Thanks for watching! This video is by no means intended as an end all be all "beginner bike list" I simply wanted to share my favorite beginner bikes that you can finance. I know not everyone has the lump of cash to purchase used bikes up front. (Especially in these times) Hence the title "NEW bikes". As always, do your research, test out bikes YOU'RE interested in, and don't let anyone peer pressure you into a purchase you are not comfortable with!
I'm 35 I had a stroke. I had to learn how to walk and talk again. When I get done with therapy you inspired me I want to learn how to ride. People think "hey do you really want to ride it might kill ya you had a stroke" I think " As a Fireman, CNA, & Stroke Survivor if I don't live now then ill exist till I die and thats the greatest tragedy"
Good for you dude, when I was 39yo I was diagnosed with right kidney cancer so they cut it out. Then my nephrologist said omg now you have only one kidney you need to be careful blaah blaaah blahh . The first thing I did after the recovery I went to my local speed race club and I did my MSF and I bought used Dyna Street Bob, and I said screw it every day can be your last so why I should hide and avoid any activities because my doctor thinks that way? BS !!! Ride on brother!!😂😂🤣🤣👍👍
Just finished a riding class at 51 years old. I never thought I'd be into riding until my husband invited me to take a class with him. Thanks for the recommendations! I'll be out there soon cruising on a new or used bike of my own!
Well you've inspired me to get back to the plan. I was scheduled for a class and then scrutiny was shut down in 2020. Then we were just trying to get back to normal. I'm going to register for the next available class at my Harley shop
I previously had no motorcycle experience! I had never driven anything with a clutch before! With that being said, I bought a Honda Grom in November of 2019, learned all of my techniques on that and learned the concepts of riding, then I went and bought a used 2016 Harley Davidson Iron 883. I got a kickass deal on it and couldn't pass it up. I love both bikes and would never regret buying either (from a new, first time rider).
@@relativetruth8889 To each their own. A grom only gets up to about 55 MPH at max speeds and I needed something that was a little more sturdy on the roads. It can get quite windy and the grom feels like it will blow over in the wind. I just passed my MSF course this weekend with flying colors. I believe it all depends on the person and the confidence level of that person. :)
@@yessica_rides oh i love the 883!... I've got a cbr500r till i get my full motorcycle license. I was not commenting on your choices... rather the disparity in licensing between countries... what took you 6months or less will take me three years and 3 different coloured probation plates, no pillions allowed plus modified speed limits and zero alcohol...
I just finished and passed my CMSP riding course at our local Harley Davidson. It was great, I wasn't the only girl and at 5'2.5" I wasn't the shortest. So ladies if you want to do it, take a riding course!
@ѕιlver it wasn't bad at all! I know I had this feeling of oh crap I don't want to be the one to drop the bike in front of everyone, but the bikes are already beat up and no one judges you. They ease you into actually riding the bike so the fear goes away as you build comfort and confidence. After you get your license the best thing to do is just practice practice practice 👌
I'm 5'3" so my advice for all the shorties is to SIT ON ALL OF THE BIKES. You'll never get better if you get a bike you're not comfortable on. I didn't think I was a Harley girl until I got my Iron 883 and now I'm a convert. It's going to be perfect for at least another year, but I can always get the 1200cc conversion kit if I start craving more.
I bought a Harley Davidson having no idea how to ride. It sat in the garage until I got my permit and watched TH-cam vids to learn how to ride well enough on my own to get to the MSF course on Camp Pendleton. People thought I was crazy learning how to ride on my Dyna 😂.
First bike was a 1977 400cc Yamaha Special. It was my only form of transportation in NYC. Toured throughout eastern Canada and the Smokey Mountains with it. I have such great memories of that little machine.
Started on dirt bikes as a kid. My first street bike was a Honda 250cm in 1993. Upgraded to a KZ550 before I gave up riding because of busy schedule commitments with my kids. 2014 I got back to riding and purchased my first Harley, a 2014 Fatboy. As a 5’1” 110lb rider, it was intimidating for the first year. Love my Fatboy and have ridden from Ohio to Vt to UT a couple of times and many places in between. Just get on and ride
I'm giving away my age, but my first bike was a 1972 Honda CB175 I bought when I got to my first duty station when I was in the Navy. I'd never ridden any kind of motorcycle before and I literally drove it out the showroom door! The rest, as they say, is history. Enjoyed the video, Jess!
Hello, guy here, I got my first bike at 29yo and it's the Honda Hornet Cb750. I can totally suggest it for new female riders. You won't outgrow it easily but don't let the CC scare you. All the electronics help tremendously. Also, I am 173cm and I can flat foot it easily. Just a recommendation for a naked. And as an extra bonus for the EU riders you can limit it for A2 license until you get the unrestricted. And for the US riders I believe it comes with a quickshifter by default for you. Lucky US.
Greetings from Florida Good video, very informative especially for Women. It blows my mind that people would give it a “thumbs down “. Keep them coming. Stay safe, ride safe
I've been learning all I can about bikes, and gear, tutorials, etc for a year now while I save up to buy my first. These tidbits are more than welcome. Thank you.
I rode the Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 for years before getting my Harley Road Glide Special. The Honda Shadows are awesome bikes. Change the oil and keep air in the tires-I swear that is all I ever had to do and never had one problem! The VLX 600, Spirit 750 or 1100 are awesome choices for first bikes!
I'm 5'2" and about 110 lbs so this vid was perfect, thank you! I need to upgrade from my scooter so I'm thinking a motorcycle but I was concerned that for being so small I couldn't find a bike I could handle. Now off to do my research and learn to ride!
Good advice on bikes for those starting out. Like you said, don't let peer pressure sway your judgement on selecting a bike. Get the bike that fits you physically and mentally! If your brain isn't into a particular motorcycle then leave it or it will not be fun riding it!
Passed the MSF course and decided on a used BMW G310R. Harley Street 500 was too heavy to handle for me. Husband lowered BMW 2” and it’s perfect as I’m 5’2” and 129 lbs. Seat height is now 29”. Great to ride as a new rider!
Great video. I am a guy and I love my new 883. I started in a scoot last year and after the rider safety course (and a job change), I decided to upgrade. I’m 5’5 and 136 pounds and it fits me perfect. I’ll be braving the ride to work once we open back up to downtown Cleveland. :)
Enjoyed the video. All the bikes you mentioned everyone can buy used but almost new ....often with less than 5k miles on it. 5k miles ridden on a reliable Honda is just getting broken in. Motorcycles depreciate a lot so let someone pay for the initial depreciation and still feel like the bike is almost new.Have someone check the bike over before purchase. Look at Cycle Trader, Facebook Mkt Place and Craig's list.
