recommendations for a novice

[DrDan]

Just completed my safety course. Had a ball - the 2 1/2 day course was great.

Thought I wanted a Burgman prior to the course. Now - not sure that I want a big-scooter.

But gas mileage is important.

So - veteran bikers.

What would you recommend. I rode a Suzuki 250 cruiser during the course. It seemed to fit ok - it was comfortable.

I am pretty sure I want a cruiser. I don't want one I will be afraid of - but I also do not want to "out-grow" it in 3 months.

Is something like an HD Sportster too much bike for a novice? Any others I should be thinking about?

Thanks in advance.

[ThomWV]

1. It really depends on how you want to use it

The economy is certainly a good thing and it might be mighty important but you have to wonder what might drive your preferences if you had to drive something like 150 miles 1-way to and from work each day? I used to have friends who Rough-necked out west who did that every day. What would you recommend for one of them; a Full Dress Harley or a Honda Rebel? Dirt or street?

You know, I'm not sure I'd really recommend a Sportster to anybody. You've sort of got to want one yourself, its not something that comes from a recommendation. Harley's are hard to explain like that, but of course my Deuce is the finest motorcycle god ever allowed man the mind and hands to make. You might not like it though.

If its commuting you want and ride around cities your choice will probably be different than if most rides are in the great out doors. Some folks just gotta have chrome, some folks don't want an iota of it. Are you a zoom, zoom, zoom sort of person or a putt, putt, putt sort of person?

So make it fun! Tell us all about what you want out of a bike - paint a picture of the perfect bike. Someone will tell you what one comes closest to it in the real world.

[DrDan]

3. I work from home - I have no need for any commuting

I certainly should have been more explicit, however.

I am looking for something to get out on weekends and get some fresh air - not "zoom zoom zoom" - but also not "putt, putt, putt". I have Yamaha C3 for "putting". I want to get out on a summer evening (or winter evening - I live in Florida) and take a 20 mile drive - just for fun - for the fresh air. I have no desire for speed - or for pushing the limit.

I don't need chrome. I don't need real long-rang capabilities, But I might want to hop on it and take it 50 miles to St. Augustine for an afternoon.

I want the capability to tote my wife along - until I can convince her to take the course herself.

I might choose to trailer it to the Blue Ridge and spend 3-4 days there.

Ideal vacation - trailer it to Nova Scotia for a week or so.

I can envision 200 miles per day max- carrying just enough to comfortably spend an evening somewhere before returning.

Although I live in the Daytona area - home of bikeweek and Biketoberfest - I am not looking to shake up the neighborhood with some loud pipes. Nor do I anticipate spending a week on Main street in Feb during bikeweek. I have spent enough evenings there in the past to know I do not care to be riding amongst those thousands.

So - casual recreational riding. Not pushing any limits. But the ability to get away from the neighborhood comfortably - maybe an occasional overnight trip.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. If you like the HD, get it

It's not "too much", just take it easy. I'd get the 883 motor. You probably don't need the power of the 1200 right away, and maybe never. The 883 is no slouch. The big decision is "forward" or "mid" controls. I like the forward controls, but it's an individual choice. Then you have to figure out what you want to use it for. So will you need sidebags, windshield? I needed both on mine (not H-D) so I can carry lunch & computer to work & back, and to carry raingear, and the windshield is nice when it's below 30 degrees.

[DrDan]

4. thanks - I tried to post what I am looking for in response to another response

I do think I will want a windshield - just to make the Florida evening rides a little more comfortable and bug-free.

And I probably will want to eventually add some saddlebags - for an occasional overnight trip.

But - no commuting - I work from home. And no cold-weather problems - but of course the Florida summers bring the need for some raingear.

No burning desire for a Harley. Just seemed the Sportster might be around the size and provide the capabilities I am looking for.

[guitar man]

10. good point about the 883

My 883 has done everything I've asked of it and then some. And hey, if you decide later that you do want to step up to a 1200, no need to trade bikes, just do the conversion, or have it done. It's not that expensive to do. :thumbsup:

[DrDan]

14. ok - so my experience on non-scooters is the 2 1/2 days of the

safety course during which I road a Suzuki 250.

Not sure what "forward" vs "mid" controls are and what they should mean to me. Seems from another post that it might have to do with height - that said I am 5'9".

Can you explain them to me please.


Thanks

[guitar man]

15. here ya go

mid mounted pegs/controls

http://images.hotrodsbikeworks.com/features/0609_02_s+new_products+foot_peg_right.jpg

forward mounted pegs/controls



the mids will put your feet more straight down under you while the forwards let you kick them out in front of you a bit. I'd recommend sitting on both and seeing what feels best.

[DrDan]

16. duh - thanks -

[Haole Girl]

5. If you think you'll be afraid of riding...

I would not recommend starting with a Sporster.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I regret it... but it's not something a person learns overnight.

Bottom line: get what you want, but realize you won't be able to go out on the highway the second week with a Sporster (well, unless you are unlike me!!).

p.s., I love my bike! :-)

[Haole Girl]

7. Opps... spelling

I meant Sportster, of course. Forgot the other "t" in there. :blush:

[ThomWV]

6. You've got a lot of great bikes to choose from

Its kind of funny when I think about it now days but when my wife and I first got together we lived in an old part of Miami called Coconut Grove, for the first 3 years we didn't have anything but a bike. Most days I worked (construction) down in the Keys. Florida conditions certainly aren't like West Virginia conditions.

If I were you I'd set a lower end limit of about 650cc or so. I'd bet that longer-ride comfort will end up meaning a lot more to you than expect. If I were going to suggest just one of the many for you to give a look at I'd direct your toward the V-Stars (Yamaha) or maybe something along the lines of a Honda Shadow (above 750cc).

