A question for motorcycle owners.....?

The STANDARD answer is to get a Rebel, mostly ecause it will fit your build, has a small engine and is, frankly, one of not many motorcycles aimed at the first-time rider in the US. A BETTER answer, imho, is that it depends on YOU. As I mentioned a moment ago, the market for small motorcycles has eben rather neglected for the last few years because of the Harley (and similar cruiser bikes) mania that's been going of the last ten or twenty years.

Here are a couple of things to ponder, that may be helpful in your search for answers:

Are you going to buy a new or a used motorcycle? If you are willing to look at older motorcycles and have a friend with some mechanical ability, you may be able to find an older Honda in the 350-450 cc engine size range that's in good running condition for a reasonable price. The old Honda CB motorcycles are pretty dependable and seem to have a long life, especially with proper maintenance. I've owned a number of Honda motorcycles that were twenty years old and had minimal mechanical problems with them, other than a tendency for the battery to go bad when they sit un-ridden for a while.Whatever you buy, make sure that you are comfortable sitting on it, and ensure that your feet can touch the ground without making you feel unsteady.

If you are thinking of getting a newer bike, PLEASE smile and ignore any suggestion from your friends that a motorcycle with a large engine is a good choice. Although you will likely want something bigger after you have a little experience, I generally advise MY friends to get a motorcycle with an engine that is on the smaller side. Until you get used to riding, you will probably find that a smaller bike is simply easier to control. As far as specific motorcycle models, there's a page here (http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/bg-models-under40... that shows some example bikes to consider.

Also, you asked about motorcycles, but have you considered a scooter as an option? There are quite a few scooters on the market that have an automatic transmission so you don't have to shift gears. You simply twist the throttle and go. The so-called "maxi-scooters" (typically considered to be scooters that have an engine of 250cc or more) are quite nice, both for beginners and for experienced riders. (I recently traded my Goldwing for a Kymco Xciting because of some back problems that were making the Wing too unwieldy for me to feel safe riding it.) The maxi scooters typically have large seats and a comfortable riding position. If you decide to check some of the maxi-scooters out you will probably want to stick with a name brand, such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa or Kymco. There are also a bunch of scooters in the 150-200cc range that would likely work for you and might fit your height a little better than the maxi scooters. Again, go sit on 'em and see what you think.

Where are you going to ride? If you plan to ride on the freeways, make sure that whatever you buy is adequately powered to keep up with the rest of the traffic. As a point of reference, although some people feel that they are a little too small, I personally think that any of the 250cc or larger scooters are probably adequate for city freeway driving. I'm 6'-4" and rode my Honda Helix on the Seattle freeway system for a couple of years without any exciting misadventures.

Finally, if you haven't already planned to do so, you REALLY should take a motorcycle safety course. It doesn't cost very much (in Washington, for example, it's only about $75) and you will learn a bunch of stuff that will make you a safer and more confident rider.

I'm sure that there will be people that disagree with my advice, so I WILL remind you that sometimes advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. Ultimately, you need to buy a bike that YOU like that will suit YOUR needs. Good luck in your search. (You are going to LOVE it, by the way!)

Best thing for starting out, take the Motorcycle Foundations Safety Cource. MSF for short. They give incredible "LIFE SAVING" Information and really show you how to ride safely. I took it, and I'm taking the Advance Rider Cource in about a month.

Anyhew, for a good beginner bike that depends on what you want. For a Sport's bike look, everybody will say the Kawasaki Ninja 250. Good power for a beginner, and the newer ones will have enough power to propel somebody with your build over 100mph.

A good Cruiser - Either a Honda Rebel or me being a Suzuki Rider, a Suzuki GZ 250. Both bikes are very similar in size, power, price. Honda has more of a Reliability Stigmata where as Suzuki is more of a sporty nameplate.

I would avoid anything below 250cc. The engines will be to weak for travling on highways, to say nothing of interstates.

I bought a Suzuki S40 Boulevard Cruiser. It's a little larger, just a bit heavier, and has a more powerful engine then the 250 Cruisers. With 30 HP it is no speed demon at all, but with my 290 pound gerth I get up to 85 MPH on the interstate and still get 50+ MPG. If you want a Cruiser with a bit of power for after your not a Beginner, then that might be a good choice. One other bonus to the S40. It's a single cylinder, and they have been building them for EVER! So it's about as simple and reliable as you can get.

Whatever you choose, ride safe and have a blast! :)

A 250 cruiser bike I would not own a rebel. I always suggest a Kymco Venox or a Hyosung GV250 both are outstanding bikes and are good around town bikes. Not china bikes. Priced right not paying for a big Brand name and just as good. Take you MSF course and wear a helmet. But above all look at what is out there and decide what is best for you. ALso the two that I have mentioned both get over 60mpg and run better than the other 250 motorcycles.

Take a course where they provide the motorcycle and determine if you like riding and if it's for you first.

Then get out there and try as many as you desire but remember Rebels and Virago's in the 250 range are rather chincy little bikes that many many people end up trying to sell simply because they are under powered and too small.

Just ride a bike before you buy one because I can't tell you how many people get disappointed and then end up having a bike they don't care to use.....

Honda Shadow 750, Yamaha Virago 250, Harley Sportster 883, Yamaha 650 Silverado (comes with windshield and leather saddlebags) at the same price as the Honda Shadow which does not have theses options.

While I am anti helmet laws, I do think everyone needs a good helmet. Also a good leather jacket, leather gloves and leather over the ankle boots. 95% of the time, I don't ware my helmet. But I will ware it, in the rain and cold weather. I put on my leather jacket and gloves, mostly at night and cold, or wet weather. The boots, are a must all the time, for shifting and braking. The boots must be leather, over the ankle. Slip on, zippered or Velcros, no laces. They must have a 1 inch or higher heel, with a metal shank and a non slip sole. I can not stress enough how important, a good pair or riding boots are.

My daughter commutes 48 miles (round trip) on a Yamaha 250 Virago (V Star).

A friend rides and swears by her Kymco 250 Venox .

Both of these bikes will do highway speed. They are hardly, "chinzy little bikes", by the way.

The Yamaha 250 Virago has a low seat Height as well.

Take a MSF course and they will provide the motorcycle for training. They usually use a 250cc cruiser. Then go to a dealer and sit on several bikes. You should be able to find one that is right for you.

Honda CG125