# Good bike for beginners **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329 "2009-04-18T23:49:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/21 "2009-04-21T22:49:49Z")
Almost looks like a dirt bike. the G650 is the single piston. G650 Xcountry has optional ABS while the GS model doesn’t. The 800st looks like a normal sport bike, but I think the engine would be a bit too much for me right away. And there’s a dealership down in Hilliard, about an hour away. One guy at work said he put this kit on his bike that makes his brake lights flash 3 times, then stays on when he uses his brakes. Said it cost about $200, but he’s had people comment on how noticeable it was, and might be worth the money to get it put on. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/22 "2009-04-21T23:29:06Z")
My dad will be 80 soon and likes his five year old Suzuki Burgman 650. It’s a big bike but is listed in their scooter segment with 650cc engine power, step over ease of seating, and a cvt transmission which , for an 80 year old, really makes life nice without all the leg action and constant shifting. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/23 "2009-04-22T00:14:07Z")
Can you afford a BMW? You’d be better off with a used Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha. If you decide you like riding and want to upgrade, consider a BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley, or top line from the first three. I’d also get a multiple cylinder bike. Single cylinder bikes, especially large bore, are bound to be rough. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/24 "2009-04-22T13:25:03Z")
Those light kits do increase visibility a lot. In most states, you can pretty much add enough flashing lights to your bike to be seen from space and still be legal. I would not mess with the original brake light though. I would want one brake light to still be illuminated without flashing. I would add additional (LED) lights that flash. I prefer more subtle ways to customize the bike to make it more visible. For example, I have added a chrome license plate frame and on my hard touring saddle bags I have added some truck DOT tape. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/25 "2009-04-22T13:51:26Z")
Regarding the flashing brake lights - that’s fine, but a big problem with bikes is that oncoming traffic ignores/‘doesn’t see’ the bike, and turns in front of the bike. The car get a dent, the motorcyclist gets killed. I’d rather spend the money on some of the accessories that make the headlights pulse while driving during the daytime, increasing visibility to oncoming drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/26 "2009-04-22T14:52:59Z")
That is a good idea. I find that simply driving with the high beam headlight on during the day helps (which is legal in most states), as does wearing high contrast and high visibility colors. For example, my helmet is white with black accents and my jacket is red and black with white retro-reflective material strategically located on the shoulders, arms, back, and chest. I tend to try everything short of electrical modifications (no pun intended), to avoid electrical problems. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/27 "2009-04-22T21:59:49Z")
That is a plan that I’ve had in mind. Perhaps a white suit with lime green stripes and reflective tape ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/28 "2009-04-22T22:30:54Z")
> Can you afford a BMW? You’d be better off with a used Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha. If you decide you like riding and want to upgrade, consider a BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley, or top line from the first three. I’d also get a multiple cylinder bike. Single cylinder bikes, especially large bore, are bound to be rough. Going by their website, the BMW g650 would be $8400 with the ABS option brand new. Buying a Goldwing sometime down the line would be nice, but the price is nuts and I could buy a CAR cheaper than the base model GW ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/29 "2009-04-22T22:34:59Z")
5 mile commute, why not an earth day suggestion of Bicycle? Sure the triumph 650 is in the garage for parades but 5 miles total commute is less than half of what I do 2 to 3 days a week on a bicycle, Go for a ten speed with road tires? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/30 "2009-04-22T23:53:33Z")
“the BMW g650…” The 650 is a single cylinder with a huge bore. I suspect it is rough. BMW may have solved this issue with counter weighting somehow, but no one else ever did. Go for a test ride, but make it a long one to see if your hands or feet start to tingle from the vibration. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/31 "2009-04-23T00:22:53Z")
Honda 250 Hawk… Large enough for 2 people, enough power for around town transportation. A 500-600 Thumper with a balance shaft makes a nice urban scooter and is fast enough for anyone… ---
**Author:** ![03impreza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/51bf81/32.png) [@03impreza](https://community.cartalk.com/u/03impreza)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/32 "2009-04-23T00:48:44Z")
Yamaha XT225. Single cylinder air cooled, dual sport. I’ve had mine for several years and had zero problems. He only wants to use it for short trips, and can upgrade later if he wants. Can probably score a used one for about $1K. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/33 "2009-04-23T01:18:11Z")
I think it has a balancer, the reviews don’t talk about excessive vibration. But you’re right, test ride’s the only way to tell. ---
**Author:** ![smellyoldbiker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@smellyoldbiker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/smellyoldbiker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/34 "2009-04-23T01:20:57Z")
engine size and weight aren’t as relevant as you think. The best bike to start on is one that fits you ergonomically and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, as you will gain very specific opinions after a while. Sit on the bike make sure you are comfortable sitting on it without having to balance it with your hands. Also take an MSF course. P.S. almost every bike is faster than almost every car, you don’t need a Hyabusa. ---
**Author:** ![B.L.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@B.L.E](https://community.cartalk.com/u/B.L.E)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/35 "2009-04-23T01:49:44Z")
Most all modern large singles, including the BMW, have counter-rotating balance shafts. Fifty percent of the piston’s mass is balanced by the crankshaft couterweight, the other 50% is balanced by a couple of balance shafts that rotate opposite the crankshaft’s rotation. This results in a remarkably smooth engine though it’s still not as smooth as a multi cylinder engine. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/36 "2009-04-23T13:46:36Z")
You could add a cape and name your suit “Fat Elvis.” ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/37 "2009-04-23T21:08:12Z")
I got the fat part down, just don’t think I could let my hair grow out enough to get it like his. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/38 "2009-04-23T21:40:53Z")
If I had a desk job or sat on my butt all day long, I would have done this when I moved here. however, I work in a factory and am on my feet most of the day. Also, my work hours are 7am to 3:30pm, so I’d hafta leave while it’s still dark, and not all the roads I travel are lit. Not sure how much it’d cost to retro fit a bicycle to carry a battery and a large head/tail lamp for proper visibility ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/39 "2009-04-24T14:49:59Z")
With that in mind, perhaps bscar should check out the 250 cc Ninja. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329/40 "2009-04-24T15:09:38Z")
Probably the best advice right there. Much like a beginer’s musical instrument. Get a basic, no-frills model until you feel it out for yourself…then upgrade. My first guitar cost 40 bucks and my first bass guitar 100. The bass guitar I play every weekend now, $1500.00. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/good-bike-for-beginners/29329.md?page=3)