First bike

[E-Man]

Hello all...

I am taking my MSF in April and want to purchase a bike shortly afterwards. I have looked for some decent used bikes and it seems that in my area (upstate NY), anything decent is $3000 (no work needed, no replacement items, etc). Being that I can get a brand new V-strom 650 at a local dealer for $5999, I am thinking of buying new.

Now...what are some thoughts on the V-strom for a new rider?

And one other awful question...how would the bike compare to that of a cruiser (like say a HD Sportser 1200R)?

Thanks,

Eric

As it happens I own a 1200R and a 650 Strom. They are two entirely different animals first off.
I personally think HDs are for a more experienced rider because they so much lend themselves to tailoring and modification. This might not be so much true for a new rider because you have less to compare it with and might not recognize some of the bike's characteristics as shortcomings.
For example, I've had about 45 bikes in my life and I think the 1200R is a lot of fun, it runs smoothly, has enough power to make it fun to ride and has all the accessories you could ever want available to you.
On the darker side I thought the suspension was pretty poor. I fixed this by adding 1200s fork legs sprung to my weight and Progressive shocks. I wouldn't call it plush but it is compliant and gives a nicely controlled ride.
I would also say that no HD ever ran its best until you do the 'taxes', HD speak for mufflers, air cleaner and rejet.
The DL650, on the other hand is pretty much ready to ride straight out of the box. One could quibble with the stock seat and windscreen, but those tend to be a matter of taste. I would rate the suspension as acceptable if not outstanding and it has what you need available for it.
One thing I would worry a bit about for someone starting out is that first bikes tend to get dropped. Its not preordained of course, but its common. The Strom has some pretty vulnerable, expensive body work waiting to hit the ground so I would be inclined to get some guards first off. In fact I am getting them myself because one never knows does one?
Much of this depends on how you see yourself using the bike. I think the Strom is the more versatile bike of the two because it will deal with dirt roads much better, where the Sporty has a belt drive which is vulnerable to gravel (believe me I know).
Its interesting how this concept of a first bike has changed over time. It used to be that conventional wisdom held that a new rider should get a used bike so they wouldn't be heartbroken when it got thrashed. Now though, as you note, used bikes that are decent aren't cheap and I think todays new rider is a bit more savvy than they were in years past, likely due to things like the MSF classes.
If you want to know more specifics about either of my bikes you are welcome to email me direct at joes4570@prodigy.net
Good luck and hope you post back on your decision.
t

[mark30pwr]

Now...what are some thoughts on the V-strom for a new rider?

Do not get the DL1000 if you are a new rider. It has too much power and will be too dangerous for someone without enough years of riding experience. The DL1000 is not a beginner bike. I'm not sure if the DL650 is okay as a beginner bike, it might be. Perhaps others can comment.

The best way to learn is off road with a dirt bike. Maybe try a dual-purpose for your first year. A 250cc to 650cc, example Honda XL or XR series. Remember, to wear all the gear all the time - helmet plus full body armour (on and off road). As a new rider, you will fall! Probably more than once. Another reason to buy used.

[zapp]

First, I applaud you for taking the MC safety and for asking a frank and honest question. These are not small issues because the organ banks are doing a brisk business these days as so many guys think they can read a magazine article and suddenly become a flattrack racer on a sportbike. One more set of kidneys, corneas, etc.......

Frankly, I think it is a mistake to start riding on a streetbike period. if there are any dirt roads, farms, ranches, etc near you, or its ok to ride power line trails I urge you in the strongest to consider a dirt bike first. WHY? Because you have no idea what kind of a rider you will be, and it will be HIGHLY informative to fall off that dirt bike a few times. You will find out, like everyone who has ever ridden for a long time, that crashes are nothing like you imagine them to be. The way the bike feels is different than in a class demo. How you react [and you will react, not think much] will surprise you. How you part from the bike will surprise you further, especially if you don't make it off and end up pinned or trashed across the handlebars [think about hitting a windshield].

All that aside, I would not recommend the DL650 or 1000 as a first bike. Depending on your size, I would probably go with a Shadow 1100 [spirit or sabre, both good bikes] for 4K to 5K for a good used 2000 or up model, or I would go with maybe a Spirit 750 if you're not a real tall person. These are very forgiving bikes that are easy to manage, and the Spirit's especially are pretty low to the ground especially if you get a corbin seat to swap out the stock seat. They are all three problem-free, so you will not add mechanical issues to the worry list about "what can happen to me out there on the road".

