| Author | Message | ||
     Malott442 |
I have my bike up for sale, and a 30 year old married man who has never ridden any motorcycle of any sorts has a keen interest in it. I told him it was my moral obligation to get a pool of opinions on whether it is possible to use an xb12ss as a first bike. He has a friend who suggests the sv650 as a first bike.. Along with the vote, alternative options would be great to hear. I'm thinking if he absolutely has to have it, then he should get a dirt bike and learn on that at least before he tries to coordinate his body to the throttle, brake, clutch..... on a pristine xb. Any votes yes or no, also any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!!  Matt | ||
| Froggy |
I wouldn't recommend anything greater than a 500 for a first bike. Sure, he could be fine and dandy and responsible, but all you need to do is frak up once and your on your ass. Hell there is a thread in the 1125R section, a guy bought a 09 1125CR as a first bike, he was 100% seriously wondering why the front wheel came off the ground during moderate acceleration in first gear. I wouldn't stop the guy from buying it, but I would highly suggest to him that he get something cheaper and more forgiving to get some real world experience on. Also try and get him to take a MSF course and buy riding gear. | ||
| Migs16 |
BLAST!!! | ||
| 20buellteam |
For someone who has ZERO riding experience, no skills, no rider training, let alone a license....and starting off with over 100 hp? absolutely not unless he parks it and gets all the above first. Otherwise ...the outcome (and it wont take very long), will not be pretty.  | ||
| Forerunner |
My first bike was a new 2006 XB12Ss bought in July '06. Only riding experience I had previously was on the Blast's in the Rider's Edge class I took a month previously to the purchase. Armed with that experience it was not an issue, however I agree with the above posts, going in cold may not be the best idea. YMMV, Nels | ||
| 1_mike |
What a joke... It depends on the person...! If he has the capabilities, a 100hp(?) isn't a big deal at all. I "learned" on way over 100hp, many years back, and now have something over 600,000, miles on several bikes. ALL sport bikes, and all over 1000 (998)CC's. The throttle ISN'T an on-off switch. When letting the clutch out...from an idle...100hp(?) ISN'T on tap at 2000 or 3000rpm! It also depends on the location. If he's in the center of a big metropolitan area...maybe something smaller is in order. On the other hand...it's NOT like he's getting on a 1000cc Japanese sport bike! The throttle response on an XB12S isn't super quick like the Japanese bike either. I know, I have an XB12S...WITH the "race" ECM..! I also own and still drive an 03, Yamaha, R1 with almost 100,000 miles on it. At 30...he should know himself well enough. AND......in any case, if the man that wants a bike, it's not for someone else to tell him no. If not yours...it'll be someone elses bike he buys. And if it happens like this, you won't have to worry if you aided in someone hurting himself....which CAN...and does...happen in cars, bicycles and walks in the park also..! Mike | ||
| Sgc530 |
I'm 20, and my first bike is/was an STT. Plenty of power to hurt myself. I haven't yet, after close to a year and don't plan on it (knock on wood). But I have also had plenty of experience on quads and dirt bikes and I have taken rider training and am not stupid about my riding; trying to impress anyone or push my limits. I think it all depends on the person and there is no way for you to tell that, other than first impressions. | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
His money his move. By the time most of us reach 30 we have a little bit more self control. If the guy wants the bike let him have it man. I started out on an SS and still ride it to this day. Jimmy | ||
| Andymnelson |
yeah don't stop him from buying it...that aint right! ....but you do have a great opportunity to help him get started right- encourage him to take an MSF course, give him some riding gear, teach him to respect the bike, etc. Help him like that, and he'll be a Buell enthusiast for life, because he'll understand what the Buell community is all about! BTW, I say all of this as someone who bought a 1995 Yamaha YZF600R new in 96. Fastest 600 that year, I was 19, it was my first bike. I laod it down 3 times over the first 3 years....totalled it the 3rd time. I wish I had a 12SS to start out on! It would have been a much easier bike to learn on... | ||
| Glitch |
A 12SS ain't a bad bike to learn on. | ||
| Jonzin |
I learned to ride on my XB12Scg. I bought it in June, got my learners permit, and rode it around parking lots for about a month until I could get into a riders' edge course. I found the broad power band made it a great bike to learn on. I was very respectful of the bike's power and took it easy for a long time. | ||
