Ok, So I am 56 and considering learning how to ride and buying a motorcycle. Previous bike riding is limited to a little 125 and a Honda 650. I have read all the posts about starting small. But then I talk to some riders that say they started larger and did well.

I keep thnking I want a bike to explore California on weekends. It will require highway miles. I am told I need a larger bike for stability on the highway. I can't get a BMW 1100 out of my mind.

Can you recommend a starter bike for weekend cruising and maybe commuting to work on nice days around LA? I have read a number of the new bike posts and it looks like the Suzuki SV650 or a Yamaha 650 may be the largest recommended for beginners that may fit the bill. A friend recommended a KLR650.

Hi Read and to the TMW motorcycle community!

I think the Total Motorcycle Beginners Guide to Motorcycling would be an ideal read to start with:



Spring time. Be inspired. Make this year THE year to start riding and adventuring. Start off right by reading our Beginner's Guide to Motorcycling. 10 years running.

Beginners Guide to Motorcycling
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

It is never too late to learn how to ride, in fact, you might just kick yourself for not learning sooner as you'll be having such a great experience on a bike!

Age is not a substitute for no riding experience and just because you have a lot of life experience doesn't give you a "free pass" to the big bike territory without risk. It's best to start off as everyone does, on a smaller bike (a 1100cc bike doesn't count as a starter bike).

Tell us a bit more about what you want to do with the bike in the way of touring, exploring or traveling. Communting, you can have really anytype of bike, even a 125cc motorcycle or 50cc scooter.

A cruiser might be your best choice considering it's lower center of gravity, relaxed riding position and starter friendly ride height.

Welcome to the community!

Mike

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Mike-

I should have prefaced my original post with the fact that I had read the beginner guides on this site, and it is a great site. I want to explore California and anywhere else I can explore in Weekend trips. I camp, so a tent and sleeping bag on the back of the bike will be expected. I will need highways to get any distance.

So far in my reading a used Suzuki SV650, or similarly sized Yamaha or Honda, seems to be a frontrunner. I do wonder about the prices asked on-line in ads. Everyone seems to ask the highest recommended NADA or KBB retail price, whether or not they are dealers. In fact the dealers seem to ask 1000 dollars over those prices. Does everyone just ask for the moon and then negotiate off that or does anyone ever ask prices reasonable to the NADA or KBB prices? I always expected to get a price between retail and wholesale from a private seller and at at least at the retail from a dealer. Is this unrealistic?

Anyway, exploring California and commmuting are the expected uses.

Thank you

That is great to hear you read the Beginner Guides on Total Motorcycle, it will really help you out.

California is an amazing state, very beautiful and very diverse, a rider's paradise indeed. The SV650 is a fine choice, I would go for the non-"S" version, that would be the naked one as it's more upright and comfortable, plus you can add a wind screen on it as well. A Suzuki GS500E is a very reliable bike as is the Bandit 600 and Bandit 650 as well. If you want a "do-it-all" type of bike, look for a standard, rather than a sporty model IMO.

As for price, it does vary depending on time of year. The best times to buy a used (or new) bike is fall (#1) or winter (#2). Best prices are in fall because some people can't be bothered to store them away for the winter or needed to sell in the summer but rode it instead now need to sell, plus there is very little riding time left before winter. The worst times to buy are in the spring due to high demand because of the nice weather and the start of the season (longest riding time).

Right now you'll pay more but it's a trade off as you also get a full warm season to ride this year. Rule of thumb is take a few weeks to look over what is selling (and what is not) in your area that you like, get an idea of low and high prices and condition. Then try to see everybike that is closer to the low price, good condition and you feel the owners are negotiable.

With the US in a recession and many need to sell their toys off and prices should refect that. Dealers as you say are indeed the most expensive place to buy a bike, try to avoid if you can find a nice used private sale one. Some dealers are negotiable in price, others will throw in some equipment others nothing and take your cash. You may not even get a better bike by buying from a dealer either (but I would think the odds are a little higher).

If you haven't taken a motorcycle safery course yet, sign up now as they will be filling up VERY QUICKLY now.



http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005models-Suzuki-SV650.htm

Mike

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Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Buell, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.

Reader1363, my first bike was a CB400T I bought 26 years ago at age 52. I traded it in on a new CB750K only 6 months and 6k miles later because it just didn't have enough power for highway use, or so I thought. After a couple more Hondas and many thousands of miles of experience I decided I liked the flickability of the small bikes better and bought a GS500E in 99 and then another in 03 and have put 12 years and 160k miles total on the GSs so far. I've ridden 400-500 mile freeway days to get to the Smoky Mtns and upstate NY mtns on my GSs to play in the mountain twisties on the GSs. A used GS500 or Ninja 500 would be a good starting bike for you, just stick with one until your really learn how to ride it before moving "up" to a bigger bike. The 500's are good go anywhere, do anything type bikes.

Gsjack

Thank you. I will look at some of these. I plan on taking a MSF course.

I do not have to buy a bike now so perhaps I will wait for next Fall.

let me tell you my experience, i'm 75, good health. 3 yrs ago this june i got a 250 so. korea xp. 4.000$ rode it 1 year, traded for a yamaha tmax 500 8.000$, now i just traded for a 2010 new HD sportster XL 1200 custom $10.750. look how much i spent on scooters & ever time you done something to it you had to take a panel off.
i should have got something like this at the beginning. ever time i trade i have to learn to ride all over again. i don't like a chain. i'm suspose to get 42-60 mpg.

I ride a VStar 650 and love the bike. I started out with a Hyosung GV250 which my wife now rides. I can't say enough good things about the VStar.

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Just my opinion but a touring bike sounds like it might suit your needs when you are ready. If you want to carry a tent and camping equipment on the back you'll need a large pillion seat area and a bike that takes bags on the side like BMW bikes can maybe. How exciting to be starting a new lifestyle. Let us know what you decide!!

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Traded: Honda SL230 and Yamaha XJR400

I'm new myself, having taken the MSF beginner's course just one week ago and purchased my first bike (ever!!) on Sunday. That said, I read from many sources that it is beneficial to sit on many bikes before you decide. Though I didn't believe it at first, when you find the one that's right for you, you will know it. I found that to be true for me. I sat on a V-Star 650 (which was beautiful and in great condition) but I had reservations. When I found my GS500F, the only reservation I had was based on how far from home it was at the time. A friend with some experience and a couple hours to spare, and that GS500F found its way to my garage.

Best of luck in your search for your own bike!