I think the V-Strom's are special cases and not indicative of motorcycling as it is normally perceived. They are not "easy" to manage in my opinion, and I have been riding a long long time

Zapp

[E-Man]

First off, thank you so much for your replies.

Here's a bit more info-I am 35, 6-1 and about 197 pounds (that's what the friendly scale said this morning).

I drive at the speed limit (I had one ticket in my life and the effect on my insurance was not worth the risk IMO).

I like the V-Strom 650, not really for the off-road possibilities, more for the cruising comfort. I am looking to ride to enjoy the surroundings.

I purchased and will practice the Ride Like a Pro III DVD as soon as I complete the MSF. I do have fears and will accept that I may drop the bike (which hopefully happens when I am practicing in controlled conditions).

Once again, the cost factor gets to me. I could also pickup a SV650 for $5299, and that price makes it hard to buy a 10 year-old used bike that may need parts for close to $3000.

I may use the bike to go camping, so that would be the extent of my dirt road application.

Any more insight is appreciated since I am totally excited to take the MSF and start riding!

PS. My friends say Harley, but something about the V-Strom just does it for me.

-Eric

[prof]

I would recommend against starting with a Harley, because of the weight. If you are tall enough, I would go with the VStrom because it is so much lighter. I really believe that so many first time riders have problems because they start out with a heavy bike.
The other advantage of the Vstrom is handling. Coming from a cruiser, I can tell you there is a world of difference. Another problem first time riders on cruisers face is negotiating turns. When you become more experienced, you will really appreciate riding the VStrom in the twisties.
If you are tall enough to flat foot a 650, I think it would be a good first bike.
Prof

[moto_potato]

Hey Eric,
A year ago I was in the very same boat as you: Preparing to take the MSF and, having read a ton of reviews, targetting the DL650 as the right mix of price, performance and utility. As it turns out, the DL650 is all it’s said to be and I’m happy I own one now but it wasn’t my starter bike and I wouldn’t recommed it as a first bike. It’s taller than the average bike (much taller than the MSF bikes you’ll ride) which can be challenging for a new rider. Even though you’re tall enough to flat-foot the DL650, it takes time/miles to get comfortable with the dynamics of controlling a leaning, rolling bike especially at low speed. It’s very common for new riders to drop their bike in their garage (me, girlfriend), their driveway (other friend, girlfriend) and in low-speed maneuvers (me, other friend). It doesn’t mean anything about your longterm suitability as a rider, it’s just part of the learning process and you would be really bummed to see your shiny Vstrom on its side with expensive damage. Be patient, keep looking and find yourself a scratched-up $1000-$1500 beater. That way, if or when it’s on the ground the first time you won’t be heartbroken—and hopefully not any other kind of broken! Plus keeping an old bike running is valuable experience that you can apply to all your future bikes. I’m 6’, 165 lbs and I was very happy with this starter bike: Yamaha XJ600 Seca II. Yamaha sold a lot of them in the US from ’92-’98. It’s large enough for someone your size but not heavy, pretty tame as far as power and very well balanced. They are very reliable and a decent one can often be found for less than $2000. And 6 months or a year from now you can sell it to another beginner for close to what you paid. I rode the heck out of my Seca last summer and 4 months/3000 miles later got my Vstrom. I'm glad I did it that way. Good luck, ride safe and be patient! If it is practical for you to start on dirt (it wasn’t for me), that’s a great idea, too.
moto_potato

[E-Man]

Thanks-awesome advice!

I like the Seca II, but haven't seen one for less than $2000 locally. The only things I find are early 80's cruisers (Honda Vt500C etc).

Good points though...knowing me, I will probably drop the bike. Especially if I am going to practice all those low speed maneuvers in a parking lot.

I guess I have to be patient. It seems that the SV650 goes a bit cheaper used-maybe I can pick one of those up for a start...

I'll let everyone know how it goes and also will let everyone know when I can ride well enough for a V-Strom.

Eric

[5dogs]

I took the motorcycle safety class and my first street bike was a 85' honda nighthawk 650. I'm 6'2 and 180 and it was a little small but a great first bike. Paid $1800 and sold for $2000 6 months later. I also like the nighthawk 750. My father-in-law got the 750 as his first bike he took the class also. He loves his nighthawk.

