Starter bike for daughter in college? Thoughts requested.

[F6CTrider]

My daughter has requested my assistance in selecting a "starter" motorcycle to get around for the last two years of college.  Here are some of the parameters so far followed by my initial thoughts.

The "boyfriend"  has a SUV for bad weather and primary wheels.
Durango CO, lots of mountains.
Wants to be able to travel highways and longer rides.  Windshield desired
Needs to be able to carry stuff, saddlebags needed, etc
Athletic girl, cautious driver, smart.
Want to stay cheap for starters, (? $2K - $3K ?)I am guessing mid to late 90's

Here is my starting short list.
750 Shadow
Suzuki M50-C50
older not so naked Goldwing

Darkhorse : Maxi-scooter(Burgman or Silver wing)

Your thoughts?

[johnhunter44]

Honda Magna? Low to ground and plenty of power....

[Fritz The Cat]

I'd steer clear of the Shadow 750. Worst ergo dynamically designed bike ever. It will destroy your muscles and butt on a long ride.

[Valker]

You might want to look at an older ST1100, a KLR650 with bags, or a 650 Wee-Strom with bags.

[aamcotrans]

The Vulcan 750 is a flawless bullet proof bike. Great on the highway, not heavy.

[BF]

The 650 Yamaha's come to mind.   Look like a full cruiser, just smaller....and low to the ground. 

[highcountry]

Late '90s VT1100 ACE Tourer would be nice. 

[RoadKill]

Magna is not a starter bike! A little too fast for beginners.  How tall is she? New riders dont need to be worried about bikes that are tall or have high center of gravity IMHO.

Maybe a VLX 600 with soft bags and a wind screen ?  Low and SLOW!  

Suzuki Marauder VZ800 would be a great bike to check into as well.
 

[BradValk48237]

Vulcan 800.......   nice bike, easy care, dependable,,,Have had one in the garage for 6 years as a 2nd bike... still has original battery... always starts..... nice power and decent on the highway....

Brad

[F6CTrider]

Thanks for the heads up on the Shadow.
Girl is 5'8", but I also think low and slow is a great start.
I am not too familiar with the Kaw and Yam bikes in the 6-800 range....not yet at least.
I am guessing the KLR might be too tall ??, but it might keep the "boyfriend" off, (not for me to decide)
I am pretty sure that anything with 1100 in the badge is too much for starters
Thanks for the ideas now and in the future.
Updates to follow

[3fan4life]

Not knowing anything about her, experience, size, etc it is hard to recommend a specific bike that is suited for her.

I think that the Yamaha 650 V-Star is a really good choice for a ladies bike.




It will run a solid 80 mph all day long but doesn't have enough power to get you into trouble very easily.


For a crotch rocket the 500 Ninja isn't a bad beginner choice:



Its cousin is also a popular ladies ride:

 

Any of these bikes can easily be found in her price range.

[Russell Rice]

I have a 2002 750 Shadow that the wife rode for a while. It has almost 5000 miles on it. It comes with a shield  and leather bags. It is silver and purple. It has the forward foot pegs and is a great ride. The wife never said a bad thing about the bike. Runs great. If you are interested let me know.

[Chattanooga Mark]

Very hard to beat a Honda VLX for value and versatility.

All the best,

Mark

[Jess from VA]

I agree with Mike on the Yam Vstar 650, (custom is easier to ride than classic for a beginner).
Or a Suzuki SV650.

However, if she's a complete rookie, I think she might be better off with a mid size scooter for school.  

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/415/0/home.aspx
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2008-yamaha-majesty-review-86641.html
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2005/12/15december05_yamajesty/

Yamaha Majesty is automatic, 50mpg, 395cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke single; DOHC, 4 valves, storage under the seat is 16 gallons, and it will cruise at freeway speeds.

[Thespian]

Late '90s VT1100 ACE Tourer would be nice. 

I'd go this way. Won't out grow it very soon.

[Big IV]

I started in college on a CB 750 and loved it. I often thought if I were going to buy a newer bike the Nighthawk 750 would be a great lighter bike, but I never needed a lighter bike so I never did. I'd add that to the list. It's a shame it doesn't have a chrome rear fender.

[Jess Tolbirt]

Honda 1100 shadow tourer,,, looks like a scaled down version of a Valk...
i had one and problems were non existent...

[Valkpilot]

My daughter has requested my assistance in selecting a "starter" motorcycle to get around for the last two years of college.  Here are some of the parameters so far followed by my initial thoughts.

The "boyfriend"   has a SUV for bad weather and primary wheels.
Durango CO, lots of mountains.
Wants to be able to travel highways and longer rides.  Windshield desired
Needs to be able to carry stuff, saddlebags needed, etc
Athletic girl, cautious driver, smart.
Want to stay cheap for starters, (? $2K - $3K ?)I am guessing mid to late 90's

Here is my starting short list.
750 Shadow
Suzuki M50-C50
older not so naked Goldwing

Darkhorse : Maxi-scooter(Burgman or Silver wing)

Your thoughts?

My first bike was a Honda 750 Shadow Spirit.  I put 17,500 miles on it in less than two years including some 600+ mile days.  In my opinion, you wouldn't go wrong with this bike.

I would not put a beginner on any crotch rocket, or a Magna, nor anything much bigger than a 750.  Buy cheap and mid-sized and move up as skills improve.

I think an ideal bike for all the "desirables" you have on your list would be a Honda Pacific Coast 800.  They are a mini-GoldWing.  A friend of mine has one and he does two-up long distance stuff all the time.   There's a nice one on e-bay right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-PC800-Pacific-Coast-1989-/160713326576?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item256b42bff0

[MacDragon]

I think the 750 Ace is a great bike for a beginner and intermediate rider.  I've had 2 of them and they are bullet-proof.  I still have an 02 in the stable beside the Valk. You can find them for around the range you're looking at... $2-3000.

 


 

[fubar606]

I'd steer clear of the Shadow 750. Worst ergo dynamically designed bike ever. It will destroy your muscles and butt on a long ride.

                              whooooo on that worst ergo stuff. some of the shadows may
               be rough and ugly BUT  the wife's 750 shadow ace is a VERY nice ride she
                    has followed me all over the country on that little bike and loves it

[mario]

i loved my 07 honda 750 shadow aero.  i wish we still had it for our daughter.  it's a great, lowslung bike for a newbie.  imo, anything smaller and she'll be wanting more cc's in a hurry.  don't forget the crashbar. 

[bigguy]

Very hard to beat a Honda VLX for value and versatility.

All the best,

Mark

+1
My son has one. Easy to ride and comfortable. It was the starter bike for a friends wife and my wife before we passed it on to him.

[98valk]

Suzuki DR200SE,  epa rated 105 mpg city, 3.4 gallon tank,  weight about 270lbs. aftermarket luggage rack $160,  will do 65-70 MPH on the hwy and return 70-80 MPG. 40 MPH and it will do 90 MPG.

search http://www.advrider.com/forums/
some like the yamaha 200xt, some like the kawi 200 and super shepa.

beginner u want a small bike.

dual sports are cheaper than the cruiser style small bikes and get better mpg.
the classic style Suzuki TU250 is a big seller right now, as is the new Honda CB250r sport bike

[justooneez]

If she is wanting inexpensive but nice long distance, the shadow tourer has a very nice windshield and hard bags without having to pay the aftermarket crowd, and even though its an 1100, its pretty light and very rideable, shaft drive and hydraulic valves saves in the long run

If she has never ridden before though, agree with scooter or a very light 250 cc training bike, yea she will outgrow them fast, but the resale on them is great and usually very fast

[Jess from VA]

The problem with all dual sports for a rookie rider, a large problem, is the seats are WAY tall. 

[R J]

My suggestion, is no CC's above 750 to start,  SHAFT drive as she will never remember to oil the chain, don't ask me how I know this.

Make sure a set of bags can be added without major build of hangers.

I'd also look into these automatic tranny bikes.    Buddy of mine had I think it was a Suzuki.     That heifer was quick at the stop lights.   I think it was called a Bergman or something along that line.    He lost a leg due to being a diabetic, he got a prosthetic lower leg and run the pee waddin out of it.    His wife rode a Silver Wing, and gave her all the hell she could handle.  Also he weighted in close to 340#.    Last time I talked to his wife, she said he had close to 60K on the speedo and only tires and oil changes have been required.

Shortly after Kenny got his new leg, his wife suggested we do the trip out West we had talked about for 3 years. I loaded up my trailer with all of their stuff and we took off for all points West of the Missouri river.      9,000 miles later we pulled back into their driveway to unload.   All 3 of us had 2 oil changes, Kenny went through a rear tire, and Nancy did 2 tires and a battery.   Kenny was ready for tire # 2 also, I was still puttin miles on my CT.

I think the only way he will let the bike go, is that we pry his cold dead fingers off the bars.

