New rider: what's a better bike to learn on?

[Zak]

Hi All

I have a question, im 44 new to riding, I like the cruiser look/feel but am torn between a 2014 Suzuki LS650 Boulevard $6995 4434 k's & a 2012 Suzuki Intruder $4995 16200k's.
I will be doing mostly open road commuting to & from work with some city riding. Im about 170cm tall & 85kg
in your opinion what would be a better bike to "cut" my teeth on.

thanx in advance

[Akzle]

Tl1000rr .

[Ulsterkiwi]

my wife started on a Boulevard, it was stable and easy to handle and was a great way to get into riding. When she began to go on longer rides the vibey single was not to her liking, some people do like the feel of a thumper, some do not. The intruder is a 250 yes? will be a VTwin and while not as powerful will be smoother, you need to go on a decent ride (translation: time, 20 minutes is not enough) on both to figure out what your priority is.
Remember your first bike is just that, your first! Its main purpose may be to teach you what it is you are looking for in a bike especially if you have no frame of reference to begin with.

[Maha]

The S40 has a bit of style about it over it's contemporary's in this category Yamaha/Hyosung/Kawasaki etc though the new Kawasaki Vulcan has a bit of attitude going on, not so much the older one.

[MichaelG]

I'm in a similar position, 40 just started riding (again, rode on a leaners in UK years ago), 183 tall, 85kgs. Commuting mainly (motorway then city) with a bit of weekend riding. I got one of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1050275516.htm

And it is nigh on perfect for what I want, torque, smooth with v-twin and good getting up to and at speed. S40 might be a little on the slower side on the open road and the ride won't be smooth. The Intruder is a 250 so probably no good for the highway. The VRX400 might not be a good option as they are pretty rare so parts etc an issue but my advice would be look for a V-Twin, will help with confidence having a smooth ride. If you can't find one then I think the extra top end speed on the S40 is what you want for the open road.





Hi All

I have a question, im 44 new to riding, I like the cruiser look/feel but am torn between a 2014 Suzuki LS650 Boulevard $6995 4434 k's & a 2012 Suzuki Intruder $4995 16200k's.
I will be doing mostly open road commuting to & from work with some city riding. Im about 170cm tall & 85kg
in your opinion what would be a better bike to "cut" my teeth on.

thanx in advance

[Zak]

I'm in a similar position, 40 just started riding (again, rode on a leaners in UK years ago), 183 tall, 85kgs. Commuting mainly (motorway then city) with a bit of weekend riding. I got one of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1050275516.htm

And it is nigh on perfect for what I want, torque, smooth with v-twin and good getting up to and at speed. S40 might be a little on the slower side on the open road and the ride won't be smooth. The Intruder is a 250 so probably no good for the highway. The VRX400 might not be a good option as they are pretty rare so parts etc an issue but my advice would be look for a V-Twin, will help with confidence having a smooth ride. If you can't find one then I think the extra top end speed on the S40 is what you want for the open road.

Thanx

Gives me food for thought,
looks like I might need to fine time & go do some test riding

[Burnie]

Very similar situation to you - 42yo and have just got a L licence so am looking for a bike to start/learn on. i also was considering a 2nd hand Suzuki VL, however for the same price ($4995) you can buy a brand new Suzuki gw250. I think I will test ride both and see what riding position I like.

[Maha]

The gw250 has about as much street appeal as a tossed banana skin. The GSX 250 (though no longer made) is where to look in this cc bracket, even a Hyosung should be considered.

[Oakie]

When she began to go on longer rides the vibey single was not to her liking,

Funny that. On my CB400 Super 4 there was a vibey spot just above 5000rpm that gave Mrs Oakie great pleasure on the pillion seat. True story!

[Burnie]

The gw250 has about as much street appeal as a tossed banana skin. The GSX 250 (though no longer made) is where to look in this cc bracket, even a Hyosung should be considered.

For a new rider ( and I am definitely in this category ), I don't think that street appeal is as important as other factors e.g. comfort , ease of use , and rideability.

[ellipsis]

..there's so many bikes out there and so little time...try hitting trees with a road reg bike...maybe your expectations of freedom will be able to be explored..try this ? in the off road, adv section and in your head too... that's freedom on a sickle...

[Maha]

For a new rider ( and I am definitely in this category ), I don't think that street appeal is as important as other factors e.g. comfort , ease of use , and rideability.

.... the traits of a VTR 250. :yes:

[rambaldi]

.... the traits of a VTR 250. :yes:

I certainly love mine :p

[AllanB]

New Bonnie 900. Shame it's not on the list.

[WristTwister]

......................

[250r-king]

Everyone knows cbr250's are the best softc ock '86-96

[Scubbo]

I reckon dual sport bikes are best for learning, dr200s' etc... quickly develop low speed handling skills and very forgiving. amount of people I've seen ride road bikes who can barely handle what they're using makes me think they should have started on a shitty DS bike instead...

[Maha]

I reckon dual sport bikes are best for learning, dr200s' etc... quickly develop low speed handling skills and very forgiving. amount of people I've seen ride road bikes who can barely handle what they're using makes me think they should have started on a shitty DS bike instead...

