Alright, let’s talk about finding that first bike. It’s something a lot of folks ask about, and I remember going through it myself not too long ago. Wasn’t exactly sure where to start, honestly.
First thing I did, I just started looking around more when I was out driving or walking. Paying attention to what kinds of bikes were actually on the road. Saw tons of stuff, big cruisers, flashy sportbikes, adventure-looking things. Seemed overwhelming at first.
Then I actually went to a few dealerships. Not to buy, not yet. Just to walk around, get a feel for things. Sat on a few different bikes. That was important. Some felt huge, heavy. Like I’d drop it just trying to get it off the kickstand. Others felt kinda cramped, like I was folded up on ’em.
Figuring Out What I Needed
I realized pretty quick I didn’t want a beast for my first ride. Speed wasn’t the main goal. I wanted something I could actually handle, learn on without being scared stiff the whole time. Confidence was key, you know?
Here’s what was going through my head:
- Weight and Size: Had to be something I could physically manage. Flat-footing it, or close to it, felt important for stopping and starting. Didn’t want something super top-heavy.
- Power: Enough to get on the highway if needed, but not so much that a little throttle twist would send me flying. Looked mostly in the 250cc to 650cc range, depending on the type of bike. Even a 650 twin felt way more manageable than some crazy four-cylinder sportbike.
- Cost: Budget was a factor. Looked hard at the used market. Lots of good starter bikes out there that people sell after they upgrade. Saves a chunk of change, and dropping a used bike hurts the wallet less than dropping a brand new one. And let’s be real, you might drop your first bike.
- Style: This came later. First, it had to be practical. But yeah, eventually I started thinking about whether I liked the look of a standard naked bike, a small cruiser, or maybe even a dual-sport.
Trying Things Out and Making the Call
So, I spent a weekend just sitting on bikes. Went to different brand dealerships, checked out some used shops. Sat on things like the Honda Rebel (300 and 500), Kawasaki Ninja 300/400, Z400, Yamaha MT-03, Suzuki SV650. Even looked at some smaller adventure bikes like the Versys-X 300 or BMW G310GS.
The small cruisers felt okay, low seat height was nice. The small sportbikes felt a bit committed in the riding position for me, maybe later. The naked bikes, like the Z400 or MT-03, felt pretty good – upright, light, easy to handle.
In the end, I actually found a slightly used Suzuki SV650. Now, some might say 650 is a bit much for a first bike, but the V-twin power is really predictable. It wasn’t peaky or aggressive. It felt comfortable to sit on, not too heavy, and I found a good deal on one that was already well-maintained. It felt like something I could grow into a little bit, without being intimidated right away.
Took the MSF course first, obviously. Highly recommend that. Then I bought the SV. Spent the first few weeks just riding around my neighborhood, parking lots, getting the hang of the clutch and brakes. It felt right. Manageable, but capable enough that I didn’t feel like I’d outgrow it in three months.
So yeah, there’s no single “best” first bike. It’s about what’s good for you. Go sit on stuff. Be honest about your skill level and what you need. Consider used. And definitely take a safety course. That’s my two cents, based on how I went about it.