[motomama]

When I began riding in 1999, I had a Honda Shadow VLX (600cc).  It was a perfect bike for me and I rode it for a couple of years.  I took it on long trips (around 3,500 miles in a week) and shorter trips.  I rode it in the mountains, on the Blue Ridge Parkway and here in the flatlands, as well.  It sits low to the ground and was comfortable for me to begin on.  In my opinion, it is an awesome bike for a beginner, as my daughter learned to ride on it, as well.

When I moved up, I went to the Honda Magna VF750.  As Roadkill stated, I would not recommend it for a first bike either.  I loved that bike, and rode it all over the place.  I had it for several years, and even did my SS1000 for the Iron Butt Association on it.  I took it on many long trips, and enjoyed it very much for several years.  Both of those bike were chain driven, and I had no problem with checking the chain regularly, tightening it when needed and oiling the chain.  It was an awesome bike!

When I felt comfortable, I moved on to the Valkyrie, and I love riding it, as well and still ride everywhere I can.  I think my next move will be a Valkyrie Interstate!   

[Big IV]

My suggestion, is no CC's above 750 to start,  SHAFT drive as she will never remember to oil the chain, don't ask me how I know this.

I only forgot that once. It sent a chain through the back of the engine block. I was very attentive to that in the future. Shaft drive is one of the better inventions in life.

[MartinT]

+ 1 on the Honda Shadow 750. I had one and loved it, wish I still had it. my wife recently bought a Yamaha Vstar 650 as a beginner bike. She tried the fit on several bikes in that class, including the Shadow, and found that overall the Vstar fit her body best. The pegs are a bit more forward and she has long legs. Ride-wise, I prefer the Shadow, but fit and comfort are very important. In any case, hard to go wrong with the Honda, Yamaha or Kawi of that size.

Martin

[Serk]

There's not a lot of them out there, but just as a "Hmmm, didn't even consider that one!" take a look at the Honda Pacific Coasts...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Pacific_Coast

[Dogg]

Don't pay attention to any response with a displacement over 700cc. The v star 650 is the most solid, dependable starter bike there is. Bf and 3fan4life hit it on the head. Sounds good, looks great and runs flawlessly. Plus unlike the rest, the carb comes out easy for maint. Or repairs. I have 3 women riders locally who asked me the same question and all started on the 650. Now, some riding the 900 vstar but still, got there wings on the smaller one.

[Jess from VA]

Another plus for the 650 V* is that so many people start on them, there are usually a good number around used and not abused.  Some of the older two-tone paint colors were atrocious, but that is way down the list for buying a good used bike.  Also, some of them had to have the front pipe removed to access the internal oil filter (at least the 1100s), and that was a small PITA.

I still think a big scooter would be best for a complete rookie daughter away at school, unless she is truly starting on a future of regular motorcycling (and even then). 

[thumper]

Honda Magna? Low to ground and plenty of power....

+1

I started on a Magna and loved it.  The stock seat is a torture device but if she can ride at all she will be fine.

Be careful that whatever you get is mechanically sound....you don't want her to be stranded on the side of the road or worse.

JMHO

[bscrive]

I also have to agree on the 750 Magna.  Great bike and it is the next bike I am getting for my wife.

[98valk]

The problem with all dual sports for a rookie rider, a large problem, is the seats are WAY tall. 

not the 200cc bikes. A lot of woman start out on these bikes and make them their main bike.  www.advrider.com

the 250cc top of the line dual sport bikes such as the yamaha wr250r is high.

[Jess from VA]

The problem with all dual sports for a rookie rider, a large problem, is the seats are WAY tall. 

not the 200cc bikes. A lot of woman start out on these bikes and make them their main bike.  www.advrider.com

the 250cc top of the line dual sport bikes such as the yamaha wr250r is high.

OK, I stand corrected........ been away from them for a long time.

[Jess Tolbirt]

how bout this? get her an 883 sportster low rider,,,

[Karen]

Have to agree with the Yamaha Majesty, had mine since 2005, and it is great, storage, automatic, light enough for me to still pick it up, just change the stock Dunlop's for Pirelli Diablo's, and you have a very nimble, responsive  and stable ride, 50 - 60 mpg, will keep up with the Valks except for initial takeoff.

[wdvalk]

plus 1 on the pacific coast

[GreenLantern57]

The 250's fit in the free motorcycle parking better. Plus if you get the dual purpose, she can ride it in the snow!
But, if she is really going to ride highway, midsize 600-900cc are good bikes.
You can ususally find a late 80's 750 Super Magna for around 2.5 to 3.5k in Craigslist. Still a V4, low to ground, fast enough to pass semis in short order.  Pretty easy to maintain and there is alot of help on the V4 board.  http://www.v4hondabbs.com/