So, I am buying a motorcycle - I am still doing the research though.

I have never been on one, ever.

I know I need to get a "starter bike" (300cc or something)

But the whole point in me getting one is because I really enjoy the way some of the bikes in particular look, and sound. think along the lines of a nice Harley, big loud pipes, long and stretched out, and ape hangers! that's what I want.

My question is, should I settle for a "starter" bike and worry that I will out grow it soon, since I drive on the highway every day to work? Or go with a bigger 1100cc (or similar) "chopper" style bike, and just learn on that?

vroom vroom!

buy a smaller used bike to learn on.

buy your dream bike later, after you have developed your taste in bikes.

you'd look like a dork on a 300cc... I don't think they make one either...

jcm800,

My best suggestion would be to start with a starter bike. Eric wants me to learn how to ride and just recently got me a 1977 Honda XL350. That way it’s a smaller bike, not too much power or too heavy for me to learn on. Yeah, the bike is older than me, but it's in great shape and works perfectly for what I need it for.

I’ve had others tell me they wish they had taken the same route as I am, because they learned on a bigger bike and it was a lot harder.

Good luck!

First, do yourself a huge favor and take the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). This course is available in community collages around the country. It is a two day course that will teach riding and most importantly SAFTY.

Make sure you understand the risk of riding; I am not trying to scare you, but you need to understand the risk involved. Invest heavily in safety riding gears. It can save your life or save you from injuries.

Start on a small bike, preferably a used cheap one. Most likely, you are going to drop the bike in the first six months. You don't want to damage a new bike, do you?

Modern bikes are very powerful. In fact they are too powerful for the regular riders. The more powerful the bike, the more skills one needs to handle and control it properly. Start small, and move up when you have few seasons of riding under your belt.

I cannot emphasize enough on safety gears. I had three motorcycle accidents last summer. I could have been dead twice, if I didn't have full safety gears on.

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Many states offer classes that are tied to their DMV, first check into that. My soon to be ex-wife took the course and we got her a GS500 that she outgrew in about 2 days.

If you go the starter bike route though don't go too small as switching from a 300 lbs bike to a harley is a HUGE transition.

My .02

And welcome to the club.

P.S. Don't get super loud pipes.

P.S. Don’t get super loud pipes.

Loud pipes save lives.

Yes, the suggestions for the MSF course is a must! Even experienced riders can learn from them if they have never taken one...I did.

Might consider something like a Honda Shadow. They have smaller cc ones like a 600 that is very easy to handle, and while you are learning on it, it looks like a cruiser and sound decent as well.

I've also looked into the course and plan on taking it before I get my license.

all good replies! I am military so I have no choice but to take the safety course, although I would have taken it anyway.

I've looked at the Honda shadows, and others along the lines of Suzuki boulevard. I was leaning towards around a 600cc, that should get me up on the highway speeds safely and still be light enough to learn on.

Thanks, you guys confirmed what I had already been thinking.

I dont need a damn motorcycle licence. Rode a bike for many years without one. When they asked for it I just told them I had a CDL.

jcm800,

Good luck and let us know how it goes! Luckily for me, we have plenty of fields around our house, so that's where I've been riding (plus the bike is an enduro, so it works well in the fields). Once I master the fields, then I'll try the parking lot in the church across the road.

#11^ "I’ve looked at the Honda shadows, and others along the lines of Suzuki boulevard. I was leaning towards around a 600cc, that should get me up on the highway speeds safely and still be light enough to learn on".

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Are you kidding? A Boulevard(850 cc's and up) is more than enough power! You THINK it might get you up to highway speeds? Dang it man, todays scooters will do that with a 100cc motor. LOL!

Use your head, wear a helmet(if you choose to),take the safety course, and above all, keep your eyes open, pay attention to oncoming trafffic. You are in the military so, the aforemntioned items should not be a problem. They teach this stuff right-keep a look out, pay attention, wear a helmet...

I sold bikes for a while and when guys came in to buy a sportster because it was thier first bike, we would call that a "two bike deal" because they always came back within six months and traded up............

just saying!

Enjoy the ride!

Oh and remember, the weight of the bike makes a big dierence on how it handles. Lighter bikes(Honda Shadow) tend to handle very differently(Suzuki Boulevard). Look for one that has a good low or lower center of gravity, can get out of its own way, and be comfortable for the long rides.

Keep in mind, not to worry so much about a heavier bike -IMO becuase once you are uo and running gravity takes over anyway. Just make sure you can plant your feet firmly on the ground and can hold it up at a red light. Also make sure that if it went down you can get it back up without help. I won't go into the down side of falling.

Also wear good solid boots or shoes, gloves and jeans. I hate seeing these dorks that wear shorts, flip flops, and women wearnig high heels with open toes or sandals, and short shorts. WOW! WHY? Did you not hear about road rash folks?

oops! slipped into the down side of falling I'm bad.

"The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports when cars or trucks hit deer, there's about a 2.5 percent chance the driver or passengers will get hurt or killed. When motorcyclists hit deer, their odds of injury or death are about 85 percent."

Long story short buy a nice convertible sports car.

Dont live in fear just buy a big bike.

still wonder about the ape hangers tho.... I've never ridden a bike equipped with them... doesn't look very comfortable to me...

# 17 Everyone dies, not everyone lives.