Good points. I also have seen some horrific riding (wont even refer to them skills) from some who start those old cbr/zxr 250 style of bike. A bike as you have mentioned has an upright riding position and more it's forgiving. Prices are fantastic as well $1700 for 2012 model. No comparison to a 25 year old bike that will probably spend a good part of it's life in bits on the garage floor.

[Drew]

Good points. I also have seen some horrific riding (wont even refer to them skills) from some who start those old cbr/zxr 250 style of bike. A bike as you have mentioned has an upright riding position and more it's forgiving. Prices are fantastic as well $1700 for 2012 model. No comparison to a 25 year old bike that will probably spend a good part of it's life in bits on the garage floor.

You think the bike had something to do with the shithouse rider?

That's the dumbest thing I've read today. And to add some context, earlier I read some retard Antivaxer's dribble.

[Maha]

You think the bike had something to do with the shithouse rider?

That's the dumbest thing I've read today. And to add some context, earlier I read some retard Antivaxer's dribble.

To put what I said into context for illiterate, I was agreeing with this..''amount of people I've seen ride road bikes who can barely handle what they're using''
If you don't understand what you're reading can I suggest that you don't post...just a thought. :corn:

[Drew]

To put what I said into context for illiterate, I was agreeing with this..''amount of people I've seen ride road bikes who can barely handle what they're using''
If you don't understand what you're reading can I suggest that you don't post...just a thought. :corn:

Fuck off, I read both posts a couple times . You Tards imply the type of bike has caused the riders to suck. You're dumb.

[kiwi-on-wheels]

Welcome to the forum hahahahaha

So much crap talk.

Honestly, the best bike to learn on is one you are comfortable on. I started on an mc17 cbr250... Happily put a couple of hours in one stint, but have to get off and have a walk around for a bit. Try the bikes, long rides are good, pick the one that YOU like, and the one that YOU can live with

Everyones opinion is different, ymmv

[Bass]

Fuck off, I read both posts a couple times . You Tards imply the type of bike has caused the riders to suck. You're dumb.


Chuckle

Actually, I read it as saying that if you are on a bike and you suck, that you can learn to unsuck more easily on some styles of bike than you can on some others. I suspect you knew all that though.

P.S. My eyesight is crap and your new avatar took some decoding, even with the specs on. In the words of the old teambuilding adage, there's no "I" in team, but there's a "U" in cunt.

[Drew]

P.S. My eyesight is crap and your new avatar took some decoding, even with the specs on. In the words of the old teambuilding adage, there's no "I" in team, but there's a "U" in cunt.
Yeah, the resolution is shit.

[pritch]

Yeah, the resolution is shit.

Until I read your post and the preceding one, it had never occurred to me to decipher your avatar. These posts inspired me and although it's a bit one-track it did make me laugh. That's the old Drew though, from before they changed your meds. :innocent:

[WristTwister]

Hi All

I have a question, im 44 new to riding, I like the cruiser look/feel but am torn between a 2014 Suzuki LS650 Boulevard $6995 4434 k's & a 2012 Suzuki Intruder $4995 16200k's.
I will be doing mostly open road commuting to & from work with some city riding. Im about 170cm tall & 85kg
in your opinion what would be a better bike to "cut" my teeth on.

thanx in advance

The more of these posts I see, the more I realise people just want to be reassured of their own decision. Zak's only looking at those two bikes, he probably bought one of them by now and I doubt we'll hear anything from him again. What ever bike you choose, you'll always be left thinking "what if I bought the other one?" and no one here can ever answer that question for you.

[trufflebutter]

The more of these posts I see, the more I realise people just want to be reassured of their own decision. Zak's only looking at those two bikes, he probably bought one of them by now and I doubt we'll hear anything from him again. What ever bike you choose, you'll always be left thinking "what if I bought the other one?" and no one here can ever answer that question for you.

My very first bike was a spanking new 250 and it wasn't long (10 months perhaps) until I was looking for something else or my next bike if you will? As it turned out, a 600cc loomed into view and I soon bought that as a second bike. As confidence grows during that learning stage so the does urge to think bigger.

[WristTwister]

My very first bike was a spanking new 250 and it wasn't long (10 months perhaps) until I was looking for something else or my next bike if you will? As it turned out, a 600cc loomed into view and I soon bought that as a second bike. As confidence grows during that learning stage so does urge to think bigger.

Some argue that you can start on a 600 or even a litre bike. One theory I heard was that bike companies really like the learner bikes system because it helps them sell more bikes - a 250 then 12 months later a 600 etc, etc...

[Maha]

Some argue that you can start on a 600 or even a litre bike. One theory I heard was that bike companies really like the learner bikes system because it helps them sell more bikes - a 250 then 12 months later a 600 etc, etc...

Start on 1000cc bike? fuck me some may argue that when it all goes wrong it was the rider NOT the bike..:wait:

[Drew]

Start on 1000cc bike? fuck me some may argue that when it all goes wrong it was the rider NOT the bike..:wait:

Good mate of mine went to a Thunderace as his first bike. Good rider.

[Maha]

Good mate of mine went to a Thunderace as his first bike. Good rider.

You know Chuck Norris?

[Jeff Sichoe]

Get an RGV250 with no insurance and if you make it to your full license you'll be sweet as

[Swivel]

Try and find a Vulcan 500 if you like cruisers. They can get up and go for a 500 and they are reliable too.

[dman]

Yeah, the resolution is shit.

This will help other readers, I fixed it:

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