Absolutely true. But many people have a hard time coming up with cash up front. Financing might be the only affordable option at the time. (not long term of course) I know many in that situation, so I decided to only talk about bikes you can finance. I mentioned in the beginning of the video that you can absolutely find any of these bikes still practically brand new but technically used. Thanks for watching and commenting!!
My first bike was a CB250 Nighthawk. To quote Shadetree Surgeon: "The aftermarket on the Sportster is so strong, that you can build an entire Sportster, and not buy a single part from Harley Davidson." And, that's literally true. I don't know of another vehicle, in any class, that has the customization options tha the Sportster has. Oh, yeah. Watching Blockhead roll around on a Grom makes me want one of those pretty bad too. LOLOL Excellent vid, as always. Shiny side up!
My wife bought a 2005 Hyosung GV 250 for her first year and well she out grew it. It does crank out at 90mph but is light and squirrelly. Now she set her goal for the Indian Chieftain Dark horse.
Hi Jess, a very interesting video on your choice of beginners bikes with some great advice. My first bike at 16 was a BSA C10 250cc side valve in 1956, in 1958 a BSA B31 350CC and in 1965 a TRIUMPH TIGER 100 500CC TWIN. Watching your channel has brought back all these memories of my 1960 motorcycling days. Thanks for this great channel with so much interesting content. John in the UK. xx
I ain't a gal. But guy riders like "ballsey" gals like you, You put out good stuff. My first bike was a Sears 106 single banger that i used to do hill climbing with back in the 60"s - I used a hammer to fix it. I have a Harley M8 Road King now, but it was a progression to get there. Your exurberance does add a great service to the community. Your early vids of how you felt and the difficulties of garnering your ticket were a joy to those who have accomplished that and a beacon to those who follow. Keep it up and don't loose your enthusiasm.
My first real ride, I inherited my grandfathers 1971 Kawasaki and I drove it for four years. 23 years later, this past March I rescued the bike from a barn. It hasn’t run since the last time I shut it off in 1997 or 98. I have plans to restore it this coming winter and have gramps bike back on the road again. That’s a pretty great list you put together. If I were in the position I would have to go look at the HD street series you talked about. For a cruiser...It spoke my name lol.
All excellent recommendations that are very low maintenance and run strong. Honda makes a super reliable bike for sure and an excellent bike to start on. Well done video ! You are a much needed voice to the motovlog community. Appreciate your views and your productions! Ride on! 😎🤘🏽
My first bike was a brand new Honda CBR600FW in Red, White and purple. I ordered it at the dealership so I could pick it up the day after my motorcycle test, (I obviously hadn’t considered the possibility of failing my test.). Fortunately I passed and my friend took me down to the dealership on the back of his bike. It poured down with rain the whole 100 mile ride home round the M25 and up the A12. However I got it home safely and loved it. I did 11500 mile in just under a year, before I wrote it off in an accident. I would recommend the 650 Honda and Kawasaki soft sports bikes as good beginner bikes (Not the R6 / ZX6R models) If that’s the style of bike you like getting a CBR650F or ER-6F will give you enough power to have fun and go places, but not so much power that you’ll end up killing yourself!
Great insight! My go-to is always the Rebel or Ninja 250, depending if they are a cruiser or sporty type. Especially for tiny petite women, like my mom, the older Rebels are a great option. She’s SO small, I even had to add adjustable levers for her 😂 She’s looking into the rebel 500 for the next bike!
Test ride everything! Seats are changeable. Bars are adjustable as suspension. Finding the bike you are emotional for will make you ride it also. My first street bike was a Lava Red Sunglo 2004 Harley-Davidson Night Train.
I was really hoping to hear the Shadow line. I have ridden more than my fare share of motorcycles over the years and I just picked up a new 2019 Honda Shadow Phantom in March and am absolutely in love with it and would definitely recommend it as a bike you could buy as a beginner and continue to be happy with for years.
My first bike was a 1973 Honda cb350. It was a non-runner and i didn't know anything about motorcycles. I ended doing an engine rebuild and an entire rebuild. I really don't recommend buying a basket case but i don't regret one bit about it. I now fix everything on my bikes and got the opportunity to work in a scooter shop for 2 years.
My first bike was a 2002 Suzuki Marauder. It stayed in the shop about as much as it did on the road. And it taught me so much! But it did leave me stranded one too many times. So its the reason I went with a Honda second time around. The Suzuki was also a chain drive. Loud and rough, lots of maintenance! Nothing beats the shaft drives. They're smooth and so low on the maintenance!
I’m super excited, I plan on taking a class soon and I’m saving for a bike for next spring I want to get it before but winter is right around the Corner
New rider and my first and current bike is a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Initially I wanted a cruiser or a sportbike but I live down a rough gravel road and sitting on some I just didn't feel comfortable. I liked the more upright sitting of adventure style bikes but found a lot of them to be too tall for me until I found the REH and absolutely love it! I think for a beginner finding a bike that you love being on and can't get enough of is the most important thing, really that's probably true for all riders.
That's a good beginner list for most people, not just ladies. As you pointed out, you can find accessories or a mechanic just about anywhere in the US for all of those models. My first bike...(drum roll)... 2015 Vespa 150 Primavera (yes...a scooter). Made the leap to a 2016 HD FLSS - Slim S. Buckaroo!
The Kawasaki Vulcan S is an excellent beginner bike, I had one and would highly recommend it. The 650cc parallel twin has plenty of "get up and go" with very smooth power delivery, which is perfect for beginners, plus you won't get bored with it after a couple of months. The price is very affordable (especially used), it looks great, is liquid cooled, is comfortable to ride because the ergo-fit system, and it has excellent handling at low speeds. There are also some nice add-ons such as ABS brakes and a gear indicator. The only negative thing I can say about it is that the exhaust is super quiet, at least in my personal opinion. It has a little bit of low end grunt when you really get on it hard but that's about it. Nothing that a slip on exhaust can't fix though.
My first motorcycle was a new 1995 Suzuki Savage LS650. They were first manufactured in 1986 to 2004 and in 2005 Suzuki brought all of it's cruisers under the Boulevard name so the Savage LS650 was now the Boulevard S40. I just read that after a 33 year run, they weren't bringing the bike back for 2020. I feel kind of sad to read that. I really enjoyed the Savage LS650 until I sold it. I'm a 52 year old female & I have a 2001 Harley Davidson 883 Sporster Hugger that I love riding now. Thanks for your videos. Stay safe. :)
My wife and I think your video was great. Thanks! Glad to have found your stuff. My first bike was an 06' 883. My wife used to ride sport bikes. We are getting back into plans for buying us some motorcycles so this video was useful to us.
My friend's Iron 883 has the steering geometry of a wheelbarrow. I ride it for two miles and instantly turned it around to return back to his house. The Star Bolt, Scout Sixty, and Honda Shadow are far superior bikes in comparison to the 883 Sportster.
