[Disco_Volante]

Is there a bodyweight to motorcycle ratio that is ideal for controlling a bike?

I weigh 160 lbs,
I got on a 900cc Vulcan cruiser that weighs over 650 lbs I couldn't control it at all.

Im starting to think I could never go above a 300lb bike, my body doesn't have enough mass to control the larger bikes

[Ensam]

No, if you know how to ride and have good balance your bodyweight doesn't matter.

[philosophical_recovery]

(04-03-2015 02:16 PM)Ensam Wrote:  

No, if you know how to ride and have good balance your bodyweight doesn't matter.

This.

My bike weighs somewhere around 380lbs and I'm about 190. On the entrance ramps I can almost sit side saddle with the bike leaned over, grabbing the passenger seat, just to check out the lanes before I merge over. It feels stable until I give it a steering input by counter steering where I want to go, doesn't matter where my weight is on the bike.

Largest bike I've been on was a 1600cc cruiser when I didn't have a license. It was fine while moving, but I was scared shitless of dropping it in a low speed corner because it was so damn heavy. But, with practice I could have handled it and back then I also weighed about 160.

[Ensam]

This is what good slow speed riding looks like:

[Cyclone]

(04-02-2015 10:01 AM)Jneg Wrote:  

I would prefer something light and agile for going around the city on, if that helps.

Based on this right here, 200-250cc might hit the spot. I think others that are recommending 500+ live in the suburbs or something and take the highway a lot. I have a 200cc here in Singapore and it's quick, hits 60mph, and gets the job done. I feel bad for all these wannabes that feel like they got to ride a crotch rocket just to be considered a rider
.

[Savage]

If you're after a sports bike then I'd go for a 250cc four stroke engine from Honda, Kawasaki Yamaha or Suzuki, take your pick. I definitely wouldn't bother with anything as low as 125cc as you'll outgrow it fast.

If considering something other than a sports bike then you may want something a bit bigger maybe in the 400-650 range, it really depends on the bike. I have also heard that the Suzuki SV650 is a good bike for beginners. If you are really just riding around town I used to own a Honda vtr250 which was awesome for that purpose, and would be a really easy bike to learn on, but it wouldn't really be suitable for long trips on the highway or anything like that.

Finally, I'm not sure of your budget but buying second hand is never really a bad idea for a first bike, as its less worry if you drop it, and you'll lose less money on the sale when you decide to upgrade. Use the money saved for decent helmet and other riding gear. (Well, you should be getting that anyway!)

[Phoenix]

I have a self imposed 250cc max, and I wouldn't recommend 125cc. As soon as you come to a hill you feel like you should help your bike out by pushing too. Most of the guys I know with bikes started on 250cc. They also say after a while of riding it 'I want something bigger', but that's a conversation you have to have with yourself.

[Caravaggio]

I highly recommend you to start with somewhat 500cc. I bought a Honda CB500F (500cc, 50HP) and it perfectly fits my needs. It has enough power to have fun with but not too much to overwhelm the rider (especially when he's a beginner). When you buy a 250cc it is likely that you get bored pretty fast and as mentioned by other users before selling the bike and buying a new one is a loose of money.

If you have the A2-licence now (correct my if I am wrong but you are from Germany, right) than you are limited for to years on riding a bike with 35KW max. engine power. If you want something more powerful than it is probably wise to buy a powerful bike and ask your dealer to restrict the engine to 35KW and as soon you have the regular A licence (no engine-power-restriction) you can remove the restriction. Upside of this method: you only need to buy one bike, get a engine restriction is not very expansive and you start with a not too powerful bike, which is good to practice your riding skills.


At the end some thought about the Honda CB500F:
As mentioned above I own this bike and I'm fairly happy with it.
The main advantages are
-The optics (it looks really good, more powerful than it is)
-It's very light (ca.190kg) -> makes the handling is really easy
-Standard-ABS
-Good fuel consumption
-Well acceleration
-Comfortable to sit on (I may suggest a windshield for longer highway trips) but on regular rides through the countryside or city you won't have any issues regarding comfort
-Insurance is very cheap


Picture:


EDIT: typo

[faznine15]

Having rode motorcylces for over half my life the biggest thing that I took to heart was

Quote:

Never be in a hurry to die.

This applies to bike size selection, riding style, and pretty much everything else you do two on two wheels.

If you are about to do something just think to yourself am I in a hurry to die today? If you answer yes go ahead and chug that beer and hop on your bike. Otherwise the right thing to do is pretty damn obvious most of the time (smaller bike to start even thoug it's less cool etc). These things don't have airbags. You don't get a second chance.


A great site to remind you to always wear you gear and not be a fucking moron on one is http://www.ride2die.eu/index2.html. Nothing like some disfigured corpses and smasshed up gixxers to remind you that these things are not a joke.

[CaptainChardonnay]

I started with a Yamaga R6 at the age of 16. Rode it for about 4 months, the whole summer and then someone crashed into me and it was totaled. Rode it ridiculously fast hitting 250kph on the highway because it was a beast, I think that was the most dangerous thing I've ever done in my life. Was a cool feeling, the absolute only thing I was focused on was the throttle, brakes, and clutch and the roar of the engine. There was nothing else at all in my mind other then that. Now that I'm older, I'd never go that fast on a public road again, that kind of riding is only for the track. Too many pot holes, loose gravel, and shitty drivers. If you plan on going fast I suggest getting earplugs.

I also had a buddy of mine around that age die riding a Ninja. Just be careful. I suggest getting a 600cc though. You'll get bored of anything less very fast.

[faznine15]

(04-07-2015 03:33 PM)CaptainChardonnay Wrote:  

I started with a Yamaga R6 at the age of 16. Rode it for about 4 months, the whole summer and then someone crashed into me and it was totaled. Rode it ridiculously fast hitting 250kph on the highway because it was a beast. I also had a buddy of mine around that age die riding a Ninja. Just be careful. I suggest getting a 600cc though. You'll get bored of anything less very fast.

Yea a perfect of example of what I was getting at. You knew you were being a dumbass. How could you not be you were 16. I did the same shit and thankfully hit a mailbox at 60mph instead of an oncomming car. Some dude who helped me get the bike out of a ditch told me the whole "don't be in a hurry to die son" and I stuck to it ever since. Thankfully you got lucky as well. t

[roberto]

If you're looking a smaller bikes then safety aside, the most important thing to say is avoid Chinese crap and stick with Japanese. Can't stress that enough.

A Jap 4-stroke ten to fifteen years old will be easy enough to maintain, and simply won't depreciate any more as long as it is running. Keep the oil fresh and she'll keep running.

Yeah, a ten year old Jap bike will be the same money as a new Chink one. Which one do you think will still be running in another ten years?

It also means that if you do want to upgrade you'll never loose money. I have two 125cc 4-stroke dirt bikes for my guys to use at work. I could sell them both after three years hard use for the same as I bought them, despite the extra 25k miles on each. Age and miles become irrelevant on older Jap bikes, so long as compression and chassis are good then they hold their money.