Scared new rider

[kawichic]

Another chick! Yay!!!! Welcome!!!

[V2K_CCTX]

what Lee said!

[Mamadukes]

Just a few thoughts from another new-ish rider, although older than you:

As a never-ridden-anything-with-two-wheels-before, inexperienced rider, it helped to have a bike that didn't feel so overwhelmingly huge and heavy. My Vulcan 500 lets me flat-foot the bike (I'm 5'2"), which is a safety issue. Its light enough that if I feel it starting to tip, I can use by body, my legs - whatever - to "muscle" it back upright. WHEN I dropped it while learning, I was able to pick it right back up while cursing hard (kind of like being able to talk while jogging) I could put my foot down all I wanted on those slow, low-speed turns and KNOW I wouldn't go down - still working on those footless turns, dammit!

So I guess I'm in favor of starting small and moving up, as your skills and instinct allow. I know if I'd started on a bigger, heavier bike, I probably would have thrown in the towel. Instead, now I feel I have a bike that I control, while getting more miles and experience under my belt. Will I eventually want a bigger bike? I can already see that day coming. Highway riding is causing that feeling.

Another consideration is the age/condition of the bike? Are you mechanically skilled? An older bike, like an older car, means things are going to wear out and break. That could run into money if you have to take it to a shop for everything. A newer bike will just need routine oil changes, etc. for a while.

Welcome to riding, and always remember to have your brain working on all cylinders and all your gear, whatever you decide for your ride.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by socalmarcus

My recommendation would be to avoid a 4 cylinder bike as your first. Keep in mind that salespeople have an interest in selling you a more $ bike. Used is a great idea.

It depends on your intent.

If you want to learn how to work on a bike, an inline 4 makes that very easy, but adds very good reliability so you don't have to tinker too much. My 4 is a 550, so it's not terribly heavy and the power curve is a bit smoother.

However, if you plan to let a shop work on it, a modern twin would be a better choice to avoid the extra weight.