So those two wheeled things...

[Great-Kazoo]

Also if you all have gear recommendations that would great! I would rather spend more on the gear and skimp a little on the bike.

1st keep your first mc under the liter / 1000cc as it's cheaper ins wise. For gear what size you wear? I have warm weather, cold weather, heated vest, full face regular & carbon fiber helmets, collecting dust.

[crays]

1st keep your first mc under the liter / 1000cc as it's cheaper ins wise. For gear what size you wear? I have warm weather, cold weather, heated vest, full face regular & carbon fiber helmets, collecting dust.

Quality gear, that fits, is your friend. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it should suit YOUR needs. An $800 helmet won't do you any good if it's sitting on a shelf because it chafes your forehead.

sent from somwhere

[mightiestmouse]

Displacement isnt the only thing that counts towards insurance. I have a Suzuki sv650 and its more than enough even though it's a vtwin. Insurance is cheaper due to it not being considered a "sport bike" but will definitely hang with most anything. I would be wary of 600cc bikes if you plan on long rides. They are great canyon carvers but will take a toll on your wrist if you do not have a strong core to keep the weight off the bars.

[COcz]

I learned how to ride on an R6 and would never recommend anyone get one of the 250's unless they are very small like my mom. My GF's dad did that and bought a vtx 1300 right away, she got a 750 Yamaha and did fine. You don't have to ride sportbikes fast. I like Yamahas or Suzukis or Hondas in that order. I decided after a number of years that sportbikes are too uncomfortable. I would look for a gently used fz6 or equivalent. Keep in mind that new stuff is great, but will most likely get dropped once or twice. Good luck and keep your head on a swivel.

[kidicarus13]

* State Farm is great becauae it prices insurance per engine size, not motorcycle type.

* Buy a 600cc or > and grow into it vs a 300cc and wanting to replace it come Fall. It's all about throttle control and good judgement no matter what the bikes top speed.

* Stick with a Japanese made bikes (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki). Less maintenance and less expensive parts/maintenence. Most are pretty much bulletproof.

* Gear up every time you ride because you just never know.

* Don't skimp on tires or your helmet.

[ray1970]

You should get an Interceptor. I've always liked V-4 engines.

[Wulf202]

I strongly recommend the sv650 as a starter bike. The v twins won't run away from you like an inline can at high rpm. Very forgiving bike thats light. Get the second gen with fuel injection though.

The msf course is a good introduction but it's a shitty set of rules to live by for riding. As soon as you get comfortable with leaving a parking lot start to ride with people who have been doing it a while and dont ride a bar hopper.

A bunch of us from csc took the "advanced msf" course it was a complete waste of time. Their courses are stupid for real world safety but good at teaching the basics. There is nothing advanced about that course. It's the basic course on your bike. The stuff that you flog the little 250 bikes for any normal sport bike will wheelie doing.

The msf instructors we had were good people but had no concept of riding a sport bike and were locked by the materials.

[Wulf202]

You should get an Interceptor. I've always liked V-4 engines.

If they're still swearing by vtech skip it. Most disappointing honda ive ever owned

[Gman]

I've also been kicking around the idea of taking up motorcycle riding in the spring. If I still move forward with the idea, training will be mandatory and it appears that there are multiple options. I'm not planning on much freeway driving at all. Surface streets will be my friend for another commuting option.

I like what I'm seeing in the retro-styled bikes that have a more upright riding position. Something with light enduro capability sounds cool for heading back into the Platte for some fishing trips.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Progressive is the most affordable I've found. In fact, USAA referred me to Progressive years ago when I started. Since then, USAA has brokered a deal with Progressive so you can get an even better rate through USAA (if you qualify) but it's still all managed via Progressive.