Some advice on my first Bike

[Polito]

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Hey guys,

First off i'm new to the community. Glad to see their is a great forum for the GTA!!

I have really found a lot of the stickies to be very informative, and have read a couple of the guides including the "New Rider, First Bike" thread.

I feel as though the thread focuses mainly on sportbikes, and staying away from bikes with more power for a beginner. My question is does the same information and advice be applied to different style of bikes? (cruisers, sportsters etc)

I am very curious as to if a Suzuki S40 would be a good starter bike. I am willing to hear everyone's opinion and am looking to see if anyone else here has experience starting with this specific bike, or a bike similar.

Hope this makes all makes sense!!

**Info about me. I'm 6'0, 210lbs, 20 years old and have wanted to ride for as long as I can remember. I'm going for my M1 in one week, and currently hold my G2 (booking my G test in a week).

Thanks ahead of time for your advice.

 

[ViperZ]

Get your M2 and sign up for demo days for the manufacturers that you're interested in (watch for announcements on this site, or check brampton powersports, I think their demos are all listed there).

 

[Mina]

Cruisers are a lot more forgiving than a high CC SS.
I think you'll be OK on an S40 but as stated in the post above, give demo days a shot and see if there's anything else that interests you/suits you better.

Good luck!

 

[DemonPig]

Remember that some cruisers, as you go up in CC, are quite heavy and may be awkward for a beginner.
Personally I don't like cruisers much because they don't handle so well and the 90 degree angle, legs forward sitting position kills me. However, there are some more nimble ones available.
I rode my dad's first cruiser - Kawasaki Vulcan 500, very affordable, surprisingly zippy. I also owned a Honda Magna VF750 which was a quite fast power cruiser with its only flaw being a thirsty engine and a tiny fuel tank; no gauge nor indicator. Both motorcycles have sport bike derived engines which increased their functionality. Vulcan from a EX500 and Magna from a VFR800.

Cruisers generally don't accelerate as harshly as sport bikes so that is not something that you should worry about, even with more powerful ones. You still get penalized for more CCs though when it comes to insurance. That's why I suggested the 2 bikes above, considering they keep up with motorcycles with much larger displacement due to their specific nature.

S40 will be quite sluggish. It's an underpowered thumper, very outdated. Brakes on the weak side. It may be too small for you as well. It is a simple, reliable bike though and very light for a cruiser. What's your price range?

 

[MacDoc]

OP - first thing is to check what your insurance rates will be on various sizes of machines before you even consider choosing a ride.

Under 100cc as a starter gets you the cheapest rate and yeah you look a bit goofy the first year but it might be worth it ( son had to go through that ). Yamaha BWs are cheap to buy and insure and fun to ride and super cheap on fuel.

I'm trying to find something suitable for my step daughter in Aus where insurance is cheap but limits on what a new rider can take on the road so I've been looking around in the 250 -400 category.

Given your size you might consider a modest dual sport of some sort as they generally have full sized frames.
I'd also suggest you actually take an off road course at some place like MotoPark and for sure take the training courses offered.
Something like a 230 Honda Dual sport ( there are quite a few brands and models ) will be fun for you, upright seating and fit your frame and if you dump it - hey they are made for that.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...cross-Street-leagle-induro-W0QQAdIdZ478768031

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=478768031&Keyword=250

Classic upright seating will give you better control while learning and as mentioned the small cruisers are small....which is a potential for my step daughter but I'd say wrong approach for you.

If you really want the look - a Rebel 250 may fit you okay while keeping reasonably upright.

here is one for $2200 asking but you want to sit on them first.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-choppers-2001-Honda-Rebel-W0QQAdIdZ478935332

 

[Rossxxxxx]

OP

The only way to know what bike is right for you is to get up close. Ergonomics are number one. If you are not comfortable or you can't access the controls easily you won't be happy. Every body and every bike is different. Cruiser and standard bikes are perfect for me but a sports bike kills my back and shoulders.

Most bike shops will let you sit on a bike if you ask and take care not to scratch or scuff. Also consider taking your M2 at RTI. They provide several styles of bikes as part of their course and you can try different models for real. You will have a much better idea about what bike would be best.

Once you have narrowed your choices to two or three, talk to an insurance person to find out what the costs will be. Shop around as there is sure to be variation.

 

[cbcanada]

I am 6'1 just dropped to 195 so i know where you are coming from. BUT comfort is a very personal thing. It depends a lot on you and how your body is, i have rode cb125, cb200, and a 250... Not going to say they were "comfy" but cant say they were not comfy either.

They were okay, i rode them for a long time and didnt suffer.. So they must be okay...

 

[Polito]

Hey guys thanks for all the info!

I definantly understand the importance of comfort for my first bike and being able to reach everything. I'm very open to going to some shops and finding a good bike for me. Would any of you recommend a good bike shop in the city which i could sit down and get a feel for bikes? I live in Scarborough, don't mind driving out to find a good place though.

What would you guys say is the best M2 course in the city?

**To give you and idea of my taste, I'm a chopper/bobber kinda guy. I love the look of mean bikes. Now I know my first bike will be nothing like those at all haha, but just to give you and idea that I'm definantly not a sport bike kinda guy.

*** forgot to say my budget is 4000-5000 max.

thanks again for all your info!!

 

[ViperZ]

Hey guys thanks for all the info!

I definantly understand the importance of comfort for my first bike and being able to reach everything. I'm very open to going to some shops and finding a good bike for me. Would any of you recommend a good bike shop in the city which i could sit down and get a feel for bikes? I live in Scarborough, don't mind driving out to find a good place though.

What would you guys say is the best M2 course in the city?

**To give you and idea of my taste, I'm a chopper/bobber kinda guy. I love the look of mean bikes. Now I know my first bike will be nothing like those at all haha, but just to give you and idea that I'm definantly not a sport bike kinda guy.

*** forgot to say my budget is 4000-5000 max.

thanks again for all your info!!

For M1 exit course to get your M2, find whichever college is closer to you and whichever still has time slots left. They are all very good and equally good. As someone pointed out, some of these colleges offer variety of 2-3 bikes, and some only give you a choice of 1. Humber, for example, offers Virago 250 cruisers, so if you like cruisers and close to either Humber North or Hershey Center, go to Humber.

To sit on the bikes, GP Bikes in Whitby in the east end has great selection, Brampton powersports in Brampton has great selection in the north-west.

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