Advice for son's bike

[tnfleming]

Thanks to all of you for the sage advice. This site is great because the people care to help out! And i'm a cycling newbie so I need the help. Lamont you should be proud of your marines! Congratulations.

 

[kalavera]

tnfleming, I am not sure where you are located but in the state of Florida, you HAVE to take a MSF course in order to get a Motorcycle Endorsement. I highly recommend it. My first bike after the course was a 500cc Buell. That bike taught me alot; What I can and can't do.

I am 37 years old. I didnt start riding motorcycles till over a year ago. I know how I was when I was 16-17. I drove like a bat out of HeLL. I was reckless and didnt care about anyone else on the road. They had to move out of my way. I also had illusions of grandeur, thinking there wasnt anything I couldnt do in my car. Of course I never had drivers ed in school either.

When I got to college and later took emergency vehicle operations, I became a better driver.

So education counts for something. If you dont live in Florida and have a choice, still have him take the MSF course.

Start with something 250cc to 650cc range. Just cause they are small doesnt mean they arent fun. Put a loud pipe on her and she will draw attention. Thats what I did. I had a D&D pipe on my 500cc Buell. People didnt give the bike a second look unless that engine was running. The loud pipe gave me a psychological boost from having a smaller bike. I am now glad I rode a smaller bike before getting the spyder.


Just my 2 cents.....

 

[sleepman]

tnfleming, I am not sure where you are located but in the state of Florida, you HAVE to take a MSF course in order to get a Motorcycle Endorsement. I highly recommend it.

Florida actually just made that a law in July of last year. I have a friend who had been riding on permits for a couple years because he would never take the time to go do the license test. He finally got it done just a couple weeks before the law went on the books.

In the state of Florida now you also can't register a motorcycle in your name if you do not have a motorcycle endorsement.

 

[LDFIREWORKS]

let him ride :spyder2: let him ride :f_spider::2thumbs::2thumbs::spyder:

 

[barb36jack31]

In reference to the suggestion that the Kawasaki KLR-650 is a good starter bike, IMO the KLR is a good bike for any age or experience level. I had a 1989 version and it was just plain a ton of fun! With a Super Trapp with 8 discs it had an exhaust sound that was good for the soul!

 

[Director]

In reference to the suggestion that the Kawasaki KLR-650 is a good starter bike, IMO the KLR is a good bike for any age or experience level. I had a 1989 version and it was just plain a ton of fun! With a Super Trapp with 8 discs it had an exhaust sound that was good for the soul!

:agree:No doubt about that Jack. One of the best all-purpose bang-for-your-buck bikes on the road today!

Bruce

 

[COOLMACHINE]

What a nice thread.

Wow,
I have really enjoyed this tread! I mean that! A lot of years of riding experience in here. Kinda makes you feel good doesn't it? So here’s my two cents worth. I agree with sleepman. I would definitely learn to ride a two-wheeler first.
I think the diversity will only be more helpful for him. Other bikers will want to try out his Spyder…so probably he will be test riding their 2-wheelers hence the need for 2 wheel experience. As far as cc’s. I may as well chime in here. My first bike was an 81’ Suzuki 400 1 cylinder. Rode it for 3 years and put 21 thousand miles on it. Top speed…80 mph. It served me well. Jerry :2thumbs:

 

[tnfleming]

I love to hear your opinions and i thank you all. One question that only a couple of you addressed: which is more FUN: spyder or two-wheeler? My argument to my son is that spyder is more stable and hence more fun because one can go faster around curves more safely. Also better in rain, gravel etc. He says he wants to lean on a bike and spyder is too stiff. Earlier post said spyder 90% fun of two-wheeler. Thoughts? I sure get lots of attention on the spyder from some tough-lookin' dudes! Makes me think trike ain't so wimpy as my son thinks.

 

[dryheat]

I love to hear your opinions and i thank you all. One question that only a couple of you addressed: which is more FUN: spyder or two-wheeler? My argument to my son is that spyder is more stable and hence more fun because one can go faster around curves more safely. Also better in rain, gravel etc. He says he wants to lean on a bike and spyder is too stiff. Earlier post said spyder 90% fun of two-wheeler. Thoughts? I sure get lots of attention on the spyder from some tough-lookin' dudes! Makes me think trike ain't so wimpy as my son thinks.

