Quote from: The Buddha on November 17, 2010, 01:53:20 PM
May work for a begineer, but only till they tried to work on it ... it is slow ... just as well, cos it handles like a 900 lb pig.

I only had it a couple of weeks, never had a chance to do any kind of maintenance so I wouldn't know how stubborn they are. Also, with a 4-speed gearbox, I think I topped mine out at about 95mph lol. They are pretty comfortable though.

People are free to look for info and do what they want, but I stand by my formula after more than 30 years.  Learn to ride on dirt.  Take the safety course.  When you take to the street, get something naked around 400 lbs and 50 HP that's easy to work on. (sound familiar?)  You'll love it forever, even if you get a bigger bike later.  To this day the only reason I have another bike that's bigger than my GS500 is for two-up touring.  When I'm riding alone I still looove that little GS.  Another poster said a couple years ago that his first bike was a GS and "it was a joy to ride".  Can't put it any better than that.  The only thing that blows-up my formula is if you're a really big guy with long legs.  Then you NEED something bigger.

Quote from: bill14224 on November 17, 2010, 08:08:04 PM
The only thing that blows-up my formula is if you're a really big guy with long legs.  Then you NEED something bigger.

Even this is not necessarily true. I am 6'2" and about 260-270 pounds, still nowhere near the weight capacity of the bike. Yeah, I look like an ape humping a football on it, but not a single f%$k do I give. Even an ex250 has a weight capacity of ~360.

It seems like the only consensus on getting a first bike is that liter bikes are too much. Some people start on 600 SS and do okay.

If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have started smaller. Maybe a DR-Z400SM.  Those things look like loads of fun!   

My first bike was an 83 xt550, it looked like this only without the blue fork protectors....



It was kinda intimidating to start on. Tall seat, and seemed heavy. Now that I've ridden more and checked out the power/weight, it seems pretty on-par with other dual sports and I doubt it was as bad as I made it out to be, but when you're new it seems big. Either way I think an SM would definitely make a cool first bike if you've got the inseam to be able to get your feet on the ground. Low HP numbers to keep you from doing anything too stupid, but still completeld reliable and super durable. You wouldn't have to worry about dumping it a few times, and once your skill level increases you can keep up with anything else on the road, except on the highway. Definitely a good recommendation. I'm sure someday I'll own one, even if it's only for a year or two, but it definitely opens you up to some experiences that you'll never get on a bike that's just made for the street.

Quote from: redhawkdancing on November 18, 2010, 08:46:56 AM
Some people start on 600 SS and do okay.

This is true. Although it is completely possible to do so, it is still inherently dangerous. I would know, I tried it and almost killed myself. My personal opinion completely coincides with this article:

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8956

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I had a Honda CM450. that thing ran forever on 1 tank of gas. topped out at about 75mph tho.

Quote from: EndlessProject93 on November 19, 2010, 05:59:47 AM
I had a Honda CM450. that thing ran forever on 1 tank of gas. topped out at about 75mph tho.

Yup it was one of those oil shock bikes as I call it. KZ400/440 also was around 70+ mpg.
Cool.
Buddha.

I highly recommend the Vulcan 500. I really rode the miles on mine and it was responsive to the controls ,looked like a big bike, handled great, and was a blast to ride. I had her up to 80 and it was screaming. It rode best around 65 to 70 and was terrific on fuel. Essentially it's a ninja 500 in a cruiser.

Big bikes are big bucks and big problems for the new rider. I've been at it for 14 years and I have no desire to go over 900cc, and that's in a cruiser. I wouldn't even be comfortable on a 750 sport. But, I've walked away from a GS wreck and never desired the 140+ MPH speeds.

You can fool your self that the throttle stops way before the brains. It doesn't even our meager GS500's will respond if you give it the order.

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