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 Discussion Topic  |
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dalemllns
 New Member
17 Posts
scottsboro, alabama
USA
Honda
shadow
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 Posted - 03/07/2007 : 5:37 PM
 
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Poll Question:
How many CC's was your first Bike? And give some input for guys who are thinking of buying a bike can go from.
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| Results: |
| 125 |
[19%] |
7 votes |
| 200-250 |
[8%] |
3 votes |
| 300-350 |
[5%] |
2 votes |
| 400-500 |
[8%] |
3 votes |
| 600-800 |
[38%] |
14 votes |
| 1000- and above |
[22%] |
8 votes |
| = Guests |
(9
votes) |
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Poll Status:
Closed »» |
Total Votes: 37 counted »» |
Last Vote:
03/14/2007 3:30 PM |
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dalemllns
New Member
17 Posts
scottsboro, alabama
USA
Honda
shadow
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 5:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dalemllns
How many CC's was your first Bike? And give some input for guys who are thinking of buying a bike can go from.
I started with a 750 Honda. Not a large bike but not really a small one either. It felt good when I set on it and I had to have it. |
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sixsigma
Advanced Member
801 Posts
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Suzuki
Marauder vz 805
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 6:21 PM
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| I started with a then "mid sized 500 yamaha cruiser" felt good but light on the highway |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
6954 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, ID
USA
Honda
XR650L, 790 Adv R
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 6:36 PM
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| Your choices don't go small enough. My first bike was a 100cc Kawasaki. It was slightly faster than a bicycle. But I accidentally discovered dirt riding with it, so it was a good bike to start on. |
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Baggsy
Advanced Member
728 Posts
[Mentor]
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Suzuki
09 Wee
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 7:09 PM
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It was an '82 Kawasaki KZ250 LTD for me.
It had a decent acceleration. A top speed of about 110 k/h ~ 65 mph and weighed in at a little over 300 lbs.
It would fit into the back of my dad's minivan, and insurance was under $250 per year.
Since it was so inexpensive and small I wasn't afraid to lean it way over.
It was a perfect starter bike. 
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Thom Thumb
Advanced Member
1595 Posts
[Mentor]
Jordan, MN
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster XL883
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 8:36 PM
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I'm kind of in the gap between the first two choices. I started on a Honda CB175. It was cheap, simple, reliable, cheap, easy to maintain, had a very comprehensive owner's manual, had enough power for highway riding, was light, and handled predictably. Did I mention it was cheap?
That bike never punished me for any mistakes I made. It was easy to pick up if I goofed in parking lot practice. It ran like a Swiss watch (probably sounded like one too). Got something like 100 MPG. Of course, I wanted MORE. 
TT |
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Marke Lane
Starting Member
3 Posts
Kansas City, MO
USA
Honda
97 GL1500
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 8:45 PM
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Mine was a used Honda 1972(?) CB350. (34 years ago? Hurts to think that far back.)
A bit lacking in HP, which was good. Probably keep me out of some trouble I wasn't ready for. Javascript:insertsmilie('')
Remember my first long trip with it, Iowa to Colorado. Hit a nasty headwind in Nebraska. Wide open in forth gear and just making 45 mph.
As to what to get as a first bike? I get that question frequently in my BRC classes. Three things I tell them to consider: The bike has to fit your body. (If it hurts to ride it you won’t.) Think hard about buying a used bike. (Doesn’t hurt as much when you drop it the first time – and you will drop it! Also allows you to trade up without loosing much investment.) And last, size matters. I suggest staying in the 600 to 900 cc range. It’s powerful enough to ride the highway but small enough so they can focus on improving their skills without being afraid of the bike.
The comments are just in general. Each student is different.
My brother–in-law went from a 250 Rebel to a GL1100 in two months.Javascript:insertsmilie(' ')
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harleygal
 New Member
16 Posts
Lunenburg, NS
Canada
Harley-Davidson
2006 Dyna Low Rider
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 5:25 AM
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Hey, I started on a Honda Z50 at age 9. My first on road bike was a Honda XL 125, then I went up from there: Harley 883C and now Harley Dyna 1450. Fun isn't.
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Thom Thumb
Advanced Member
1595 Posts
[Mentor]
Jordan, MN
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster XL883
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 7:56 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Marke Lane
Mine was a used Honda 1972(?) CB350. . .my first long trip with it, Iowa to Colorado. Hit a nasty headwind in Nebraska. Wide open in FOURTH gear and just making 45 mph.
Marke, didn't the CB350 have a five speed transmission? Must've been a heck of a headwind - did you see Dorothy and Toto blowing by?
My CB175 wasn't much, but it would do a legitimate 75 MPH. Are you like me - wishing you still had that first bike?
