I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle
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Or: Sometimes too much info is a bad thing.
For the last couple of weeks, I've been down the rabbit hole that is YouTube, Craigslist and dealer websites trying to pick the very best first motorcycle for me. I've decided that a mid-size sport/tourer or adventure/tourer fits my vision of how I think I'll be using the bike; trips around town, running errands and longer day trips.
I've settled on three main contenders...
Suzuki Vstrom 650
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Honda CB500x
Both the Tiger and Vstrom are available new. There are some good options on Craigslist for about half price of new with ~10-15k miles. The used Vstroms and CB500x usually have some desirable upgrades like crash bars and panniers etc.
So now I just have to pull the trigger...but I'm double clutching because of the seat height of these bikes. They're all very close, at ~32.9". I've sat on the Tiger and I can get both feet to touch with my heels slightly off the ground. I'm hesitant because I've only ridden a Vstar 650 which is definitely a low cruiser. I've decided that, while I like the low seat height for confidence, I don't like the ergonomics of a cruiser...the foot controls being forward and the low-ish bars. I'd rather have a more upright sitting position.
Will I be comfortable crawling around in traffic on a taller bike? Are there any other bikes I'm missing? Am I overthinking it?
Do I just need to shut up and go buy a bike and ride?Any advice from the experienced riders is very much appreciated.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate Just my two sense, the riding position is more important. I have to stretch to get both feet on the ground with my Daytona. If you are at a stop, you lean the bike over on one side and use your leg as a kick stand. That's how I do it. I'm never stopped long enough for it to be uncomfortable. If you need to move the bike with both feet, you're probably off it and pushing it anyway.
Your next step is to go to a dealership and actually ride the bikes. That'll confirm it for you. Get the Tiger, I'm not biased at all.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate you're overthinking it. 2 things to remember; there's an excellent chance you'll drop your first bike, as well as an excellent chance that you'll misjudge what type of bike/riding you actually want to do. Find something that ticks a fair amount of your boxes and is also cheap. Used V-stroms can be had for 4k all day. A Versys is also a good cheap choice in this segment.
2002 Xterra
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@ClassicDatsunDebate How big of town and what kind of streets are we talking about? Are you talking about taking it on road trips?
Having only owned one motorcycle in my life, ( a Honda CB350), my comment is that it is better to buy too little bike than too much. Smaller is nimbler and easier to ride as a newbe.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate You'll grow out of the need to touch both feet down quickly, dont let that dissuade you from a bike purchase.
I'd say go with the strom, those motors are unkillable and parts are cheap
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@Future-Next-Gen-S2000-Owner The Tiger is definitely on the top of the list if I buy new.
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@Alfalfa a 2015 Vstrom is at the top of my list for available used bikes, for sure!
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@RacinBob said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
@ClassicDatsunDebate How big of town and what kind of streets are we talking about? Are you talking about taking it on road trips?
Having only owned one motorcycle in my life, ( a Honda CB350), my comment is that it is better to buy too little bike than too much. Smaller is nimbler and easier to ride as a newbe.
Its basically the 'burbs. Longer road trips are also what i would like to do as well...but realistically, it will be used mostly for shorter 1-4 hour rides closer to home.
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@decay-still-has-too-many-beaters Thats kinda what i thought, both for your thought on ride height and the fact that vstroms are a workhorse with tons of aftermarket.
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I never rode my first bike beyond checking the clutch adjustment; a cul de sac circle and back to the garage. I had a new job across the country and sold the resurrection project. I saw my 600r ninja had 75hp at 11k. Redline was 11k. No modulation, on/off power. Probably not ideal for a first bike anyway.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate I'd say skip the CB500X, and look for an NC700X (or 750 if you can swing it). The DCT options are great for letting you focus more on the ride and less on shifting, and there's a lot of used units available for good prices. They also have a very low center of gravity (the traditional tank location is actually a storage bin) and are damn near bulletproof for harder uses. Enough power for touring with the extra weight of luggage as well.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate You're overthinking this. Your first bike doesn't need to be perfect. You can pick a bike ride gain experience and if you need different features or a different style of bike for the type of riding you end up doing, you can get something else or addition to.
I wouldn't recommend the Triumph for a first bike, when you drop it you'll regret getting a such a nice bike for your first. The CB500X is a great bike to start with, reasonably lightweight, enough power for the highway but not enough to get in trouble when you're learning throttle control. The V-strom is going to be a bit heavy (nearly 500lbs before accessories) but they're cheap, readily available, and when you drop it won't be costly, the v-twin puts out a smooth torque curve making it easy to control, and as a beginner you'll no frame of reference for the outdated chassis/suspension/engine and complete lack electronic features. -
I bought a vstrom last year after being out of motorcycles for 8 years.