[TomStromie]

No, a V-Stom is not a good first bike, but it is a great second bike. I'm 47, 5-11, and 215 pounds. I started riding 1-1/2 years ago on a 1975 Honda XL350 that I bought used. It was, and continues to be, a blast to ride.

After riding that for 2,000 miles and taking the MSF course, I purchased my V-Strom 650. 4,000 miles later I'm glad I started on the Honda. Neither I, nor my V-Strom, would look as good today if I had not had the Honda to learn on.

For example, at my first stoplight I forget to release the front brake (mind froze up) until I had reved the engine a bit high. I poped a wheelie and scare the crap out of myself.

Buy a light, used motorcycle and then make the move to a V-Strom if you love and survive the first year.

[Vstromper]

I don't know about the 650 but if it's anywhere near as powerful as my 1000 it's not a good choice. I started on a 82 Nighthawk 750 last summer at 43 and 250 after taking the MSF course. I bought it for 1500 and put 5000 miles on it last fall and winter. I could have sold it for that much or more but it only had 17k miles on it and it was worth more to me than I could get so I gave it to my son to keep it in the family. It was a great starter bike and I thought when I got it it had more power than I would ever need. Things change. Spend less on your first bike and ride for the experience. When I was in your position I thought I wanted a cruiser but I learned on a dual sport in the MSF class and could not get comfortable on a cruiser.
I know its been said and its true. Keeping an older bike maintained and running can be a very valuable and rewarding experience in its own right.
Whatever you decide, enjoy it to the fullest.

k

[zapp]

And, to chime in once more with free advice :wink: I see several mentions of nighthawk and other things Honda. Spirit 750, Nighthawk, Shadow Sabre 1100, and a number of other hondas can and do go 60K or more with ZERO major .... shall we say... "renovations". So, you will not be looking at putting parts on those, unless an oil filter is considered one of those "parts" ! or a tail lens is busted from a parking lot ding or something.

Also, I'm surpised at the consideration of SV650 and Harley. See, those are just about polar opposites in every conceivable way, which says that you don't yet know how you want to ride, and what sort of ergos your genes will take to. I have never been able to adjust to the crouched-over way of riding for more than about 5 minutes at a stretch. Its just my makeup: been that way for 30 years of riding. My back gets restless and I need to be able to it arrow straight for awhile, even lean back for a while, and sometimes slump a bit for awhile. Otherwise, I'm only good for a few miles and that's no fun. Others take just fine to the ergos of a Beemer RT, for instance, which is kind of in the middle in terms of posture. Others OBVIOUSLY like the cafe-racer position of a real sportbike.... to me its painful to even watch.

One other thing: the cruiser crowd [I mean the experienced ones, not the posers] have something in them that really enjoys outfitting, cleaning, styling, polishing their bikes. I admire that greatly because I have nearly Zero artistic talent. I did a pretty good job with my cruisers, but it was only by aping good ideas others had. But in truth, I like gritty motorcycles better. I like the Adventure rider crowd and the semi-adventure [90% street 10% paveless] because I like to do functional things with the bike: gizmos and protectors and all that stuff. I love my XR650R because it is unbreakable, scary-powerful, and can go places nothing else can. Both it and the DL650 look sort of almost normal with pounds of mud clinging to them. Just some different perspective

This is a bummer but I will close with this because its reality. My two sons were coming back from an outing at one of the crystal clear Texas hill country lakes. Both are bike riders: one the wrong way, one the right. They were in a car that day. They saw a group of mixed riders [sportbikes and other things] hooping it up at the lake. On the way home, they saw a line of cars pulled to the side, they made their way through to the scene just in time to see the paramedics give up on one of the riders whom they had seen. It was a pretty sobering sight. And this morning I read on one of my favorite forums of a Daytona death: the man was a close friend of the one posting... very close. He ran his cruiser into the rear of a semi stopped dead still.... there were complicating traffic things that forced him and he was out of room to maneuver. Died within an hour. A couple in their late 40s lived near my property and had taken up Harley riding as a past time. He was fond of having a few drinks. They were not experienced riders and not experienced especially at two-up cruiser riding. Coming home they tried to dodge a dog which ran suddenly in their path on a state 2-lane highway, ditched the bike, and were run over by a following pickup truck. Both died.

