Is it a good idea to start out on a 1500cc motorcycle?

Question

I am a female motorcyclist who I took a 3 day class back in August of 08 and got my motorcycle endorsement. First time I ever rode a motorcycle was during that class. I have ridden my brothers 800cc Suzuki c50 a few times and that's all the riding Ive done. Should I start out on a 1500cc bike or should I just stick with an 800cc until I have more experience? Thanks!

Answer 1

I'd have to go with the consensus and say start smaller. There is a definite learning curve to riding a bike that I didn't understand when I bought mine, as I had ridden some friends bikes. Turns out though I had never ridden friends bikes in heavy winds or traffic, or come across many of the obstacles you find when you start to learn. If you buy a used bike you can usually sell it pretty close to what you paid for it and upgrade through several bikes. Besides it is only money better to spend extra in the long run and have more enjoyment. I bought a smaller bike when I started and everyone told me I would out grow it quickly, which I did out grow it but will never regret starting on a small bike to build my skills and confidence.

Answer 2

I am not a believer in too much power with a beginner rider. Not unless you just cant control yourself and do something like wide open it in a turn in a low gear. The one issue that does make it too much bike for you is the sheer weight of a 1500cc bike. You could still try and get used to it once you buy it, but I would really prefer to see a new rider stay under a 600cc in normal and sport style bikes and 800cc or so at a max for the cruiser style. Even if you still would like the 1500cc and won't take anything else; I would suggest going to an area like a large parking lot and practice a few times a week at controlling the bike at extremely low speeds (2-10mph). Do circles, figure 8's etc as well as starting a sharp slow corner from a stop and any other exercises you can think of at low speed. I would do this for a few months before you take it up to full road-highway speed.....it will greatly improve your skills in normal riding and your smoothness and control. I hope this helps with your purchase decision....Good Luck! and Happy and safe riding....

Answer 3

When I think of a beginner in a 1500cc motorcycle, at first it sounds kind of crazy. But your brother's C50 is a cruiser, so i'm guessing the 1500 you have in mind is also a cruiser. I can't think of too many bikes with engines that big that are -not- cruisers. Cruisers have a very low center of gravity, and a low seat, so they are easier to handle, easier to manage for their size. Plus the engines are big like that not for power but for stability and stamina.



I read somewhere that half the buyers of new Harley Davidsons were either total newbies or else coming back to motorcycles after 20 or 30 years (raising a family, no doubt). And I wondered how total noobs would want such a dauntingly big and heavy bike. But last year I rented a Harley and I was amazed at how easy it was to manage. It's not a good-handling bike, as bikes go, but it handles easily. I think it was 1400cc but it wasn't really that hot, I mean when I yanked on the throttle it didn't -jump- like my bike does. But it would cruise effortlessly at 90 mph, which is what you want on a bike like that.



Ten minutes on the Harley taught me what the 'cruiser' style is all about. You can't go from 0 to 60 in four seconds, you can't throw it into corners, lean it over to scrape the footpegs on the ground. It's made for a relaxed, laid-back style of riding. It's nimble and manageable around town but stable and comfortable on the freeway. I am not a cruiser person, I don't really like the seating position with the high handlebars and your feet out in front of you. But I could have easily crossed the country on that bike, it was like sitting in an easy chair and watching the scenery go by.



Plus cruisers are probably safer because they're not designed to be ridden on the ragged edge of the 'envelope', at the very limit of tire adhesion, etc. They're just a bike to tool around on and have a good time.



You know what an 800 is like. That's already much bigger than what's usually recommended to start out on. Sit on a 1500 and see how much bigger and heavier it is. Probably not all that much. Could you comfortably hold it up at a corner with your legs? Probably wouldn't be a problem. If the 800 is very easy for you, you could probably 'grow into' the 1500 pretty easily. You sound very confident, which is good. 8^)

Answer 4

I would start off with the bike you want. If you want a 1500 start off with it. A smaller, less powerful bike will handle differently than a bigger one and it will be little idiosyncrasies that you will have to learn later. Besides bikes aren't cheap and if you spend hard earned money on one that you don't want that is a waste. Just take your time getting used to the capabilities of the bike you are riding. It's not really like a career or school where you have to work your way up. I say go for the one you want from the get go. Good luck and watch out for drivers that aren't paying attention and stay out of others' blind spots!

Answer 5

a lot of it depends on you. What 1500 cc ride are you looking at. It is a big step. do you have others to ride with? If you have a few others with simular rides it might be ok. ride thiers a bit and see. Do some research and take a test drive to see. Sometimes just setting on the bike will tell you yes or no. Myself i feel happier on a 600cc sport bike that a 1000. Just lighter and easier in town riding. But sometimes the best bike for you is not the image you want to go after. If you ride the 800 a bit then some 1500 are not that much larger. Some are a lot. Just stay in your comfort zone to be safe.



rd

Answer 6

It's up to you. Those bikes are heavy. Everybody afraid of dropping one of those, but really I'm afraid to pick it up! Hernia, anyone? I'm 6' 2'', 220 lbs and my CBR F2 600 scoots n' shoots real quick. My PC800 moves when I need it to also. I'd hate to back out of a garage, maneuver a parking lot or squeeze through a tight space on one of those big boys. Just a thought. Whatever you do, be patient and do what makes you happy. Have no regrets and enjoy the ride!

Answer 7

A 800 or even a 600 is more than enuff to get you around, and the smaller size is easier to learn on.

Learning does not stop after the class, it starts. I'm a small man and just see the need for a 1500.

Answer 8

NO. plain and simple.



It's way too much way too soon. You may have ridden 800 and had no problems with it *that time*, there will be other times (eventually) where you over compensate the throttle and that can cause a serious accident.



Master your motorcycle skills before riding the 1500.

Answer 9

A 1500 is a large, heavy bike (I ride a 1600). Get some experience on a smaller bike before you move up to a 1500. Good luck to you!

Answer 10

It's really what you are comfortable with. It's not just cc's but how comfortable you are with the specific bike, the setup of the controls, its weight and size and so on. Try out a more powerful bike and see if you feel comfortable riding it.

Answer 11

Start with the smaller bike, perhaps even less than 800cc, bigger bikes weigh a lot, are more difficult to control and are very responsive to the throttle. I would urge you to gain much more experience before going to a big bike.

Answer 12

You are either trolling, have screw loose or just lack common horse sense;..... what do you think????



Following your logic, I guess I can drop my 14 year old son off at the Naval air Station and he could hop into a F-18 and go chasing bad guys, right?



Gawd, get real, you got no business on even a 800..... I would say stick with a 250 but you say you are e big girl, so try a 500 maximum until you have at least 3,000 miles behind you. In my experience, females get scared easily and over respect the power of a big bike until they actually know its capabilities, thus, they take longer to maximize their own capabilities. -or they get over confident and the first time they go down on a bike, they never get back on one....ever.



(ed) There's a difference between feeling empowered and just being a beotch.....if you don't want answers from clearly qualified individuals, then don't ask stupid questions..... take your "big bones" down the road..... let us all know when you get 40 years and 1 million+ miles behind your substantial sized butt. Attitude FAIL.



Some people just have to learn the hard way.... guess you're one of 'em.

Answer 13

1 how big are you,,,unless you r 5' 10" and 180 pounds go with the 800 to 1000....a 1500 is big..its not the power its the size and weight of it,,,,

Answer 14

It does not matter if your a "fat" girl or not, a 1500cc bike is too big for you.