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first motorcycle?
chamberlain
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I know there are a few bikers around here somewhere...
What would be a good bike for someone just starting out? I am looking at the Harley Iron 883, but that really is just because I like how it looks, I don't know a whole lot about it. I assume I don't want anything to big and expensive, and any of the sportsters seem to fit. I am not dead set on a harley either, but living down the road from a dealership that also provides lessons and does repairs would have its benefits.
Where should I start?
What would be a good bike for someone just starting out? I am looking at the Harley Iron 883, but that really is just because I like how it looks, I don't know a whole lot about it. I assume I don't want anything to big and expensive, and any of the sportsters seem to fit. I am not dead set on a harley either, but living down the road from a dealership that also provides lessons and does repairs would have its benefits.
Where should I start?
chamberlain on
0
Posts
Huh?
Must be something I missed, because the Iron 883 looks pretty damn cool to me.
Maybe I'm gay?
But I can't say it enough, buy used for your first bike. If you're mechanically-inclined you have a bit more leeway, but if not just stick with something newer that hasn't been ridden too hard. Buying new for your first bike is just asking for a hassle. When (not if) you tip your bike over, or god-forbid crash, you're going to spend way more money on repairs on a newer bike than something used (though crashing a new naked street bike would probably cost less than a old, fully-faired super sport but you get the idea). The other benefit of buying used is you learn how to take care of your bike, so you're not always forced to take it back to the dealership for absolutely everything.
Non-bike related: The only other things I'd say are definite musts are taking an MSF course (or equivalent if you live outside of the US like me), and wearing the proper gear. At the bare minimum this should be a helmet, and ideally a proper motorcycle jacket. Even smarter would be proper biking boots and gloves and pants. I never ride without everything except proper pants (and even then it's thick carhartt jeans, and I understand the risk I take if I fall), and if I know I'm going on the highway or for a longer ride, I'll throw on my armoured pants too.
Then the other day in our morning meeting my boss (Who is a big time motorcycle enthusiast) was talking about how a client was trying to sell his "sportster" and everyone started making jokes about it being a wussy bike made only for girls and such.
I really don't know what else to tell ya, I own a KLX250, so street bikes are not really my thing...
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/New_Riders
Different bike, same principles.
AIM: Yarrfooey