| Rainman |
If he was 17, I'd say NO! My first real bike was at 30 and it was 75 horses. By that age, I was into to riding, not flying, and didn't hurt myselt TOO bad. There are worse bikes for a responsible rider to learn on than an XB12Ss. Of course, after 22 years of souped Sportsters and old Gold Wings, I ride a Blast, so take it all with salt. Just give him a heads up to do your part. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I agree Glitch. It's easy to be tame on the throttle, and if you want to go fast, WFO is impressive. It's all about self control. Theres a reason I waited till I was 32 to buy my 12R. Ten years ago..................and I might not be here. I used to be quite reckless. Thats why I got off the rice rockets, and flogged the pi$$ out of my old 85 sporty back in 2002. It was much easier to stay out of trouble with the sportster, and wait for my sense of self-preservation to catch up with my age. Now that I have a little guy at home, it's much easier to ride it like a nancy just so I can see him when I get home. | ||
| Delta_one |
you will have to be the judge of his ability. if he looks like a goomba and you don't want his blood on your hands if he crashes don't sell it to him. on the other hand if he looks like he can do it and has the coordinated and a support system in learning to ride ans most of all YOU are comfortable selling him the bike go for it. I know a woman that her first bike was a CBR 1000 that was heavily modded. it was a hand me down from her husband. 160 to the tire or so.  (Message edited by delta_one on April 16, 2010) | ||
| Greg_e |
You could always offer him a small discount if he proves he is going to take a riding training course (as in deposit paid). Otherwise it is not you're responsibility to determine if he can or can not keep his right wrist in check, the dealerships have no problems selling 200 horsepower bikes to complete idiots, neither should you. Telling him you will not sell it to him because he is fresh is about the same as the state forcing you to wear a helmet. It's his choice, let him make it and stop trying to save him from himself. | ||
| Andymnelson |
I'm not sure where the notion of it being on the sellers head if he hurts himself comes from? Especially since he has clearly made him aware of the dangers of riding a motorcycle....it's the riders responsibility to ride....well responsibly. Not the sellers... | ||
| Malott442 |
So far the input is quite informative from both sides of the fence. I have linked this thread to the guy, and have officially told him that if he wants it, I highly suggest he seek out an MSF course, get some quality gear, and try to find a dirtbike or something to learn the basics of clutching it on. He is basic to the point of not knowing which lever performs what, so whether it is my responsibility or not, I wouldn't feel right if I sold it to him and sent him on his way. I'm not a great teacher, otherwise I would show him the basics. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
+1 MSF course. He'll learn the very basics there, including an introduction to gear. I wouldn't recommend anyone getting a bike they totally love to learn on. Lotsa noobs drop their first bikes. You're learning a new skill, chances are pretty likely you're gonna do something dumb. Why do you think insurance rates are so high for new motorcyclists? Statistics, my friends. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I think that the 12SS platform has the potential to be a great beginner bike. Very predictable power delivery, stable/solid, excellent brakes. So, yea, that is the long version of what Glitch already said | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Yup, its not a matter of IF you will drop it, its a matter of WHEN. That being said, you must respect (and fear!) the torquiness of this bike. My first bike was a modded 9R and learned to respect it quick. Push the throttle and it will go whiplash up into the 100's of mph. Defintley take the MSF course and read some books by Lee Parks. | ||
| Roysbuell |
If he really wants it and you do not want his blood on your hands tell him to give you a deposit and you will hold the bike and will let him take it home after he provides you with proof he took a riders course. You show him you want to sell it, he shows you he wants to learn. Everyone is happy. | ||
| Swordsman |
Having no prior experience, I borrowed my father-in-law's 225cc Yamaha for about 3 months, then got an '06Ss. I was 29 at the time. I rode the Ss for 6 months or better before I actually went and took the MSF course. No problems. The XB's are hard to get used to because of the twitchy throttle and great torque, but if you've got the right mindset ("Dear God, please don't let this bike kill me!") I don't think it's that bad. XB's can be ridden tamely. But with ZERO prior experience? The Ss will eat him alive. I vote NO. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on April 16, 2010) | ||
