Hi. This is my first time to the forum, so please excuse me if I don't do this correctly.
I am a beginner cyclist, I am approaching 60 years old, and (of course) I am female. For a couple of weeks I've been doing a lot of research, trying to decide on what motorcycle to get. At the moment, I'm thinking about a Suzuki 250 and a Honda Shadow 600.
How does one decide the best fist bike to buy???

Sit on em! Plain and simple, sit on the bikes, and whatever works best for you is what you want. Chances are though I'd go with the 600 as a first bike. Personal preference, but I like having plenty of oomph to get up and go if I need to.
Wrider

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Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

Welcome Grandma!


As Wrider said, go try 'em on I'm also thinking stick with a nice 500ish...600ish...cruiser (if that's what you're liking!).

During my research, many articles highly recommend perfecting my skills on a small bike (250cc), but I know I'll want something bigger pretty soon. I was just afraid that going with a 600 right off the bat might be pushing my luck. But you know a lot more about this than I do, and that's why I asked. Many thanks for the advice!

Have you taken the MSF BRC yet? I ask because that will definitely affect the bikes that you look at...

I was dead set on learning on a 250 cc bike. I started the BRC on a Honda 125 cc standard-so underpowered I couldn't get up to speed fast enough for some of the exercises. (I'm pretty sure my weight was above the limit for the bike, though.) So they let me switch to a Suzuki GZ250 (250 cc)-better, and I could get up to speed ok, but I still felt cramped.

After sitting on many bikes, I actually bought a Suzuki Boulevard S40 (650 cc cruiser). I had ordered it before my BRC class, but I had been shopping and sniffing around bikes for a while and knew what I was looking for. After only about a week's worth of real riding, it already feels small-but it's got enough power and it's comfortable enough that I won't go crazy from being cramped. I'll be fine on it for the next 6 months-1 year. And it's light enough that the few times I almost dropped it, I was able to catch it easily.

I was still very tempted to get an 883 Sportster, but decided the weight could be an issue-I'm glad I made that decision wisely now.

I'm only 5'6" and had never really learned to ride; I only learned to do insanely stupid things on bikes 20 years ago

So if you really think you might want a 250, go for it-but go sit on them, because you might not be comfortable. I think a 650 cc cruiser is fine, obviously. It really comes down to how you feel after the BRC, I think. You might surprise yourself.

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2008 Suzuki S40-for sale
2007 Road King-waiting until mid-May

That was very helpful information. From what I've heard from you female riders, I shouldn't be afraid to go larger. I'll let you know what I finally decide on. Thank you!!

Definitely wait for the MSF course before you buy, and when you take the course, try to get a 250cc bike that you might like. Don't worry about buying a bike that is too small powerwise--it'll be easy to sell when you are ready to get rid of it, and they get great gas mileage. Worry about what bike feels nice to you balancewise and sizewise when you sit on it.

to TMW!

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Civility and democracy both require effort.

I have the Shadow 600 as my first bike. I love it!!

Grandma, have you taken MSF yet? If not, wait to ride until then. They'll have some 125cc-250cc bikes to ride and you can get a real feel for them before buying.


I ride a 250cc sport standard (2000 Honda VTR250 - Japan spec). It is an excellent first bike for me. It has enough 'go' that I'm not in danger for the riding I do. But it doesn't have so much power or torque that it is hard to handle or learn on. For me, our location and riding style, this 250cc was perfect. I'm a small gal I guess - 5'3" 110lbs and a 26.5" inseam. I've been on this bike for almost a year now and a little over 2k miles. Not only have I built my skills in general, but I've built them to the point that I feel like I've moved through the bike and am ready to progress.

I do things slowly and over analyze everything to the point I am absolutely sure and confident that I am solid. So, I probably stayed on this bike longer than most would have. But there are some additional circumstances as well to my decision to stay on the bike.

Anyhow, I just wanted to add a little background, and also offer some 250cc perspective. I didn't want to look like I was hanging it out to dry, cause it was not my intention! My hubby started riding on a Vulcan 400 (Japan spec) and it was fresh on my brain as a great first cruiser.

Grandma.....welcome to TMW.