Starter Motorcycle

[FPB111]

Suzuki Hayabusa? Great starter bike that will satisfy his needs for as long as he lives. If he gets tired of the sluggish acceleration he can always Turbo/super charge it for a little more getup and go.

https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2016-2017-suzuki-hayabusa-ar171191.html

[Tidybuoy]

I personally would recommend a 300cc range bike (this also depends on the size of your kid). I would also encourage the Highway Patrol safety course. I took that course prior to getting my bike and so I had my license before purchasing and had enough experience to buy and ride my bike home from the dealer.

I had never owned a bike but I did ride a Honda 750 for two weeks straight when I was in my early 20's and I had a mini-bike for many years as a kid (also had a moped). So, when I decided to purchase my BMW 1200cc at age 55, I was not exactly experienced but became very comfortable in a few months. I also have taken 3 safety courses and have learned a bit more each time. I currently have 15,500 miles on the bike.

Recently, I purchased a BMW G310R to have as a spare putt-putt bike. In reality, I almost never ride it because is it considerably slower than the big bike. Both bikes are about the same ride height but the 310 is shorter and definitely feels smaller. It also weighs about 180lbs lighter. It has plenty of power but you have to rev the engine pretty high to make it go.

Someone earlier on this thread stated that it's not the rider you have to worry about, it's the other vehicles on the road. That is very true which is why I feel much safer on the big bike. It can quickly pull away from a dangerous situation or pull ahead of traffic. The smaller bike will not pull forward nearly as quickly so I don't feel as safe.

The CHP safety course (#1) supplies the bikes and they were de-tuned Harley 500cc bikes. Very good bikes for learning. All the additional classes require your own bike.

[steve185]

Honda xr 650 L, lots of good used ones out there.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by steve185

Honda xr 650 L, lots of good used ones out there.

That big thumper is a beast that is very tall, and intimidating to a new rider....way too much torque/power for a beginner.

[Scott Douglas]

My personal experience was starting with a 1978 Yamaha XS400. Friend of mine and I bought two at the same time. Wasn't the best handling bike, so I discovered when I finally moved up to a 1980 Honda 750F. Kind of wish I'd started on that one as it handled really nice compared to the Yammy.
I'd read the reviews of any bike he's going to get and see which are considered the good handlers. It will make a lot of difference in gaining confidence riding.

[sammyg2]

The perfect starter bike: a kawasaki 750 triple two stroke.
Smooth predictable power, stiff frame with no wobble or flex, and no fork dive under hard braking!
Also perfect for destroying down jackets.



Or ....

[thingmon]

Nice bikes. A friend of mine from high school ran a similar bike into the back of a car. The car was backing out of a driveway... My friend was thrown over the car and walked away without a scratch. Lucky guy.

[thingmon]

We've had a number of discussions about the many people who've crashed and broken legs (cousin), BOTH wrists (friend), etc... I've know people who have had head injuries and lived, but were not the same people. Knew a couple kids who died crossing a rural highway on a minibike. I've also known quite a few who are lifelong riders...

I've never owned one. Closest I came was snowmobiles. They were a blast. Based on how I road mine, I wouldn't have lived long on a bike, though. I liked to jump things.

So, I am not encouraging it. It may partly be the coop job and related co-workers winding him up. We'll see.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

The new Honda Rebel has been redesigned as a cruiser, low seat, comfortable seating position, 300cc fuel injected twin (I looked at the 500 but talked myself out of it)

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/2017-honda-rebel-300-cruiser-of-the-year

My sole con to the new Rebel's pros is it's brand new and there are few suckier experiences than damaging a new bike. The previous Honda Rebel and Kawasaki 250 are what tons of people learned on, especially if you took a safety course. You can find barely ridden examples of the Rebel 250 for ~$2000 on pretty much every Craiglist page in America (there are 25 listed near me), and the Ninja 250 is close behind (14 listings). Harley's beginner entry, the Buell Blast, is also pretty inexpensive. He can do like the previous owners, ride it a few thousand miles to get the hang of things then sell it for about what he paid and move up.

