Attention Riders: Advice on first motorcycle

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I was hoping I could get some advice on my first bike (and any other advice for a newbie)...I am looking at a cruiser-style bike (used) that is nimble enough for occasional city use but comfortable enough for longer rides into the mountains. Small enough engine so that I am not effectively committing suicide but large enough that I am not bored after a season...

Right now I have it down to a 1994-2003 Honda Magna or the 2006 Suzuki M50 Boulevard, with a definite leaning towards the Magna...

Any suggestions?

I will also be taking another riding class and spending a lot of time riding with the father-in-law (an ex-motorcycle cop) so I am not planning on ending up a greasy smear on crowchild. Any suggestions on training would be much appreciated.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I have a 2004 Honda Shadow 750 and I think it's a great bike.
The Magna should be pretty similar, except the engine is a little more powerful and the tank is a little smaller (believe), so you won't get really good range with it, I've spoken with a few peple who have them and they've confirmed the low range.

I ride mine pretty much every day in the summer and have no problem getting it around downtown when it's crowded and the Magna should be a better than the Shadow as I believe it is a little smaller.

As for being able to for for roadtrips, the Magna should be fine (assuming you dont mind filling up more often). Last summer I rode my Shadow to Montery, Ca, and then into Vegas and back (over 6000 km in 10 days), and it was fine, so if the Magna has more power you should be just fine on the highways and in the mountains.

I don't know much about the Suzuki so I can't help you on that.

This all being said I'll give you the standard "Buy the best gear you can afford line". Because it really is the best insurance you can get. Remember when it comes to helmets:
Fancy paing job equals more expensive does not equal Better

As for training, I did mine throug Too Cool Motorcycle School, and it was great. I've also heard good things about the Calgary Safety Council class, I'm sure it's good too. Either way, book now as they fill up really quickly.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I was looking at the TooCool program, and I like the fact they let you do some street riding as a part of the program...

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

I was looking at the TooCool program, and I like the fact they let you do some street riding as a part of the program...

I took my training from the guys who run TooCool, but before they had started TooCool, and I can tell you that they gave me excellent training. They're really knowledgable, have a huge amount of experience, and I can say with some certainty that the things I learned from them have lliterally saved my life on a few occasions in my riding time.

[Hack&Lube]

Hey, where is a good place to take lessons for riding a motorcycle? Or even learning to drive standard?

[Red]

The Magna is a bit of a beast and the M50 is a bit of a slug.

The slug is probably the safer choice for a novice rider. Plus I believe the M50 is fuel injected which is a nice plus.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I have a 2004 Honda Shadow 750 and I think it's a great bike.

Thats the bike my wife rides and she loves it

[OnTheFly]

I've been riding about 8 years - Currently a Honda Shadow Areo 1100.

The best advice anyone gave me was that my first bike be something I wouldn't be "too upset" if I drop. "They" say that there are 2 types of riders - Those who have dumped their ride and those who are going to. I haven't dumped my ride yet but boy-o I've come close a few times.

I rode for a year on a 85 Magna V35 for a complete season to gain confidence on a nimble bike. When I was ready to move up, I sold the bike for EXACTLY what I had paid for it (around 2 grand). Older bikes basically hold their value and you really shouldn't lose any money (unless you put like 20,000 kms in a season)

My logic was that I would rather drop 2 grand than 14 grand.... If you get the bug hardcore - You'll pretty much be looking to upgrade more often than you might think.... I'm already looking at upgrading to the 96cu Road King because the 1100 doesn't do it for me anymore on the open road. If the finances had allowed me, I would have got the Road King sooner (But I'm glad I waited because they just started offering the 96cu)

All you need to ride on the road is your drivers license as long as you are riding with someone who has their Class 6. The reason I mention this is because when you take a course you'll probably ride on like a 250 rebel or something that's a lot smaller than your bike. So try to ride with buddies as much as you can on your own bike before and while you're taking the course. I rode for 2 years before I actually got my class 6 - I know.. bad bad bad...

I don't know if that helps you - but if I had to start over again, I'd do it just they way I did (except maybe get my license sooner)

[Vulcan]

When I got back into biking my choices were much the same as yours. I ended up getting a Kawasaki Vulcan 800, much the same as the Honda or Suzuki you are looking at. Any mid sized cruiser from the big 4 Japanese manufacturers should do nicely. As others have said a used bike is a good idea. Myself I found my Vulcan not nimble enough after a couple of years and have gotten a Honda VFR but it would be cool to have three or four bikes to suit every situation. Lots of good advice here and there was another thread about a Ninja 650 as a starter bike. Try to find it, in my mind, it would be another good choice. Have fun but be carefull to.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Hey, where is a good place to take lessons for riding a motorcycle? Or even learning to drive standard?

I have heard that toocoolmotorcycleschool is good

As for learning standard I have no idea (AMA maybe?), but good on ya for wanting to learn...driving standard is a blast