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Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 01:14 pm: | 
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The R bikes have a pretty aggressive riding position... Some people like it, but I would not recommend that as a first bike. I would start with less of a "niche" bike.
I'd be on the list of "recommend against" any XB as a first bike also. Get something with less power, and something cheaper to drop in the driveway.
I would recommend a street legal dual sport as a first bike, something like a Kawasaki KLR-250 / KLX-250S, a Suzuki DR350, or Yamaha (mumble mumble) 250 or 350 (forget what it is called). Some light dirt oriented street legal bike.
Ride that for a year and decide what kind of rider you want to be (cruiser, standard, sport bike, adventurer... all great bikes but all very different) then get the right one then.
During that year, get lots of experience off road. Not jumping or racing or anything, just riding around on dirt roads and in the woods. You will learn a ton of cheap lessons, and get really good at handling a motorcycle when things aren't going as expected.
During that year you will have a nice fun little commuter that is cheap on gas. When you do decide what "next bike" you want, you can either keep the dirt bike as a play bike / loaner bike, or sell it. If you bought it used, you might very well sell it for what you paid for it. |
Flyingpenguin86
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 02:02 pm: |
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I got an XB9S for my first bike (which I'm selling now, if anyone is interested!!!). I haven't had any wrecks, but I would still recommend AGAINST getting an XB for your first bike. If you TAKE THE RIDERS COURSE and pay attention to what you're doing, it would be fine, but like everyone else is saying, it takes a lot of respect for the bike before you can ride it safely and comfortably. That being said, the XB's are great bikes and after I sell mine, I'll hopefully be getting a 12R. |
Jdemoxb9r
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:12 pm: |
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Oh and deliverin pizza is probably not too easy on the bike but....
I Totally deliver Freaky Fast Gourmet Sandwiches for Jimmy John's on my XB9R!!!
You should see the looks(and tips) i get when i pull up to a bunch of fellow college kids at a party at 2:30am to bring em their sandy's! |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:21 pm: |
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I would buy something cheap for the first bike.
As new riders, we all do silly things sometimes while our body & mind configure themselves to "motorcycle capable".
Such things as putting a foot down in the wrong place and dropping the bike in a parking lot.
Or the hard learned lesson of making sure the kick stand is on firm ground. Usually learned when bike is found lying on it's side. (I'm guilty of that one).
Or even forgetting to put your feet down when you come to a stop. (Did that once when I was 15. Only once  ).
So I say go cheap for the first year. Wait until your body and brain learns the routine and bike operation becomes almost automatic.
Then buy the XB or which ever bike catches your fancy. |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:23 pm: |
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Oh,.. and Welcome to the BadWeB!  |
Macdiver
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 05:50 am: |
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I would recommend against getting an XB as a first bike. These bikes have a lot of power and are not very forgiving.
I recently returned to riding after a twenty year break. I was looking for a blast but found an XB9R here on badweb. I took the riders edge course before buying to refresh my skills.
I have had two "close calls" so far because of the quick throttle response of these bikes. The first one I was practicing my figure 8's, and rolled on the throttle a little fast and/or let the clutch out too far and lifted the front tire while still turning. The second time I was leaving work and the engine started to stall (I didm't let it warm up long enough). I gave it some gas, and broke the rear tire free. If you saw the episode of pinks where the host dumps the bike, this is what happened. Both times I saved the bike because of skills I had from riding years ago. T
These events have convinced me that these bikes have too much power for a true beginner. It is not controlling yourself, and not going to fast or stunting. It is having a bike that is more forgiving when you make a simple mistake. Therefore buy the Blast and learn to ride it well. |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 09:56 am: |
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Yeah, Blasts are cheap to. Give it at least 6 months on it, you'll have a Firebolt to look forward to after that! I've seen them on Craigslist for less than $2k, then you can sell it and be 2000-1500 closer to your Firebolt. |
Rainman
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 10:16 am: |
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Or you can keep it and drive it in traffic, getting 60 mpg on the urban brawl to work. I'll never sell the Blast, it makes too much sense in an urban environment. |
Gunut75
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 10:27 am: |
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If you can afford to, go cheap the first year. If you find the right price on a blast, get it. In a year or two, you can get majority of your money back by re-selling. I started on a smaller bike (69 suzuki GS 400) and rode that bike for 2 years. Ater two years, I was very comfortable, and it was time to upgrade. In the last 15 years, I have owned classic Triumphs, Hondas, Kawis, Harleys, and Suzukis. I just bought my first Buell, and am very aware that my riding skills cant even come close to the capability of the bike. If youre gonna go big right off the bat. Make sure you have your head screwed on! BE CAREFUL! After you take the riding course, get into an advanced course. When you ride, dont pass your own confidence level. Ride your own bike! Dont try to be like your buddies that have been riding for 5 years. Thier pace may be a little faster, but you will still be able to hug your mom again cuz you made it home. Know your limits. Keep in mind, that Im not rippin on you. Ive lost too many friends to accidents, because they were riding past thier skilllevel on public roads. If you get the XB, be easy on her: she'll whoop ya. Enjoy your new scoot, whatever you decide to buy. Oh yeah.......WELCOME! |
Zane
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 10:33 am: |
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Zack.
