I grew up riding a Honda 150 and 250 on the trails in upper Michigan. It has now been about 20 years since I last sat on a bike but I am looking to get a street bike.In speaking with a few friends of mine who have bikes I have been told to get nothing less than an 1100. However, two of my friends whom have a V-Star 1100 said that after a year they learned their error as they were ready to upgrade to a minimum of a 1300.It's common( and smart) to start back into motorcycling with a smaller bike to build confidence and handling skills. It's really going to be a factor of how confident YOU are with a bike rather than someone elses opnion of what you should do or the power level of the bike. At your height and weight, just about any crusier will not be a problem for you because you will be able to flat foot it at a stop. As far as power, power delivery is a function of throttle control. Anyone with common sence can control a powerful bike. Just use your head and not so much right hand and you'll be fine. So, my question... For someone who has not ridden in quite some time, would I have any issues starting on a 1300 or 1800? I do not want to end up in the same position they were after a year, but am not certain if the bike could be "too much" for someone who has not ridden anything larger than a 250. I am 6'1", 250 lbs so I do not want a "little" bike. I plan to take a motorcycle safety course to get re-acquainted with riding a bike.Bang for your buck , the 1300 is a great bike and has good power for it's weight. The 1800 is not a lot more powerful but has more potential than the 1300 does if you want to hot rod it latter.I have been looking at most makes of bike and am leaning strongly to the VTX 1800 or 1300. I like the dual front brakes and extra power on the 1800, but could grab a 1300 if the price was right.Should I worry about the size of the bike?I wouldn't and I'm only 5'6" and I ride an 1800. Or, just find the one I like and go with it?Go for it.You have your head in the right place by wanting to take a rider saftey course. Do so for your benifit. But before that, spend a lot of time in empty parking lots on very slow speed manuvers. That will build a lot of confindence for you. Never stop trying to be a better rider. If you accept the fact you can always learn something more to make you a better and safer rider and practice that approach everytime you get on a bike, you will be all the better for it.
My advice is get the biggest bike that you can afford. Yes, at the beginning it will be intimidating, but you will grow in to the bike. I agree with your friends that wish they bought the bigger bike. It happened to me when I bought my first bike, which was a Kawasaki Vulcan 700. I was able to afford bigger, but was intimidated. Taking the ridding courses is an excellent idea. I have taken the beginner and the advanced courses. It is worth the money.
Quote from: jarubio on December 15, 2010, 02:56:48 PMMy advice is get the biggest bike that you can afford. Yes, at the beginning it will be intimidating, but you will grow in to the bike. I agree with your friends that wish they bought the bigger bike. It happened to me when I bought my first bike, which was a Kawasaki Vulcan 700. I was able to afford bigger, but was intimidated. Taking the ridding courses is an excellent idea. I have taken the beginner and the advanced courses. It is worth the money.In 2005 I decided to buy a bike. I had sold my last bike in the late '70's (a Suzuki RE-5, yep the rotary engine). At age 55, 225 lbs and 5' 12" I looked around and bought an 03 1800 S. I was surprised how quickly I got comfortable with it and was very glad I had not bought a 750 or 900. I'm sure a 1300 would have been just fine but the 1800 is a blast.Just my $0.02 worth.Good luck to you.
Quote from: Snake Doc on December 15, 2010, 05:46:57 PMQuote from: jarubio on December 15, 2010, 02:56:48 PMMy advice is get the biggest bike that you can afford. Yes, at the beginning it will be intimidating, but you will grow in to the bike. I agree with your friends that wish they bought the bigger bike. It happened to me when I bought my first bike, which was a Kawasaki Vulcan 700. I was able to afford bigger, but was intimidated. Taking the ridding courses is an excellent idea. I have taken the beginner and the advanced courses. It is worth the money.In 2005 I decided to buy a bike. I had sold my last bike in the late '70's (a Suzuki RE-5, yep the rotary engine). At age 55, 225 lbs and 5' 12" I looked around and bought an 03 1800 S. I was surprised how quickly I got comfortable with it and was very glad I had not bought a 750 or 900. I'm sure a 1300 would have been just fine but the 1800 is a blast.Just my $0.02 worth.Good luck to you. Humm! Did you go to school in Houston or Dallas?