I love it. Absolutely the easiest riding bike I've ever owned. They are dead reliable and have great aftermarket support for any bolt on piece of kit you could want. EXCEPT if you want it to go faster. That's not what its for. My previous bike was and SV650 and I loved that v-twin, which is why the vstrom was on my list.
If you're > 6 feet tall, you will need a foot peg lowering kit to be comfortable.
I can highly recommend it. I just wish I had more time to ride.
If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. -M.A.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate Why go ADV for rides around town? Unless you’re planning on dirt riding there are so many standard bikes with much lower seat height.
2019 FIAT Abarth 500 | 2000 Toyota Tundra V8 AC | 2021 TREK Roscoe 6
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@ClassicDatsunDebate see what @Alfalfa said.
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@MUSASHI66 said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
@ClassicDatsunDebate Why go ADV for rides around town? Unless you’re planning on dirt riding there are so many standard bikes with much lower seat height.
I know... It's probably just purely psychographics. Kinda like the same reason I own a Wrangler maybe.
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@DrDanteiii said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
I bought a vstrom last year after being out of motorcycles for 8 years.
I love it. Absolutely the easiest riding bike I've ever owned. They are dead reliable and have great aftermarket support for any bolt on piece of kit you could want. EXCEPT if you want it to go faster. That's not what its for. My previous bike was and SV650 and I loved that v-twin, which is why the vstrom was on my list.
If you're > 6 feet tall, you will need a foot peg lowering kit to be comfortable.
I can highly recommend it. I just wish I had more time to ride.
My local dealer just received their last 2022 Versys 650 and also a used Vstrom 650 with 20k kms.....I have a feeling one of those will be in the mix.
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@MUSASHI66 @ClassicDatsunDebate ADV's seem like one of the best options for around town. That seat height makes for great ergos and visibility when in traffic, they've normally got a fair bit of weather protection, lots of suspension travel to soak up bumps, and a plethora of easy options for carrying gear.
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@just-a-scratch said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
@ClassicDatsunDebate see what @Alfalfa said.
Yes, he's affirming my own thoughts there.
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@AestheticsInMotion said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
@MUSASHI66 @ClassicDatsunDebate ADV's seem like one of the best options for around town. That seat height makes for great ergos and visibility when in traffic, they've normally got a fair bit of weather protection, lots of suspension travel to soak up bumps, and a plethora of easy options for carrying gear.
I noticed on the V-Star that it didn't handle bumpy pavement well at all....mind you, I have nothing to calibrate it with. Plus it's a clapped out school bike with 50K miles on it.
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If its just around town, don't rule out the KLR650. The big single pulls like a freight train at low RPM and the dirt bike stance can be fun. Its on the dirtier side of adv, but not by too much.
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@ClassicDatsunDebate you'll notice a world of difference in comfort jumping from an old V-star (250 I'm assuming if it was a class bike) to a mid-sized ADV bike.
As @DrDanteiii said, a KLR is pretty nice around town. They're super comfy, and uh... I have it on good authority that they can take a beating.
2013 Hayabusa
2021 701 Enduro
1998 VFR800
1995 Miata -
@AestheticsInMotion said in I'm in Analysis-Paralysis Trying to Choose My First Motorcycle:
@ClassicDatsunDebate you'll notice a world of difference in comfort jumping from an old V-star (250 I'm assuming if it was a class bike) to a mid-sized ADV bike.
As @DrDanteiii said, a KLR is pretty nice around town. They're super comfy, and uh... I have it on good authority that they can take a beating.
@DrDanteiii I FEEL the KLR is too far to the enduro side, but that's only my initial thought.
The V-Star was a 600, because i badgered my teacher to give me the larger bike for a 2 hour road-ride. -
From what I have heard about recent bikes, the Suzuki is your best bet. It's supposed to have excellent ergos, plenty of power, a good aftermarket, and should be reliable. The Honda could be a good choice but I've heard that the power is underwhelming.
Virtually every mfr offers a low-seat option for their bikes. The VStrom has one that lowers the seating position by 20mm (about 3/4").
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@ClassicDatsunDebate There are 6 Hondas in my shop. So I guess I would go with the Honda. It likely will be the only bike running 20 years from now in that group.
