First Motorcycle?

[Ted Hoppe]

I am 6'1, and 175 lbs. Once I am very comfortable I will sometimes have a passenger.

In terms of style I am drawn to the 70's Honda CBs, the earlier bmws, and the only modern bike I have seem that I really like the looks of is the Suzuki TU250 I don't want a collectors item though, it might sometimes get parked in the rain (not if I can help it) etc..

Tim -

I have been a rider for a long time, your size and do ride like your proposing. here's some of my input - every bike has it's pluses and mineses. a modern 250 cc scooter is an incredible machine with passenger capabilities and some luxuries of touring. I live and love my bmw boxer as it is go anywhere bike and more over I get to ride with exceptional folks (airheads) from time to time. a dual purpose KLR or gs bike rarely does more than a fire road and most likely goes 90 percent of where a person takes a scooter.

here are some questions you need to ask sincerely. Can I sit and ride X bike for more than an hour without pain? what kind of riding do you think about beyond the 3 to 6 mile commute - with friends, adventure, tour or economy? Does my significant other or potential date want to ride on the pillion for more than a Starbucks run with begging, hesitation or argument?

any bike with good tires, reasonable fuel ranges and an air pump can go nearly anywhere. you will be happy only if when you close your eyes and imagine yourself on the bike, road and noting how you feel matches the bike you own. The funny thing is you will either chose to have several or go through a series of bikes for the biking daydreams you will foster.

[P-man]

somebody mentioned the small Suzuki 650 cruiser (the S40). i have one of those and i think someone 6'1" would be too crowded. i'm only 5'9" and sometimes wish i had more legroom. i was also interested in the TU250 when i decided to get back into riding, but couldn't find one at any nearby dealers to look at. i don't think i've ever seen one on the road. it's a shame there really aren't a lot of choices in midsize all purpose bikes. i may just have to put my old CB450 back together one day...

[Norman Bernstein]

somebody mentioned the small Suzuki 650 cruiser (the S40). i have one of those and i think someone 6'1" would be too crowded. i'm only 5'9" and sometimes wish i had more legroom. i was also interested in the TU250 when i decided to get back into riding, but couldn't find one at any nearby dealers to look at. i don't think i've ever seen one on the road. it's a shame there really aren't a lot of choices in midsize all purpose bikes. i may just have to put my old CB450 back together one day...

The solution to that might be to install aftermarket foot controls. I did this, on my Magna, and it made a big difference in comfort (I', 6' myself). I felt a lot more comfortable being able to stretch my legs out.

[Henning 4148]

BMW G 650 GS. The single cylinder. Why not second hand with reasonable mileage. It should meet all your motorcycle needs for several years. It is light enough to lift if fallen over, it is fast enough for the highway, it is powerfull enough for two, it can carry enough lugage for a simple tour, it can be driven on gravel roads and the economics are ok.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

The OP's suggestion of a 250cc single cylinder four stroke might work just fine.

The spec sheet says - about 350lbs - and nothing about the power output - but an educated guess would be in the region of 20-25 bhp.

Credential check - I have logged nearly a quarter of a million miles on powered two wheelers - all weather, year round and every kind of road and traffic. On bikes from 100cc to 1,000cc - two-stroke single, twin, inline triple and V-Four - Four Stroke - single, twin, triple and four.
That's not quite "Every kind of rig that's ever been made" - but getting close.

My two favourites were.
1 - R75/7 BMW - and effortless mile-eater which can still be scratched across the mountain, and the weapon of choice if you want to put 250 miles between breakfast and lunch.

2 - Yamaha RD200DX - 350lbs and 20 brake horse - in a nimble package with good brakes and excellent ergonomics - fine short haul commuter - fun in the hills and still capable of putting an honest 450 miles into a single day (BTDTGTTS) - If the machine fits you like a glove, and the power delivery suits your riding style, this can be a recipe for lots of fun.


