Your First Motorcycle: What to Consider

Scenario #1:
You passed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) class, but just barely. You're still really nervous and skittish. You're on the small side, too, 5 feet 3 inches and under and most motorcycles feel really big to you.

Suggestion:
What many women in this situation end up doing is buying a smaller bike similar to the one they learned on in the training class. Suggestions include but is not limited to: a Honda Rebel 250, Honda Nighthawk 250, a Suzuki Boulevard S40, Suzuki GZ250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125cc, Buell Blast 500cc, Yamaha Virago 250cc. Since these are typically beginner bikes, quality used ones can often be found. Spend as much time as you need on this bike. You'll know when you've outgrown it and are ready transition to a larger motorcycle. Other than being able to learn more on a bike you can handle, other benefits include: insurance is less expensive on a used motorcycle and a smaller displacement motorcycle; if you drop it, you will probaby be able to pick it up.

Scenario #2:
You breezed through the MSF class. Riding a motorcycle came easier to you than you thought. You know you can handle a bigger bike, but everyone is telling you to start small.

Suggestion:
A common answer to this scenario is to start with a motorcycle that's on the low size of the middleweight category. This includes, but is not limited to: Harley-Davidson Sportster 883, Honda Shadow VLX 600cc, Honda Shadow Spirit 750 CS, Kawasaki Vulcan 500 or 750, Suzuki Boulevard M50, Yamaha V Star 650cc.A 600cc or higher is usually considered an aggressive entry level motorcycle or a step-up motorcycle for those skittish beginners. Many riders find this size machine to be their end-all machine because riders can customize it the way they want. Other riders outgrow this size. For the money, you generally, get a lot of motorcycle in this category.

Scenario 3:
You breezed through the MSF class and found that you're not really into the cruiser style motorcycles. You'd rather start on a standard, street-style machine.

Suggestions:
You'll be hard pressed to find an entry-level, low displacement motorcycle in this class, however, the middleweights that are in this class tend to be lightweight and are pretty easy to handle if you're seeking that kind of a ride. Suggestions include but are not limited to: BMW F 650 GS, Ducati Monster 696, Honda Nighthawk 750, Suzuki SV650, Triumph Bonneville 790cc, Yamaha FZ6 (600cc), Kawasaki Ninja 500 or 650R. Motorcycles in this category tend to have higher seat heights to allow for more ground clearance. A shorter inseamed rider should be a confident rider before hopping on one of these motorcycles.

Scenario #4:
Motorcycles have been in your life a long ime. Perhaps your dad or brother rode as a kid and maybe you rode dirt bikes growing up. You've only recently taken the MSF class. You feel confident you can ride just about anything and height isn't an issue for you.

Suggestions:
Cruisers that are 800cc and higher are for new riders who, we say, possess the three M's - muscle, mental confidence and miles under them -- perhaps from riding a dirtbike. There are a variety of motorcycles with varying seat heights in this category. Often, the more powerful the motorcycle the lower the seat height (big touring bikes excluded). Some suggestions include but are not limited to: Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider, Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Low, Honda Shadow Spirit 1100cc or Sabre, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, Yamaha V Star 1100 or 1300, Suzuki Boulevard S83, BMW R 1200 GS, Buell XB12Scg. One benefit to starting out on a larger motorcycle, you're less likely to trade it in as you gain confidence.

Scenario #5:
You took the MSF class and realize you want a sportbike not a cruiser.

Suggestions:
Only a few manufacturers are making true sportbikes for entry level riders. Those models are: Kawasaki 250R, Kawasaki 500R, Suzuki Katana 600. Beginner sportbikes are defined as those with a low seat height and/or small displacement. Larger than these motorcycles, you're into a full blown sportbike.