I went into a motorbike shop to buy a second hand ninja 300 and bought a new Suzuki TU250X because I found it so comfortable with the controls in the perfect position. Easiest bike to ride and am never selling it ☺. Hope on a few and you'll soon realise what you like and don't like.
This will be my summer on a bike. I recently bought a Honda rebel 250. I have been practicing everyday and have been on the roads a few times. When the DMV opens I will be getting my permit! If I can do it, anyone can. Stay safe y'all😁❤
That was super interesting!! Thanks to you I finally signed up for the msf course. I've also been really debating the Honda Rebel 500 so I"m super glad to see it on this list.
I took the H-D Rider Course a year and a half ago, and the Street 500 was what we rode in the class. I was impressed! Very maneuverable, decent power, and even had that Harley rumble (albeit a bit muted). I seriously considered getting one as a first bike.
My biggest advice to novice riders would be to buy the biggest bike they feel comfortable on, a lot of beginner riders make the mistake of buying the smallest and lightest bike they can and quickly outgrow that bike and find they need a bigger bike. I've always said that Harleys aren't for everyone, they tend to be a bit too top heavy(compared to metrics) and usually require a strong clutch pull and let's not forget the Harley vibes(although less vibes on modern bikes than previous gens) but if one is comfortable on and likes Harleys, then go for it. My first Harley was a sportster sport, I wanted a Harley and figured the sportster was more like the metrics I had ridden in my time, although I had a blast with that sportster, I quickly realized I needed a bigger bike for my 6ft 200lb(at the time) frame and skill set, but I was stuck with payments and knew it would be a few years before I could upgrade. So, my advice.. take a class, learn how to ride and then try to take as many test rides on as many different bikes as possible to find the best bike for you, not only for the short term but the long term as well, you truly have to love that bike to enjoy riding, I would then recommend taking an advanced riding course and then practice, practice and practice, bike riding comes more naturally for some than others, but once your skills and confidence improve, there is NOTHING like riding, it's a feeling that's hard to quantify and once you're hooked, you're hooked for life.
Yamaha 250cc, 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, cafe style. Sounded just like a sports car was slow accelerating until it hit 5,000 RPM and then it was like a rocket! Super great on curvy roads.
I learned the basics on the Kawasaki Z125. Took the Harley course on the street 500 and hated it! So heavy and shifting sucked. My anxiety about being on the highway exposed got to me and I went three wheel with a CanAm Ryker. It has gotten me more comfortable with being on the highway without a cage. I'm thinking of running to town on the Z125 now and possibly getting a two wheel as well. I was looking at the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650. You should do a test ride series on beginner/women rider friendly bikes.
Excellent advice for new riders. The general theme is to choose something inexpensive (e.g., used) with a small CC engine (probably below 500cc). In addition to your advice, I’d recommend a cruiser over a speed bike when just starting out. Cruisers are a little more forgiving in my opinion.
Something I found out: seat height listed on the Harleys is always with a 180lb operator sitting on them, new. I went to sit on a street 500 and STILL would have had to adjust the suspension and change out the stock seat in order to get my feet on the ground comfortably. It’s how I ended on my 883 Superlow. That was already done by previous owner. I have a 27 inch inseam. Short girl problems 😂
My first motorcycle....early 60's 125 cc CZ. I was 14 and pushed it home (no tires). My parents were not too upset when they saw it they figured it could never run. I made a lot of mistakes but it did finally run.
I am just learning to ride. This helped me with what kind of bike would be best for me when I get my licence. Thank you so much. Keep making great videos.
All good picks, but the Kawasaki Vulcan S is also a great first and second bike. 650cc, 27 inch seat height, 500 pounds wet for roughly $6.5K...and customizable ergos from the manufacturer. My wife has 3 bikes and is 5’ tall, and I can tell you that the ergos for women and shorter riders is perhaps the most important and under looked factor. My wife bought this 5 years ago and still has it with the other 2 bikes. BMW also has the G310R which is a bit tall but under 400 pounds wet, for under $6K. For my wife and many women, if you go with a taller bike it’s very doable if the weight is lower.
I got Kawasaki Vulcan S650, brand new. I did consider a honda rebel as well. I wanted a bike without chrome - it's a pain to polish and you spend more time polishing than riding :)
@@carrierobinson9442 love my vulcan. It has a bigger gas tank (14 ltrs) than the rebel. It has more CCs for the highway. The Rebel starts to gasp for breath on highways. The Rebel also gets sold a lot after it's been used by newbies: if you want something longer term, Vulcan will be better. It handles well and has ergofit for different size people. The Rebel just comes the way it is.
As a new rider I looked at all these models before I bought my 04 sportster 883. After buying the 883 I took the beginner rider class that Harley Davidson offers and they put us on 2020 street 500s. I made so much fun of those bikes before riding them because they sound like sewing machines to me but I’ll be the first to tell you riding around in a parking lot for 3 days was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on two wheels and that’s coming from a dirt bike rider. Personally I’d buy the 750 before I bought the 500 simply because I felt like the 500 was a bit lacking in power to get up to speed but either way I think that’s a great option. I still prefer my 883 with its peanut tank and forward controls being it feels more comfortable for my legs. Honestly I looked at bikes for 4 years before I bought one simply because I wanted to make the best choice for me and I looked at the 750 shadow a lot. The only reason I picked the sportster over it was comfort. Either bike I can ride all day long with no problem and if my sportster has the custom tank on it I’d be willing to ride across the country on it. In fact I may add a custom tank to it for longer rides once I get more used to it.
Thanks for the video!!! I recently purchased a 2019 Yamaha Bolt. A bit intimidating (I’m 5’3 and 130lb). Can’t wait for my MSF BRC course! I was supposed to take it back in March, but COVID. Anyway, now that I have my bike....class in Sept and reading up on safety tips and advice from other female riders!!! Thanks!!!
Very good video! I keep saying if we want to grow the motorcycle industry we need to increase accessibility to educational resources for people to get started. Dealers of all brands need to do a better job of reducing the barriers for new riders to get into motorcycles.
I think you can safely add Suzuki LS650P Savage, Yamaha XV535 Virago and Yamaha XVS650A DragStar to the list. I'd also recommend the Suzuki Intruder VL800/C800 (Boulevard C50 in the US), which I'm overly familiar with and maybe even the Kawasaki VN900 Classic. I'm being slightly over 5"6 and around 130 pounds, tried each of the bikes and could handle all really easily. My GF saddles a VL800 I gave her and got a real hold of it in ~3 months, with small, incremental steps taken to enable her to practice and improve her riding skills, develop good riding habits and basically get ready for solo riding. For comparison with the bikes I suggested - now I'm saddling the US-imported Boulevard C90T and I admit, it's a rather heavy beast to manipulate without the engine, at least for me. I think I'm already pretty much used to it, but I can safely say the journey to get there wasn't as smooth as with the C800. And as I don't think I'll start growing in height again in my late 40-ties 😀 I may need to get a bit heavier and even a bit more muscular 🙂 Ride hard and ride safe 😙
Thanks for your wonderful videos, made me think back to some great experiences, my first bike was a 750 Norton chopper, the beginning of a long love affair with Norton's. But today I'm on my harley road king. And loving it. Keep smiling
Love me my 883 🖤🖤 lol exactly! Well said about walking into a dealership with me. He knows better. 😂 my first bike was a 2006 harley night train (softail).
Awesome video! Thanks for the Honda Shadow support. I own a 1997 Honda Shadow Ace 1100cc. You are 100% correct Hondas run forever. My 1st road bike was a 1980 Suzuki Enduro. I was 15 years old w/learner permit. (that's all you needed back then). No motorcycle license back then in Florida. Saving for a new Harley Sport Glide (my dream bike). Stay safe!
June of 1984 I walked into a Suzuki dealer and bought a brand new leftover 1982 GS750EZ. My riding experience up to that point consisted of riding a friends Honda CB400 around the block. I could flat foot the Honda but could barely get my toes down on that Suzuki. And in 1984 a 750 was considered a big bike, it was over 500lb. For the last 10 years I've been on a Harley-Davidson Night Train. No plans to ever sell it.
My first motorcycle that I bought for myself was a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I loved that bike and would definitely own another Kawasaki Vulcan if I could find one I liked. Maybe a Vulcan 900 LT Touring bike.
First bike Honda Nighthawk, 6 speed and it maybe could get to 60 all out and red lined!!! But that bike was so fun and I got it at a pawn shop for 500.00. Ran perfect and was a great way to start and was perfect for college.
I'm honestly surprised you didn't mention Kawasaki. The Vulcan S 650 for example, is great for not only beginners, but more seasoned riders as well. I've been riding since I was 7 (currently 42) and I've been on my S for the last 5 years. I'm still quite happy with it and since it has a parallel twin rather than the traditional V-twin in most cruisers, it's quick enough to keep most people happy for years.
I had a first gen SV650. I’ve had over 25 bikes and currently on an Ultra Limited, and the SV is one of the best bikes I’ve ever had. I just wish they were a pinch bigger as they hurt my knees after prolonged riding.
Thanks for mentioning the Sportster 883. For those interested in motorcycle history, check out the Sportster which was born in 1957 and actually existed a couple years earlier under a different model name. American WWII vets came back from Europe with Brit bikes which were lighter, faster and handled better than Harley's. Sales plummeted. Harley had to do something and the Sportster was born. In a very short time, it was kicking the Brit bikes' butts in races and H-D was yanked from bankruptcy. It is the longest running model of any motorcycle in the world. Although a lot of beginners - including women - start out on the Sportster, it is not a beginner's bike, nor is it a "woman's bike". There is a huge following today for all Sportster's from the early 1000cc Iron Head models to today's XL883 and XL1200. One thing special about this bike is that it comes with two footpeg/control positions, mid-control or forwards. This is very important to me because in my senior years, I now have severe lower back problems which make it impossible to ride forwards anymore. However, I can ride my Sporty's mid-controls all day long which I do on a regular basis. I prefer the 883 simply because the gears are lower and perfect for my local mountain twisties. The 1200 is better for highway speeds. Great video, as always.
Try before you buy don’t ever let a dealer tell you no, but the 883 is really a bad choice because of the up keep and because it is so not ergonomic and it’s hard to handle because of the weight
First and still current bike is a Yamaha TW200 dual sport. We knew we would be riding off road in the woods and pavement (no interstate) so hubs thought it was a good learner bike choice. Love my TW but I'll be glad when I can get the Ducati Scrambler Icon I've been eyeing.
Thanks for watching! This video is by no means intended as an end all be all "beginner bike list" I simply wanted to share my favorite beginner bikes that you can finance. I know not everyone has the lump of cash to purchase used bikes up front. (Especially in these times) Hence the title "NEW bikes". As always, do your research, test out bikes YOU'RE interested in, and don't let anyone peer pressure you into a purchase you are not comfortable with!
The bike picks you, you don't pick the bike 😂. Great video ad I'm not really familiar with the Harleys besides the touring ones
Very good video. Looking for something for my wife to start on. Thanks !
I'm 35 I had a stroke. I had to learn how to walk and talk again.
When I get done with therapy you inspired me I want to learn how to ride.
People think "hey do you really want to ride it might kill ya you had a stroke"
I think " As a Fireman, CNA, & Stroke Survivor if I don't live now then ill exist till I die and thats the greatest tragedy"
Good for you dude, when I was 39yo I was diagnosed with right kidney cancer so they cut it out. Then my nephrologist said omg now you have only one kidney you need to be careful blaah blaaah blahh . The first thing I did after the recovery I went to my local speed race club and I did my MSF and I bought used Dyna Street Bob, and I said screw it every day can be your last so why I should hide and avoid any activities because my doctor thinks that way? BS !!! Ride on brother!!😂😂🤣🤣👍👍
Just finished a riding class at 51 years old. I never thought I'd be into riding until my husband invited me to take a class with him. Thanks for the recommendations! I'll be out there soon cruising on a new or used bike of my own!
How exciting!!!
Lucky you my wife is afraid to ride a bicycle........so I have to be a lone rider.
Well you've inspired me to get back to the plan. I was scheduled for a class and then scrutiny was shut down in 2020. Then we were just trying to get back to normal. I'm going to register for the next available class at my Harley shop
Congratulations 🎉52 here and about to enroll for a spring class.
How is it going 2 years after? Curious about it as I am your age and thinking about getting enrolled for a class.
I previously had no motorcycle experience! I had never driven anything with a clutch before!
With that being said, I bought a Honda Grom in November of 2019, learned all of my techniques on that and learned the concepts of riding, then I went and bought a used 2016 Harley Davidson Iron 883. I got a kickass deal on it and couldn't pass it up. I love both bikes and would never regret buying either (from a new, first time rider).
Congratulations! Great to hear.
Nice
Oh Jeebers!... in Oz that slick little turnaround of 6mnths riding and currently on a Harley (other than the street500) takes 2 1/2 years...
@@relativetruth8889 To each their own. A grom only gets up to about 55 MPH at max speeds and I needed something that was a little more sturdy on the roads. It can get quite windy and the grom feels like it will blow over in the wind.