Warning - my all time least favourite bike was a 250cc four stroke twin (1981 Honda SuperDream) - which claimed 29 bhp at 10K rpm but below 8K wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding - evil dangerous thing for me in traffic.

Motto - book a test ride.

[PeterSibley]

BMW G 650 GS. The single cylinder. Why not second hand with reasonable mileage. It should meet all your motorcycle needs for several years. It is light enough to lift if fallen over, it is fast enough for the highway, it is powerfull enough for two, it can carry enough lugage for a simple tour, it can be driven on gravel roads and the economics are ok.

An excellent bike and something I may soon own but perhaps not as a first bike . Smaller and lighter is good.

[P-man]

The solution to that might be to install aftermarket foot controls. I did this, on my Magna, and it made a big difference in comfort (I', 6' myself). I felt a lot more comfortable being able to stretch my legs out.

thanks, Norman. i'll check that out.

[Lew Barrett]

Since we're recommending a first bike to someone, why in the world would you want to disqualify a selection because it 'won't pull a wheelie'? I should think that you'd want to discourage that very thing, for a new rider!

I never recommended pulling wheelies nor a bike that will do so, Norm. In fact, if you read me, you will see that I recommend away from anything with big horsepower. If there is a single first bike that will do what Timm asks, one that will get the nod of approval from most experienced long distance riders, it has to be something like either the KLR or some version of the F650. I would go KLR if it were my first since it will be cheaper to fix after being dropped. I like the DR recommendations as well. I'm sure you didn't read that in my earlier posts.

I'm just saying that some of the bikes mentioned, notably the V Strom, can be coaxed into wheelie on demand mode by a determined rider. That will not be so easy on the KLR or F650. If you read my posts, you will see that I mention something you are likely to find underwhelming; a 250 Ninja. I suspect it will be too small for Timm, not because it doesn't have adequate power (when spun) but because the frame is diminutive. As for the value of weight on a bike, we have significant differences of opinion there as well, especially for a new rider.

All will be answered for anybody with patience by a few visits to shops and some consideration of how many steps a new rider is prepared to make in achieving something he can live with longer term. I suggest it be done in steps; that is the traditional approach to achieving comfort and facility with a motorcycle. For the brief as outlined in the OP, any of the 650 singles will do, but in most countries a new rider isn't even allowed to take a pillion until a full license is granted. US licensing tests and requirements are a joke compared to what, for example, the English require, and were a new rider to be in England, he would be mandated by law to take it in turns. There is some good method there. I am not up on the latest MOT requirements for new riders, and I have always thought they maybe went a bit slower than most people would prefer, but they do turn out some really skilled pilots.

We are at significant odds here. As for cruiser/bruiser versus some other style of bike, that really comes down to a matter of taste, but as far as "handiness" goes few can argue that braking power and handling prowess are the forte of the American style machinery. Our stuff, by dint of long wheelbase and lazy fork geometry tends to favor stability at highway speeds. Unfortunately, extreme fork rake and other such trappings usually come at the expense of frame rigidity and, if not that, the ability to make easy and rapid changes in direction.

It's all what you are used to or what your priorities are, but I suspect what is really being argued here, once you get that I am not advocating for a GSXR as a first bike, is the cruiser versus everything else argument. For me, cruisers never win that battle. I would go on to say....again....that of the cruisers, a Magna or Sabre style bike would probably be a first choice for me. Neither would be my recommendation for a new rider and I am unlikely ever to own a cruiser unless somebody wills me a Crocker.

[StevenBauer]

Let's try to pin down the specifics here. A few basic questions for Timm. New or used? Something to restore? Or just twist and go? General price range? So far we've had all kinds of suggestions. Can we pare things down a bit?


I saw Triumphs mentioned above. I have no experience riding them but I love their looks. I also think the Urals and Royal Enfields look cool, too. My first bike was a Yamaha 350. I don't think anyone even offers a 350 in this country now.

