for a beginner - especially if you (or your wife) are small in stature. I bought an 800cc criuser as our first bike and my wife had some real trouble with it (even after the MSF course). She just didn't have the comfort level on it and was afraid of it (she dropped it several times trying to get used to the weight). We were pretty discouraged once she decided that she just was not going to be comfortable on a larger cruiser and then I sat her on an LS650. She immediately fell in love with it. It is light, narrow, low and well-balanced. The LS650 is plenty powerful, too - being under 350 pounds (if I remember correctly) and having 650cc motor. Even though it doesn't rev (or sound) like the V-twins, it has more than enough juice to hang with them. It accelerates and merges with ease and it will go on the highway as fast as you want to (well, unless you want to lose your license). If I had known about this bike sooner I might have only needed to buy one - but then again, my wife wouldn't share her Savage

In my opinion, the only thing this bike lacks is the styling. It has an "old-school" look that is endearing if not exciting. Many people have commented to me that it looks like an entry-level HD (I forget which model they referred to). I suppose that could be a good or bad thing.

Good luck in your search.

[Ruddyduck]

all are good choices. Get the one you are comfortable with.

[ChicsterMG]

Originally Posted by cfift

I had a VLX and it was a great first bike. All the bikes you listed are great bikes to start out on. I chose the VLX cause of the styling.

This is a great bike and comforatable to ride and not hard to handle.
As a short person myslef, I recommend it for that reason, too. I could have my feet flat on the ground while still seated.

There aer several bikes that will be good for you and your height. Look around and get what is comfortable.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by MarkRB

The wife and I just got our learner permits, very excited, next the saftey course, then the bikes. We are both going to get a bike

Almost forgot my "standard" advise:
Never, never buy a bike without a test ride first.....never ever.
Especially important for a first time buyer/rider.

If "they" don't want to give you a test ride, take your business elsewhere.

Once they have your money, it is too late to find out that bike just doesn't feel right for you.

[TFee3]

If you're going to stop and paint, I would assume you will have your artist's equipment with you. Have you thought about a Suzuki C50T? I bought a C90T, which is much larger. From what I read about the C50's, they're small enough to be easily handled, and yet big enough to store your equipment on when you go out on the highway. Just a suggestion.

[Basso]

Originally Posted by pgman

...In my opinion, the only thing this bike lacks is the styling. ...

And range. Tiny gas tank. Small fit and the gas tank are what moved me away from this bike and to the larger M50.

[TFee3]

I agree with the small gas tank on the C50 Suzuki. My C90 has the same problem. With that huge artificial tank on top, I have no idea why they installed a small one down behind the engine. That's probably the biggest hinderance in selling them. Cruisers should all have large tanks.

[MarkRB]

TFee3, the art equipment (after thirty plus years of painting) is minimal, I can easily carry it on a peddle bike, so motoercycle size isn't realy an issue in that regard (I don't think) but still your comment is something to give thought to.

One thing I read a lot here and at other sites is the need to go bigger (after getting a beginner bike), it seems a common issue. Why? Is it power, speed, preformance? I want enough power to get out of some one's way but have no need or desire to go beyond the speed limits, 65 plus MPH doesn't appeal to me, I am the type that wants to enjoy the journey, not needing to go from point A to point B, fast. Guess that is why I own a sailboat as well.

A funny story. My daughter is worried about her mother and father getting motorcycles (she wants her son's grandparents around for a long time, we do too). She asked, "How many recreational vehicles do we need?" Reffering to our sailboat. Our answer; As many as we want.

[Prisoners]

IMHO a 650-900cc bike would be fine for what you're describing. I went from a 650 to a 1300 because the smaller bike was not adequate for two-up riding, or even solo riding on Chicago-area expressways. (65mph will get you run down here.) For solo riding on country roads my 650 was fine, but most of my riding was on the highway.

[SNAFU]

You mentioned that you like to pull off the road to do some painting. I just thought you might consider looking at Dual Sport bikes. It will give you an option of going down some uneven, bumpy dirt or gravel roads.

[DragonRider]

The only problem with the dual sports,considering he said they are short-legged,is the height of those.

Consider the M50 or C50 seat height is 27 inches and both have 4.1 gallon fuel tanks and get around 50 mles + per gallon,and handle pretty well with a low center of gravity. In my opinion ,they are ,at 800 cc a bike you wouldn't soon outgrow. I have 26,000 on my M50 and am completely satisfied,no problems. You can pick up used ones fairly cheap.
~mike

[MarkRB]

Thanks for all the replies very helpful. By "off the road" I only mean to the side of the road not "off road". Thanks again

[zenn68]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

If you will be doing little or no interstate riding, don't dismiss the 250 class bikes. Since you are looking at cruisers, the Suzuki GZ 250 would be an excellent first bike.

We used the GZ250 at the MSF course. I would agree it makes a great first bike, if it was a little bigger. The engine size is fine, but the bike is physicly small. I am 5'11 and cant sit conforablt and reach the controls. Its OK for tooling around in a parking lot, but speading any amount of time crammed into a bike that small would not be fun.

[davidc83]

zenn68,
I have a gz250, I am 5'11", weigh 190 lbs and have put 6000 miles on mine in 6 months, including a 1100 mile road trip. I commute daily 78 miles to work (60 of it on the Interstate doing 65-70mph). I personally have no problems reaching the controls, it fits me nicely and I love the 70+mpg. By the way, it is the same size physically as the S40, I park next to a S40 at work, they have the same length and height. The S40 has the drag bars which makes the rider reach forward farther to the hand grips. The S40 only weighs 50 more pounds, due to the 650cc engine.

[Chriszuki]

I just bought my dad's c50t Boulevard, I love it it's my first cruiser. I was into sport bikes but will never own a sport bike again. This bike is a perfect first cruiser for me it's like nothing i thought a cruiser would be, easy to handle and VERY comfy to ride I recommend this bike to anyone. Just wish it would quit raining!!!!!!!