There is one thing about a Sporty, and its an easy enough thing to confirm; Harleys, pretty much any Harleys, hold their value better than almost any other bike. If you don't like it, and particularly if you bought it used in the first place (highly recommended) you may not lose much, if any, money on the deal.

[matcom]

8. I second the V-Star

650

but only because I love mine so much :hi:

[guitar man]

9. Well, I am biased, but

I say if you want a cruiser, get yourself an 883 Sportster. As was mentioned before, check them out and see what control configuration you like.If you are tall, and/or long legged, you'll probably want the forward controls. The 883 is hard to beat on gas mileage and you will not be disappointed in how it sounds. :evilgrin:

If you don't want that much bike, but want bigger than a 250 cruiser, I like the Suzuki S40 boulevard (formerly 650 Savage), the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and the Yamaha VStar 650.

When I bought my current ride, I was comparing it to the metric cruisers they had there and, (no offense intended to the metric riders) the Harley just didn't have all the cheap plastic crap all over it like the metrics did. Just about everything on the bike is made out of good metal and that's what attracted me to it the most. And Thom is 100% right about the resale value, it's hard to lose money on one.

good luck! :hi:

[HamstersFromHell]

11. On resale value...

Years ago we were bored at one of the bike shops I worked for, so we pulled out the NADA book and started comparing.

If you were to buy the following 3 bikes new in 1978:

Honda 750
BMW R100
Harley Superglide

in 1988 after 10 years of ownership the Honda booked at *retail* for less than 10% of it's original value. The BMW booked at roughly 1/3, while the Harley was still at 50%

I repeated this experiment in 2006 with new 1996 bikes and got almost identical conclusions. Truth be known, a 10 yr. old Honda street bike in decent shape will bring more than 10% of it's MSRP, possibly as high as 25%. The BMW will bring 1/2 to 2/3, and the Harley will in some cases actually be worth more than what you paid for it originally.

When was the last time you ever saw a running big twin only bring $2000? 30 yr old Sportsters will bring more than that.

[guitar man]

13. sure enough

you might buy a puked out oil-slinging Sportster for $2000, but you better get someone to follow you home in a pickup truck just in case...

On the other hand, $4500 will buy a damn nice used Sportster, and if you take care good of it, when you get ready to sell it, you can get your $4500 back, or pretty close to it. :thumbsup:

[Robb]

12. This thing still makes me swoon

Not a "cruiser," but man, can you ever cruise....



http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=f650gs

[Lowell]

17. If you get a small bike

you'll always be wishing you had a little more. My first bike was a 62 Norton Commander. It lasted a year before I got a 47 Knucklehead. I've been riding cruisers every since.

You've taken the course, it is easy to get used to a full sized bike. There will be times when a short ride just isn't enough, but if your butt is too sore to go any further then the pleasure is taken out of the experience. Big bikes weigh more and hold the road in inclement weather better than small bikes. The gas mileage isn't as good, but it beats the alternative, a cage.

I've had a couple Sportsters over the years and they are great for running from bar to bar, but murder on the road for any real distance.

I live on the left coast of Florida and have ridden to Daytona during Bike Week a number of times. My first trip there was in the early 1960s. My last trip was a couple years ago and I swore never again. Bike Week in Daytona is one massive pain in the ass and if I lived in Daytona I'd leave town during it.

[DrDan]

18. So thanks to all who responded - I appreciate the advice

I was looking pretty seriously at a couple of V-STAR 650s. Then the local Harley dealer put their 2008 883s on sale - so bought one this afternoon.

Will get it tomorrow - need someone to ride it home for me. Just do not trust myself on an interstate yet.

So - appreciate the help and advice. I am sure I will have some additional questions as I gain experience.

[Haole Girl]

19. Woo hoo!!! Congrats on your bike!!

You know we'll want to see pics!

Smart move not to ride on the interstate until you are ready, btw!

:-)

[ThomWV]

20. Don't sweat the Interstates

You will find out very quickly that riding it on an interstate is easier than riding it on a country road. Also, the bike will be at its very best between 55 and 65 MPH. At least for my wife's 883 that is the real sweet spot. It starts getting real busy above 70. Just keep in mind, the faster you go (up to some rational personal limit) the more stable the bike becomes.

That said, Congratulations! Which model of the 883 did you get and where's the picture? Gotta have a picture!

When you go pick up the bike today do yourself a favor and lay out the additional $60 and pick up a copy of the Service Manual for it. Harley Service Manuals are pure works of art. Trust me, you want one.

[Robb]

21. Congrats!

Remember, riding skills can be worked on your whole life!

...And anyone with a right arm can go fast in a straight line. ;)

[DrDan]

22. here she is . . .

finally got off it long enough to snap a picture.

This thing is darned much fun - not sure why it took so long to get one. After all - living in the Daytona Beach area for a couple of decades, I have certainly seen enough of them.

Anyway . . . have not regretted the purchase . . . yet.

Had a friend ride it home from the dealer for me. Then spent a week or so each evening riding around the neighborhoods.

Finally got brave enough to head down U.S. 1 and circled home on some back roads. Have been exploring since - trying to ride daily.

The bike is about as basic as possible and will probably stay that way. Will probably add a luggage rack so I can get my exercise gear off my back. Might add some saddle bags - but the choices are so wide, that I will take my time and get some that look good.

Once again - thanks for all the recommendations (yes - I did get the service manual - but . . . I got this thing to ride, not to work on.).

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Haole Girl]

23. Thanks for posting it!!

Looks very similar to mine! :-) :hi:

Oh, and, you really should read the manual... has some good info in it! ;-)