[George Jung]

Good post/points, Lew. I suspect most of here have recommended 'what we know', and at least in my case, my exposure is limited. I know you've ridden some of the cream of the crop of bikes, and undoubtedly know more about them than most of us. I'd agree on the 700 Sabre - not a good first bike. It's heavy (difficult to lift by yourself if you tip it - don't ask), but has enough HP to get you into trouble; my complaint is the suspension seems the weak link. First starting out is where it'll bite ya; survive for awhile, unscathed, and you know its capabilities. My brother had the V65 Sabre (1100, ? 145 HP?); I liked that bike, primarily for the superior suspension. But it was a bit unnerving to look down and find yourself cruising alot faster than it felt. I've never ridden the Superbikes/roadrockets; they're just nuts. I still like the idea of the sized-down bike, though for this guys size, getting one to fit may be challenging. BTW, anyone got a pic of the Ural? That Royal Enfield looks intriguing.

[Lew Barrett]

George there are a lot of guys here with a lot of miles under them, and a good number have weighed in. The forum is a trove of arcane bike stuff, just as it is for cars and planes. I am not unique here by any means. But I am chatty!

Whatever a new rider does, it should be done in measure with the understanding that the best first bike needn't be the best bike ever.

[Bob Adams]

I rode one of these on and off road when I was much younger:



Did better off road than you might think....180 2 stroke was pretty quick. Wish I still had it.

[purri]

As I understand it the OP has ridden though some time back. Probably a refresher course is warranted on a 250cc then move to a torquey mid size dualsport like the Wee Strom.

[StevenBauer]

Here are some Ural pics, with a video bonus:

Ural T:





Here's the Ural Patrol, with 2 wheel drive!


The Ural comes without the sidecar, too:


Or the Royal Enfield w/ hack:


If I were in the market for a bigger bike right now I'd look at the new Honda NC700X. It's got Honda's new 670cc parallel twin engine that is optimized for efficiency, not power. And it's pretty reasonably priced with a MSRP of $6,999.


You can get it all farkled out but that'll be extra:

[George Jung]

Oooh! I like that Ural and RE. Time to see if I can locate one...

[StevenBauer]

If you are thinking new and planning on spending some coin any of the new maxi scoots would handle that 2 hour ride with ease.

Honda's Integra has the same 670cc parallel twin as the NC700x:



Or one of the new BMW scoots, also parrellel twins:

The C 600 Sport:



Or the C 650 GT:

[George Jung]

Look, I know those 'scooters' are really motorcycles.... but they don't 'feel' like it. Know what I mean?

[TimmS]

Let's try to pin down the specifics here. A few basic questions for Timm. New or used? Something to restore? Or just twist and go? General price range? So far we've had all kinds of suggestions. Can we pare things down a bit?


I saw Triumphs mentioned above. I have no experience riding them but I love their looks. I also think the Urals and Royal Enfields look cool, too. My first bike was a Yamaha 350. I don't think anyone even offers a 350 in this country now.

Alright, Let me try to be a little more specific.

When I say gravel I mean this kind of thing:

Definitely not off road or fire roads. More the kind of road that could be ridden on just about any bike but surely some will be safer and/or more comfortable.

On the two hour part, two small sections of it are interstate, and the rest is two lane highway (speed limit 55mph) Economy is a pluss, but it wont be hard to beat my diesel guzzling one ton van

I was thinking used, but would consider a new bike if there were a real advantage.

Budget is a tough one. It would be nice to spend under two grand, but again flexible

I'm really not into the scooter idea. I just want a 'real' bike

Style wise I am much more drawn to this these



than I am to this:

[Durnik]

Alright, Let me try to be a little more specific.

When I say gravel I mean this kind of thing:

Definitely not off road or fire roads. More the kind of road that could be ridden on just about any bike but surely some will be safer and/or more comfortable.

On the two hour part, two small sections of it are interstate, and the rest is two lane highway (speed limit 55mph) Economy is a pluss, but it wont be hard to beat my diesel guzzling one ton van

I was thinking used, but would consider a new bike if there were a real advantage.

