Motorcycles

[tnpartsguy]

OK, I've decided to finally bite the bullet. I've always loved bikes, but my best freind was killed in an accident a year after our high school graduation, and that kept me from really wanting a bike. The last few years though, with my short drive to work, and the fact that my wife was basically born on a bike....I do know that I want a cruiser, not a sport bike. So....I've decided on a Yamaha Star; a V-Star Custom to be exact, but i'm torn....do I get the 650 or the 1100? I'm not planning much to ride on the interstate much, but I am a big guy, 6'3 300 lbs. The other problem is the 1100 is 2 inches lower than the 650....I'm not sure how that's going to affect me....I basically need advice from people that actually ride. Thanks!

[djb383]

There's nothing like riding, it is an absolute blast. How much riding experience do you have? Back and forth to work is NOT the place to learn. You may consider a used 650 or smaller if you are not experienced, then once you are comfortable with riding, trade up in size. I took a safety course many years ago and I remember the instructor saying "ride like you are invisible" and "the minute you think you have the right-of-way, you will be dead right". Cruisers are cool and very popular, but not the best handling because of there weight and steering geometry. In general, they're best at going straight. Just remember to be safe and you'll have a lot of fun. Here is my present ride, I traded a v-twin crusier for it and love it.click

[northvibe]

yea i agree, if you can borrow a friends bike to learn on it would be best. my dad used to have a bike when he was in college and then sold it after he almost got hit by a car. A couple years ago he missed riding and got a yamaha tw250, its a cross between a street and dirt bike. so he can go cruise the street and then we take it to my cabin and go off roading on the trails. My friend's had has a honda goldwing for cruising thats nice but yea their steering is weird because their so big and stuff.

[PONKAW]

Partsguy...How much experiance do you have on a bike?(funny 2 rexers replying to your post)Don

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[tnpartsguy]

I rode some when i was in my teens and early 20's. My 'learn-to'ride' bike was a mid 60's H-D Electroglide. I also rode the ill-fated Honda Intercepter 750 that my freind had bought, one of the reasons I really don't want a sports bike. In the last few years I've ridden a few bikes that the dealership has taken in trade, but not far or long, I'd say less than 6 hours seat time in the last 10 yrs.

[rebbierae]

I say get the 1100. I bet you'd be surprised how much you'll want to ride once you actually have it! My best friend got a new bike a couple years ago and started out with a 650, I believe. The very next year she traded up for a bigger bike because she rode it a lot more than what she thought she would. Good choice on the Yamaha! My boyfriend had a Warrior and I absolutely LOVED that bike, but he sold it. Next on the horizon though is the brand new Roadliner, maybe this spring. You may not think you'll take the bike out on the open road much, but it sure would be nice to have the power if you wanted to!

[djb383]

Dude, sweeeet ride! Love the REX. Have you been to zrxoa.org? It's a great site.

[Altus]

Nice choices of bikes - I like the Star series (most of them).Get the 650 -- you'll save weight, $$, $$ on insurance, and even gas. It'll be a much nicer ride for learning on as well. Especially for reasonably short rides - no need for the 1100's grunt. The 650 will have no trouble whatsoever with your size/weight, you'll be amazed at the power they generate now. You'll find it will handle better too - and still be nice for highway trips. You could probably drop another 200lb passenger on there, and performance will take a hit, but it'll ride fine. TAKE THE MSF COURSE - even if you've had it before, do it again on YOUR bike. Worth every cent you'll spend.Give it a few years, and you'll be ready in many ways to step up to the litre class bikes. You'll be comfortable riding again, be used to the power, and probably be ready for a newer bike anyway.Good luck!

[tnpartsguy]

I'm leaning towards the 650 too, Insurance will be a LOT cheaper ( by $17/month) Lower payments ($40+/month), but the real point is the seat height....the 1100 is 26 inches, the 650 is about 29...I don't really want to be THAT low to the ground..... The MSF course is a given in TN, you can't get your M endorsement without it anymore, plus you get the break on Insurance (20%).

[JohnC]

Get the 1100 and BE CAREFULL.I rode a Suzuki 650 I4 shaft drive for 2 years/33k miles and it was working pretty hard to keep up highway speeds (75mph). It was alot cheaper to insure though.

[Altus]

Oh I don't know... I ride a 25 year old Yamaha 650 Maxim (inline 4), and I can cruise along happily at 150km/h (that's 93 mph). Beyond that it tends to get a little light in the power, but then again.... who cares?Besides that - modern engines are amazingly good at producing power. The biggest mistake anyone can make getting into riding (or back into it after a long time off) is the mistake that happens waaaaaay too often -- buying a bike that's too big and too powerful for your abilities. Learn on something midrange and more comfortable -- then move up if you feel the need to. You'll be surprised at the number of us who've moved back down to midrange bikes