Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

Message
Author
Scott Osberg
Tricycle Squid
Tricycle Squid
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:14 am
Real Name: Scott Osberg
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: Yamaha

Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#1 Unread post by Scott Osberg »

Hi,

I have been looking at a Yamaha V950 cruiser as a starter bike, any advice on if this is to " Big " of a bike to start on?

Wrider
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold
Posts: 5285
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:46 pm
Real Name: Ryan
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 4
My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#2 Unread post by Wrider »

To be honest, if you've never ridden before, my answer is a pretty clear yes.

A good general rule of thumb for a first bike is 50 HP/500 lbs for a first bike. My bike made right at 50 HP and was just over 500 lbs, but I'm also about 100 lbs more and 4 or 5 inches taller than the average rider.

You should check out the sticky in this forum for a good introduction.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

User avatar
dr_bar
Site Supporter - Diamond
Site Supporter - Diamond
Posts: 4532
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 4:37 am
Real Name: Doug
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 44
My Motorcycle: 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture
Location: Surrey BC, Canada

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#3 Unread post by dr_bar »

I tend to agree with Wrider on this bike, although it could be tucked into that grey area as a starter bike, I'd stick to his guidelines...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Four wheels move the body.
Two wheels move the soul!"

User avatar
JackoftheGreen
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 1219
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:10 pm
Real Name: Eric
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 12
My Motorcycle: Versys 1000 LE "Gleep"
Location: Northern Utah
Contact:

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#4 Unread post by JackoftheGreen »

Here's my take. I think an average sized rider with an average ego could be happy with this as a permanent bike. That being the case, it's probably more bike than a starter ought to be.

User avatar
storysunfolding
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3882
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:20 am
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 22
My Motorcycle: Vstrom 650, S1000RR, XS850, ZX6R
Location: Reston Virginia

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#5 Unread post by storysunfolding »

I've had two students, that I know of, start on it. Neither story ended well.
My Blog

Grasp life by the handlebars

User avatar
BRUMBEAR
Legendary 1000
Legendary 1000
Posts: 1227
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:27 am
Real Name: Dave
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 40
My Motorcycle: 2009 Buell 1125 CR
Location: in limbo

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#6 Unread post by BRUMBEAR »

Call me oldschool but you should never START riding a bike with forward mounted controls. I believe in keeping your body as centered as possible but thats just my opinion plus I like to stand up now and then to shake it out as it were.
PS the back brake IS NOT YOUR FRiend.
there aint nothin like it

User avatar
scooter12
Regular
Regular
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 6:41 pm
Real Name: Charles Creswell
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 20
My Motorcycle: Honda Rebel 250/ Roketa Bali 250
Location: Jefferson City

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#7 Unread post by scooter12 »

A 250cc motorcycle is a starter bike. A 950cc you will most likely crash it. Start small and gradually work your way up..

User avatar
sapaul
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2386
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:45 am
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 90
My Motorcycle: 2011 R1200R 07 BMW GS, Kymco 250 little
Location: South Africa

Re: Is a Yamaha V950 a good starter bike

#8 Unread post by sapaul »

before I pass an opinion, i would like to know more about you, how old, how tall, any experience at all, can you ride a bicycle
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R

Post Reply