Budget is a tough one. It would be nice to spend under two grand, but again flexible

I'm really not into the scooter idea. I just want a 'real' bike

Style wise I am much more drawn to this these

Hey! I know that road.. or one just like it. Spring Creek in TN. Those roads are fun.. till you have a one lane curve on an uphill & meet some (other) crazy fool coming down at 45.. then they're plain exciting! ;-)

and I'll keep on riding them.. Ya eats your spinach & ya takes your chances! ;-)

That Ural looks like fun.. The space age thing? I couldn't even imagine riding it.. Hey, where'd the pic go? ;-)

Gawd, that road does look so much like home in N. Central TN.. Wow.

I know I had a pic just like it.. Can't find it now. This is one from about 100 yards further on (back to the left about 100 yards looks _just_ like yours.



and here's about a mile back to the left in the fall.. Creek on the other side of the field now..



I realize they look quite different from yours, but in between the two the road looks very much like the one you posted.. & it's wonderful walking & riding. Hell, who am I kidding.. if there's one, there's 20 roads around there that look like that! Some better, some quite primitive - all fun.

BTW, I say buy used.. Let someone else take the loss of value on a new bike.

There's a lot of good info coming your way.. I'm an amateur compared to most of these guys.. tho maybe an opinionated amateur.. ;-) Just about anything 250..650 will work to 'get on the road'.. Just riding you'll meet others & hear first hand views.. Want to try something else? Your used bike has likely held its value - you can sell it & ride a different one next year or even later this.. BTW, smaller displacement & cruising bikes usually have lower insurance rates.. ;-)

Springs a coming, time to get going. I say hit your local Craigslist or other classifieds & see what's available.. If it looks good, Jump! Cause someone else surely will! (Most) bike repairs are easy.. As seen on this forum, "Fortune favors the bold"..

That's my 2 centavos! YMMV, IMHO..

enjoy
bobby

BTW, it's called 'Spring' creek.. cause sometimes it's dry.. but when the springs run, so does it.. You can guess it looks 'more like yours' when the springs aren't running.. ;-) FWIW, we're looking at about 8" of water there..

[The Bigfella]

I'm sticking with my original suggestions... DR400 or DR650

That Honda 4 you want from a styling perspective would be a pig on that gravel road.

By all means, buy Russian if you want.... but it isn't going to put a smile on your face.

As for a V Max. Yep, brilliant choice as a first bike.... Just like a J Class yacht would be a brilliant cruising yacht. Don't forget about a 12 Metre day sailer too

[Bobcat]

I'm sticking with my original suggestions... DR400 or DR650

That Honda 4 you want from a styling perspective would be a pig on that gravel road.

By all means, buy Russian if you want.... but it isn't going to put a smile on your face.

As for a V Max. Yep, brilliant choice as a first bike.... Just like a J Class yacht would be a brilliant cruising yacht. Don't forget about a 12 Metre day sailer too

Beg to differ. Both the sidecar and solo Urals are a hoot and they have been putting a big smile on my face for well over a decade now.

[Lew Barrett]

That Honda 4 is also 40 years on.

The closest to that in concept in current production, the sort of thing that is the current UJM, is one of the smaller Ninjas or a Versys, or the recently discontinued SVs from Suzuki. They are available in displacement from 250 to 650. The Europeans include the Triumph Bonnie, several Guzzis or Aprilias (starting at 750cc) and Ducati has the 620cc Monster; small frame. BMW has a couple of 800cc twins that sort of look normal. "Nakeds" are their own, different class of bike, populated by things like the Aprilia Tuono, several of the Triumphs, or the Monsters. Then it gets really exotic with Benelli, a Brutale, or you could always get a cruiser, I guess.

The smaller to mid displacement market is dominated by dual sports, and has been for a decade or more. For a naked UJM, you are looking at bikes that are now getting onto 25 or 30 years old at the newest or something like that Bandit.

