Triumphrat

jackal624

I was in a Border's book store in NYC last weekend and saw a magazine with an article "The 10 Best Beginner Bikes", as well as a list of suggestions of how to not look like a newbie. I thought it was Cycle World, but I guess not.

My brother is thinking of getting his first bike and this article would be great for him. Anyone know which magazine it is?

Thanks!

skiTTles

Tell your brother to buy the books Proficient Motorcycling and More proficient Motorcycling by David Hough and then go and take the MSF course all before he starts even looking at bikes.

Though, while he's waiting for the MSF course he can peruse this forum and spend countless hours figuring out what sort of bike he wants:

http://www.beginnerbikers.org/

Dittos3

I just read the same article in Cycle World.

Gob-ny-geay

Definitely Cycle World, September '08 issue.

I just bought my son the Suzuki SV650, which is listed, so I have to agree with the suggestions! (He wasn't interested in any Triumphs... kids these days!)

Also of interest, the H-D Sportster 883, back in "the day" (1960's) was a fairly hot bike. Now it's classified as a beginners bike. Giving them the benefit of any doubt, Harley has been pretty savvy in counter-developing this as a starter bike, drawing future sales into the fold. Women especially seem to like this one, then soon purchase the Bigger Harleys. Has anyone else noticed that many, many women seem to prefer Harleys? Not all of course, but most that I see on the road have chosen Harleys. Low seat height, low center of gravity, fat/wide tires and low speed/rpm torque curves all contribute to making these very easy to ride, but I would still recommend something lighter and smaller for the first time rider.

Got to give due credit to the excellent marketing and sales folks for this. It's nice to see opportunities for women and beginners to get into the sport, I support "the more the merrier", but more safely and more gradually please!

__________________
"I found myself homesick for a place I've never been to."

jackal624

I'll look for the Sept issue of Cycleworld then.

And Skittles- thanks for the link and advice, but he's already signed up for the course, taking it in Sept. I've been through to the advanced level already.

My first bike was an HD 883. My (other) brother and I bought them together new in 2000 (we also took the course together at that time...). Anyway, I didn't really like it all that much - it seemed very top heavy to me and I felt like I was going to drop it whenever I stopped. Really vibe-y too. The mirrors were useless on the highways and my arms went numb after about 20 minutes. I ended up selling it 6 months later and used to money to buy a (then) first year Bonnie. I felt so much more confident on that bike - lower center of gravity, lighter, etc. Not vibe-y at all. Loved it. But like so many other people, I sold it because I bought a house, etc.

I think an argument could be made that the Bonnie makes a far better beginner's bike than the Sportster.

Recently got back into the fold when I bought a Sprint about 3 months ago (I wanted something water cooled and with great gas mileage). Now talking my other brother into joining the fun.

skiTTles

The Bonnie does have a lower CoG and is a much more stable steed in slow speed situations. Cheaper too