this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2024
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Motorcycles
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Hey guys I'm just about saved up for a motorcycle course so I can get my license and just ran across this thread while browsing Everything, and thought this might be a good time to ask what a good bike would be to get as someone new to riding?
How tall/big are you? It makes a difference.
What style bike do you like?
I'm 6'2" 170 lbs. Tall and skinny. I think crotch rockets look cool, but so do (pardon my ignorance) those Harley type of bikes that go badoombadoombadoom.
The former looks fun while the latter looks more comfortible for going down the highway to another city, and getting stuck in traffic along the way.
I'm embarassingly ill informed but have always wanted to get on a bike, and thought it was funny that a community named Motorcycles doesn't seem to like Harley Davidson. (Most people I know who ride own Harleys, so I just kinda thought that's the kind you get)
So please, change my mind, inform me on what ever the hell you want me to know
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are more of a brand than a bike, so they're not known for being reliable or comfortable to ride compared to a lot of other bikes. That being said, they're perfectly fine if that's what you want, and you understand that you'll have a higher likelihood of something like a persistent oil leak, or annoying electrical issue.
The local motorcycle school by us uses Yamaha dual sport bikes for taller riders, they're pretty inexpensive compared to other bikes, they can take a beating, and they're pretty easy to buy and sell used.
I have a tall buddy that got a Honda NC700X as his first bike and he's been riding it for years on pretty long road trips. It has an automatic transmission and ABS brakes, so compared to a lot of bikes, it has a surprising amount of safety features.
Of course, get what you like. The old saying is it's better to buy a bike you'll grow out of, then to buy a bike you'll grow into.
Fucking fantastic summary! I appreciate your warning about Harleys, as I had no idea.
Sounds like Yamahas and Hondas are the two main go to's at least in this thread, and I've even seen a Yamaha that looks like a Harley before! Just wasn't sure if that was the way to go, as the owner described it as a cheaper version of one. Definitely don't want to pay more for just a brand, if the thing if gonna fall apart like that.