Dual sports are a lot of fun and very versatile for a returning rider. I would have no hesitation riding a GS or the like for the rest of my life. Forget about how it looks, especially for a multi-purpose commuter. That has to be the least important aspect of selecting a utility bike, and being driven by "looks" is how he world ended up with a glut of Nightriders, Shadows, poser bikes and ape hangers. Looks are highly over-rated on something you will ride every day. Heated handgrips and a decent windscreen are far more useful, and since the late crop of bikes are so superbly engineered, it is possible to find happiness of function in any number of directions. Your brief suggests a mid-displacement dual sport or Ninja, but if you don't want to listen to that sort of advice, there really isn't much else to recommend.

No doubt, I'm another person who has been riding since they invented dirt (since '64) and I have a hard time figuring out what I want as well when I have to confine it to one bike. Bikes, more so than cars, are hard to fit to multiple purposes if you want them to be equally good in all the imagined roles.

[Lew Barrett]

Beg to differ. Both the sidecar and solo Urals are a hoot and they have been putting a big smile on my face for well over a decade now.

You're weird (I guess I need to try one...this is the place since they bring them in here).

[Norman Bernstein]

Alright, Let me try to be a little more specific.
On the two hour part, two small sections of it are interstate, and the rest is two lane highway (speed limit 55mph) Economy is a pluss, but it wont be hard to beat my diesel guzzling one ton van

That definately calls for something with enough weight to make the highway parts more stable and comfortable.... 350 lbs, at least. All other things considered, heavier is safer, IMHO.

I was thinking used, but would consider a new bike if there were a real advantage.
Budget is a tough one. It would be nice to spend under two grand, but again flexible

The two grand number definately rules out a new bike, IMHO... even the 250cc road bikes start at around $4K or so. Then again, motorcycles last a lot longer than most owners want to keep them... there should be plenty of choices on the market. When I last searched for a used bike, the problem was weeding out the 'project' bikes... I wasted a lot of time going to see bikes that deserved to be parted out, rather than restored, and they certainly weren't in what I'd call 'ride-able' condition.

Style wise I am much more drawn to this these

Me too... I always loved the 70's styling of most Japanese bikes.

You might want to consider a Honda Nighthawk. My good friend in NJ rides a mid-80's Nighhawk... it's about the right size, and would certainly be the right price. 750cc, but then again, it's a lot harder to find bikes with smaller engines unless you're lucky enough to stumble across a CB450 or CB550 from the late 70's.

A few years back, my friend and I went for a Sunday ride up in the Watchung Reservation in NJ, and we swapped bikes several times. His Nighthawk, and my Magna, have the same displacement, and same weight, but provide two very different riding experiences. Compared to my Magna, the Nighthawk is a much more 'upright' ride.... and his parallel 4 cylinder engine is a lot 'peakier' in terms of torque, meaning a lot more shifting to keep in in it's happy power range. Conversely, the longer stroke V4 in the Magna pulls strongly over a wider range of RPM's, and requires a lot less shifting. Both bikes have about the same acceleration: more than enough to satisfy me, but not enough to accidentally pull a wheelie. Both bikes were fun to ride.

As for economy: figure 40-42 mpg in around town riding, as much as 48 mpg on the highway.

[Bobcat]

You're weird (I guess I need to try one...this is the place since they bring them in here).

You're not the first to say that.

If you're interested in riding either a hack (R100R and ural s/c) or a Ural solo, let me know....

[Norman Bernstein]

About the nighthawk:

