I am in my 50's and am looking for my first motorcycle. What is easier to learn on, cruiser or sport bike?

Perhaps a standard or "naked" bike would be better. A naked bike, like a Suzuki SV650 or Yamaha FZ6, will give you a more upright, neutral riding position. Cruisers are heavy and handle slower, whereas a pure sportbike will lean you over the tank and may be uncomfortable. The other thing about sportbikes is that they have VERY tight handling, and they will do exactly what you accidentally tell them to!

Your FIRST stop, no matter what bike you choose, is to the local motorcycle store to buy a helmet, jacket, and gloves. Long pants are a must, and motorcycle specific overpants are FAR better than jeans (trust me). As long as you have good leather boots that cover your ankles you'll be OK starting out, but some good riding boots will keep you from breaking your ankle or toes when your bike falls over (trust me on this, too).

Then you sign up for an MSF course. No whining, no "But that's for young kids!" excuses. Motorcycling is completely different from driving a car, and if you don't understand the differences you'll soon be another one of the growing "older first-time rider" statistics.

Buy a book titled "Proficient Motorcycling" either online or at a bookstore. It runs about $25, but it could save your life. Do all of these things (MSF course, full gear, excellent book), and you will be prepared to handle rain, wind, random animals, blind corners, moronic drivers, being cut off, gravel, bugs and heavy traffic. Because any one of them, on any given day, can take you out.

Learn the right way, and enjoy the ride!

get a retro style 'naked' bike. its more upright riding position is easier to learn on than cruiser or sport bike. Take a look at used market as you may want to move to a different style within a few months. If your not going to be wheelieing etc look at something around 500/650cc, bigger engines can get you into trouble real easy andf the bikes are physically bigger and heavier ( dont know where you are but a 500lbs plus bike in the rain isnt fun for a novice) Get a rier training course, rent a bike to do it as you may find it isnt what you really want. DONT try and ride as though your in a car, you WILL get hurt. Dont listen to the 18/19 yr olds with more balls than brains. (I'm 49) bikermoj has right answers.

You'd want a cruiser. The riding position on most sport bikes will not be comfortable. A lot of your upper body weight is supported by your arms on a sport bike and if you ride for a long time it can be a problem.

-I like the answer "1crazepj" gave. Definately don't learn on a sport bike. They are quick turning and unforgiving if you make a mistake. They're more for experienced riders, with a need for speed.

-A cruiser bike is closer to a beginner, learner bike. One draw back is they are a little sluggish in the handling department. They take a little extra effort to get them to do what you want, like turn. They have a low center of gravity. That makes them easy to hold up and don't feel as heavy as other types of bikes. But because of the handling charecteristics, you're constantly turning the handle bars trying to keep them upright.

-A "naked" bike (I call them a standard or straight sit up & down bike) is the best choice to learn on. It's a comfortable riding position. Not laying down on your stomach like on a sport bike and not stretched out like you're riding an easy chair LOL as with a cruiser

You'll be sitting straight up and down and not fighting the bike to keep it on 2 wheels. They're fairly well balanced which will make it easy to control and not feel to heavy at the same time.

-I ride dirt bikes, so I'm not biased against which model type is the best. I repair and ride all types. They each have their good and bad qualitiys. It just depends on what you want to use it for and your own personal prefrence.

-For a learner bike, I wouldn't recommend going any larger than a 650. They have plenty of power if you plan on keeping it. Go any larger and weight becomes a negative factor for learning.

-Whatever you decide on, ENJOY!!!

If you have never rode a motorcycle then the easiest to learn on is the lightest. If you have a cruiser and you drop it. It will cost more to repair. Also you need to take a motorcycle learners course. It will be easy er for you to get your License. Some of the courses furnish the bike to learn on.

Sport bike is lighter in weight, has better acceleration, and easier to get around in traffic.

The cruiser is more comfortable and is less tiring on a long road trip.

If you've never riden a motorcycle before I'd recommend you try both before you decide which one suits you the best.

Start with a cruiser and stay with one. I learned on a sport bike, but when I get older, I got my eyes on a cruiser.

Unless you are a very fit 50 I would go with a cruiser. The position sportbikes put you in is not exactly comfortable, and if you have a belly on ya then you look funny too.

I think a cruiser would be easier to learn on. It is more comfortable than a sport bike. If you get a cruiser, get one with enough engine c.c.s that you won't grow out of too quickly. Somewhere upwards of 750 to 1100 cc. If you get a sport bike, 600cc is plenty fast.

Which ever you prefer. Sport bikes throttles are a bit more responsive, they are light, and pretty fun to ride.

Cruisers are like riding tractors in my opinion. Not particularly responsive to the throttle twist, can be fun to ride but not as much as the sporties.

It really comes down to your prefrence.