What should I look for in a beginner bike?

Yamaha v-star 1100 cc $3000 if u search

Kawasaki Vulcan 800cc or bigger $2200

Honda shadow 1100cc $2500

Suzuki gs1100 cc ( more of a bobber or cafe racer type)

Or a Harley but in my opinion a vstar would b best (poor mans Harley but it's sick and half the cost if not less)... Just search n be patient and ull find a good bike under 30k miles and in some cases 15k miles for the price I listed

If you like cruisers, they have a lot of advantages. They're more comfortable for a big guy because you put your feet out in front of you, you don't tuck them beneath you. They are easier to handle for their size because they have a low seat and low center of gravity. So you could start bigger. And they support a relaxed, laid-back style of riding, you can't ride them too aggressively. And probably for that reason, they are statistically safer.

Another answerer suggested some big standards, like SV 1000 and ST 1300. Those are big heavy touring bikes, not ideal for a beginner. But you could handle a cruiser of the same weight.

Harleys are wonderful, but really expensive. I have this theory that the only people who ride Harleys are people who just wanted nothing but a Harley. They didn't want a -motorcycle-, they wanted a -Harley-.

The Japanese cruisers are a much better deal for the money. Honda Shadow, Kawasaki Vulcan, Yamaha Star, Suzuki Boulevard. A 750 would be about right to start on, very easy to manage and it has enough stamina to cruise at freeway speeds. A good general-purpose size.

I definitely believe your first bike should be a used bike. You're likely to be hard on your first bike. After six months or a year you can sell it for about what you paid for it, and by then you'll have a better idea what you really want.

Firstly you need to check your licence category for what you can actually ride on L plates. Then you can see what CC bike your entitled to ride.

If your not on L plates a good starter other than the 100cc stuff is probably a B M W K75 which you should be able to pick fairly cheaply. The ''Jap'' stuff is also an option but if your intending keeping the bike for a number of years and don't want to be spending silly money on servicing etc, the Be Ems are simple to service and don't devalue too much. Another option is older bikes, classics, etc., so buy a few issues of bike magazines to see whats on offer.

Some thing else you need to know, by 2018 all bikes cars etc., will be dealer service only by way of the electronic management systems that will by then be ''in''! So pick some thing that you will be able to look after your self. Not in to servicing? It's a doddle, check out courses at your local college.

Yamaha FJ1300. Honda ST1300. Suzuki GS1250A or V-Strom 1000. Any of the Kawasaki Vulcan's. If you like Harley's but want more power then their lame v-twin check out Victory Motorcycles.

Best bet is to just go to a dealer and sit on some bikes.

Idk