What Should My First Bike Be? The Million Dollar Question

I took part in a conversation at a local motorcycle dealership that made me stop and think. I feel for first time motorcycle buyers. I’m not entirely sure the human brain is capable of absorbing that much information at one time. Remember that scene in the Matrix movie? The one where they show Trinity and Neo downloading skills and information directly into their brains? New riders and first time buyers need that. 

Perfect Example of Safe Riding Habits...

 

I’m helping a friend unload her bike out of my truck while a small crowd gathers around. One of the dealership sale persons blurts out, “That is the perfect bike for you!” The bike in question being a Kawasaki Ninja 300. My mind starts ticking: Petite woman, interested in a low powered motorcycle, and she wants a cool, shiny sport bike, must be a new rider. Sure enough she tells me that she passed her motorcycle safety class last week and is looking to buy her first motorcycle. Of course her good looks didn’t deter me from throwing my two cents in… or more like a couple quarters worth. And you can imagine I wasn’t the only one willing to share.  

That’s the part where information overload begins. Much like anything else in life, opinions and personal experiences are going to shared, and probably cause more convolutions than answers. Asking the question, “What should my first bike be?” is equivalent to getting a census on favorite pizza toppings. There are a lot of combinations but I believe that three main concepts can help your decision. During our impromptu motorcycle first time buyer guide, I came up with these philosophies. 

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Test & Review 

Beater Bike

Do you remember learning how to ride a bicycle? I do. I was terrible. My dad took his hand off the back of my seat and I started pedaling to my freedom, then into a steel pole. Pro tip – Don’t teach your child to ride in the elementary school’s volley ball court. I had to kiss the pavement a few times before I figured out how to stop hurting myself. Riding a 450lbs bicycle with an engine will most likely involve a learning curve. Point of all that? Don’t buy a new shiny motorcycle if you’re not exactly confident that you won’t drop the motorcycle in the first 20 feet from the dealership driveway. Most people don’t fall out of the womb onto a bike and wheelie away. The ones that did are getting paid a lot of money. You and I most likely will never get paid any money to ride a motorcycle. And dropping or crashing motorcycles usually equates to a lot of money that you don’t have. Buy an inexpensive motorcycle just to learn on. The really cheap and ugly one that the kid next door has zip tied the body work together. Ride it until it explodes, or you throw it down the road. Learn a whole bunch about the kind of bike you want, need, like, and then spend the big bucks on that. 

99 Problems and the Bike Ain’t One 

Remember the information overload? Well while imagine adding the headache of dealing with a motorcycle that has problems. You just learned how to operate a motorcycle…or you’re still learning. Throw a leaking master cylinder, a gummed up carburetor, or an electrical issue that causes the bike to stall when the traffic light turns green. Riding starts losing its charm fast. Buying the nicest, mechanically sound beginner bike you can afford has some solid merit. It may cost more money along with needing full insurance if financed. But it will work and let the new rider do the most important things; be comfortable and learn. Also, there is a nice feeling to opening the garage and wanting to hop on that cool ride. Instead of parking in the back of the Starbucks trying to hide the salvage yard special. 

Live the Dream, Today!

The previous explanations have the biased approach that this first time buyer is looking at appropriate beginner motorcycles. While highly debatable that is a different topic for different day. This idea blows apart any beginner oriented parameters. At that same dealership this gentleman told me a story that transformed my theory about getting a dream machine as your first bike. He explained to me that he always wanted to ride a motorcycle. His mother would never let him be exposed to anything with two wheels and a motor. Too dangerous, you’ll cut your life short. He told me this, “I’m almost 40 years old. I’ve always wanted to ride and I want to really live the dream I missed out on over the years.” He pointed to his bike, a 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10r. “This is my first motorcycle.” I patted on the shoulder and said, “That’s a cool bike. I can completely respect your decision.” Last week if someone told me their first motorcycle was a ZX-10r I would think in the back of my head, “Hmm, I’m pretty sure that bike can bring you from 0 to into a tree in a matter of seconds. Not the best bike to learn on.” But, that conversation I just had with that guy… How can you deny him of that? Motorcycling is a passionate hobby. There is something to be said about sitting on your bike, firing up the motor, and making that desktop picture of your dream become a reality. If you have the cash, if that bike stirs your soul, who am I to tell you to be sensible? Motorcycling isn’t exactly sensible. Go big or go home as they say, right? Why not ignite your soul?

Kawasaki ZX-10R In Action 

The most important guide to use when stabbing in the dark is your gut. Only you can prevent forest fires and bad bike buying decisions. Deep down you know the “right” decision. No one else can truly decide that for you.

-Cycle Cam

What’s your first time buyer advice? Leave a comment below.

Beginnings With a Bang

“I ride a motorcycle.” Funny, three years ago I would’ve never expected that to come out of my mouth. Although, I’m still young enough to not be surprised by what comes out of there. No, I can’t say straddling a two wheeled rocket ship was something that I envisioned in my future. And owning a Ninja 250 definitely isn’t helping that high speed future. 

My First Street Bike: 2009 Ninja 250

                                                    

I stumbled into my motorcycling passion. Three years ago I was in a friend’s garage waiting to go on a bicycle ride. There was a sporty looking bike lurking in the back. I’m sure I said something to the lines of, “Cool bike, how fast does it go?” That’s standard fair when you’re 20 years old right? The most important question is always, “How fast does it go?” The response was instant, “Probably 170 miles per hour. Want to sit on it?” I hopped up on the bike to be greeted by a thin foam layer for a seat. My friend turned the key and the whining of the fuel pump activated while the dash gauges put on a brief light show. I noticed the rev counter climbed to 17,500 RPMs. Before I could make a comment about my disbelief of an engine revving that high, the bike began to choke to life. 

There was a sharp bark that settled into an angry drone. A car alarm could be heard off in the distance after a few stabs of the throttle. The bike was shut off but the lingering smell of unburned race fuel was the icing on the whole experience. I was awestruck. Coming from a guy who loves cars and motorsports how did I let this two wheeled Formula 1 wannabe go unnoticed for so long? That marked the beginning of my downward spiral into the motorcycling world. 

An audio example  

The interest grew as I read magazines, books, and watched Youtube clips of motorcycles flexing their performance abilities. Being friends with an ex AMA pro road racer certainly helped. The final realization that I absolutely needed a motorcycle in my life was when I watched a video of a sport bike simply walk away from a Lamborghini. For the price of a 10 year old Honda Civic, I can get 45 mpg and be able to embarrass Corvettes. Where do I sign up? 

Lambo vs Ducati 

I consider myself very new to the motorcycle community. I’m very much in the honeymoon phase with this hobby. There are many different social circles, motorcycle related nuances and taboo, and types of riding that I’m learning about. My perspectives are constantly changing. This dynamic nature provides me with all kinds of cool and unique stories. 

I decided that I want to blog about my experiences and perspectives. A young, broke moto fanatic that wants to try it all. My hope is that other people who don't or cant ride can live vicariously through my adventures on two wheels and that fellow riders can laugh at my rookie mistakes and share their opinions. 

-Cycle Cam

Motorcyclists, how did you find your “calling?” Let me know in the comments.