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slapshot_oi · Jul 10, 2009, 11:08 AM

In a few minutes I have to leave to head to my first course of motorcycle training. After the training is complete, I want to buy a bike right away so I can continue my practice.

I'm looking to get a cruiser in the 250 class, any suggestions? The Yamaha V-Star caught my eye.

JudyKayTee · Jul 11, 2009, 10:15 AM

I think you get what you pay for and prefer a Honda Goldwing.

slapshot_oi · Jul 22, 2009, 07:38 AM

I got a 2006 Virago 250.

Stratmando · Jul 27, 2009, 06:36 AM

Goldwings are nice, not for a first bike.
Cornering, stopping and accelerating need to be automatic, practice.
Use your signals and stay out of peoples blindspots, drive like cars are trying to hit you.

slapshot_oi · Jul 27, 2009, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Stratmando

Goldwings are nice, not for a first bike.

I'm only 5'-7" so I doubt I'd even fit on a GoldWing anyway.

Originally Posted by Stratmando

Goldwings are nice, not for a first bike.
Cornering, stopping and accelerating need to be automatic, practice.
Use your signals and stay out of peoples blindspots, drive like cars are trying to hit you.

I just ordered some gear this weekend. In my state, there isn't a helmet law, but I'm going to wear a full-face, Snell approved helmet anyway.

I live right down the street from a big open parking lot. I plan to practice what I learned in the MSF course for a month or two, then hit the road at 6:00 AM on a Saturday morning so I can have it to myself. I just met a landscaper who's been riding for years who's willing to coach me too, so I got a mentor to help me out.

Stratmando · Jul 27, 2009, 07:39 AM

I'm 5' 7", and have had some of the Biggest and Most Powerful Bikes. The problem is when you are moving very slow or stopped.

TulipJen · Jul 28, 2009, 07:05 PM

I'm 5' 6-1/2" female and ride a 2005 Yamaha VStar 650 Custom. I love it and it has been a great bike. I'm really glad I didn't get a 250 right out of training class, because the 650 is almost getting "too small" a year into it. My SO wants to ride to Sturgis next summer and I am worried that my 650 is not heavy enough to withstand the SD winds. My opinion, get a decent used smallish bike (650 or so) for a year or two of riding, keep customizations to a minimum, sell it, and then trade up to something a little bigger with more power and customize that. Just my 2 cents.

Stratmando · Jul 29, 2009, 06:06 AM

TulipJen, A 650 Yamaha got me from Nevada to the Florida Keys and an 85 Lb Duffle Bag in 6 days. Vibration was tough. A 4 Cylinder would have been smoother.

JudyKayTee · Jul 31, 2009, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by TulipJen

I'm 5' 6-1/2" female and ride a 2005 Yamaha VStar 650 Custom. I love it and it has been a great bike. I'm really glad I didn't get a 250 right out of training class, because the 650 is almost getting "too small" a year into it. My SO wants to ride to Sturgis next summer and I am worried that my 650 is not heavy enough to withstand the SD winds. My opinion, get a decent used smallish bike (650 or so) for a year or two of riding, keep customizations to a minimum, sell it, and then trade up to something a little bigger with more power and customize that. Just my 2 cents.

How much do you weigh? I'm 5'4", 105 pounds, can handle a Goldwing but it's really too big for me.I like a bike with weight to it.

JudyKayTee · Aug 3, 2009, 10:03 AM

Purely bragging but I just added a photo of the Goldwing to my photo album at AMHD.

slapshot_oi · Oct 16, 2009, 10:30 AM

Well, I haven't had the Virago 250 for long (bought it in July) but I'm already bored with it, I'm trying to sell it on craigslist as I write this. I topped it out at 70MPH and can't get it any faster than that. I'm not looking to blaze trails, but I want a bike that's safe enough to catch up with the flow of traffic on the highway, like during rush-hour.

I rode an EX500 for a weekend and that was fun, and real fast compared to my bike, but also really shaky on lousy roads. It built my confidence in that I can at least handle a bike bigger than mine. So next season, if I can afford it, I think I'm going to buy one of those new V-Star 950's. I thought about a 650, but I think I'd rather have a big large enough so I can comfortably take a passenger and some luggage. Now that I've been riding, big bikes don't seem as big anymore.

And, most likely, the riding season is officially over. We had some flurries today.

Originally Posted by Stratmando

Cornering, stopping and accelerating need to be automatic, practice.

The starting and stopping is, but cornering can still has room for improvement; I tend to scrape my pegs a lot.

Stratmando · Oct 18, 2009, 10:14 AM

Scraping the Pegs is OK, That is your indicator to not lean over further.