Do everything you can to lower the risks on each and ever ride. In the best cases, there are still factors beyond your control. Another reason I favor riding dirt: you learn to react in a way that does not get you dinged, but you learn it the hard way, because it comes no more naturally riding a motorcycle than it does flying an airplane: natural instincts will put you in jeopardy. only LEARNED behaviour helps keep out of the jams. So I loudly applaud the learning steps you are taking! A wise man seeks advice. You are wise

Enjoy

Zapp

[radon_strommer]

well I guess I'll through in my $.02.

The DL650 is and has been a great first bike for me. It has very controlled power, great ergos for us tall guys, and is very forgiving. It has very good slow speed stability as well. It all comes down to the maturity you display with your right wrist.

[emgold56]

I took the MSF course and got my first bike in the fall of 2002. I wanted a cruiser with a 750 providing the juice. I ended up with a V Star 1100 Classic. Some would consider this a good first bike, but I’m not one of them. I found the trickiest parts of learning to ride were slow speed maneuvers and cornering. The V Star was to heavy for me and it made learning to ride much harder then it had to be. I think a low and light standard would be the best way to go. I didn’t realize how easy it is to corner until I got my VStrom. I recently rode my buddies R6 and cornering was even easier. I think a light standard bike will really develope your skills. Good luck with everything

[Gilk51]

I would say I'm 50-50 on a DL650 for the first bike. My whole family took the MSF course in September. My wife was already riding a scooter and got a bigger one. My two sons and I looked for a solid bike that we could share. We settled on a used Kawasaki ZR-7S - 750cc & rock solid - I think it was a great choice - the boys liked the sportier "S" version than the naked ZR7. I also like that it is carburated & 4-cyclinder - everything is smooth and solid for the new rider. You can learn the idiosyncracies of fuel injection (FI) later - I still am.

My older son (22) took to the ZR right off the bat. The 20 yr old was intimidated by a 750 but it took him just a couple of days to love it. He spent a couple of sessions at a church parking lot, just learning about the bike. He is very comfortable with it now.

I would stay away from the 600cc sport bikes (R6, GSXR, CBR-RR, etc.) - they corner very well ("flick"able) but have WAY too much power - they can literally kill you. The bigger ones will kill you faster.

I rode the ZR for about 2.5 months before getting the 'Strom. However, if you are tall and/or have long legs, the DL650 may just be right for you up front.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary, and I am still a "noob" at this...

[Aussie Stromer 1039]

Well I bet your completely confused now,welcome to the world of bike rideing,ask a question get 20 different answers because Everyone is different Its true most new ridders are going to scratch up there first bike, I did,its also true alot of experenced riders are also going to scratch up there bike,be it falling off the stand or that bloody oil on the road right in the middle of the corner that there was no way you could know about.Maybe Im a pesimist but reality is if you ride long enough your bike is going to get dinged up,that said a more forgiving bike can get you threw tricky spots that another bike will land you on your butt.I learnt on a GSX 400e some 23 years ago,it was brand new an survived fairly unscathed inspite of a few drops,I've also owned a Z750,XJ 650,Gs 450,Gs 500e and now the DL 650, some ended up on the ground,some didnt, and the reason, some of them could hang on and compinsate for my bad judgement of a situation.
Ive found the DL 650 to be a very forgiveing bike {only the Yamaha XJ 650 compaired with it } its engine brakeing before the corner and then smooth throtle on to give even power and traction I find very reasureing, enough power to get you either into or out of trouble depends on how you use it.
Like you Im no crotch rocket, 42 years old, 1 ticket in 23 years of rideing and I feel that was a bum rap The DL 650 is as close to the perfect bike for me as I have ever found and I wished I'd found it first off so Ill go against popular oppinion and say If it feels right for you go for it but be very very carefull untill you now the bike, also relise that anything from a 50cc scooter to the 2.3 litre rocket can and does kill people everyday, its not always "someone else" the reality is it might be you ,me or both of us and it might be we didnt do a single thing wrong but the end result is the same.
Now if we havent all scared you off the other thing I strongly recomened is somehow getting a test ride after you have your license,buying a bike without haveing a good test ride is a mistake in my opinion,Id also test ride as many different bikes as possible so you get a feel for there differences, dont let pretty looks or other peoples opinions make the dessicion it has to be right for you and you alone.

