Beginner looking to purchase first bike

[Jan_P]

Thanks everyone for your advice! It's been helpful - I'm going to wait on the 650 and go smaller for now. I tend to be a "go big or go home" person but a first bike probably isn't the place for that.

I'm going to look at a 2005 xv250 tomorrow. Maybe the XS650 will happen down the road.

People are different .But depending you body size and type of riding
a 250 can be to small
Is it the 4 stroke Virago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XV250

Surprisingly fast

 

[notthechef]

People are different .But depending you body size and type of riding
a 250 can be to small
Is it the 4 stroke Virago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XV250

Surprisingly fast

It's the 4 stroke - I'm about 5'8" so hoping it's a good fit. And I'll be mostly be riding around town and commuting.

 

[gggGary]

Thing about those 250's they are easy come easy go someone else is always ready to snap one up to learn to ride or urban motorcycling.
I advocate for starting on a small bike and learning mastery. Ride the whee out of it. We see way to many start out a on a "too big" bike and seem like they are just along for the ride not in command.

 

[Its been a long time]

It's the 4 stroke - I'm about 5'8" so hoping it's a good fit. And I'll be mostly be riding around town and commuting.

Good luck. I think you made a good decision. Once you feel more confident, try to get a ride on an XS650. The experience will be very different to the smaller XV.

 

[Tiggertoo]

This thread kinda reminds me of this guy..
Had to giggle when he was explaining the clutch LOL

 

[AUTOMAN]

Hey all - I'm new to the site and bikes in general. I'm looking to buy my first and take a rider safety. I've come across an XS650 special that I am considering as my first bike. The seller says it has all new fluids as well as a new oil filter, fuel filter, new tires front and rear, and a new battery with a clean title and original paperwork. The only thing missing is the gas cap. About 11k miles.

Any feedback/thoughts would be appreciated! It looks to be in good condition and a very fair price - asking $1200.

Thanks in advance.

buy a dirt bike and learn how to handle

front end sliding/rear end locking/too much brake and falling

repost in a year

 

[Wingedwheel]

I teach the rider course and wholeheartedly agree with learning on a smaller bike. Anything larger can be a little intimidating for newer riders. Automan suggested a dirt bike but they also sit higher than a street bike so not always a comfortable position for a new rider, plus you need a place to ride it. There’s much more parking lot real estate to practice on with a street bike.

 

[AUTOMAN]

I teach the rider course and wholeheartedly agree with learning on a smaller bike. Anything larger can be a little intimidating for newer riders. Automan suggested a dirt bike but they also sit higher than a street bike so not always a comfortable position for a new rider, plus you need a place to ride it. There’s much more parking lot real estate to practice on with a street bike.

Lower it, and/or get an older one you can dump without regrets.
5'8" is damn near normal male human height.

I did it on a Kaw 100 GT4TR and 125 Elsinore Hon. Then a Yam SC500, and another SC.

 

[650Skull]

Joined April 22nd
Last seen April 23rd