[62609]

I want to start cheap. I'm 36 and haven't ridden in 20 years. I'm concerned about the type of bike since I am 6'5 about 230 pounds. Crotch rockets are out - I probably don't fit and just not my style. I'm looking at cruising/touring style bikes - Honda V45 type stuff. Is this too much/too little bike? I don't want to spend much 500-1000 since I'll probably get a couple dings getting started again and frankly I like working on motors. Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[BrowningBAR]

I want to start cheap. I'm 36 and haven't ridden in 20 years. I'm concerned about the type of bike since I am 6'5 about 230 pounds. Crotch rockets are out - I probably don't fit and just not my style. I'm looking at cruising/touring style bikes - Honda V45 type stuff. Is this too much/too little bike? I don't want to spend much 500-1000 since I'll probably get a couple dings getting started again and frankly I like working on motors. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Congratulation on the FIRST rational "I'm a new rider, what bike should I buy" post!

Can we send this poster a prize? T-Shirt? Something? Usually we get "should I buy the 600 or liter bike for my first purchase" or the "is the Honda VTX a good first bike?"

Pretty much the general thinking is to grab a dual purpose bike. With your height and size you should fit just fine.

 

[12er]

KLR 650, next question?

 

[The_AirHawk]

BossHo... ah, nuts............

 

[BrowningBAR]

Which weighs more; the Chrysler Building or an Egyptian Pyramid?

 

[pplassm]

+1 on the dual sport. KLR650 if you don't need much off-road capability.

I know people who have toured the world on them. FSSNOC has lots of information, as does advrider.

If you want something light, whippable, fun off-road, look at a DR-Z400. It's the ultimate urban assault weapon.

If you get one, you may never sell it.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Which weighs more; the Chrysler Building or an Egyptian Pyramid?

The old "Chrysler Building / Egyptian Pyramid" trick eh? Heh heh heh.

 

[The_AirHawk]

The old "Chrysler Building / Egyptian Pyramid" trick eh? Heh heh heh.

Dude, everybody KNOWS that the handling and acceleration of the newer-technology Chrysler Building FAR outstrips that anachronistic old Egyptian Pyramid!

I mean, the Egyptian Pyramid Company still uses STONE to construct their buildings fer crissakes! At least Chrysler has developed a steel-backbone frame and comes equipped with much-lighter glass.

True, some say that concrete is a poor substitute for natural stone - it just doesn't have that same "feel" to it. But I say you should just LOOK at what you can form with concrete! It will completely envelop a girder, making it solidly-anchored to the ground. Try getting natural stone to do that.

And look at what you have to do to service a Pyramid - you've got to enslave the ENTIRE nation of Israel just to check the valve-clearances!

Besides, the riding-position of a Pyramid is just not my style - just layin' there in your Sarcophagus, slowly drying-out in the desert heat...............

 

[12er]

+1 on the dual sport. KLR650 if you don't need much off-road capability.

I know people who have toured the world on them. FSSNOC has lots of information, as does advrider.

If you want something light, whippable, fun off-road, look at a DR-Z400. It's the ultimate urban assault weapon.

If you get one, you may never sell it.

Or if you do sell it, you'll regret it... I miss my KLR

 

[pplassm]

The key is....Dual Sports are fun, and there are abundant examples out there for reasonable money.

Don't get seduced into the cruiser or sportbike crowd just for the poser value.