[Joe S.]

Having grown up riding dirt bikes then making the transition to street I do believe there is something to be said for the theory of dirt riding first. I know though that for many people they simply are not going to do that or perhaps it is impractical for them.
I do believe that you know yourself better than anyone. I think that if you take the MSF class and feel comfortable then I would get a bike and try to practice what they have shown you in a relatively unpopulated area. Don't just ride, practice the techniques you learned. Many, many people just go out and ride and never make any effort to continue working on refinement of what they have learned. In fact a goodly many people have no idea what they bike they are riding really does under maximum acceleration and hard braking. These are pretty useful things to know I can assure you.
You have the advantage of knowing what the rules of traffic are and the experience to know how to judge distance and other things that come with driving experience. I think if you get the bike technique pieces down that you will likely be able to navigate the streets successfully. It would be nice if you could find an experienced rider to spend some time with, not necessarily to learn from unless you actually know they are a competent rider themselves, but rather just to have someone around in case you do take a spill or something.
The other thing I have seen that I think is critical to the new rider is to curb any desire to compete. So many seem to feel that they have to 'keep up' with other riders. Ride your own pace and if you start feeling like these people are pressuring you to ride beyond what you believe to be safe then find new riding friends. I don't sense that you are the kind of person who will fall prety to this but its an easy thing to fall into so worth mentioning.
I hope you find the experience rewarding and exciting.

[MWValley]

Joe says...

So many seem to feel that they have to 'keep up' with other riders. Ride your own pace and if you start feeling like these people are pressuring you to ride beyond what you believe to be safe then find new riding friends.

Listen to this carefully! Truer words were never written. Even at higher levels of riding experience this can bite you in the butt. Last year I saw three instances in just two group rides where riders WENT OFF THE ROAD.
Among very experienced riders this is known as a "bad thing". ;-)

Why did it happen? They were trying to keep up with or pass faster riders. Most mercifully none of these guys were hurt and the bikes were only dinged moderately. The faster guys had no idea anyone was stuggling to keep up. No clue.

If you are a new rider and your friends want to ride with you, then YOU lead and don't worry about your hoser friends behind you. If they are good friends they'll hang back and leave you plenty of room.

Ride well, have fun, and learn a lot.

Jeff

[bikeslut]

I agree with the "dirt first" crowd. When you fall, and you probably will, they are easy to pick up, and scratches only add character. You can find a used xr/dr/klr for under 2 grand, ride it for a year, and sell it for more or less the same price. The dirt oriented dual sports are very forgiving assuming height (your lack of) is not an issue. The DL could get you in to trouble for a first bike... The "keep up with others" point is very valid, in regards to speed, terrain or type of ride.

[E-Man]

Thanks for everyone's advice-especially important until I can get out and ride myself.

I don't have access to dirt, but I do have a large parking lot nearby where I will be practicing my turns, head and eyes, etc.

Still to this point haven't found a bike less than $3000 locally that hasn't been dropped or doesn't need work or parts.

I would really rather spend $6000-$7000 on a new bike with a warranty rather than a bike for $5000 that has no warranty and riding wear on it.

Hopefully there will be a V-Strom available at my local Americade for a test drive, but I'm really considering getting it and just taking my time.

I really wish that there was a smaller version (in power) of the bike-sort of like what the GS500F is but with the standard riding position (new).

-Eric

[JRE]

Having grown up riding dirt bikes then making the transition to street I do believe there is something to be said for the theory of dirt riding first. I know though that for many people they simply are not going to do that or perhaps it is impractical for them.
I do believe that you know yourself better than anyone. I think that if you take the MSF class and feel comfortable then I would get a bike and try to practice what they have shown you in a relatively unpopulated area. Don't just ride, practice the techniques you learned. Many, many people just go out and ride and never make any effort to continue working on refinement of what they have learned. In fact a goodly many people have no idea what they bike they are riding really does under maximum acceleration and hard braking. These are pretty useful things to know I can assure you.
You have the advantage of knowing what the rules of traffic are and the experience to know how to judge distance and other things that come with driving experience. I think if you get the bike technique pieces down that you will likely be able to navigate the streets successfully. It would be nice if you could find an experienced rider to spend some time with, not necessarily to learn from unless you actually know they are a competent rider themselves, but rather just to have someone around in case you do take a spill or something.
The other thing I have seen that I think is critical to the new rider is to curb any desire to compete. So many seem to feel that they have to 'keep up' with other riders. Ride your own pace and if you start feeling like these people are pressuring you to ride beyond what you believe to be safe then find new riding friends. I don't sense that you are the kind of person who will fall prety to this but its an easy thing to fall into so worth mentioning.
I hope you find the experience rewarding and exciting.

