First Bike

[Rundel]

I've take the MSF course and been searching from my first real bike. I had a deal on a 94 K75s that fell through. My wife feels sorry for me and is letting me look around. I took her to the local dealership and she said I ought to forget a F650 and go ahead and get one of those "big" bikes (R1100RT) since she figures thats where I'm headed.

I'm not into sport bikes and looking to ride for fun - short trips (15 mile) to the office and weekend excursions.

Is an RT too much a bike for someone with limited experience?

[BradfordBenn]

Just my experience. If you are looking for easy commuting, I find the F650GS more "nimble" than my RT.

Also as a conservative type person, what happens if you hate it? That is a lot of money to try something.

And to be realistic, when you drop an F650 it is fairly easy to pickup. When you drop an RT it is much harder.

Of course any BMW is a good BMW.

[Ironhorsecowboy]

If you are purchasing your first bike and don't have much rider experience you should maybe opt for a good used bike in smaller displacement ( the 650 or some other fairly nimble size) because if you do drop your bike chances are you will do less damage and you can hopefully handle that bike easier until you gain your confidence and skills. Also the resale and loss of the used bike will not be as much when you decide to go for a larger bike. Good Luck whatever you decide!

[RebeccaV]

I'd also suggest starting out on a bike with smaller displacement than a new RT. I'd suggest buying used, too. There are lots of great used beemers out there - check out the marketplace at www.ibmwr.org.

Buying a used bike that you feel comfortable with will get you out riding, and while you're out there, you can check out other bikes, talk to other riders, find out if you like what you are riding, why you like it and even IF you like riding at all.

The previous two posts also mentioned dropping your bike, which I think happened to me once...:brow - I would strongly recommend A) getting a bike that you can pick up by yourself and B) getting a bike that would suffer minimally from being dropped.

You'll know when you're ready for your RT.

[Rundel]

So, if the recommendation is not to go for a RT, what would be recommended K75, k100 or F650?

[Rad]

Rundel

I think BMW's are very expensive first bikes.

I see lots of people in my MSF classes with questions like yours.

I tell most of them:

Go ride the bikes yur think'n about.

I suggest they buy a used Japanese bike around 500cc’s. They should ride it for about a year. At the end of the year they can sell it for almost the same as they bought it for. At the end of that year they will have a much better idea of the kinda bike they want or need.

Good luck

[Spider]

Rundel, from my own experience, I recommend the Honda Nighthawk 750. It's a great first bike, and it's good enough that you won't tire of it too soon. I put about 7500 miles on my Nighthawk over two years, and then traded for a 98 R1100RS.

Welcome to the m/c fraternity.

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Rundel
So, if the recommendation is not to go for a RT, what would be recommended K75, k100 or F650?

Of these I would go with the F650. However I can not strongly enough recommend going with something that is less expensive. I had a Vstar650 first, and got confident with it. Then I was ready for a BMW. If I hated riding, I would not have invested a whole lot of money.

Then when I was ready for the BMW I knew what I wanted. Experience is the important part.

Of course, it is your decision and only you can decide what is right for you.

[kbasa]

Think small. Also, understand that you're going to drop this motorcycle on the ground. An RT is not the bike to drop on the ground.

I'd look at a Suzuki GS500 or Kawasaki EX500. Both of them are small, light and powerful enough to keep up with the big boys. You can buy them cheaply, ride them for a season (which will help you decide whether you want to actually ride or not) and sell them for what you bought them for when you upgrade.

If you look at the motohistories here, you'll see that most folks started on little bikes and then worked up to something larger.

[Rad]

Originally posted by KBasa
I'd look at a Suzuki GS500

:thumb Might just be the best starter bike there is.

[knary]

Originally posted by Rad
:thumb Might just be the best starter bike there is.

I completely agree. There are many who have started with the big bike. We certainly understand your strong urge to get it.

But...
1. You won't know what and how you want to ride until you've got some miles under your belt.
2. new riders have been known to scratch up bikes faster than experienced riders. Sad, but true.
3. what have you got to lose getting a smaller cheaper bike? nothing.

Get something used. Get something easy to handle. The bikes Dave (Kbasa) mentions are *perfect* for your needs. If you dent a GS500 that already has a scratch or two, you won't be upset.

IF you've got your heart set on a BMW, an F650 or F650GS is a good choice (and better than a K75 for new rider!). You can find them used for under $6k all day long.

my 2 cents.

[Rad]

Originally posted by knary
I completely agree.

Forget starter bike.....I want one to goof around on.
http://www.prosourcesuzuki.com/images/GS500.jpg

[knary]

Originally posted by Rad
Forget starter bike.....I want one to goof around on.
http://www.prosourcesuzuki.com/images/GS500.jpg

Your KTM and GS aren't enough?
;)
(is there ever enough?)

turning green,
-scott

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Rad
Forget starter bike.....I want one to goof around on.
http://www.prosourcesuzuki.com/images/GS500.jpg

{aol}

Me too!

{/aol}

I'm going to move this out to Campfire so more folks will see it.

[Cliffy777]

You want to start with something light(er) to build your confidence. The point about a used bike you can ride for a year and sell for the same price you paid or close to it is solid advice.
if you are stuck on a bmw, then the 650 beemers are a fun ride. I had a CS and a GS version each for a couple of days while I had some service work done. They both have enough juice to get out of the way and handle very well.
the GS version would give you the added bonus of potential off road riding.
have fun - wear a helmet!

[Rundel]

I appreciate all the responses. I'm not a young rider (46) just a new one. I have info on a good deal on a 99 RT but have considered a F650 for the education and fun of it. I've got the gear (helmet, coat, pants on order), I took the class (MSF) so its just a matter of what to get. Right now my wife's sympathetic since a sweetheart deal on a K75s fell through. I have several BMW cars in the family so I know the quality of the brand. I have the luxury of the time to look around but want to move while spousal support exists.

[Spider]

Rundel, we didn't realize you were that young, but I think our advice still holds.:)

[basketcase]

What to say? Dropping one may or may not be a big deal, and which bike to start on is almost as touchy as which synthetic oil is most synthetic.

I've seen it go both ways. Many new or re-entry riders do start out on smaller bikes, and I did the same. I bought a Honda VT 700 Shadow that I stayed on about 5,000 miles and seven months. The cruiser seating beat me to death in short order, and I soon wanted something bigger, more comfortable, etc..

My next bike was a BMW K100. Loved it. Wished I had done it at day one. But I would not have known that had I not done the Shadow first.

There is a lot of wisdom in starting on a smaller bike because of the light handling and subtle but related safety issues. But if you really know what you want, I would say, "get it." Plenty of safe and enthusiastic riders have started out on the bike they stayed on. A mid-40's friend that I know rode away on a new GL 1800, took his wife for a ride when he got home, and had over 40,000 accident free miles on it last I saw him.

Earlier this year, another friend over in Mississippi bought a K100 for his first bike. Dropped it the first week at a traffic signal. Bruised his pride, but (fortunately) he was not injured and there was no damage done to the bike. He seems to have gotten it out of his system, and has been riding it like he stole it ever since.

Since then, a friend of that friend has done a similar deal with a K1100LT. My friend rode it home for him, and then gave him the how-to lessons. He has dropped it once -- in his driveway. Again, no real damage done, and the new K11 rider has hit it with confidence, and hasn't cracked up yet. He is riding regularly.

Personally, I have talked with many potential riders about motorycycles. I neither encourage someone to buy one, nor discorage them from riding. Basically, if you are going to ride -- with all the inherent hazards, thrills, and responsibilities, it has to be a decision you can "own," made with a bike you can be happy with.

Hey! If nothing else, you pick the bike, and let your wife pick the color ...!

[dlearl476]

As an owner of a '99 F, I'd say that would make an excellent first bike. So would a cheap used UJM, so would a really nice /5. I think the important thing here is getting one that is cheap enough that you won't want to slash your wrists if you drop it, and maybe you can KEEP it when you buy another bike. Always nice to have a spare. Maybe your SO will one day decides SHE wants to ride as well, and there you go!

[donkey doctor]

Hello; What a dillema, a BMMW as a first bike or something else? People are seeking responses that they want to hear, not the sincere experience of others. If you want a BMW, get a BMW.

My number two son needed a beginner bike last summer, I bought him a Yamaha SRX 600 single. It's perfect for the job. I love riding it too.

A few of the lessons this bike will teach him are; How to kickstart a big single, how and where to park, simple basic maintenance.

It'll give him a motorcycle experience as real as can be had on any motorcycle for $300

I doubt my son will yearn for a BMW for many years yet, he sees a BMW as an old mans bike.

At 46 you know what you want, if it's a BMW so be it. It'll serve you well.

[fish]

Rundel, if you have your heart set on an RT, go for it...don't look back and don't pay the nervous nellies any mind.

I know lots of guys who have had boxers as their first bikes.

As you know...RT's rock. :)



Now if you were considering an R1 or Gixxer, I'd probably counsel you differently. But you're not, so I won't.

[Rundel]

I don't have my heart set on any particular model. The town where I live is the site of an annual BMW rally and I break into a sweat everytime over 150 bikes hit town. I'm considering K75, k100, F650 as well as a possible RT. I'm just trying to appeal to the collective wisdom of this forum to learn the pros and cons of each as a first bike.

I'm in the process of trying to secure an older Yamaha dirt bike (2 cycle basket case) to learn more about maintenance and to have something on which to practice some of the MSF riding skills.

[basketcase]

Instead of debating whether a new rider should buy a particular bike, maybe the question should be, "What type riding will you typically do?"

Before I resumed riding (after a "finish graduate school and start my family haitus"), I had settled several things about what I wanted.

- I knew I would be riding on the street and not on dirt.

- I knew I wanted a shaft drive and tubeless tires.

- I knew I wanted an electric start.

- I knew I wanted to be as mechanically uninvolved as possible with the motorcycle. The Shadow I mentioned above met all those criteia.

My expectations were that I would be contented to make a short, around town ride on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons, and that my other half would never go with me.

