Beginner Motorcycle for long distances.?

Any of the smaller displacement bikes by a major manufacturer will do.

Smaller and lighter is better at first. Easier to handle makes learning to handle easier.

Saddlebags can be found for most any popular model. Generic throw-overs work too.

Some guesswork puts your commute somewhere near an hour.

For that, you'll want an upright seating position.

A standard or a cruiser.

I had a 45 minute on the Interstate, or a little over an hour on the secondary roads.

I did it easily with two bikes - a '79 GS425L (cruiser version, 1" bigger front wheel, pull back bars and a stepped seat....whoopee, big diff) and an '82 XZ550RJ.

I could have, and would have, done it on a 250. I wouldn't have been quite as happy with it.

Yes, it was days past. But the engines that power the popular new bikes were here then.

I would recommend a twin cylinder, up to 650cc*.

Not an in-line four.

Maybe a thumper (I've always wanted one)

I like vertical twins for decent low end torque and smooth power delivery.

* The ONLY reason for me saying 650cc is the lack of 400 - 500cc bikes these days.

An older one in good repair would make a fine commuter.

You should get something like an HD sportster or some other type of cruiser. They are comfortable and they handle well. You could also go for the adventure touring motorcycle. It's gonna cost more but they are made for long distance and they are more forgiving than a street bike or somethin like that.

Crusiers suck as anything other than a fashion accessory. Take a good motorcycle course and then buy a Suzuki SV650, a great bike that is good for alot of things.

The cruiser style is a comfortable bike to ride. Look at one of the japanese V-twins, Honda Shadow Yamaha Verago, etc. You do know this means you ride in hot temperatures, rain whatever weather you have. Buy a good Snell approved helmet to go with it.

any of the bikes on this recommended bikes for beginners site...

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/MotorcycleIntroA....