Years sold: 1991 to 2003
MSRP new: $3995 (’91) to $5799 (’03)
Blue Book retail value: $1855 to $3400
Basic specs: A 463-pound standard-style motorcycle powered by an air-cooled, 747cc, dohc inline-Four that made a claimed 75 hp at 8500 rpm and 47.2 ft.-lb. of torque at 7500.
Why it won a Ten Best Award: Actually, it never did win one. But that doesn’t make it a less-than-desirable used bike. To the contrary, the Night­hawk 750 is an ideal commuter/everyday bike for quite a large number of riders. Its full-size chassis (59.3-inch wheelbase), long dual seat (30.9 inches high) and upright ergonomics make it comfortable for both rider and passenger. Its linear power delivery and excellent acceleration are far more than adequate for most general-purpose riding. Plus, the engine is practically bulletproof, a descendant of the CB750F powerplants that date back to the very late 1970s. In 2003, Cycle World described the Nighthawk 750 as “a Universal Japanese Motorcycle, the type of bike that helped make Honda, Kawasaki, et al famous.”
Useful resources: Rounding up a nice example of one of these machines is a little more challenging than it is for many other models, but they’re out there, many at seductively low prices. Googling “Honda Nighthawk 750” will direct you to countless sites that include forums, for-sale listings and heaps of technical information about these once-popular models.

[StevenBauer]

Timm, I think you're back home for Spring Break but when you're back in Boston you could pop up to Portland for a test ride, there is a dealer here that sells Royal Enfields and Urals. The Royal Enfields I think go for about 5 thou.

There is a dealer in South Boston that is supposed to be getting in some Wolf Classics next week. They go for $2,999. Might be a fun test ride.


Steven

[Jim Bow]

I learned one rule about old bikes, and I learned it the hard way. No matter what the seller tells you, if he/she can't show you a recent dated receipt for tire sales, GET NEW FRESH TIRES!

[The Bigfella]

I couldn't agree more Jim.

The last bike-related funeral I went to was a 10 year old boy, killed when the (old) rear tyre on his father's Ural blew. You wouldn't use an old rubber.... so don't use old rubber on a bike. The date of manufacture is on the tyre - a four digit number giving week and year (eg 2109 is 21st week of 2009) If it is over 4 years old --- replace it. I've had an older semi-slick racing tyre blow out on a car at 170kph.... simply due to the deterioration of the rubber due to age. Its more serious on a bike

[Keith Wilson]

Maybe a Suzuki SV650 V-twin? Not the sporty S model with the low bars and rearsets, the "standard". It's mostly a street bike, and a very good one, but it wouldn't be too heavy to take on the occasional gravel road. You could get one in decent shape between $2K and 3K, I think. Not classic styling, but not bad-looking either.

[George Jung]

If we're being honest, that suzuki is truly dangerous in the hands of someone who does know how to handle them.... at 200 mph, it's more prayer than handling...

[seanz]

Without the turbo, the Hayabusa is pretty tame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqYDJ7QkXZY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTdSt...eature=related

[seanz]

Maybe a Suzuki SV650 V-twin? Not the sporty S model with the low bars and rearsets, the "standard". It's mostly a street bike, and a very good one, but it wouldn't be too heavy to take on the occasional gravel road. You could get one in decent shape between $2K and 3K, I think. Not classic styling, but not bad-looking either.

I'd be wary of too much weight forward over a 17" (?) front wheel on gravel. Not impossible if you're slow and cautious but pretty tedious for any distance......you just can't relax.

[The Bigfella]

I'd be wary of too much weight forward over a 17" (?) front wheel on gravel. Not impossible if you're slow and cautious but pretty tedious for any distance......you just can't relax.

Yep.... we keep seeing recommendations that just don't fit the requirements. That is NOT a bike for for gravel roads.

That 75hp bike mentioned earlier is also NOT a first bike.

I was reminded of this thread a couple of hours ago. I did a two hour night ride from the ferry to Bandar Lampung... and wondered if I'd have survived it as a learner. It was diabolical out there

That's not rain... its dirt and diesel fumes

[Lew Barrett]

So far the only rise has been on the Nighthawk. What is really wanted it seems is a cheap bike that "does it all" but looks as much as possible like a UJM and has four cylinders. Well, that probably is a Nighthawk.


Good luck!

[Durnik]

Yep.... we keep seeing recommendations that just don't fit the requirements. That is NOT a bike for for gravel roads.

That 75hp bike mentioned earlier is also NOT a first bike.