I just passed my MSF course this weekend with flying colors. I believe it all depends on the person and the confidence level of that person. :)
@@yessica_rides oh i love the 883!... I've got a cbr500r till i get my full motorcycle license. I was not commenting on your choices... rather the disparity in licensing between countries... what took you 6months or less will take me three years and 3 different coloured probation plates, no pillions allowed plus modified speed limits and zero alcohol...
My wife rides a rebel 250 and shes 5'1" she loves it, it's small enough where she can easily pick it up and move it about.
I just finished and passed my CMSP riding course at our local Harley Davidson. It was great, I wasn't the only girl and at 5'2.5" I wasn't the shortest. So ladies if you want to do it, take a riding course!
@ѕιlver it wasn't bad at all! I know I had this feeling of oh crap I don't want to be the one to drop the bike in front of everyone, but the bikes are already beat up and no one judges you. They ease you into actually riding the bike so the fear goes away as you build comfort and confidence. After you get your license the best thing to do is just practice practice practice 👌
I'm 5'3" so my advice for all the shorties is to SIT ON ALL OF THE BIKES. You'll never get better if you get a bike you're not comfortable on. I didn't think I was a Harley girl until I got my Iron 883 and now I'm a convert. It's going to be perfect for at least another year, but I can always get the 1200cc conversion kit if I start craving more.
Celi Monroe a friend of mine bought the exact Harley that I did, 2018 Deluxe electric blue. She’s all of 5’3
Exactly the bike I want to get and start with. 💕
I bought a Harley Davidson having no idea how to ride. It sat in the garage until I got my permit and watched TH-cam vids to learn how to ride well enough on my own to get to the MSF course on Camp Pendleton. People thought I was crazy learning how to ride on my Dyna 😂.
I love it!! Haha! People thought I was crazy because I wanted to learn how to ride in general 😂
I am so impressed with your recollection of all of those facts! Seat height, weight, price... very informative! Great job on the videos!
First bike was a 1977 400cc Yamaha Special. It was my only form of transportation in NYC. Toured throughout eastern Canada and the Smokey Mountains with it. I have such great memories of that little machine.
Started on dirt bikes as a kid. My first street bike was a Honda 250cm in 1993. Upgraded to a KZ550 before I gave up riding because of busy schedule commitments with my kids. 2014 I got back to riding and purchased my first Harley, a 2014 Fatboy. As a 5’1” 110lb rider, it was intimidating for the first year. Love my Fatboy and have ridden from Ohio to Vt to UT a couple of times and many places in between. Just get on and ride
I'm giving away my age, but my first bike was a 1972 Honda CB175 I bought when I got to my first duty station when I was in the Navy. I'd never ridden any kind of motorcycle before and I literally drove it out the showroom door! The rest, as they say, is history. Enjoyed the video, Jess!
Hello, guy here, I got my first bike at 29yo and it's the Honda Hornet Cb750. I can totally suggest it for new female riders. You won't outgrow it easily but don't let the CC scare you. All the electronics help tremendously. Also, I am 173cm and I can flat foot it easily. Just a recommendation for a naked. And as an extra bonus for the EU riders you can limit it for A2 license until you get the unrestricted. And for the US riders I believe it comes with a quickshifter by default for you. Lucky US.
Greetings from Florida
Good video, very informative especially for Women.
It blows my mind that people would give it a “thumbs down “.
Keep them coming.
Stay safe, ride safe
I've been learning all I can about bikes, and gear, tutorials, etc for a year now while I save up to buy my first. These tidbits are more than welcome. Thank you.
I rode the Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 for years before getting my Harley Road Glide Special. The Honda Shadows are awesome bikes. Change the oil and keep air in the tires-I swear that is all I ever had to do and never had one problem! The VLX 600, Spirit 750 or 1100 are awesome choices for first bikes!
I'm 5'2" and about 110 lbs so this vid was perfect, thank you! I need to upgrade from my scooter so I'm thinking a motorcycle but I was concerned that for being so small I couldn't find a bike I could handle. Now off to do my research and learn to ride!
I have the same issue! I can flat foot my bfs fz07 but almost dumped it bc I’m 5’5” and 110 lbs
Be sure it’s not too tall and a lighter less expensive bike is a good idea.
@@misterpogi1352 I just upgraded my Yamaha Vino 50 cc for a Zuma 125cc. I think I'm sticking with the zuma scooter for now. Thank you!
Always learn something from your videos, love the excitement squeaks and squeals when a puppy dog is sighted on the ride.
Good advice on bikes for those starting out. Like you said, don't let peer pressure sway your judgement on selecting a bike. Get the bike that fits you physically and mentally! If your brain isn't into a particular motorcycle then leave it or it will not be fun riding it!
Passed the MSF course and decided on a used BMW G310R. Harley Street 500 was too heavy to handle for me. Husband lowered BMW 2” and it’s perfect as I’m 5’2” and 129 lbs. Seat height is now 29”. Great to ride as a new rider!
Great video. I am a guy and I love my new 883. I started in a scoot last year and after the rider safety course (and a job change), I decided to upgrade. I’m 5’5 and 136 pounds and it fits me perfect. I’ll be braving the ride to work once we open back up to downtown Cleveland. :)
Enjoyed the video. All the bikes you mentioned everyone can buy used but almost new ....often with less than 5k miles on it. 5k miles ridden on a reliable Honda is just getting broken in. Motorcycles depreciate a lot so let someone pay for the initial depreciation and still feel like the bike is almost new.Have someone check the bike over before purchase. Look at Cycle Trader, Facebook Mkt Place and Craig's list.
Absolutely true. But many people have a hard time coming up with cash up front. Financing might be the only affordable option at the time. (not long term of course) I know many in that situation, so I decided to only talk about bikes you can finance. I mentioned in the beginning of the video that you can absolutely find any of these bikes still practically brand new but technically used. Thanks for watching and commenting!!
Sorry , I missed hearing your intro...I should've been listening more carefully :-)
My first bike was a CB250 Nighthawk. To quote Shadetree Surgeon: "The aftermarket on the Sportster is so strong, that you can build an entire Sportster, and not buy a single part from Harley Davidson." And, that's literally true. I don't know of another vehicle, in any class, that has the customization options tha the Sportster has. Oh, yeah. Watching Blockhead roll around on a Grom makes me want one of those pretty bad too. LOLOL Excellent vid, as always. Shiny side up!
My wife bought a 2005 Hyosung GV 250 for her first year and well she out grew it. It does crank out at 90mph but is light and squirrelly. Now she set her goal for the Indian Chieftain Dark horse.