Joe this is a good post. I've been trying to talk my wife into riding a dirt bike for a year to get her confidence back from her mishap. I firmly believe one of your best pieces of "safety gear" is your confidence. People who ride/drive scared can be a real danger to everyone else. He who hesitates is lost.

[TomG]

I bought my first street bike (ZR-7S) new because I'm pretty particular about my mechanical things and wanted to make sure it was in my care from mile 0. I knew that I might drop it and did after 4000 miles. Most bikes are made to drop which means that the bits that stick out are made to bend or break away without doing tremendous damage. Of course, it doesn't always work this way. :wink: I got lucky and only had to spend a couple of hundred dollars to fix the problems. The drop was due to entering a tight, uphill right hander way too fast and running out of lean angle.

Personally, I would view the DL-650 as a slightly better beginner bike than the ZR because of smoother power delivery, very stable handling, and good ergos. The height is a big minus, though. I've gotten a little off balance a few times when stopping or trying to back it up. All it takes is an oil spot and bad balance to get horizontal.

On a side note, have you looked at a Ninja 500? It's much closer to a standard than a sportbike in terms of riding position and lower/lighter than the DL.

[Aussie Stromer 1039]

I really wish that there was a smaller version (in power) of the bike-sort of like what the GS500F is but with the standard riding position (new).

-Eric

I got back into rideing after a 13 year break on a 2002 GS 500 and then went to the DL 650, I find the DL 650 a far more rider friendly bike than the GS, much more stable in the corners, none of the power lag the GS 500 had which left you coasting without full traction. not sure if it was all GS 500 but I heard a few people mention the problem.
The extra power I dont see as an issue as long as you use it responsably,
not a big difference in weight between the GS and the DL so seems to me if you feel the GS wouldnt be a problem the DL shouldnt be either.
After rideing both I feel the DL is a far safer and more forgiveing bike than the GS and alot of others I have ridden.

[K-Strom]

My DL650 is my first bike, but ive only riden it for 2 hours(havent got license yet) and so far i think its a great first bike as long as you got the height for it - that is you can flatfoot when sitting on it. Go easy on the throttle until you fell you know how the bike behaves and you should be fine.

K-Strom

[Penniless Printer]

...Because you have no idea what kind of a rider you will be, and it will be HIGHLY informative to fall off that dirt bike a few times. You will find out, like everyone who has ever ridden for a long time, that crashes are nothing like you imagine them to be. The way the bike feels is different than in a class demo. How you react [and you will react, not think much] will surprise you. How you part from the bike will surprise you further, especially if you don't make it off and end up pinned or trashed across the handlebars [think about hitting a windshield].

Zapp

I have been riding (off and on) since 1965. I have yet to "fall off" a bike. In a way I sometimes think that I've missed out on some valuable lessons. I DID run into the side of a car (within the first year of owning a bike) when the oncoming driver made a left turn right in front of me. I hit him right behind the front passenger door. Took out the front of my little Honda S-65. I learned that the earth is inhabited by some drivers with flawed driving skills... :?

I think that a formal course could be made manditory in gaining an operators licence, and perhaps the size of first bike owned should be limited to a smaller displacement. Today's small engines put out more than enough power to be real handful in the hands of beginners.

[CDN_RN]

The first time I rode a motorcycle was the MSF's day 1. The third time I rode a motorcycle was my brand new 1999 Kawasaki Drifter 1500. Use the course in your everyday riding and you can ride whatever YOU are comfortable with. Buy what you like!

[gargamel]

I have pretty much the same question, but every situation is different so I'll post my info too. I'm a big guy (6'3", 240 lbs, 34" inseam), but my experience on 2 wheels is limited to bicycles and a moped. I am hoping to take the MSF class next week (I'm registered as an alternate). At this point, the kawasaki ex500 and the v-strom 650 are probably my top 2 choices. I know the ex500 is a more traditional starter bike, but I'm not sure if my size would change what people would recommend or not. Is the dl650 reasonable for a big beginner, or would I learn better on a smaller bike? Thanks for the help.