I'm a relatively new rider myself. I bought a used Blast in April of this year and don't regret it for a second. It's reliable, economical, easy to work on and you can still do some light duty corner carving.
It's a smaller bike with only 34 horsepower and 30 foot-pounds of torque. That does two things. It keeps you from acting like a lunatic right out of the gate and forces you to learn to drive a motorcycle, not just twist the throttle. You'll learn to listen to the bike for your shifting points. Because it's so light you'll have to pay more attention to your riding position and balance. It's got great braking and short of driving like a moron the Blast is very forgiving no matter how you screw up.
If you're serious about being a GOOD rider and not just a rider, then get a Blast. In a year the Blast will train you to be a better rider for your next, bigger bike.
Forgot to tell you to take an MSF approved motorcycle class. Don't even consider riding a motorcycle without taking this class. You'll learn concepts that will go a long way toward keeping you alive.
(Message edited by Zane on December 04, 2008) |
Thatman
| | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 12:17 am: |
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I had a Suzuki GS500 that I paid 2000 for. Not much plastic and light weight. Still has enough power for short trips on an the highway. Good bike to learn on because it was cheap and when I sold it still got my money back. |
Flyingpenguin86
| | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 04:45 am: |
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+1 on getting a blast!!! They named it that for a reason!!!  |
09ltrain
| | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 09:18 pm: |
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This is my first post but I have been visiting here for three weeks. On 11/15/08 I bought a 09 xb12scg as a first street bike. I have had and have fast vehicles Mustang Cobra, F150 Lightning and thought that I can handle the speed. I will tell you this and take it for what it is worth, this is not a good first bike. Anyone who buys these types of bikes are looking for excitement. It does not matter if it speed or cornering, in the wrong hands they will scare (if your lucky) or kill you. People WILL try to race you. If you can't say no then don't get the bike. I scared myself into parking the bike until I take a MSF course. BTW I am 34 and know better but I still acted silly, but I am still here. |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 09:22 pm: |
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When I was 17 or 18 I'd take my dirt bike out on the ice for power sliding fun. Yea I dropped it a couple of times but nothing got hurt. Years later I was riding home in crummy weather and got caught in an ice storm on a KZ750. The earlier lessons got me home safely. Practice in a safe environment is priceless. |
Dogdaze
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 09:30 am: |
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Vinson (09ltrain),
Your wisdom and self control are admirable-may you live a long life mate!
I chose a used xb12s as my first ride, but only after fully understanding that I'm 47 yrs old and satisfied the adrenaline rush need for speed years ago skiing, rock climbing, windsurfing, mountain biking, you name it.
I was never as head strong as 9m9knight(RIP friend), but am sure would have shared his fate, if this much raw power was in my hands when I was age 20.
Ziptop - know yourself......
I respect all you youngsters that ride these bikes and make it home safe every night - I just don't know if I could have at 20.
Only with maturity can you dance with the beast, without being seduced by her. |
Xbniner
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 02:46 pm: |
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I bought a xb9r firebolt this summer. I am 23 and it is my first bike and I love it. I feel like I've gotten pretty good but I still haven't pushed the bike, or more importantly, let the bike push me.
I'm like Ltrain in that I've always had fast cars and I dragraced and did a little autocross, but a bike scares me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to use this bike to it's full potential, but it's more fun at 3k rpm than any car I've had at WOT.
While I don't regret my purchase at all and could never settle for anything else now, five years ago might have been completely different. And even at my age I can tell that most of my friends (both with and without bikes) are not mature (or scared) enough for a bike like this. |
Iamarchangel
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 10:07 pm: |
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I bought a 9R this summer also. It was my first bike in 25 years. I had plenty of experience back then.
I made a promise to myself to relearn gradually. I didn't go on any major roads and stuck directly to the speed limit. I didn't push any corners. I made myself stick to a 10 kmh increase every two weeks. There is a major highway that has less traffic on Sunday, so after a few weeks I went on that at the highway speed, not pushing anything. I learned some things there and got off.
Point is make haste slowly. |
Jumpinjewels
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 11:48 pm: |
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My 20 year old son got his first bike this past summer. It's an SV650S and he loves it. He took his MSF class and got some time on the track in October with instructors. Will have him on the track again this spring. It's a great place to learn in a safe environment.
Before getting my Scg I rode an SV650 also. Had it for about 2 years, then rode my hubby's 12R and fell in love. So I got me a Buell too. Have done many track days and learn every time I go. The hope is to make my riding on the street safer and to get to know what my bike and I can do together.
Have fun whatever you get and be safe. ATGATT |
Gowindward
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 09:55 am: |
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Do some of you people not remember this thread.
"9m9knight down"
Anything over 500cc is not a starter or first bike. Help this young man to become an old rider with words of wisdom like Reepicheep's. Amen!!!
Motorcycling is fun regardless of the displacement of the engine. |
Dbird29
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 10:25 am: |
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Buy a POS for your first bike.
When you drop it it won't hurt so much. |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 08:07 pm: |
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Motorcycling is fun regardless of the displacement of the engine
True. Very true.
I've been riding for 23 years, have gained a lot of experience & knowledge and would love to own a Kawi Ninja 250.
Those little bikes are BIG FUN! |
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