I was reminded of this thread a couple of hours ago. I did a two hour night ride from the ferry to Bandar Lampung... and wondered if I'd have survived it as a learner. It was diabolical out there

That's not rain... its dirt and diesel fumes

To be clear, your "two hour night ride from the ferry to Bandar Lampung" is _not_ a clear weather ride on a graded, firm, crushed stone (called 'gravel') tertiary (_not_ primary) road in the eastern U.S. He will likely see no heavy traffic and therefore not have to deal with heavy diesel or gas fumes. Plus, he likely will _not_ need to be driving thru a monsoon.. as the bike will be auxiliary transportation along side of his van - whilst you have set yourself up for what you know to be certain extreme conditions. Oranges, potatoes.. half a world away, in vastly different conditions..

BTW, hope you enjoyed your ride, but let's keep comparisons valid to the existing or likely situations.

enjoy
bobby

[Nicholas Scheuer]

Pulled up next to a guy on a Ducati yesterday. Had to tell the guy it was cool, that I don't see many "Dukes" around. Always had a soft spot for them; not only are they a boni-fide "Cafe Racers" of the finest kind, but they have one cylinder pointing forward, like a dog's penis, like my old Harley-Davidson (Aermachi) 350-Sprint.

[Reynard38]

Another vote for the F650 BMW. You are plenty tall enough for the bike. It's not a dirt bike, but it's a great dirt road bike.
a good friend of mine rode one from Atlanta to Labrador and back. LOTS of neat goodies available for it.
if you want vintage go for a old BMW R80. They run forever with minimal maintenance. If you can build a Coquina you can do all the upkeep on this bike (ask me how I know!).
The old BMW's are some of the nicest, most satisfying bikes to own and ride.

[Canoeyawl]

My first motorcycle was cheap, a police auction - $75
just like this one...
It was all downhill from there

[Ted Hoppe]

With gas becoming 5.00 a gallon.... Consider the Honda CB Twister.



Honda Twister's has a 110cc engine. The bike's engine is expected to develop 9 Nm of maximum torque at 6000rpm and will produce 9 bhp of maximum power at 8000 rpm. With 110cc engine, the latest launched bike expects to deliver a mileage of 70 km/litr. Cost 900.00

Peter - This gives you the range close to your diesel dreams. With proper gearing - the bike can run truthfully at 55mph too for extended periods of time.

[StevenBauer]

Wouldn't Timm have to go to India to buy a Twister? If he was in India already I'd have recommended the KTM Duke 200:



I drove past the Royal Enfield/Ural dealer today and saw that they now are a dealer for Cleveland Cyclewerks. So you could look at a Misfit 250:


Or if you wait 'til June there is the Ace 250:


The Misfit is $3195, no price yet for the Ace.


I really think 250cc is a good size for a beginner. Will you want to get a bigger bike in a couple of years? Maybe.

I kind of like the new SYM Fighter 250, too:



Steven

[Ted Hoppe]

Wouldn't Timm have to go to India to buy a Twister? If he was in India already I'd have recommended the KTM Duke 200:



I drove past the Royal Enfield/Ural dealer today and saw that they now are a dealer for Cleveland Cyclewerks. So you could look at a Misfit 250:


Or if you wait 'til June there is the Ace 250:


The Misfit is $3195, no price yet for the Ace.


I really think 250cc is a good size for a beginner. Will you want to get a bigger bike in a couple of years? Maybe.

I kind of like the new SYM Fighter 250, too:



Steven

India has new emmission standards now. motorcycles built there should be able to pass US regulations. we may experience some new reasonable priced bikes in the near future sold through established languishing dealerships. high gas prices and cuts in transportation might signal changes in the two wheeled market.

as a MC enthusiasts, I like the bikes you posted. nice choices for beginners or alternative fun bikes.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Those 250s are indeed fairly sensible sizes and a range of shapes likely to provide almost any user with something that fits - they probably make about 25 bhp - cruise comfortably (one-up) at 65 and max out within sight of 90 mph.