Hi Jess, a very interesting video on your choice of beginners bikes with some great advice. My first bike at 16 was a BSA C10 250cc side valve in 1956, in 1958 a BSA B31 350CC
and in 1965 a TRIUMPH TIGER 100 500CC TWIN. Watching your channel has brought back all these memories of my 1960 motorcycling days. Thanks for this great channel with so much interesting content. John in the UK. xx
I ain't a gal. But guy riders like "ballsey" gals like you, You put out good stuff. My first bike was a Sears 106 single banger that i used to do hill climbing with back in the 60"s - I used a hammer to fix it. I have a Harley M8 Road King now, but it was a progression to get there. Your exurberance does add a great service to the community. Your early vids of how you felt and the difficulties of garnering your ticket were a joy to those who have accomplished that and a beacon to those who follow. Keep it up and don't loose your enthusiasm.
My first real ride, I inherited my grandfathers 1971 Kawasaki and I drove it for four years. 23 years later, this past March I rescued the bike from a barn. It hasn’t run since the last time I shut it off in 1997 or 98. I have plans to restore it this coming winter and have gramps bike back on the road again.
That’s a pretty great list you put together. If I were in the position I would have to go look at the HD street series you talked about. For a cruiser...It spoke my name lol.
All excellent recommendations that are very low maintenance and run strong. Honda makes a super reliable bike for sure and an excellent bike to start on. Well done video ! You are a much needed voice to the motovlog community. Appreciate your views and your productions! Ride on! 😎🤘🏽
Thank you so much! This was so helpful. Very detailed and I'm doing it. I think I'm going to go for the street or the iron
My first bike was a brand new Honda CBR600FW in Red, White and purple. I ordered it at the dealership so I could pick it up the day after my motorcycle test, (I obviously hadn’t considered the possibility of failing my test.). Fortunately I passed and my friend took me down to the dealership on the back of his bike. It poured down with rain the whole 100 mile ride home round the M25 and up the A12. However I got it home safely and loved it. I did 11500 mile in just under a year, before I wrote it off in an accident. I would recommend the 650 Honda and Kawasaki soft sports bikes as good beginner bikes (Not the R6 / ZX6R models) If that’s the style of bike you like getting a CBR650F or ER-6F will give you enough power to have fun and go places, but not so much power that you’ll end up killing yourself!
Great insight! My go-to is always the Rebel or Ninja 250, depending if they are a cruiser or sporty type. Especially for tiny petite women, like my mom, the older Rebels are a great option. She’s SO small, I even had to add adjustable levers for her 😂 She’s looking into the rebel 500 for the next bike!
yes! the seat height is so low!!
My first bike was a 2018 Softail Slim. I jumped right into the HD world of cruisers. Braaappppp!!
Test ride everything! Seats are changeable. Bars are adjustable as suspension. Finding the bike you are emotional for will make you ride it also.
My first street bike was a Lava Red Sunglo 2004 Harley-Davidson Night Train.
I was really hoping to hear the Shadow line. I have ridden more than my fare share of motorcycles over the years and I just picked up a new 2019 Honda Shadow Phantom in March and am absolutely in love with it and would definitely recommend it as a bike you could buy as a beginner and continue to be happy with for years.
My first bike was a 1973 Honda cb350. It was a non-runner and i didn't know anything about motorcycles. I ended doing an engine rebuild and an entire rebuild. I really don't recommend buying a basket case but i don't regret one bit about it. I now fix everything on my bikes and got the opportunity to work in a scooter shop for 2 years.
All the way from Los Angeles, CA and purchased my first bike a 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster 48 and I’m 63 years old…
WOW amazing!!!!!
My first bike was a 2002 Suzuki Marauder. It stayed in the shop about as much as it did on the road. And it taught me so much! But it did leave me stranded one too many times. So its the reason I went with a Honda second time around. The Suzuki was also a chain drive. Loud and rough, lots of maintenance! Nothing beats the shaft drives. They're smooth and so low on the maintenance!
I’m super excited, I plan on taking a class soon and I’m saving for a bike for next spring I want to get it before but winter is right around the Corner
New rider and my first and current bike is a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Initially I wanted a cruiser or a sportbike but I live down a rough gravel road and sitting on some I just didn't feel comfortable. I liked the more upright sitting of adventure style bikes but found a lot of them to be too tall for me until I found the REH and absolutely love it! I think for a beginner finding a bike that you love being on and can't get enough of is the most important thing, really that's probably true for all riders.
That's a good beginner list for most people, not just ladies. As you pointed out, you can find accessories or a mechanic just about anywhere in the US for all of those models. My first bike...(drum roll)... 2015 Vespa 150 Primavera (yes...a scooter). Made the leap to a 2016 HD FLSS - Slim S. Buckaroo!
The Kawasaki Vulcan S is an excellent beginner bike, I had one and would highly recommend it. The 650cc parallel twin has plenty of "get up and go" with very smooth power delivery, which is perfect for beginners, plus you won't get bored with it after a couple of months. The price is very affordable (especially used), it looks great, is liquid cooled, is comfortable to ride because the ergo-fit system, and it has excellent handling at low speeds. There are also some nice add-ons such as ABS brakes and a gear indicator. The only negative thing I can say about it is that the exhaust is super quiet, at least in my personal opinion. It has a little bit of low end grunt when you really get on it hard but that's about it. Nothing that a slip on exhaust can't fix though.
My first motorcycle was a new 1995 Suzuki Savage LS650. They were first manufactured in 1986 to 2004 and in 2005 Suzuki brought all of it's cruisers under the Boulevard name so the Savage LS650 was now the Boulevard S40. I just read that after a 33 year run, they weren't bringing the bike back for 2020. I feel kind of sad to read that. I really enjoyed the Savage LS650 until I sold it. I'm a 52 year old female & I have a 2001 Harley Davidson 883 Sporster Hugger that I love riding now. Thanks for your videos. Stay safe. :)
My wife and I think your video was great. Thanks! Glad to have found your stuff. My first bike was an 06' 883. My wife used to ride sport bikes. We are getting back into plans for buying us some motorcycles so this video was useful to us.
My fist bike and the bike I learned on was a 1982 Yamaha 125 enduro bought it from a friend after he taught me to ride when I was 14 years old.
I’ve ridden for 50 plus years and I would recommend the Shadow for a beginner
My friend's Iron 883 has the steering geometry of a wheelbarrow. I ride it for two miles and instantly turned it around to return back to his house. The Star Bolt, Scout Sixty, and Honda Shadow are far superior bikes in comparison to the 883 Sportster.
My fisrt bike was a 98 Honda Shadow 750 ACE . Good first bike. I have now moved up to a 2016 Honda Goldwing.
I went into a motorbike shop to buy a second hand ninja 300 and bought a new Suzuki TU250X because I found it so comfortable with the controls in the perfect position. Easiest bike to ride and am never selling it ☺.
Hope on a few and you'll soon realise what you like and don't like.
This will be my summer on a bike. I recently bought a Honda rebel 250. I have been practicing everyday and have been on the roads a few times. When the DMV opens I will be getting my permit! If I can do it, anyone can. Stay safe y'all😁❤
I bought a Kawasaki 400 to learn on. Now I have a Harley Softail Deluxe !! Sweetest bike ever!!
My first bike was a 2004 Dyna wide glide. In fact I still have that bike. It has over 54,000 mi on it. Love that bike I wrote it just today
New subscriber and future rider…been waiting eyeing the Sportster for a while now.
That was super interesting!! Thanks to you I finally signed up for the msf course. I've also been really debating the Honda Rebel 500 so I"m super glad to see it on this list.
Lol! I had a Honda nighthawk...back in 1982...I just started riding again 2005 Fatboy...I really enjoy listening to you. Keep up the good work!
My wife started out on a 92 Suzuki 400 Bandit. It teaches you clutch control.
I took the H-D Rider Course a year and a half ago, and the Street 500 was what we rode in the class. I was impressed! Very maneuverable, decent power, and even had that Harley rumble (albeit a bit muted). I seriously considered getting one as a first bike.
Honda Shadow Phantom was and still is my first motorcycle. I wouldn't go any bigger, that 750cc is perfect.
My biggest advice to novice riders would be to buy the biggest bike they feel comfortable on, a lot of beginner riders make the mistake of buying the smallest and lightest bike they can and quickly outgrow that bike and find they need a bigger bike. I've always said that Harleys aren't for everyone, they tend to be a bit too top heavy(compared to metrics) and usually require a strong clutch pull and let's not forget the Harley vibes(although less vibes on modern bikes than previous gens) but if one is comfortable on and likes Harleys, then go for it. My first Harley was a sportster sport, I wanted a Harley and figured the sportster was more like the metrics I had ridden in my time, although I had a blast with that sportster, I quickly realized I needed a bigger bike for my 6ft 200lb(at the time) frame and skill set, but I was stuck with payments and knew it would be a few years before I could upgrade. So, my advice.. take a class, learn how to ride and then try to take as many test rides on as many different bikes as possible to find the best bike for you, not only for the short term but the long term as well, you truly have to love that bike to enjoy riding, I would then recommend taking an advanced riding course and then practice, practice and practice, bike riding comes more naturally for some than others, but once your skills and confidence improve, there is NOTHING like riding, it's a feeling that's hard to quantify and once you're hooked, you're hooked for life.
Yamaha 250cc, 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, cafe style. Sounded just like a sports car was slow accelerating until it hit 5,000 RPM and then it was like a rocket! Super great on curvy roads.
I learned the basics on the Kawasaki Z125. Took the Harley course on the street 500 and hated it! So heavy and shifting sucked. My anxiety about being on the highway exposed got to me and I went three wheel with a CanAm Ryker. It has gotten me more comfortable with being on the highway without a cage. I'm thinking of running to town on the Z125 now and possibly getting a two wheel as well. I was looking at the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650. You should do a test ride series on beginner/women rider friendly bikes.
Excellent advice for new riders. The general theme is to choose something inexpensive (e.g., used) with a small CC engine (probably below 500cc). In addition to your advice, I’d recommend a cruiser over a speed bike when just starting out. Cruisers are a little more forgiving in my opinion.
Something I found out: seat height listed on the Harleys is always with a 180lb operator sitting on them, new. I went to sit on a street 500 and STILL would have had to adjust the suspension and change out the stock seat in order to get my feet on the ground comfortably. It’s how I ended on my 883 Superlow. That was already done by previous owner. I have a 27 inch inseam. Short girl problems 😂
They're real! haha!
I'm there with you - 5' even, 26" inseam.
Mike Skidmore I don’t think I would ever be comfortable doing that lol
Dave Beals 5’ and a half inch here 😂
@@Elisa001 Yeah...rub that extra half inch in... LOL
New to the motorcycle world, doing my research, because I’d love to start riding
Thanks this was definitely informative. I want to get my motorcycle L’s next year so this helped a great bit.❤️
My first motorcycle....early 60's 125 cc CZ. I was 14 and pushed it home (no tires). My parents were not too upset when they saw it they figured it could never run. I made a lot of mistakes but it did finally run.
I am just learning to ride. This helped me with what kind of bike would be best for me when I get my licence. Thank you so much. Keep making great videos.
Great coverage of bikes. My first bike was a 82 Yamaha maxim 400. I'm glad your out there encouraging people to ride
I trained on a street Harley, I hated it! My first bike is a softail slim! I absolutely love it and the POWER😎💕
All good picks, but the Kawasaki Vulcan S is also a great first and second bike. 650cc, 27 inch seat height, 500 pounds wet for roughly $6.5K...and customizable ergos from the manufacturer. My wife has 3 bikes and is 5’ tall, and I can tell you that the ergos for women and shorter riders is perhaps the most important and under looked factor. My wife bought this 5 years ago and still has it with the other 2 bikes.
BMW also has the G310R which is a bit tall but under 400 pounds wet, for under $6K. For my wife and many women, if you go with a taller bike it’s very doable if the weight is lower.
My wife is on the street rod 750. I have no idea why street series gets so much hate. They are great bikes and super affordable.
The look isn’t for me but they’re good enough for Captain America. Chris Evans rode them in multiple Marvel movies.
I got Kawasaki Vulcan S650, brand new. I did consider a honda rebel as well. I wanted a bike without chrome - it's a pain to polish and you spend more time polishing than riding :)
How do you like it. I'm torn between the Honda Rebel and the Vulcan.
@@carrierobinson9442 love my vulcan. It has a bigger gas tank (14 ltrs) than the rebel. It has more CCs for the highway. The Rebel starts to gasp for breath on highways. The Rebel also gets sold a lot after it's been used by newbies: if you want something longer term, Vulcan will be better. It handles well and has ergofit for different size people. The Rebel just comes the way it is.
@@carrierobinson9442 Definitely go for the Vulcan!
1st bike with out knowing how to ride is a 2020 street Glide. I'm crazy I know, but I dont regret it.
I think it was 84 here today. Loved it. Logged about 120 miles.
As a new rider I looked at all these models before I bought my 04 sportster 883. After buying the 883 I took the beginner rider class that Harley Davidson offers and they put us on 2020 street 500s. I made so much fun of those bikes before riding them because they sound like sewing machines to me but I’ll be the first to tell you riding around in a parking lot for 3 days was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on two wheels and that’s coming from a dirt bike rider. Personally I’d buy the 750 before I bought the 500 simply because I felt like the 500 was a bit lacking in power to get up to speed but either way I think that’s a great option. I still prefer my 883 with its peanut tank and forward controls being it feels more comfortable for my legs. Honestly I looked at bikes for 4 years before I bought one simply because I wanted to make the best choice for me and I looked at the 750 shadow a lot. The only reason I picked the sportster over it was comfort. Either bike I can ride all day long with no problem and if my sportster has the custom tank on it I’d be willing to ride across the country on it. In fact I may add a custom tank to it for longer rides once I get more used to it.
Thanks for the video!!! I recently purchased a 2019 Yamaha Bolt. A bit intimidating (I’m 5’3 and 130lb). Can’t wait for my MSF BRC course! I was supposed to take it back in March, but COVID. Anyway, now that I have my bike....class in Sept and reading up on safety tips and advice from other female riders!!!
Thanks!!!
You can TOTALLY handle the bolt! Everything will feel incredibly heavy and awkward at first! You got this! have fun!
Awesome. First bike Honda Shadow Ace. Current bike Suzuki Boulevard C50 T
Very good video! I keep saying if we want to grow the motorcycle industry we need to increase accessibility to educational resources for people to get started. Dealers of all brands need to do a better job of reducing the barriers for new riders to get into motorcycles.
I think you can safely add Suzuki LS650P Savage, Yamaha XV535 Virago and Yamaha XVS650A DragStar to the list. I'd also recommend the Suzuki Intruder VL800/C800 (Boulevard C50 in the US), which I'm overly familiar with and maybe even the Kawasaki VN900 Classic. I'm being slightly over 5"6 and around 130 pounds, tried each of the bikes and could handle all really easily. My GF saddles a VL800 I gave her and got a real hold of it in ~3 months, with small, incremental steps taken to enable her to practice and improve her riding skills, develop good riding habits and basically get ready for solo riding.
For comparison with the bikes I suggested - now I'm saddling the US-imported Boulevard C90T and I admit, it's a rather heavy beast to manipulate without the engine, at least for me. I think I'm already pretty much used to it, but I can safely say the journey to get there wasn't as smooth as with the C800. And as I don't think I'll start growing in height again in my late 40-ties 😀 I may need to get a bit heavier and even a bit more muscular 🙂
Ride hard and ride safe 😙
Thanks for your wonderful videos, made me think back to some great experiences, my first bike was a 750 Norton chopper, the beginning of a long love affair with Norton's. But today I'm on my harley road king. And loving it. Keep smiling
Love me my 883 🖤🖤 lol exactly! Well said about walking into a dealership with me. He knows better. 😂 my first bike was a 2006 harley night train (softail).
Awesome video! Thanks for the Honda Shadow support. I own a 1997 Honda Shadow Ace 1100cc. You are 100% correct Hondas run forever. My 1st road bike was a 1980 Suzuki Enduro. I was 15 years old w/learner permit. (that's all you needed back then). No motorcycle license back then in Florida. Saving for a new Harley Sport Glide (my dream bike). Stay safe!
I love watching ur videos. Its very different from all the other motorcycle channels but in a good way. Stay safe!
June of 1984 I walked into a Suzuki dealer and bought a brand new leftover 1982 GS750EZ. My riding experience up to that point consisted of riding a friends Honda CB400 around the block. I could flat foot the Honda but could barely get my toes down on that Suzuki. And in 1984 a 750 was considered a big bike, it was over 500lb.
For the last 10 years I've been on a Harley-Davidson Night Train. No plans to ever sell it.
It is also nice to have a bike with a gas gauge. I have driven many miles and love having a gas gauge. Also a gear indicator.
I'm 5' and I have a Sportster 883. Changed the shocks to Slammer shocks so I can be flat footed on it!
Yup my first ride was a Honda Shadow. I truly enjoyed riding her.. 👌🏽🏍
I started out on the 2020 Indian Scout Sixty and I love it.
My first motorcycle that I bought for myself was a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I loved that bike and would definitely own another Kawasaki Vulcan if I could find one I liked. Maybe a Vulcan 900 LT Touring bike.
First bike Honda Nighthawk, 6 speed and it maybe could get to 60 all out and red lined!!! But that bike was so fun and I got it at a pawn shop for 500.00. Ran perfect and was a great way to start and was perfect for college.
First bike is a 96 883 sportster just got it a few mouths ago
I'm honestly surprised you didn't mention Kawasaki. The Vulcan S 650 for example, is great for not only beginners, but more seasoned riders as well. I've been riding since I was 7 (currently 42) and I've been on my S for the last 5 years. I'm still quite happy with it and since it has a parallel twin rather than the traditional V-twin in most cruisers, it's quick enough to keep most people happy for years.
We are finally starting to get warm weather here in Columbus. This was a very informative video for new riders.
My first bike was a 1972 Honda 70. I love my 2019 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec and my 2004 Heritage Classic and 2017 Suzuki DR650S.
I would have to add the suzuki sv 650 to this list, especially the current generation, great bikes that you can grow into
I had a first gen SV650. I’ve had over 25 bikes and currently on an Ultra Limited, and the SV is one of the best bikes I’ve ever had. I just wish they were a pinch bigger as they hurt my knees after prolonged riding.
My first bike was a zx10r, now I ride a big Harley. Love bikes and love riding.
This is great, thanks for this one - I'm going to send this over to the lady ASAP! 🗽⚡️
Damn, about to roll 15,000 subs. I’m pretty sure I followed you in the first couple hundred. That is crazy growth, well done. 👍🏻
Thanks for mentioning the Sportster 883. For those interested in motorcycle history, check out the Sportster which was born in 1957 and actually existed a couple years earlier under a different model name. American WWII vets came back from Europe with Brit bikes which were lighter, faster and handled better than Harley's. Sales plummeted. Harley had to do something and the Sportster was born. In a very short time, it was kicking the Brit bikes' butts in races and H-D was yanked from bankruptcy. It is the longest running model of any motorcycle in the world. Although a lot of beginners - including women - start out on the Sportster, it is not a beginner's bike, nor is it a "woman's bike". There is a huge following today for all Sportster's from the early 1000cc Iron Head models to today's XL883 and XL1200. One thing special about this bike is that it comes with two footpeg/control positions, mid-control or forwards. This is very important to me because in my senior years, I now have severe lower back problems which make it impossible to ride forwards anymore. However, I can ride my Sporty's mid-controls all day long which I do on a regular basis. I prefer the 883 simply because the gears are lower and perfect for my local mountain twisties. The 1200 is better for highway speeds.
Great video, as always.
Try before you buy don’t ever let a dealer tell you no, but the 883 is really a bad choice because of the up keep and because it is so not ergonomic and it’s hard to handle because of the weight
First and still current bike is a Yamaha TW200 dual sport. We knew we would be riding off road in the woods and pavement (no interstate) so hubs thought it was a good learner bike choice. Love my TW but I'll be glad when I can get the Ducati Scrambler Icon I've been eyeing.