Triumphrat

LanceDrolet

Hi. I'm new here.

Ok, so I know this has to be a fairly common question, but I did a quick search and didn't find any threads... so, sorry if you're tired of answering the same question

I'm looking for a first bike and I'm drawn to cruisers. I've been in quite a few showrooms and seem to have a crush on the speedmaster. Not only the looks of it, but just seems to feel like it's supposed to while sitting on it (hard to explain). I'm trying to decide whether a used SM is the right "first bike". I know there are a few schools of thought, and I don't know which one to follow. Here are some specifics about me.

I'm 5'9" with short legs. I weigh about 210lbs. I'm 40 and have always been fairly cautious, so I'm not too worried about my right hand getting me in trouble. I'm taking the rider's safety course in a couple of weeks and won't get a bike until I'm done with it. I've never ridden before (no, not even a dirt bike).

Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Lance

BonnieBlack

Think no farther. Read no farther. You love the bike, it is perfect.

The price is right. It has plenty of power, but not so much to get you into trouble. Plus it's cool. And has a good track record.

And you like it.

I'd go with the Bonneville, but I'm not you.

biker7

The tendency for newbies is to gravitate to cruisers because of how they look. My advice is to ride both the Speedmaster and a Bonnie after you have taken the riding course. Lots of Bonneville fans here and count me among them.
The rider safety course is the most important thing you will do.
Have fun.
George

Easy

Some excellent advice from George. Since you seem to have ruled out sportsbikes with their rearset pegs and low bars, the big question you will have to answer is whether you are more comfortable with the forward controls of a cruiser-style bike or the mid-position controls of a standard bike. Personally, I feel more in control with the standard... especially being able to stand on the pegs when going over some tracks or through a pothole. But you will have to figure this out for yourself. As George says... test drive both styles.

In the meantime... welcome to the sport and welcome to the site. I am fairly new here myself, and I have found it a remarkable resource with some really decent people.

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Catenaccio

Smart move taking the MSF course. You'll feel so much safer and in control as a result. After that, get the bike that speaks to your heart.

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Voigtlanderr2

I'm 44 and 6 foot 195 lbs

back in july I'd never ridden a motorcycle either - I took the MSF class (I too didn't want to take possession of my bike until I'd passed it - and that was the best choice I ever made - What I leaned saved me from slamming broadside into a $%^& that pulled across in front of me at an intersection and what to do without freaking out or dumping the bike whan the back brake locked up and the rear wheel came around - long story short - not a scratch

I went with the Bonnie black- but the Speedmaster caught my eye too - it was a tough choice. the Bonnie has a comfortable riding position for me and is REALLY easy to handle - it goes where I point it. and corners great in my opinion. (keeping in mind My only other point of reference is a 250 cc honda night hawk the MSF people provided for the class and we never went above 30 mph on a parking lot.) the next week after I took the class _ went to the dealer got on my bike and road it in city traffic trouble free 5 miles to my house - one suggestion - if where you live would put you in really difficult riding situation to get it home - have a friend who rides get it home for you and ride on a big open parking lot til you get to where you can handle it with enough confidence to jump into traffic - only took me a week and I'm trouble free 4400 miles later.


GOOD LUCK

26594

Good job on taking the MSF first. I'm in my 40's and was the same as you about 3 years ago when I decided to get a bike, currently have a Scrambler. One thing that may have not been mentioned yet is to go with a cheap used bike so when you drop it while practicing in the parking lot, it won't be such a big deal compared to having a nice new cruiser. That way you can concentrate more on sharpening your skills rather than worrying about scratching up the bike. I went with a Ninja 250 as my first ride. Very light (307 lbs dry), low 29.5" seat hight, and easy to handle. Lots of support too at (Ninja250.net).

As for cruisers, my wife has a Honda Shadow that I get to ride sometimes. I actually have a hard time with forward controls but she loves them. In the MSF course they teach you to stand up on the pegs when going over bumps, which is a little more difficult for me to manuever on a bike with forward controls. Other's may disagree.