This minimal investment strategy also works out in case he doesn't like riding, which sometimes happens.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

The perfect starter bike: a kawasaki 750 triple two stroke.
Smooth predictable power, stiff frame with no wobble or flex, and no fork dive under hard braking!
Also perfect for destroying down jackets.



Or ....

Sammy - I used to own both in the same colors. Road raced the red RD years ago....Sold the H2 as a project for $1,500 2 years ago......Want each again someday....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

]

I had the 500 with the gumby frame. Darn thing was always trying to kill me!

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

Someone earlier on this thread stated that it's not the rider you have to worry about, it's the other vehicles on the road.

I think I know what you mean but I respectfully disagree, at least in part. For sure other vehicles are the major concern but rider skill is essential. I've used torque and acceleration to get out of trouble far more often than the brakes. But a rider needs to know how to read trouble, make sure you have an exit set up and never go into a panic stop. So many times I've heard people say "I just had to lay her down" when in fact they were over riding the bike or their skill. That's why I ride with so few guys. They're the ones I know I can trust to watch my "6" or wait for me at turns , not try to touch a knee down on our rides or engage in squidly antics. Just my .02

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I had the 500 with the gumby frame. Darn thing was always trying to kill me!

Ha! My first bike was the 400 triple. Similar experience with the flexi-flier frame, and the rear drum that was only strong enough to hold the bike from rolling backwards on a hill.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Ha! My first bike was the 400 triple. Similar experience with the flexi-flier frame, and the rear drum that was only strong enough to hold the bike from rolling backwards on a hill.

Did the center cylinder on yours foul up in cooler weather? I always had to carry spare plugs in cold weather.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Dang, a lot to respond to.. He's a very responsible kid. That said, I'm not a huge fan of the idea, but he's hard -headed like his parents and has his own money. Budget is ~$5300 for the bike and gear. He's an electrical eng student and is putting in the research.... Riding would be around Waco & College Station, mostly. Wish we'd had the land and money to put into dirt bikes but didn't at the time. That is definately the way to start.

He just went through the safety course and got the endorsement (I think that added some fuel to the fire).

He's about 5'8" so, would likely be able to manage most any of those mentioned.

Still hoping common sense will win out but, if not, I may borrow it a lot. Ha.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Clearlake David PM me your number, if you get a chance. You know this guy from Scouts...

Dave Taylor
'63 Beetle

If it's around town and campus then I think a 400/650 dual sport bike would be perfect. Easy to ride and nothing to worry about if dropped.

If there is alot of highway miles then a 600 street bike would be in order. Agree with the SV recommendation or similar.

Please budget money for helmet, good boots, gloves, and jacket. Insist on AGATT (All gear all the time) when on the bike.

Best of luck!

[Smokerider]

I would totally discourage him, I'd buy him a convertible if I had to. I'm not against bikes I rode for 40 years, but through personal experience I've given them up. It's all fun until someone gets hurt. Sorry just my experience

[Smokerider]

Sammyg2 my friends all call me smokerider , now just smoke( no I've never smoker cigarettes) but I've owned dozens of H2's , still have 72. But have given up ridding and still can't bear to sell it

[vash]

a brand new rider; i wouldnt put on a vintage bike.

seems like the mechanical side shouldnt be on a newbies mind. just focus on the riding and developing some skills.

my friend. granted he isnt a 22 year old, but he is about as coordinated as a young child. he started out with a 800CC BMW adventure bike. yes, he dropped it..TWICE. both non moving newbie moves...you put the right foot down, bike leans to the left..etc.

now? he has logged damn near 15000 miles. i bet he rides better than i do. he lives in Denver, and we are planning a get together soon.

[thingmon]

Well, it's only been a year... This is what he ended up with... 300 Ninja. Nice little bike.

[Evans, Marv]

I agree with those who suggest starting with a dirt bike of 125 to 250 cc's. Dirt riding is just fun and requires/teaches great skills. One of the most important things to learn about street riding is how defensive you have to be 100% of the time.