But something weird has happened to the next size up - the 45 to 65 bhp the fun-one-up and perfectly-adequate-two-up - effortless cruise at 85 - this segment has almost vanished - and the shaft driven version has completely disappeared.

Thirty years ago this segment was awash with an astonishing variety good bikes which fitted this description:
Honda's CX500 - push-rod twin that reved to 10K.
Guzzi's V50
BMW - R45, R60, R65, R80 and R100
Kawasaki GT550 and GT750
Suzuki - the GS650 and the 650Katana

All shaft drive and all about that level of performance - where is the present day equivalent?

I have no use for the feet forward "cruiser" seating position - and no tolerance for the inevitable mechanical carnage that is an exposed final drive chain.

Has anyone put 50K miles on one of those toothed belt final drives - without needing to change or re-tension it?

[LeeG]

I learned one rule about old bikes, and I learned it the hard way. No matter what the seller tells you, if he/she can't show you a recent dated receipt for tire sales, GET NEW FRESH TIRES!

that's why I wiped out on a turn with my first and only motorcycle. It wasn't at high speed but it was enough to scare me, unfortunately not enough to change the tires before handing it off to my brother but it got stolen in his care.

[boatbuddha]

An inexperienced rider can walk into a showroom and ride out on a nearly 200 hp bike capable of close to 200 mph and that will accelerate to nearly 150 mph in 10 seconds. A guy I know through work recently bought a Suzuki Hayabusa as a first bike. BIG mistake IMHO. These things are truly dangerous in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to handle them and doesn't have proper respect for what they're capable of.

True story I was leisurely riding home one night on a rural two lane road when a Busa blows by me at about 100. But he passes me on the right. I imagine he had a pretty short lifespan.

[TimmS]

I'm still looking..... Stopped by a dealer yesterday on a whim and saw/ sat on one of these (Triumph Scrambler):


The style is just what I'm looking for, but the price and the engine are both a little on the big side. They also carry Royal Enfields, but the salesman cautioned my about the quality, being made in India. I think he may have been trying to promote the more expensive Triumph though.

[Full Tilt]

I have owned a Yamaha XS500, Suzuki GS 750, Honda 900C, Honda CBX 1056, Yamaha Seca 550, Honda Shadow 750, and Honda Magna 750. Only the 900 and Shadow never hit the ground. At 55 I don't want anymore broken bones, or worse.
I am a sailor and rower, electric boater and cyclist and drive a Toyota Corolla. I am trying to reduce my carbon footprint in
everything I do. I live close to work and keep my boats at the closest marina and sailing club.
I have discovered a world of electric bicycles out there which has changed my views on motorcycling completely. If you like the early board track racing motorcycles of the turn of the century you can find electric bikes with similar appearance and performance. 'Juicer' for one, make beautiful custom e-bikes complete with a V shaped battery bank mimicing the early Harley-Davidsons. If you are a Ducati admirer, check out the 'Bramma', which just one it's class at the Isle of Man TT.
I am very surprised that so many sailors and, I thought, envoirmentally conscious boaters in general, continue to lust after ICE motorcycles.
If anyone is interested in wind in the hair biking (no helmet required if one wants to live dangerously) and pollution free transportation with some totally optional exercise available at the same time, you've got to investigate this emerging technology.
For us Canucks, there is a home-grown product called the Bionx drive system that can be installed on just about any bicycle giving it speeds over 30k and range over 100 k.
Comes a time in ones life when you might want to slow down and smell the flowers.
Michael tikle motorcycle

[Tall Boy]

Alright, Let me try to be a little more specific.

When I say gravel I mean this kind of thing:

On that road, I'd want to be on this

[purri]

Might I suggest that the OP close the thread as it's become a self justification matter outside the original question posed...

[Tall Boy]

Might I suggest that the OP close the thread as it's become a self justification matter outside the original question posed...

Take a hike purri, the OP's last post was about a Triumph, the last post was a picture of a Triumph stripped for the dirt....go on..back under your rock.......