Don't want to steer you away from Triumphs or cruisers in general, just throwing out more information to hopefully help you in your decision.

Most important thing is be safe and have fun whatever bike you decide to get.


Damien

CommandoRdster

Well,personally I think it's too big and heavy for a first bike.I believe that everyone should put in a year of Sundays on dirt bikes before they ever lay tyre to blacktop.It teaches you how to actually control a motorcycle in conditions that,if you find yourself in on the street,you're already halfway to the hospital.

I realise that's not always practical,or even possible for many people.It usually means having a group of friends that ride dirt bikes,and don't mind you tagging along.Fortunately,most dirt bikers are more than willing to do that,for the entertainment factor,if nothing else.

Barring the dirt bike thing,the advise above is spot on.And your decision to take the MSF course shows that you definitely have your brain in the right place.Those MSF instructors are amazing.All us ''experienced''riders should take that course,too.

As far as choice of the Speedmaster goes,like I said,I feel it's too big and heavy for a first bike,but I guess this is the size bike that the industry is marketing as ''entry level'' these days,so in comparison with it's competition,it's a great choice.

The only real drawback that comes to mind is the chain drive,which to my mind,is not really a drawback at all.The other bikes in it's price/displacement category are the UJM v-twins,and the Sportster,all of which,I believe,are either shaft,or belt drive.I'm a big fan of shaft drive,but I hate belts,and the chain drive gives you an easy option for changing the final drive ratio,if you're so inclined.

I also agree with the others in that,if you can see past the cruzer thing,you'd be better off with a Bonnie or Scram.A good rider controls the machine with his feet and legs almost as much as with his hands.Ideally,your feet should be as directly under your butt as possible.Riding with your feet three feet in front of you takes that option away from you.I know there is a seat height issue,but after taking the MSF course,you may find you're not as vertically challenged as you think you are.

Cheers!
Bruce

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LanceDrolet

Thanks for all the replies!

Ok, so even though I'm drawn to curisers, I've considered standards as well. I've sat on Scramblers, Bonnies and Thruxtons (Thruxtons are the coolest looking IMO...), but the SM and America just seem to have the most comfortable seating positions in the showroom (of course, I realize that riding one is MUCH different than sitting on the showroom floor, so I may change my mind). No, I've no desire to go for a sport bike. I think that's as much of an image thing as what has drawn me towards cruisers. Every moron who seems bent on suicide I've seen shooting through traffic doing wheelies and whatnot is on a sport bike. Not only do I not have any desire to replicate this stupidity, I don't even want to be mistaken for one of these yahoos who does. Ok, that's a little sanctimonious. I'm sure there are lots of responsible sport bike riders on this forum. I'm sure you know... you are sometimes poorly represented.

On the size... there seem to be varying opinions here. On the one hand, 865cc used to be a HUGE engine. Now it's looked at as "entry level". On top of that; what is big for one type of bike is not so big for another (from what I'm told, a 600cc sport bike will easily take you to triple digits while some people think a Bonnie revs too high at freeway speeds). This is why I was hoping for a consensus here. Oh well... Opinions vary and I appreciate all those posted.

Thanks again, everybody.
Lance

Easy

Good luck Lance and please let us know what you end up with.

Everyone is different, but from my point of view those who recommend starting small on a standard bike know what they are talking about. And if you can do it, getting a used bike that you aren't going to lose sleep over dropping in the parking lot makes a lot of sense too.

I probably sound like an old geezer, but years ago when I was 16 and could finally get my licence, my first bike was a Honda 90. It was at the beginning of the Japanese invasion. It seems miniscule now, but I tell you, what I learned driving that little buzz bomb on and off the road gave me the confidence to enjoy many, many miles of safe biking to this day on bikes up to 1200 CC. Personally, I think something Bonneville sized could be a good starting bike these days... if you took it easy and built your skills carefully. As far as placing your feet on the ground... remember some of the new 2009 Bonnevilles have a lower (29.5 cm) seat height. And, from what I read here, the bike could probably be lowered even more with some shorter shocks and a tweek of the front end.

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