Thinking about a two wheeler

[KX5062]

RS was actually more along my style
Mostly backroads, some freeway
No night or off road
Will be a weekend toy for about 30-50 miles
Always ride solo
No multi day trips
I was thinking about an R3, will it feel underpowered after a 1330 cc on a spyder?

New or used? That makes a HUGE difference in what to look for.

To answer your question, maybe. In all seriousness, maybe and maybe not. The Ninja 300, the Yamaha R3, or the new Honda CB300 are all outstanding little bikes and great for their intended purposes. They are high revving engines that need to be revved out to make power, unlike the ACE 1330, which has far more torque. However, these bikes will get you down the road with more speed than you'd suspect. They can be ridden on the freeway, with caution and a realization of their limitations.

If used, you can't beat the ol' Honda Rebel. They are completely dull and uninspiring, HOWEVER, they are outstanding beginner bikes that will move you around the back roads just fine while you learn the fundamentals. They just aren't fit for the freeways IMO, although, I have seen them there many times.

 

[dndfindley]

One hazard I can think of about going from a Spyder to a 2-wheeler is relearning about braking! You can brake a Spyder HARD in nearly any situation, including sharp S-curves, if necessary. On a 2-wheeler you must be rolling in a straight line, or you'll be ass-over-appetite in about 2/100 of a second.

Will your reflexes remember this in a sudden panic situation? (I seriously doubt that mine would.)

ABS on 2 wheels means you have more leeway when braking hard. As you state one can slam on the brakes with a Spyder and Nanny does the rest.

 

[HayRog]

What's that 700 Honda, that you can get with an automatic transmission?
That bike might be worth a peek...

There's a thought ! Good one Bob.

 

[HayRog]

I have an F3. I bought a Ninja 650 last year. It has enough power to keep me happy, but not so much to be scary. I also like the wind protection.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2017-kawasaki-ninja-650-sportbike-motorcycle-review#page-3

Another good'un :thumbup:

Why did I ever sell my FJR1300 ?

 

[Mr. Pickels]

MSF

I've owned spyders since they came out. Started in 2008 with an RS and now have a 2015 F3 . Both SE5, no previous motorcycle experience. Should I start with a 300cc or a 600, Spyder is a 1330, but I assume much less torque than a Yamaha R6, what do you think?

If you haven't taken the MSF-1 class, register and take the weekend class if you have zero experience. They usually have you test on 250's. then take it from there.

 

[Gearbanger]

Also look at the Yamaha FZ-07. Great little naked sport! Put it in granny mode to begin with and as you get more confident with it you can advance to the other modes. Plus this way you will still have plenty of fun factory / power and won't be selling your 300 cc sport bike after you've outgrown it in a year.

 

[UtahPete]

World of difference between a Spyder and a 2-wheeler

I've owned spyders since they came out. Started in 2008 with an RS and now have a 2015 F3 . Both SE5, no previous motorcycle experience. Should I start with a 300cc or a 600, Spyder is a 1330, but I assume much less torque than a Yamaha R6, what do you think?

What I think is you should take an accredited motorcycle training course and then decide.

Please do us all a favor; if you get a 2-wheeler without taking the basic rider course, let us know where you will be riding so we can avoid those roads.

Thanks.

 

[Highwayman2013]

These guys sell some reasonably priced two wheelers. http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/

 

[Navvet]

First of all you need to stay away from the R6 or anything similar. You will end up seriously injured, dead or so frightened that you will sell it as quick as possible. Now as to what type of machine to get I would suggest something in the 250cc to 500cc range. There are a lot choices out there. I strongly suggest you get something with ABS. I also think a maxi scooter is a very good choice. Again something with ABS. My personal choice would be the BMW 650GT. But there's also the Honda Silverwing and the Suzuki Burgman 650. Don't sell the maxi scooters short - you can learn a lot from them. In any case stay away from supersports in the beginning stages. After you have put a few thousand miles on something more docile then you can start thinking high performance.

Be careful in the transition, there is a lot more to going from 3 to 2 wheels ....

Also, don't be fooled by the docile looks of the maxi-scooters. I have spent some time on a Bergman 650 ... That puppy is fast, nimble and maneuverable and very comfortable... They will fool you right into a serious accident.

On the positive side, most maxi-scooters are automatic with ABS.

 

[asp125]

If you are leaning towards riding the canyons around LA, the R3 will be more than enough fun to keep up with larger bikes without being ponderous like a large cruiser in the twisties. It's small size will let you lane split with ease and be good on gas. Other good first choices for canyon carving: the Honda 500's, KTM's RC390, the older Suzuki SV650, Ninja 650, Yamaha's FZ6R.

If you then want to upgrade, or add some luggage ability over a pure sportbike, consider the likes of the NC700X, Honda's VFR and other sport tourers.

But first and foremost, take an MSF course to unlearn some of the Spyder habits and relearn how to ride on two wheels.

 

[Arion]

Back to the leaners:

http://marineturbine.com/motorcycles/

This is one that probably should be avoided. :shocked:

(But if you can: make friends with somebody who has one!)

Great Scott! That's a widow-maker if ever I saw one. I'd be worried that raccoons would end up hibernating in the exhaust. Wonder what that would smell like if not checked for interlopers before firing it up?

 

[RinconRyder]

1998 Honda Valkyrie Tourer With many extras. Yes is a big bike but with a low seat height and good handling. You can't beat the torque. See it on Craigslist reno

Kaos

Nice bike but way too big and heavy for a beginner. And yes, I have owned a Std Valkyrie, a Tourer (longer wheelbase), and two Goldwings. All of them are great bikes but are in no way suitable for a beginner.

 

[RinconRyder]

In addition to the advice from others I would only add buy a used bike. Chances are you will drop it more than once while learning. Use it to develop your riding skills and only then move up. Also, stay away from anything covered in tupperware. It breaks easily and is very expensive to replace. A naked bike is far easier to work on should the need arise and much less expensive.

 

[Ramg66]

OMG, now you guys have me wondering what 2 wheels would be like, after almost killing myself 25 years ago. :shocked::doorag: