Ok, The Real Dope on Best Starter Bikes
After all my joking, now we’re moving up in Google for starter bikes, so I figured I better actually impart some wisdom. Since I don’t know anything, I’m passing on wisdom imparted to me from Scott, Sari’s estimable husband, on the best starter bikes.
Used Starter Bikes
1. Early to mid 80s Yamaha XS650 or 850 they are almost a carbon copy of a Triumph but they work and they are almost impossible to kill. I know a guy that lives near us that buys and sells them he has at least four right now and is probably willing to sell two he also is a retired auto body guy so you might be able to get it any color you’d like. 1000.00 ought to be enough.
2. Mid 80s Honda CB550, 650 or 750 they have classic looks, are frighteningly dependable and accelerate, stop and turn fairly well. Parts are cheap and plentiful because they made a bunch. 2000.00 should get you a dang near perfect one.
3. Suzuki Bandit 600. The motorcycle magazines loved them. They are new enough they shouldn’t have any issues and they are bulletproof and you won’t outgrow it in two month like a Honda Dream.
New Starter Bikes
1. Suzuki SV650 the perfect beginner’s bike. Cheap good power and handling. Everyone that I know that owns one raves about it. Easily upgradeable if you need more go fast, they are a really, really, really popular bike for entry level race classes so parts are easy to find and you can get really sticky rubber for them. (Side note follows: I believe strongly in having more traction than you need rather than less so I buy really expensive soft tires, that way I know I can count on them in an emergency to do what I ask. I willingly trade dollars for security.) An alternate choice would be the new Kawasaki 650 Ninja, a little softer but is supposed to be a very nice entry level bike. 7000.00
2. Ducati Monster or SS in 620 or 800cc’s. How can you not love an Italian motorcycle or car; they look sexy, they sound sexy, they feel sexy. Sari’s bike is absolutely amazing in corners, it tells you exactly how much change is left from that dime you just ran over. If I didn’t own a Buell I’d buy a Duc. Ducatis are more expensive to maintain than your average Japanese bike. For some (especially my honey) the trade off is worth every penny of the 6000 mile service bill. 7500.00/ 8500.00
3. Buell XB9SX Comfy, will tell you the change to the 100th of a cent, has more than enough power for a street legal motorcycle, and American (probably only matters to me). A Buell is kind of like a Camaro or Mustang it’s a really visceral, aggressive almost alive thing that says “Hey I’m bored man, let’s go find somethin’ to do.” The next thing you know you’re in a jail cell in a small town for going 70 mph over the posted speed limit. 8800.00 So there is my list. None of these bikes has a particularly peaky powerband, so as long as you are smooth with the throttle and remember your right wrist controls the speed they should be fine. They also have good to insanely good brakes and good to incredible suspensions.
*****
Thanks Scott!!
Sari is Just Better
She is a motorcycle mama, is an accomplished author and has the pink razr phone I want. She even has a bigger lens on her camera. Plus she has cool hair. Seriously though, Sari and I met about 14 (?) years ago when she was writing for the Reader. She had a very cool column that was way ahead of its time called “She Said” that published comments from an online community of (mainly cranky bitter) women. Ok maybe I was the only one who was cranky and bitter (before I married Dylan). She is finishing up a memoir which hopefully will be fantastically successful. Go to her blog, k?
We’re Number One (for Starter Bikes)
Ok, so as of right now, if you type in “starter bikes” on MSN, we’re number one. This is a sad state of affairs for all the people out there who need real advice on starter bikes and who certainly won’t find it here. I suggest for real motorcycle advice you look elsewhere, like your local repair shops or bike enthusiast community websites, because if you start talking about carbs or cc’s I’ll get a glazed look in my eye and think you’re talking about diets or emails. (Pretty good line huh? I used that in an email to someone last week). I’m much more interested in how I look in the jacket I’m getting than in tricking out some bike with carbon exhuast pipes or something. I love web stats packages, even the crummy broken ones that come with this basic blog, that told me this.
Later that month… Here is Scott’s email to me about best starter bikes that Sari references in the comments below.
On Starter Bikes
I’ve been threatening for years to get a bike and never quite did, to the point where Dylan almost went out and bought me one just to end the monotonous whining each spring when I realize the classes are full until August. This year I’m actually signed up for an April class, and I have already paid more for a jacket than I did for a bike.
I’ve been having a lot of back and forth thoughts on whether to get a “starter bike” after taking the basic rider course. I just dread the idea of dumping a brand new ducati before ever getting out of the alley. However newer bikes actually start and have important things like working brakes. But I found a cool-looking and cheap bike that the (former) owner says runs ok, so I got it. Having dealt with cheap old bikes in the past, I guess I’ll hold my excitement in check until I see if it actually fires up and runs for long enough to raise my confidence. Hopefully it will, and I’ll be reselling it in June.
More info on best starter bikes in a later post.
Belle and Sebastian
Listening a lot to it this past week. Dylan has a full review coming in next week’s City Pages. We’re looking forward to the show next week. Too bad you all missed our rousing bathroom duet of Judy and the Dream of Horses. Also a complete non-sequitor: my chiropractor is a genius. Dr. Bob Shepard. He’s the best I’ve ever gone to. And another shout-out: Thanks to Zach at Motoprimo for spending hours and 3 visits to figure out exactly the right fit for a motorcycle jacket for me. Two inches extra on the arms - I feel like a gorilla! And to just continue the stream of consciousness ramble, I LOVE the Gorillaz. I don’t think Dylan could give a hoot for them, but I think they rock.