| Toecutter |
I understand that you want to do the right thing, and you can choose to sell or not sell to whomever you wish. That being said, he is 30, and completely capable of making his own decisions. I do believe that you, as a member of the motorcycling community, have the obligation of informing him that the XB12Ss may not be the best bike to start on, and that the MSF's BRC would also be recommended. Once he understands your opinion and has had the opportunity to think it over he can make a much more educated decision, and you have fulfilled your obligation. BTW my starter was a Ninja 500 FWIW. | ||
| Chippy |
'busa! seriously, ppl get real hung up on this. my opinion is get what you want. just LEARN how to ride it correctly. get all the rider education you can afford. and gear, buy that too. | ||
| Glitch |
I've seen so pretty serious accidents with some unmodified Ninja 250s. | ||
| Forerunner |
Serious accidents can happen with Buell Blast's or any bikes. It doesn't take much to get into trouble. Having some prior experience from an MSF class can get you used to a hand-clutch and throttle. This is coordination that some take for granted although I'm sure everyone here got it right the first time. Although the potential buyer is certainly old enough to make their own decision, I can see how some wouldn't feel comfortable selling this bike to him. If someone jaywalked and I hit them in my car I could be legally cleared. That wouldn't mean I wouldn't feel bad about it or it wouldn't haunt me. YMMV, Nels | ||
| Koolkim |
My 07 Ss was my first bike...sorta kinda...but I ride and drive alot man toys and equipment...over the years. Biking is a bit unique...but do-able with the right state of mind. | ||
| Swamp2 |
A 12ss isn't a tough bike to ride. I got sucked into a similar thread on a different forum where the question was about a 23 year old looking at an 1125 as a first bike. I thought that was a horrible idea and said as much. But, an XB is a friendlier animal, and a 30 year old is a lot less likely to kill himself on it. That said, I think starting on a Buell (any model other than a Blast, perhaps) - you'll never realize what a unique, wonderful machine you have since you have no context. I think the long term enthusiast is one who's had other experiences before getting there... | ||
| Glitch |
This is coordination that some take for granted although I'm sure everyone here got it right the first time. My first bike didn't have a clutch  But, the transition from Z50R to ST90 was an easy one. Any trouble I got into was totally rider error. In case you're wondering, I got the 50 when I was 8, and the 90 when I was 10, I'm damn near 50 now. My view of little bikes for beginner bikes, is the same as most. A graduated learning curve with regards to power is best, most of the time. I have a friend who's first bike was an XB12R, he's a big fella. I'm not sure one of those little bikes would have taught him to like riding too much. If you can't grow up riding, and you're old enough to know your limitations, any XB is a good first bike. By the way, a Ninja 650 is an awesome twistie tamer, as is the SV650. I can see both sides of the argument. If I was selling a bike, and a potential owner gave me the feeling he/she wasn't going to last too long riding, I wouldn't sell. | ||
| 20buellteam |
Way way back when MSF courses didn't exist (at least to my knowlegde in the early 70's)The dealer I worked for provided a lot of basic training....and I was one of the trainers. I coached a lot of new riders and enjoyed it. Never ever had a problem with smaller stuff, but one day the sales guys sold a brand new Suzuki Titan 500 2 stroke twin to a brand new (very green as it turns out) rider. This guy was older than me and I respected that this was his choice. I prepped and coached him as many others at the time. The guy promptly fired it up grabbed the clutch and a cranked up full throttle .....before I could reach out and hit the kill button he dumped the clutch and hauled straight through our parking lot nailing a block wall in full panic. Never forgot it till this day.  Last year, a 37yr old friend of mine said we was going to get a street bike... said he wanted to by a Suzuki B King. I asked why he wanted that bike and if he ever rode before? Oh yeah he said he had a lot of experience....when he was 13 yrs old with a Honda 90 back on his uncle's farm. I laughed. Then he said he wanted the B King because he had heard it was one of the fastest bikes on the planet and that was cool. I asked are you serious? He was so I provided information on the local MSF program which he signed up for and passed. I asked him if he wondered why larger more powerful bikes were not used for this course....I think he understood then  . My 2cents worth |