Yea... it's fun to lean a two wheeler over through the twisties... but not so much fun when you lean too far; or hit a slick spot in the apex of the curve! Maybe a bit more of an adrenaline rush. (you know... that "danger" thing) Given your son's age (and yes, he will take a curve too fast), I suggest he not tempt fate with a sport bike. Whatever he gets, he will probaby drop it within the first few months, even if it's only in the driveway. Hopefully he won't get hurt - or maybe he'll just get a good scare... enough to convince him to grow up real fast.
I was able to persuade my son to get a used 650 V-Strom. Plenty of power to get around, and he's not as likely to get suckered into a street race with some other testosterone infused kid. He's been happy with it (and did fall off in his front yard!). Also a lot less $$ than a Spyder. And yes, he took the MSF course, too.
BTW, I find it pretty much fun to hang off the saddle of the Spyder going through those mountain twisties!:yikes:

 

[Spyderman62]

Coming from a former instructor, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Most importantl;y, is having him take a MSF course. Then, no matter his protests, he really needs to learn the fundamentals of actually riding on the street. I put my son on a Buell Blast ( single 500cc) for the first year. Told him to master the skills and then let his experience guide him to a bigger bike. He now rides a Suzuki 650 V-Twin something sport like. 2 weeks after getting the Suzuki, he dumped it from locking up the brakes avoiding a car that was stopped in his lane waiting to make a left turn. Learning curve went way up. Bike is fixed, and he has the scar on his arm and leg to remind him. Hardest part, I was behind him and saw him go down. We had just a few minutes earlier, left the Can-Am dealer where I had test rode, and ordered my Spyder. Your son needs to master the basics, before the larger cc bike arrives. Some states even require a smaller bike first time out.

 

[NancysToy]

I love to hear your opinions and i thank you all. One question that only a couple of you addressed: which is more FUN: spyder or two-wheeler? My argument to my son is that spyder is more stable and hence more fun because one can go faster around curves more safely. Also better in rain, gravel etc. He says he wants to lean on a bike and spyder is too stiff. Earlier post said spyder 90% fun of two-wheeler. Thoughts? I sure get lots of attention on the spyder from some tough-lookin' dudes! Makes me think trike ain't so wimpy as my son thinks.

What's the most fun for you may not be the same for your son, and vice versa. Some people like skydiving, some like sailing, and some just enjoy taking long walks. They're all having fun! Nothing will sour your son faster than being forced to ride something he is not interested in...no matter how safe or sane. Then he could be turned off to motorcycles forever. If he wants two wheels, get him trained, set some ground rules (like maximum displacement, and approval of his choice of models) and let him find his own path. You will both be happier that way. The Spyder is not wimpy. I love it, and swipe Nancy's every chance I get. By the same token, I still have 21 other two-wheelers (the tricycle doesn't count) and I couldn't imagine not riding them, either. Doesn't have to be one or another, or a hard, fast choice. You will both be best off riding what pleases you individually.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

I think the Spyder is more fun for me than a two wheeler. Reason being is that I don't have to worry about gravel patches or slick spots or be in constant fear of others in cars not paying attention to me. I can sit back and enjoy the ride a lot more than on two wheels. As far as the "rock star" attention, I don't need it but others think its a great selling point.

 

[bjt]

-Scotty

Is it snowing down there again Scotty?

Sorry about the thread hijack...

 

[NancysToy]

Is it snowing down there again Scotty?

Sorry about the thread hijack...

Just a few flakes blowing about...after all, it is the Cereal City.
-Scotty

 

[tnfleming]

Update: i took everyone's advice into consideration and got on cycletrader.com and then everything changed. I found a sprint st for sale low miles great price and decided i needed a bike that i can use also. Good cross between sport bike and touring bike. Has to be able to carry some gear. And have anti-lock brakes.

 

[reinie]

Son's first bike.

I would say get an inexpensive used cruiser 500cc to 750cc so there isn't going to be a big deal when he drops it (he will, we all did). Definitely get him to an MSF course and also to an empty parking lot to practice, practice, and practice. Dirt bike are ok but dirt isn't always available. Sportbikes A.K.A. crotchrockets would be too tempting to a young guy to do stunting and excessive speeds which inexperience can get him hurt, crippled or killed. So by all means avoid them for now. D. Reinhard, Ohio