Advice on first motorcycle

[KatyMan]

Hello all...my wife and I decided we want to get into motorcycles and riding. I've never ridden, but am taking the MSF Basic Riding Course next week. Once I have my license, we're going to buy a bike and we've sort of narrowed it down to 2 (at least so far). What we want is something new/used from a dealer, so we can finance it and have some sort of warranty (until I can learn how to do basic maintenance and troubleshooting on my own). We're looking at the Yamaha V Star 1300 Touring and the Triumph America (a 900, with saddlebags and passenger backrest). Anyone have any strong feelings about either bike, or a rec for a different one?
Thanks, and I'll hang up and listen....

[flamin lib]

1. Not enough info.

What,s your primary interest? Long distance cruising? Daily commute? Two up riding? Weekend warrior?

Both bikes are nice and you really can't go wrong with any major manufacturer. The Triumph is almost half the weight of the V Star so it might be a bit more nimble in traffic but for long distance comfort and two up riding the torque of the 1300 is awful nice.

Ya really can't go wrong for quality, reliability or service with any of the majors. Get the course done, get the MC stamp on your license and see if you can test ride them. It's all personal preference once you match the type of bike to your riding style.

[KatyMan]

2. Thanks, great info

We had read several things that suggested getting a 700 or so if one is a beginner, but I have a friend at work who has a 750, and has been riding about 2 years, and he advised getting something larger, as he got used to it pretty quick, and wishes he had a bigger bike.

We live near Houston, and our plan is to ride on weekends for day trips, or overnights in Austin, etc. We're hoping to make our first longer range trip be the Rockport music festival in June (Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Gary P. Nunn!); it's just under 200 miles--that would probably be as far as we envision going (at this point). I would also take it the 3 miles or so every work day to the Park and Ride.

[flamin lib]

3. It depends on the 700.

I rode a lot in the mid '60s; BSA Lightning Rocket, Triumph Bonneville and, believe it or not, a Sears 175cc. Last rides were Honda 305 Hawk and 450. Ah, the good old days! Drum brakes that faded at 40mph, zener diode charging systems (didn't need a headlight dimmer, just slow down), simple electrics (only an ignition switch and headlight)and ya had to kick it to make it go!

Took a 50 year hiatus and now ride a Hyosung GV 650. http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/product/introduction.asp?cat=Cruise&model=GV650

650 cc, dual overhead cam, 4 valves/cylinder, 12.5:1 compression and redlines at 11,500 rpm. A cruiser with the heart of a crotch rocket! Small on displacement big on go fast (for a cruiser). It is my transportation of choice, grocery shopping, commuter before retiring and the occasional 250 mile round trip just because. Not enough torque for two up which is okay 'cause you couldn't get my wife on it at gunpoint. She calls it a suicycle.

Both of your choices are air cooled. Very traditional and only issue would be rush hour traffic for Houston commutes. 59 south or 45 north would fry the engine with all the sitting and waiting; air cooled bikes need motion to cool. Of the two you've mentioned the Yamaha would probably suit you best--unless the plan is to get two bikes! Honda and Kawasaki both offer nice water cooled V twins.

May I suggest http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/ for apparel? I bought Fieldshear armored jackets (retail $300) for >$70 and similar savings on helmets and gloves. Jackets in the plural, you say? Yeah, one for winter and one for summer. The summer jacket is mesh and it's cooler than wearing a tee shirt--like wearing a sun shade.

Ride safe and USE THE FRONT BRAKE every time.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Figure out YOUR needs, not a co-worker's

If you want to race, or pull a wheelie at 130mph, or make a daily commute between Denver and the continental divide, then a 750 or 900 might be too small.

If you're just going the speed limit (or 10 over) in Texas, maybe nothing steeper than the hill country (a nice ride), and don't care to win drag races with your wife on the back, then the 750 or 900 will be plenty of engine.

I love the look of the Triumph, but would probably get the Yamaha, just because if it breaks down, you're probably closer to a Yamaha dealer than a Triumph dealer.

[Fumesucker]

5. The Triumph is more than enough motorcycle to haul two people around..

The only thing about the Triumph is with that seating position you're going to want a windshield or fairing for extended highway riding. If you're sitting bolt upright without a windshield the wind pressure against your upper body and head will have you pulling on the bars to remain upright, you don't really even notice this for five or ten minutes or so but after an hour or two it will get very tiring.

Naked bikes that have no windshield are much more comfortable to ride if you're leaning forward a bit, this puts a bit of weight on your wrists at slow speeds but wind pressure will take that off at any reasonable highway speed.

The Yamaha is awfully heavy for a beginner, tip it over in a parking lot and you're going to need to know the correct technique to pick up a bike that size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Er4FFEQ8I