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Author Message   Daschunk Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 01:10 pm:        Murrae Hanes told me when I bought my XB12 that it would be an OK starter bike. The it's all in the wrist. If she can keeper her wrist and left hand in control than the 12 will be great. I love mine. And they don't shake that hardly at all from 3500 to 4500 rpm.   Ghostrider Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 01:58 pm:        I put my son on the SV650 to start. Inexpensive, upright ergonomics, reasonable power (again controlled by the wrist)... They can probably be had cheaper than a Ducati and will make you wince less when she inevitably drops it.   Syonyk Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 02:05 pm:        How's the seat height on an SV650? If I recall, your son is fairly tall. And, I'd add, quite impressed me with his riding skills for his age, especially group riding. I'd rather stay away from a Ducati as a first bike for the "fixing it when it goes down for a nap" reasons. Maybe as a second bike, but I still think it's a bit overkill for a first bike (and given that I'll mostly be the one funding it/fixing it, I'd rather stay way from one right now).   Buellnick Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 02:26 pm:        SV is fine...have one. It is cheaper but the 696 is a better performing bike. Apples and Oranges. You will probably have to lower the SV with a lowering link. The SCG is a short wheelbase XB and beginners notice the "twitchiness" of the ride and steering. Some are made nervous because of it. The longer wheelbase bikes with a little more rake are a little more forgiving and more stable. ALthough a beginner rider would never notice the difference. Nothing like mentioning other brands on this site to get a discussion going. Yes there are other motorcycles out there.   Agfish18 Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 03:51 pm:        I had a friend who took the class at the same time his girlfriend did.. she started out with a ninja 250, he a Suzuki GS500F She had the 250 for about 2 months before moving to the fully faired SV650, and loves that. Her boyfriend has had the GS for about a year now and is moving to a Honda CBR 600. I like the 500cc and above category to be honest. not suggesting a high performance 600 or 750 by any means, but There are other bikes to be had. it all kind of depends on how quick she picks up the whole control thing. some take longer than others.   Ghostrider Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 04:18 pm:        It's too bad they don't make CB450's anymore.   Buellnick Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 06:21 pm:        Go bigger, sooner... so you can at least keep up with highway traffic. There's a margin of safety...with more power. If you want a local commuter, a good scooter will do the trick.   Daschunk Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 07:16 pm:        Another option that I just thought of is the Yamaha FZ6. Upright ergos and not too much power.   Buellnick Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 08:19 pm:        FZ6 ergos are OK. Needs lowering for a vertically challenged rider. I just like more low end and flatter power curve...   Daschunk Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 09:28 pm:        SV650 it is probably the best option then. Lowering an SV is pretty cheap too, IIRC.   Ghostrider Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 11:36 pm:        Hmm... call me conservative, but I think smaller is better for a noob.   Buellnick Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 11:42 pm:        Good beginners bike however, the SV has notoriously poor front suspension and mediocre rear. You get what you pay for... However, I'd take a Ducati Monster or Triumph Street Triple over an SV anytime for just a little more $$. Well worth the extra...   Syonyk Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 12:20 am:        Well, she likes the styling of the Triumph Street Triple & the Bonneville... just isn't convinced that she wants one as a first bike, having recognized that she's likely to put it on its side once or twice (hopefully at low speeds or stationary). Not anything against her confidence, just a reflection of reality. I'm still thinking the SV650 is a bit much for a brand new rider. Plus, as noted, they need the GSXR suspension upgrade. Whatever I get isn't likely to be a long term option. I'd hope within 6 months to a year she'd be upgrading to something longer term. I'm aware that if she gets a 250, she'll be power limited pretty much anywhere we go, but if it's small and she can comfortably handle it, that's a win. I can keep the wick turned down for touring with her... I think. Buellnick: While I agree 100% with you about power on the highway, the reality is that up here, something that can do 100+ on I-40 through the mountains is a fairly powerful bike. That's my personal standard, but I've been riding for 5+ years & over 40k miles. I think I'd like to stay with the 250s or a Blast as a first bike, then by the time she's tired of its lack of power, she'll have enough time to justify a Street Triple or Bonneville or such. ... I still have trouble wrapping my head around Ducati making a new-rider friendly bike, tbh. The Triumph demo days are in 2 weeks, so hopefully she can ride some stuff there & get a feel for what's out there.   Buellnick Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 01:25 am:        While you're there at PJs...have her check out the Monster. You will be surprised at the light weight and ergos. You probably got more opinions than you expected. Good banter about good and better bikes. In the end, she will decide what makes her comfortable...in the show room and on short rides. Better to be comfortable and build confidence.   Ghostrider Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 10:25 am:        Triumph Demo Days? I'll have to check that out.   