[11ohio]

I'm in training to become a MSF instructor. I love my DL650. Its a great bike for a beginner or any rider! No other bike can do so many things as well as my V-strom. Great to take to work, great for weekend trips, great on bad roads, very comfortable, good power, very low cost.

[moto_potato]

gargamel,
While I think the EX500 is a good starter bike, IMO it is too physically small for you. Go sit on one and you will probably agree. While I don't usually recommend the DL650 as a beginner bike, it could be just the ticket for someone of your size. It handles well and is not too powerful. But as a beginner, be prepared for the day when you drop that shiny DL650 in your driveway or parking lot as often happens when we're learning to ride. Pick it up, dust yourself off, buy new blinkers and keep at it. Oh yeah, wear your protective gear!
moto_potato


I have pretty much the same question, but every situation is different so I'll post my info too. I'm a big guy (6'3", 240 lbs, 34" inseam), but my experience on 2 wheels is limited to bicycles and a moped. I am hoping to take the MSF class next week (I'm registered as an alternate). At this point, the kawasaki ex500 and the v-strom 650 are probably my top 2 choices. I know the ex500 is a more traditional starter bike, but I'm not sure if my size would change what people would recommend or not. Is the dl650 reasonable for a big beginner, or would I learn better on a smaller bike? Thanks for the help.

[gargamel]

Thanks to advice from this site and elsewhere, I decided to go for the dl650. I had preferred other bikes, but the combination of my height and my inexperience made it my best option even though I figured I'd ride it for two years and then upgrade to what I really wanted. I finished the MSF course and picked up the bike last month, then put about 400 miles on it up until last weekend. For my commute through Philadelphia, it met my expectations, but I still didn't consider it the ideal bike for myself.

Then this past weekend I had to visity family in my hometown in south central Pennsylvania and decided to ride the Strom (going out on a limb that my Grandmother wouldn't have a heart attack when she saw the bike). I figured that, since I had a dual sport bike anyway, I might as well try it out of a gravel road through the mountains. That was the first that I had been away from traffic, and the bike really started to grow on me. I'm not comfortable going very fast at all off the blacktop yet, but just winding up the mountain with nothing but trees on both sides was a blast. The gravel road spit me out on a twisty mountain road with perfect pavement that I never knew existed, even though it's only about 5 miles from where I grew up. I later found the road mentioned on a "best Pennsylvania motorcylce roads" website, but something about just stumbling across it made it even more fun. The only problem was that I was having too much fun and more than doubled my total mileage on the bike, so now I'm past due for my 600 mile service.

I've noticed that, since this weekend, I haven't been getting jealous when I see the bikes that I originally wanted. If I'd been on one of them, I'd have turned around when the road turned to gravel and I'd still probably think that riding in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is as good as it gets. Now, I'm thinking that I may never need to upgrade, because is it really an "upgrade" to get a bike that can do less than this one does? Basically, my point is that I'm loving the V-Strom and am very glad that I got great advice on here that nudged me in the right direction.

[USMC V-STROMMER]

Good job on picking the Strom as your 1st bike. I did the same thing and went through basically the same thoughts and feelings that you did prior to my purchase. Mine was a "back from Iraq" gift to myself. I was talking to an MSF instructor that I work with and he told me that he felt the Strom was a good starter bike. I definitely wasn't into the whole HD cruiser thing and a crotchrocket wasn't really my deal either. When I sat on the Strom my wife was like, "that's the one". I agreed and picked up my Strom the 1st week of March, took the MSF course on it the last week of March (it was tough having it sit around for 2 weeks but I managed) and now have 2800 miles on it. I am only 5'8" tall on a good day with 31 1/2 " inseam so I bought a new set of dogbones which lowered the bike almost an inch. I also raised the forks 15mm to complete the whole lowering process. So far it has been a great ride and I agree, it would be difficult to find something that would be worthy of being called an "upgrade". I am going to be in N.Y. in August. My hometown is up in the Adirondacks. My only regret is that I won't have my Strom there to ride. :cry: :cry: