What do you guy's think regarding a starter bike for 18 y/o?

[er.medic]

My son is turning 18 y/o in April and wants to buy a motorcycle. He has never ridden on the road. His only experience with motorcycles was a Yamaha TTR 90 he started riding when he was 8. I am looking at a Honda Shadow Aero. It has a low seat height and relatively low curb weight at 550 lbs. I will insist that he take the Beginner Rider Course, the Experienced Rider Course, and perhaps the Ride Like A Pro class in Tampa. Any sage advice from any of you that have been down this road with any of your kids would be welcome.

[jkelley]

Shadow is good, M-50 good, CTX-700 is a great bike as well.

[BobinMich]

KLR line is nice. Personally, for me, when my son just started on the road, I stuck with a thumper. Actually, a 30+ year old Yamaha exciter. It went 75 mph, got 70 mpg and was a great beginners bike for him. Bought it for 1000, sold it a year later and 5,000 miles later, for 1000. Can't go wrong with a cheap old scoot. They also get to learn a little about upkeep etc on the old bikes.... I understand a small thumper may be "too small" for some...but for my son, it was a great learners bike.

[motoman]

One word: Grom.

:clap2:

[bigbird]

It depends on where his riding location will take him.

Will he like exploring off the beaten path in addition to urban riding? If so, a Honda CRF250L would be my choice.
Street only? Honda CB300FA.
Cruiser? Get his sea legs first on a lighter, more nimble bike and deal with the cruiser thing later.

Did I mention I like Honda's?

[er.medic]

That is kinda what I was thinking. The one we are looking at is a 2004 Shadow Aero for $2500. Has 12,000 miles but needs some cosmetic work. I was thinking that he could learn some maintenance and detailing skills.

[er.medic]

I love Honda's as well, my very first bike was a little Honda 50 I rode in the back yard as a kid. I even got the tank painted metal flake as a Christmas gift. This was back in the 70's. Remember the metal flake craze? He won't be doing anything off road, all urban riding.

[er.medic]

One word: Grom.

:clap2:

What is a Grom? :shrug:

[bigbird]

What is a Grom? :shrug:

Google is your friend. :icon_google:

Much faster than me typing in a link for you.

[jaygollner]

That is kinda what I was thinking. The one we are looking at is a 2004 Shadow Aero for $2500. Has 12,000 miles but needs some cosmetic work. I was thinking that he could learn some maintenance and detailing skills.
That sounds like a good choice it's a good strong bike, and that sounds like a good price.

[Retired Army]

How about enrollment in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Riders Course? They provide the cycle and he would enter into the action with some great experience and training. Then you can the chose a bike that fits him with the least amount of modification.

[Old Ryder]

Hard to beat a 750 Shadow--- bang for the buck. However, a slightly larger and nicer bike that can be had for a good price is a Victory Kingpin if it is a V Twin type he is looking for. If not, there are good deals on V Strom.

Grom is just too darn UGLY for any teenager to be seen on. :icon_biggrin:

[BobinMich]

I always wanted to get my sons cars, motorcycles that WON'T win any races or are "too fast" or to give them incentive to race or drive "crazy"..... I always looked at that stuff when buying for my sons.

[FlaMike]

Wife's first bike was a 04 Shadow Aero. It was an excellent bike, low center of gravity, plenty capable of keeping up with traffic, good gas mileage and easy to ride.
By comparison my daughter's 1st bike was a 250CBR, while it was tame as far as power output, I thought it was not as easy (for a beginner) to ride as the Aero was.
For new riders, being comfortable & in control of the machine is key. Too big, too soon is never good. Good luck

[JohnnyF6B]

Does he want a cruiser style bike? As a 18 yr old. I would have wanted something a little more sporty. 650 Ninja. Easier handling, better braking, & its not a full blown crotch rocket.

[Steve 0080]

I would and did buy a cheaper/older bike to start out on... never know...once he has it ... might not be all that and could be money wasted .... Try to buy something that someone else would buy to learn on...think re-sale !!!

[53driver]

A used Buell Blast for less than $800.
Too easy.