Desertfox Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 10:41 am:        Syonyk, you mentioned the Blast. Deffinitely a surprisingly fun little bike. My fiancee and I picked one up for her to learn on a while ago. Pros: They're easier to work on than anything I can think of and respond well to tinkering/upgrades. When dropped, they hold up incredibly well. They have torque right off of idle, so someone who is scared of throttle is not as likely to stall it. Lastly, finding something that can go 80mph for the same price you can find on a blast will never happen. Ours was 1150. Cons: Very low to the ground, speedbumps can be a small issue. Not alot of acceleration power, but it will do 75 without a sweat. The flyscreen does nothing for wind protection.   Syonyk Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 11:14 am:        I'm finding Blasts for $1000, which I admit is tempting. I've not found any *running* Ninja 250s for that price. Reliability is the main issue, but for $1000 vs $2000, I can afford a few repairs.   Agfish18 Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 11:33 am:        My first bike was a blast... I laid it down a few times, but surprisingly I was able to fix it on my own with out much in the way of expenses. Blasts are very simple to work on, and are pretty good beginners bikes IMHO. Speaking of which, CJ, Why do you consider them to be unreliable? I didnt have any issues with mine while I had it (only a year, and spent some time in the garage) I was way too big for it, but other than that, it was a good bike.   Desertfox Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 04:36 pm:        A blast is definitely reliable. I mean seriously, how much can go wrong with a 1 carb, 1 cylinder, belt driven bike?   Ghostrider Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 06:37 pm:        Up until now, everyone I've ever known who had one hated it.   Syonyk Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 10:05 pm:        I just looked at a Blast today with the lowered seat option, and took it for a quick spin. It has less vibration than I was expecting, and apparently does just fine on the highway up here. The fact that it's only $1000 and is in good shape is worth something. I've not found anything else in that price range that's comparable - I took a look at a $900 Ninja 250 today, and it was beat to shit, missing the front fairing, turn signals didn't work, etc.   Desertfox Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 01:12 am:        "Up until now, everyone I've ever known who had one hated it." Well, the intake boot is a serious design weakness and if you can't recognise and fix an intake leak, I would imagine it would give you hell and be annoying. The transmission is a little clunky, but it IS a sportster tranny essentially. Other than that, why do people tend to dislike them?   Bartimus Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 06:43 am:        "Murrae Hanes told me when I bought my XB12 that it would be an OK starter bike. The it's all in the wrist." Murrae is a salesman and will say whatever it takes to make a sale. It's his job. An XB costs more than a Blast, therefore, more profit for the shop... The Blast is no less reliable than the XB. It has the same engine, just one less cylinder. I've moved my fat butt along at 90 MPH, no problem, on a Blast. I had one tag along on one of my trips up through Colorado, and Lake City, they had no problems keeping up, and there were no maintenance issues with the bike. In fact, the ONLY problems I have seen with any Blast, has been created by the idiots at the Stealerships, that worked on them... I think a Blast would make a perfect first bike, easy to handle, reliable, and inexpensive to replace the simple parts that would break in a low speed fall...   Agfish18 Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 08:39 am:          Reiver Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 09:30 am:        Agfish, Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this. I like # 1.   Desertfox Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 10:23 am:        I like #1 too. With both logos, it's like saying "We love Buell engineering." With only the old logo, it's almost like saying, "We cling to the old bikes." I hope I expressed that well.   Syonyk Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 10:25 am:        I like #1 too. My gf likes the purple Blast, so we're going to take a look at it and see how she fits. I'm aware of the intake leak issues, and should be able to deal with those myself without any trouble. I don't expect her to keep this bike forever. It will be something low that she can build some time on and build confidence. Once she's more comfortable with a taller bike, I'm quite sure she'll move to something else (probably a Triumph). At that point, I can either sell it to someone else learning to ride, or keep it around as a goofy little in town commuter. ... or ride it on charity rides. Because I am, in fact, comfortable enough in my masculinity to ride a purple Blast.   Buellnick Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 11:40 am:        I like #1... BTW: Wife and son had a Blast... It was reliable and easy to ride. A good confidence building bike but easily outgrown.   Agfish18 Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 11:53 am:        "I am, in fact, comfortable enough in my masculinity to ride a purple Blast. " I'm glad you can say that... I can too, I just look like a monkey humping a football on a blast. I did on my old one about 9 years and 90 lbs ago, so I sure will now at 6'5" 270 lbs. glad most of you like the first one... that is what everyone seemed to be leaning towards. I'll give it a few more days for any lingering suggestions.   Agfish18 Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 12:06 pm:        also...CJ, are you still planning a ride next weekend? Jemez? if so, I'm good for a ride. I finally got my track bike ready (minus the new tires which I will change out at the track) I'm excited! anyone else going to track day on Sunday?