First motorcycle?

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HoLeChit

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I will pass along a bit of advice I got at age 11, from a relative with one leg, yes he lost it on a bike. Ride as if every car/truck on the road is out to kill you. It will keep you going longer.

I feel that this is sound advice for anyone reguardless of the amount of wheels and years of experience. Happened to my dad who never rode again, was a major contributing factor to the death of my uncle, and killed my high school geometry teacher. Hell, I have to have that mindset with my little Ford Fiesta ST car, it's so small and so low that 90% of truck don't see me.
 

beardking

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Hell, I have to have that mindset with my little Ford Fiesta ST car, it's so small and so low that 90% of truck don't see me.
We see you, we are just trying to help you decide on a larger car choice. :-)

I don't have as much experience as a lot of riders out there (10+ years), but I started out with a $600 bike and worked my way up from there. I've (luckily) only had one wreck so far, but I'm definitely glad it was the $2500 Honda Nighthawk instead of my current $10,000+ Honda Sabre. I think I would actually cry if I wrecked this one. :-)
 

BReeves

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When I started riding back in the 70's I started with a 350, 3 months later I was on a 650 3 months after that I was on a KZ1000. Didn't loose much as the first two were bought used and sold for almost what I paid. The 1000 was bought new, kept it for 10 years and traded it in on a 1100 Gold Wing Aspencade which I also kept for 10 years.

Each bike in the progression taught me something about riding and how to get into and out of trouble. I would do the same progression today if I were just starting. I never had an accident in way over 100,000 road miles which I attribute to the progressive learning curve and as said. Ride like Every car is out to kill you and you are invisible.
 

Boomer7

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FWIW. I posed the same question about 12 years ago. I asked a friend of mine, harley enthusiast lifetime biker, what to get. I had experience on dirt bikes and smaller bikes as a kid. His words to me were, "But the bike you want and learn to ride it". I bought by a 2003 softail that week and an Electraglide a couple years later. Best advice I have ever received.
 

HoLeChit

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We see you, we are just trying to help you decide on a larger car choice. :-)

I don't have as much experience as a lot of riders out there (10+ years), but I started out with a $600 bike and worked my way up from there. I've (luckily) only had one wreck so far, but I'm definitely glad it was the $2500 Honda Nighthawk instead of my current $10,000+ Honda Sabre. I think I would actually cry if I wrecked this one. :-)

Haha it will take a lot to get me out of my little turbo go kart. It's too much fun.
 

thaHooligan

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Probably already been said, but I think any new rider should find an old dirt bike of some sort under 250cc to cruise around the yard or backroads and get comfortable with the balance and using the clutch and brakes. You dang sure dont want to whiskey throttle or panic rev on a new or big bike!
 

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