What bike do you recommend to new riders?

[camera56]

Friends

Like you (perhaps), my friends ping me on a regular basis about what bike I would recommend they get . . . they meaning middle-aged new or re-entry riders. I have a bunch of biases and as a result, recommend any of the following. Some of the entries are a bit weird, but it's my list. The general idea is no more than 100 hp, a bit of a fairing, and something that does three things decently well: urban combat, weekend scratching around, and mid-range touring.

BMW F800ST $10,475

Buell Ulysses XB12X $11,495

Ducati Multistrada 1100S $13,995

Honda Interceptor $11,799

Kawasaki Versys $6,899

Kawasaki ZZR600 $7,299

Suzuki Bandit 1200 ABS $8,799

Suzuki SV650S ABS $6,899

Triumph Tiger ABS $11,495

Yamaha FZ6 $6,999

I was wondering what's on your list?

 

[exskibum]

Given your criteria, that looks like a pretty good list. But I'd add the Kawasaki Ninja 650R -- especially since you already have the Versys (Europe only?) on it. The Suzuki V-Stroms (650 and 1000) and the SV 1000 would also fit, I think.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Friends
Like you (perhaps), my friends ping me on a regular basis about what bike I would recommend they get . . . they meaning middle-aged new or re-entry riders. I have a bunch of biases and as a result, recommend any of the following. Some of the entries are a bit weird, but it's my list. The general idea is no more than 100 hp, a bit of a fairing, and something that does three things decently well: urban combat, weekend scratching around, and mid-range touring.

BMW F800ST $10,475

Buell Ulysses XB12X $11,495

Ducati Multistrada 1100S $13,995

Honda Interceptor $11,799

Kawasaki Versys $6,899

Kawasaki ZZR600 $7,299

Suzuki Bandit 1200 ABS $8,799

Suzuki SV650S ABS $6,899

Triumph Tiger ABS $11,495

Yamaha FZ6 $6,999

I was wondering what's on your list?

Where is the Suzy DL1000?2k less than the BMW and has great handling like the Ducati.Great for sport touring .Great aftermarket.The Uly is a lot of fun but limited aftermarket, you need a long inseam and hassling with HD stealerships is another matter.Besides that you left off the FJR which tops all of those IMHO

 

[camera56]

Where is the Suzy DL1000?2k less than the BMW and has great handling like the Ducati.Great for sport touring .Great aftermarket.The Uly is a lot of fun but limited aftermarket, you need a long inseam and hassling with HD stealerships is another matter.Besides that you left off the FJR which tops all of those IMHO

I love my FJR, but I hesitate to recommend it to a newbie. Too big, too fast, too much.

 

[brazos parker]

Yamaha YZF-600. Worked for me.

 

[keithaba]

I'd think the sv650s or the FZ6. They are both great bikes, fun and reliable. I expect the FZ6 has a little more get up and go, (although I'm not sure). Also, the price point is there. Both bikes are multi-functional. They are also very light, and not prone to tipovers like the FJR or Bandit. The other bikes are pretty expensive for jumping back in.

 

[Scotty]

Give yourself a break and get a used HD Roadglide. Lot's of torque and this listing will send the others out for vengeance!!

 

[Ric in Sac]

The Triumph Bonneville handles beautifully, it is not very heavy, and is comfortable on long trips. Just add an aftermarket windhield. The FZ6 is another great choice if you want to go "sporty" versus "cruiser".

 

[madmike2]

Buy used!

Something light enough that its easy to balance and handle at low speeds. Low mileage used bikes are much cheaper and less heart-ache should you drop it in a parking situation.

Used SV 650s or Bandit 600s/ Yamaha FZ-6s: Not a lot of plastic to damage. Even the 800 cruisers are not a bad re-entry bike if they are into that style. IMO the 1000s & 1200s will get a new rider in trouble quicker than they can react.

There are several riders on the forum who were re-entry riders who rode one of the new-tech 600/650s for a year before stepping up to the performance envelope of the bigger sport-touring bikes (FJR, ST, Interceptor, MultiStrada, Sprint ST, etc.), thus had some time to develop good habits while learning.

 

[Bugnatr]

Really like my FZ6 as a second play bike for local rides, has more top end punch than the SV but what about a Wee Strom? Owners really like them and a bit more weather protection too.

 

[wfooshee]

Re-entry and new are 2 different things. There are bikes discussed here that I would really not like to see a brand new rider on. They won't want one, but a small 250-400 twin is what those guys need. Find a beat-up used one, ride it for 4 to 6 months, sell it to the next newbie and move up.

 

[Silver Penguin]

+1 on the Ninja 650R. It can be a sweet, gentle little fun bike but twist a bit more throttle and it has some attitude. It's light and easy to ride. Most of all, the seating position is similar to the FJR so it's very comfortable for someone who is not used to riding.

For the friend who has NEVER ridden a bike before, I suggest a POS beater bike. That way, it can take a beating, fall over etc and not be messing up an expensive new bike. Pick a low HP model so that even with poor throttle control it will not be scary.

Jill

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Friends

Where is the Suzy DL1000?2k less than the BMW and has great handling like the Ducati.

Handles like a Ducati, I don't think so. Plus with some of the inherent problems of the DL1000 they would be better off on a DL650. Also the SV650 is a great bike. Bullet proof motor great handling and more after market parts for the road or track.

 

[wheatonFJR]

FJR was my re-entry vehicle...but then I've never been mistaken for smart...

 

[camera56]

Thanks . . . just the sort of thread I was hoping for. I bought a 2003 Kawasaki z7-S for my son when he started riding last year that's very much in the same line as the SV650 or the little Fazer. About 60 hp, not too heavy, etc. Bought it used, but case guards on it, and yes it went over more than once. My re-entry bike was the Multistrada. Can't say that I loved it but I didn't get into trouble on it either.

 

[gr8eyes]

I traded in a Royal Star for an FZ6 for my son to start riding. Unfortunately we can't get into the MSF course till Dec. This will be his first street bike.

I'm not positive but the FZ6 has a fair bit more hp than 60. But the power doesn't really come on strong till you are north of 8,000 rpm. So, its very docile where most newbies will be spending most of there early learning.

Glenn

 

[Jagermeister]

Re-entry and new are 2 different things. There are bikes discussed here that I would really not like to see a brand new rider on. They won't want one, but a small 250-400 twin is what those guys need. Find a beat-up used one, ride it for 4 to 6 months, sell it to the next newbie and move up.

Woof!

I re-entered this year with an older 500 cc Magna, which was perfect. The Feejer would've killed me. So would a DL1000 or FZ1, for that matter.

 

[frayne]

For rear entry I kinda like Connie, oops sorry about that. For old geezers I would recommend anything under 750 ccs. I re-entered on a used 750 Magna for about 12K miles before buying my FJR. Also IMHO the MSF course is a must for anyone getting back into riding.

 

[Yamma Jamma]

I re-entered on a VTX-1800.

Any bike can kill you depending on how you handle it.

Any bike can ride tame depending on how you handle it.

Don't want to ride dangerously? Easy on the throttle. Thirty MPH is 30 MPH.

Definitely buy used, particularly for a Jap bike.

Get a bike with ABS breaks, imo, the single biggest safety factor after driver behavior.