First street bike? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

heb · 08-19-2006, 11:18 AM

I have been looking for several months, looked at tons of bikes and I think I found one that may fit the bill. I've only owned dirtbikes but do to some health issues I can no longer do that type of riding.
I think the Yamaha V Star 650 would be a good first street bike. My question is, will a bike that size be alright for 2-up riding after I've honed some riding skills solo?
I don't think at this time or in the near future we (me and the wife) will go much further than 150 to 200 miles from home, we don't care for long distance travel. I'm 6' / 245lbs an she is 5'3" / 130lbs.
What are your opinions for this bike as a starter for the first couple of years?
Thanks, Howard

robertc729 · 08-19-2006, 11:26 AM

The vstar 650 is underpowered, IMO, for 2 up riding.. You would be much better off looking at a C50 or possibly an M50.

Captain Steve · 08-19-2006, 11:28 AM

Honestly, any bike that has a load rating high enough for the two of you, plus your gear will be do-able.

The 650 will be fun solo, and manageable two-up. If you're not going far, this is not a big deal. You may find the bike sluggish with two people, and you'll definately be working it hard.

If you guys decide that you love traveling around on a motorcycle, then you can always trade up to something bigger and plusher in a couple of years.

You should probably take the MSF course if you haven't already. Your control skills are probably great due to the dirtbike experience, but there is alot of mental preparation that's different on the street. The Experienced Rider Course may be very valueable, and it's only $125 or so.. and you use your own bike and equiptment, so it's good for practice time too.

heb · 08-19-2006, 06:46 PM

My wife and I went and sat on several bikes today to get an idea of what we would like and what felt comfortable.
1.Suzuki C50
2.Kawasaki Vulcan 900
3.Yamaha V Star 650
4.Honda Shadow 750
5.Suzuki V Strom 650
When I first started looking about 1 month ago I thought the V Strom would be more to my taste coming off of dirtbikes, the cruisers felt like I was stradling a steer. But after sitting on a bunch of different bikes I am more comfortable now with the cruisers than I was in the beginning.
Trying them with my wife on back, she felt better on the cruisers with a backrest.
Checked into the MSF course today also, it's $200.00 here. One of the dealerships about 50 miles away from me said if I take the course and get my license they will let me test drive any of their bikes I was interested in. They are the only ones around that even offer test drives before purchase.
Will be looking at used bikes though so will have to stick to the Shadow and V star or Intruder.

Rickster · 08-20-2006, 12:55 AM

The WeeStrom will have the best performance by a long shot of all the bikes you listed, and most likely get the best gas mileage too. Also very cheep to insure.

Put a trunk on the back with a back rest for the wife, and mount some crash bars that you can put highway pegs on, and your good to go.

I put a little over 11,000 miles on my DL1000 (look at my avatar) this last June. For long distance riding, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned, and there have been a bunch

Good luck with what-ever bike you chose, and welcome to the forum.

08-19-2006, 11:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
heb Newbie Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	First street bike? I have been looking for several months, looked at tons of bikes and I think I found one that may fit the bill. I've only owned dirtbikes but do to some health issues I can no longer do that type of riding. I think the Yamaha V Star 650 would be a good first street bike. My question is, will a bike that size be alright for 2-up riding after I've honed some riding skills solo? I don't think at this time or in the near future we (me and the wife) will go much further than 150 to 200 miles from home, we don't care for long distance travel. I'm 6' / 245lbs an she is 5'3" / 130lbs. What are your opinions for this bike as a starter for the first couple of years? Thanks, Howard

08-19-2006, 11:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Captain Steve Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 Black C50 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 37	Honestly, any bike that has a load rating high enough for the two of you, plus your gear will be do-able. The 650 will be fun solo, and manageable two-up. If you're not going far, this is not a big deal. You may find the bike sluggish with two people, and you'll definately be working it hard. If you guys decide that you love traveling around on a motorcycle, then you can always trade up to something bigger and plusher in a couple of years. You should probably take the MSF course if you haven't already. Your control skills are probably great due to the dirtbike experience, but there is alot of mental preparation that's different on the street. The Experienced Rider Course may be very valueable, and it's only $125 or so.. and you use your own bike and equiptment, so it's good for practice time too. __________________ Last edited by Captain Steve; 08-19-2006 at 11:30 AM.

08-20-2006, 12:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,984	The WeeStrom will have the best performance by a long shot of all the bikes you listed, and most likely get the best gas mileage too. Also very cheep to insure. Put a trunk on the back with a back rest for the wife, and mount some crash bars that you can put highway pegs on, and your good to go. I put a little over 11,000 miles on my DL1000 (look at my avatar) this last June. For long distance riding, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned, and there have been a bunch Good luck with what-ever bike you chose, and welcome to the forum. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

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08-19-2006, 11:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,040	The vstar 650 is underpowered, IMO, for 2 up riding.. You would be much better off looking at a C50 or possibly an M50.

08-19-2006, 06:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
heb Newbie Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	My wife and I went and sat on several bikes today to get an idea of what we would like and what felt comfortable. 1.Suzuki C50 2.Kawasaki Vulcan 900 3.Yamaha V Star 650 4.Honda Shadow 750 5.Suzuki V Strom 650 When I first started looking about 1 month ago I thought the V Strom would be more to my taste coming off of dirtbikes, the cruisers felt like I was stradling a steer. But after sitting on a bunch of different bikes I am more comfortable now with the cruisers than I was in the beginning. Trying them with my wife on back, she felt better on the cruisers with a backrest. Checked into the MSF course today also, it's $200.00 here. One of the dealerships about 50 miles away from me said if I take the course and get my license they will let me test drive any of their bikes I was interested in. They are the only ones around that even offer test drives before purchase. Will be looking at used bikes though so will have to stick to the Shadow and V star or Intruder.

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