Motorman Mean Streets – The best bike to buy for the beginner rider
I’m often asked my opinion on the best bike to buy for the beginner rider, or the re-entry rider (someone that hasn’t ridden in years). The answer to this question really depends on the rider. Generally, a midsize cruiser in the 650cc to 900cc class would be best. I say cruiser first because cruisers are about 70% of the market. Second, sport bikes (even naked bikes) in the 600cc class or beyond have very sensitive throttles. A sensitive throttle makes a bike more difficult to ride at low speeds and that’s where most people have a problem. Also, sport bikes and naked bikes have handlebars that don’t turn very far from lock to lock, which makes them more difficult to ride at low speeds.
Most cruisers on the other hand, have easy to modulate clutches and throttles. Their handlebars turn quite a bit from lock to lock and the cruisers’ longer wheelbase makes them more stable at low speeds—plus, cruisers have a lower seat height. The low seat height allows shorter riders to flatfoot the bike when stopped, which gives most riders more confidence.
For small women 5’ or under, I’d recommend the Suzuki Savage 650, or S-40 as it’s now called. This Suzuki is about the same size as most 250cc bikes, yet it has enough power to cruise at highway speeds and above. If your 5’2” or over, the Suzuki Volusia C50 is a great choice. This bike has a very easy to control clutch and throttle With its 65” wheelbase, it will be easy to move up to a heavier cruiser since the heavier bike will still physically be about the same length and width as the middleweight Suzuki.
Another good choice is the Honda Shadow Aero 750. This bike has a very low seat height, and a wheelbase similar to larger bikes. Last, but not least, the Harley Sportster line, either the 883 or 1200 models. The Sportsters are probably the most popular beginner bike for women. Although I do hear a lot of complaints from women who claim the Sportster has a high center of gravity. Actually, that’s not the case. What makes the Sportster a little more difficult to ride despite its very low seat height, it has a short wheelbase for a cruiser and its handlebars don’t turn as far from lock to lock as the other bikes I’ve already mentioned.
In actuality, a heavyweight cruiser is just as nimble and easy to learn to ride as the middleweight bikes as long as you’re willing to put in some extra training hours before venturing out into traffic. But, since riding a motorcycle properly is 90% mental and 10% physical your brain will try to convince you that you should fear all that weight; and fear will hold you back every time.
I know what you’re thinking. What about a 250 Rebel or any one of the other 250cc bikes out there? Aren’t they the best for beginners? The answer is possibly. Here’s my rule of thumb. If you took the MSF course or any of the other beginner courses around and passed with flying colors you’re ready for a midsize bike. If on the other hand, you struggled through the course or failed it and you’re scared half to death just thinking about riding in traffic— the smaller bike is better to learn on.
Of course there are exceptions to any rule. In fact, I recently met a young lady that told me she got a 100% on her MSF course and had all the confidence in the world so she went out and purchased a custom Harley Wide Glide with tons of chrome and forward controls. Now she says she’s scared to death of the bike and can’t turn from a stop or make a U-turn to save her life. While the Wide Glide is a fine motorcycle, it has a very long wheelbase and rake–that makes it more difficult to turn. Plus, the forward controls have this 5’2” rider so stretched out, she has no leverage to use her brakes properly and she can’t counterbalance when making tight turns. In other words, she bought a bike that doesn’t fit her—consequently, her confidence disappeared and her fear is holding her back from really learning to ride.
I put this young lady on my 250 Yamaha and within minutes she was whipping the bike around like the toy it is. I then put her on my Triumph Bonneville (another easy to ride middleweight) and she whipped that bike around with confidence as well. I plan on teaching her the Motor Officer techniques on the Bonneville in my Ride Like a Pro course, then put her through the course on her Wide Glide. I’m betting I can improve her skills and put her in the top 2% of riders, even on that Wide Glide with about eight hours of practice. In fact, I’m hoping she’ll be good enough to ride in my Rider’s Skill show very soon. I’ll reveal her identity in the near future and video her progress for all to see, so keep any eye on my website, http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Copy 2010 Jerry Motorman Palladino
-Ride Safe… Ride Like a Pro Team
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