What I did not expect was to find myself getting up before daylight to make 300 mile daytrips, or to find myself wanting to strap all manner of stuff on the thing to go on three day camping expeditions. Also, my wife began to show an occasional interest in an afternoon eating out trip with friends, so the Shadow was lacking for that.

By the time I had ridden the Shadow 5,000 miles, I had learned a bit more about myself, and that knowledge shaped much of my next motorcycle decision. Also, I had gotten back into the mechanical mode and found the idea of tinkering with my motorcycle was actually appealing.

So, the more pressing questions might be to ask, "What type of riding do you want to do?" "How involved do you want to be with the maintenance?" And, "What other factors can you anticipate?"

"Other factors" might include things like damaged rotator cuffs in one's shoulder. To wit: I can't ride a Kawasaki Concours because the seating position is too aggressive -- after 15 miles, my shoulder is "talking" to me. Also, I found the Connie to be "buzzy." The continual vibration would run me nuts after 50 miles.

I've occasionally ridden airheads and loved it. I once passed up a great deal on a 1993 R100 RT that I still kick myself over occasionally. One does need to be a bit more mechanically inclined to ride the airheads. The seating on the airhead RT was great, and for some reason, the feel of the airhead did not annoy me like the Kaw.

Anyway, my BMW's have been (in order) a 1985 K100RT, a 1995 K75RT, and now, a 1995 K1100LT. I am hooked on the low-maintenance, wide power band, and smooth ride of the K's.

My only 50 mile ride on an R1150RT left me feeling like it took too much "work" to stay in the engine's sweet spot. I have fun picking at the riders of the U-G-L-Y BMW cruiser, but the fact is, if that is what a rider likes, go for it! And the GS models? I once rode a R1150 GS for about 100 miles. It was great! But I need a step ladder to mount the darned thing. Scratch that one.

Each BMW model has had its own unique performance and handling traits, and each of mine has been a blast to ride. Unless you plan to ride on dirt, MHO is that you can't go wrong with a BMW K or R model. If you plan to do serious dirt, the F model is a bit heavy, but it will serve well for improved roads and trails.

That said, you can get all kinds of fun out of almost any motorcycle. And getting back to the "Which question is the right question" question, more likely that not the right question to start with is, "What type of riding you typically do?

The truth is, you can start out on a very reliable K100 for around $4,000, ride the thing several years, and probably still get your money back when you sell it. My bias is showing -- maybe I better go back for the rest of my shut-eye ...

[repoe3]

buy the bike that you feel/think, after making a well-informed decision, is the right bike for the riding you want to do.

brief history, a baby when is comes to riding, let alone a bmw. but i started at 21 years of age, procuring one fresh out of the crate ducati 916. long story short, traded it for an R1100S and have been riding one ever since. on my third one currently. not that any of them were lemons. the first one lives happily with its owner with over 40k miles on the clock, secon one, while wreck at this year's rally, has been resurrected by another rider and he loves (he's in in 40's, has been riding since he was very young), and my father at 51 (on dec. 29th) loves his (2nd) S. traded the last one for the new.

as for bmw bikes, the R1150R would be great as a starter/everything bike. but i think the S would be fine, hell any of them except for (heresy) a K bike. too heavy to have fun on, even for experienced riders ;) no flames please. this is opinion here.

shaft bikes are nice for newbies, cuz you dont have to lube/tighten a chain. you basically check the oil and air pressure and ride. bmw's are also easy to work on. so it you are apt to that, then the price of a bmw begins to be more attractive.

good luck on the decision. it is a good thing you took that class. after that, the more miles you ride, the more comfortable you get and the better you get. riding in various conditions, while unnerving at times, will make you a better rider.

repoe3

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I didn't mean to sound that curmudgeonly in my reply. I realize it is a tough decision. As an example; I wanted a Rockster real bad, I had lots of miles on one or anothe R1150R and liked them a lot, I though the Rockster would be perfect until I went for a ride on it. I found the seat so uncomfortable I brought the bike back after just 10 minutes. That seat hurt me in a way I haven't been hurt in decades. I have talked with other Rockster owners about that problem, all have said that it takes a little getting used to but after that initial period, it becomes quite comfortable.

I have ridden their bikes too and couldn't stand the seat on their bike either. I might have made a terrible mistake buying one without a test ride.

Another little example; I have a 77 R100/7. The seat seemed hard and uncomfortable for 3000 miles, I just figured they were all like that, then I went on a long ride, about the second day on the bike, at some point along the way I realized that the seat had sopped hurting me. Ever since then that seat is the best I have ever had, It fits my butt perfectly now.

Now you're probably thinking, what does this have to do with anything. My point is that you will adapt to whatever you have to adapt to, and if it doesn't fit you well initially, it might fit after 3 or 400 miles or thousand miles.

[basketcase]

Absolutely, positively, cannot go wrong with a K75. Might have to put a Corbin or Russell on it if you take long rides, but otherwise, it is the perfect around town and open road K.

IMHO, which I geatly respect!

Ho, ho, ho!

:D