TT |
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Niebor
Ex-Member
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 9:26 AM
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Interesting! I also took the smallest option, as my first ride, and for years, owned was a Honda Trail 90. The Cushmans were all worn out by the time I was old enough to care about riding.  |
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nomad dan
Advanced Member
1276 Posts
Denver, Colorado
USA
Kawasaki
06 Vulcan Nomad 1600
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 11:15 AM
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Thinking you meant, what size bike was your first street bike, I voted with what my first street bike was.
Most of us that rode dirt bikes before riding on the street had much smaller dirt bikes than our first street bike. |
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dalemllns
New Member
17 Posts
scottsboro, alabama
USA
Honda
shadow
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 11:55 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by nomad dan
Thinking you meant, what size bike was your first street bike, I voted with what my first street bike was.
Most of us that rode dirt bikes before riding on the street had much smaller dirt bikes than our first street bike.
Sorry I wasn't Clearer about that. Yeah I mean the first street bike. The one you have the most memories of. I have told some friends who are thinking of getting their first bike to come here. They're alot of good things to be learned here of safety and techniques. And just general knowledge. So if the majority of guys who are still riding today started on a Honda rebel I'm gonna recomend something of that size.... Thanks guys (and Gals). |
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WarHawk
Advanced Member
1796 Posts
Baytown, Texas
USA
Yamaha
'07 V-Star Custom
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 2:10 PM
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I brought an old '82 Honda Silverwing back to life, it was a 496cc, it ran AWESOME once I got the carbs and the tank cleaned up
Even had more than enough power to push me (250+lbs) and my wife (130+lbs shhh..dont tell her I told) down the freeway at 70MPH all day long without a problem |
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fnotneyrod
Junior Member
34 Posts
Cornish, ME
USA
Honda
96 Goldwing sidecar
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 2:33 PM
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My first street bike was a 1971 Norton 750 Commando. Black with gold lettering on the tank.
When I got it, in '74, it had 6 inch over forks and a bobbed rear fender and it sat so high they had to straighten out the side stand, so IT would touch the ground, before the tank. I replaced the forks and fender, and set the rest of the bike back to stock; made it handle like a totally different machine
People complain about Brit bikes, but that Norton never left me stranded, and I rode it about 500 miles a week.
Wish I still had it. |
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kazen
Junior Member
31 Posts
Layton, UT
USA
Kawasaki
Vulcan 900 Classic
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 3:33 PM
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| My first bike is also my current, a Vulcan 900 Classic (which is missing from the list of choices so I picked the 800cc choice). |
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Marke Lane
Starting Member
3 Posts
Kansas City, MO
USA
Honda
97 GL1500
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Posted - 03/08/2007 : 6:17 PM
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Thom: Yes, it was a five speed. It was a really nasty headwind. Still, that CB350 didn't seem to have much power to spare anyway.
Do I still wish I had it?
While I do think about once in a while, it's in a thankful way. Thankful that the Wing is sooooo much nicer.
But the 350 did teach me about motorcycle mechanics. I could remove the engine, do a top end overhaul, and put it back in four hours. (Did it many times to fix the cam chain tensioner.) Can’t do that with the Wing!
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dalemllns
New Member
17 Posts
scottsboro, alabama
USA
Honda
shadow
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Posted - 03/09/2007 : 2:45 PM
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| Well so far the majority of guys are like me. From 600-900 ( sorry that wasn't there friend) and a few guys over a 1000 CC's. Its intresting to know this because I guessed it would be more smaller bikes than larger ones. Thanks for answering this poll guys. And check out the article about trucks and trailers as this is a very important caution we should all be aware of... Be safe All |
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debodezine
New Member
18 Posts
Sterling, Co
USA
Kawasaki
900 Vulcan Classic
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Posted - 03/10/2007 : 11:29 PM
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| the first bike I had was a 1982 yamaha 185 exciter when I was 16 then when I turned 20 I got a 1990 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 then I went to a 750 Vulcan in 92 got rid of it in 93 and didnt have another one till about 3 weeks ago when I bought a 2006 Kawasaki 900 classic LT which I love and plan on keeping for about a year then trading in and getting a 1500 or so |
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ricstir
Starting Member
1 Posts
Fort Worth, Texas
USA
Honda
Vtx !800 Retro
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Posted - 06/04/2007 : 8:59 AM
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"It felt good when I set on it and I had to have it"
thats how my wife felt when she met me..hehe
Suzuki 750 here
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changvoll
Junior Member
33 Posts
Boise, Idaho
USA
Kawasaki
KLR650
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Posted - 06/04/2007 : 9:46 AM
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| My first bike is a Kawasaki KLR650. When I purchased the bike (a whole month ago) I wanted something relatively light, but with enough cc's that I could hit the highway when ready. |
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LoganS2k7
Starting Member
5 Posts
bassett, virginia
USA
Kawasaki
Ninja ZX-6R
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Posted - 07/10/2007 : 4:46 PM
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| my first bike is a ninja zx6r its a 599cc bike. its light and its pretty quick, i love it. |
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Discussion Topic |
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What Size?