First Big Bike (another thread, but maybe new questions)

[Gold]

Hi.

My first post here. I am very new to biking and looking from advice on what I can go for in my first larger bike. It may not be the advice I want to hear, but I'll try and heed it. And I know that these threads come up again and again, but I have some questions I haven't quite been able to answer through reading other ones.

I have no experience on larger bikes and only limited experience on bikes total. I have yet to actually do my direct access (am in the UK btw).

Firstly, I am 6'1" and weigh around 240lbs, I'm pretty strong. I want to know if that means smaller bikes wont be as suitable or if my build gives me a little more leeway in getting a larger bike sooner. Secondly, I'm 35 and actually still pretty scared of bikes and probably always will be. So when I see posts advising people not to get a bigger bike too soon, I wonder how much of that is because they are harder to handle, and how much of it is the expectation that you put some eighteen year old on a powerful bike and they're going to open it up and be reckless. That's really the last thing I want to do. My intention is to spend a lot of early mornings when it's quiet riding around and just getting comfortable with my bike and getting everything to come a bit more automatically.

And the third thing, I guess, and the biggest thing, is that I'm interested in going the cruiser route. I find them more comfortable and I like being lower. I'm reading mixed things on this. Some people say a cruiser is the last thing a beginner should be riding and other places I read how much easier it is to handle a cruiser at low speeds. Someone also said that when they're talking about "shouldn't get a bike 600cc" sort of comments, they're talking about sportsbikes, not cruisers.

Given some of the above - particularly the bit about not opening it up and using its full capabilities, the question comes up as to why I want to get a bigger bike so early. Partly it's that I don't want to have to go through the selling process again and the extra cost when I already know that I want to end up on a larger bike. But it would also be really handy if I can get up to the sort of bike I can comfortably ride down the motorway and pile a little more luggage on. The bike isn't going to be for fun - I need it for transport and the more its capable of the better. A little bike is going to limit how much use I can get out of it. I'd also like to be able to handle a pillion rider for longer distances, but I'm not going to be giving anyone rides until I feel a lot safer. I'm less worried about just injuring myself than I am someone I care about.

At the moment I don't actually own a bike. Once I've done the direct access, I'll be buying one. As I'm interested in cruisers, I've noticed the Honda Rebel as a little bike. But I don't think it could manage a motorway and I'm not sure how well my build will fit with it. I like Triumphs and if it were possible to go straight to it, I like the Triumph Speedmaster (potentially, subject to a test ride . The dreambike would be the Triumph Thunderbird, but my very experienced friend just made a hmmmm noise when I mentioned it.

That's a really long post. Sorry. What does anyone think? Particularly about the difference cruisers make for newbies and if the fact I'm in my mid-thirties can lift the restrictions slightly? A smaller bike may simply not meet the needs I have for it in terms of distance, weight, motorway riding. But I am very concerned about not taking too big risks.

Thanks!

G.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[skimmed]
You ride a pushbike ok?
I can..always been ok on pushbikes. Lock a wheel..sliding..aware..scanning ahead...that kind of thing helps...and balance.

You're grownup. get on the thing and ride it. don't be feared of them. And if you do get a cruiser..don't paddle it around looking like a dying paralympic athlete... *ride that hog like the latent lez you are.


*This is inoffensive and permitted on BCF.
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[Gold]

[Billo63]

The time to start thinking about which big bike to get is when you are actually able to ride one.

For now just concentrate on completing DAS & obtaining license.

Then & only then should you start looking at a big bike as your options will be unlimited & regardless of what bike you may/may not have in mind today, you could possibly hate the bloody thing once you're sat on it.

1, Complete DAS
2, Complete mod 1 & mod 2
3, Smile like a rabid fish wife for umpteen days
4, Look at bikes knowing that you can legally & actually ride what ever tickles you.

Good luck & keep updating progress
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I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[Knightsy]

Ninja 250r
I'm 6'6'' and I've rode it for a year with no major problems
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[Nick 50]

Don't get a 09' Versys 650 (restricted :/). They make you want to get too friendly with car bumpers ..........


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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......