Picking your first motorcycle. (ok for the road)
First you have
to ask yourself, what kind of riding do you want to do. Just around town?
A
cruiser will do just fine. Some brave souls will take long trips on a cruiser -
you better be young enough and tough enough. Cruisers are great for a few hour rider and they
look cool. But for long riders you may consider a touring bike. Comfort is the
keyword here.
Sport
bikes - Ok you want to go fast and take the twisties. You may not be a knee
dragger yet, but a sport bike is cool. BUT a sport bike is not exactly for long
trips.
Sport
Tourer - Wow, a combination of a sport bike with a little more comfort and
some storage room. Nice compromise. Ok now you're off to the tail of the dragon
(no trailering for you).
Dual
purpose - Ok you're in the Smokey Mountains taking the twisties and you see
that trail - you just have to know where it goes? A dual purpose bike may be for
you. Not exactly a full blown dirt bike, but it does offer some comfort, storage
and acceptable off-road capabilities.
Touring
Bike - Want to hit the road? Stereo, cruise control, storage, and comfort.
Some even take the twisties just fine. a road yacht - where's the cappuccino
machine? How far do you want to go?
Here's a Rt 66 motorcycle trip
Off
Road Bike - Just that. There's Enduro, motocross and trials bikes. Where ya
going to ride it? In Central Florida you better have a pick up or trailer to
toad it around. There's not many places to ride it.
Some will tell you to start out on a small motorcycle - ouch!
how many bikes can you afford? Get the biggest you can handle - if you buy a
small cc bike you'll quickly wish you had more. Once you get familiar with a big
bike, it's just as easy to handle if your feet touch the ground. The weight is
not that important, if it's balanced right. Take the rider course and have a
good time.