[shooter]

Hard to beat a 750 Shadow--- bang for the buck. However, a slightly larger and nicer bike that can be had for a good price is a Victory Kingpin if it is a V Twin type he is looking for. If not, there are good deals on V Strom.

Grom is just too darn UGLY for any teenager to be seen on. :icon_biggrin:

+1 on the V-Strom.

[er.medic]

Thank you everyone for your input. I let him read all of your responses and we looked (online or in person) at each and every bike you guys mentioned. It's his money, so I am going to let him decide (sport bikes are not an option due to nervous parents :nono:). We'll see what he decides, but thanks again to all of you. We appreciate your wisdom .notworthy.

[Fla_rider]

Wow - I have a NC700X for sale. 78 miles per gallon, gas tank can hold helmet, hard matching OEM saddlebags.

10797

Not a Sport bike red lines 6.5. Sit straight up. Just looks hot.

[jkelley]

Wow - I have a NC700X for sale. 78 miles per gallon, gas tank can hold helmet, hard matching OEM saddlebags.

10797

Not a Sport bike red lines 6.5. Sit straight up. Just looks hot.

After my wife took the MSF basic and advanced, and a LONG line of bikes including almost every Harley made she now rides a NC700X and I am here to tell you she likes it more than any other bike she has been on. her highest mileage was two tanks at 84 MPG, and she is always high 70's.

I have also ridden the bike and other than being slightly small for me it run's surprisingly well, and is very comfortable. Plenty of power, and pulls very well, handling is great.

[Primo]

I'd buy a cheap Honda Rebel.

If he crashes it he can just leave it where it lays and walk away or when all goes well you can get pretty much get exactly what you bought it for in 6 months or so down the road when he might be ready for a bigger bike.

Less cc's = less chance to get into speed and power related trouble.

[motoman]

Lots of kids start out on dirt bikes/trail bikes. They get used to the rear wheel sliding, uneven terrain, anticipating obstacles.

After dirt, the street is a piece of cake. I think this is still a good approach.

[Big Jay]

DRZ400s is a good dual sport very capable off and on road, my boy put 12000 or so miles on his in a couple years, was his only mode of transportation for a while.

[Hornblower]

Don't know if it was mentioned earlier or not, but I would probably choose a Suzuki SV650. Those little bikes were extremely popular and I imagine they're fairly available on the used market. The SV650 had good power, good brakes, and good handling. Also, there are a lot of aftermarket bits available for that bike if the youngster wants to "make it his own".

[Ridlikhel]

One word: Grom.

:clap2:

I want one, to start my wife out on riding and for me while she's at work. :shhh:

[JohnnyF6B]

Thank you everyone for your input. I let him read all of your responses and we looked (online or in person) at each and every bike you guys mentioned. It's his money, so I am going to let him decide (sport bikes are not an option due to nervous parents :nono:). We'll see what he decides, but thanks again to all of you. We appreciate your wisdom .notworthy.

yes, I understand & had the same fear. My son drove dirt bike. I put him on a Husqvarna 510 SMR(my old one) for a street bike. Light 260 Lb motorcycle. Super good brakes, which could cause problems.
Its all in the wrist. My fear was putting him on a 600 + Lb motorcycle that will go 140 mile per/hr.
That NC700X looks like a decent starter bike.

[ff73148]

What bike does your kid want?

[racer]

My kid started on a CBR500R, which he still has, he added a race pipe. But for SOME reason, he keeps borrowing my VTX1800. :icon_biggrin:

[Spanky]

One of my first bikes was a nice Savage 650, now called a Boulevard s40. ....try as i might, was not able to get it on 1 wheel. Until, that was a 16YO who had her licence 20 minutes brought the rear wheel up.

Its big enough to keep out of it's own way, and still last him a year, plus it has a little cool factor.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Boulevard_S40

here's a nice one 20 miles away:
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2011-Suzuki-Boulevard-S40-113764339

[Old Ryder]

yes, I understand & had the same fear. My son drove dirt bike. I put him on a Husqvarna 510 SMR(my old one) for a street bike. Light 260 Lb motorcycle. Super good brakes, which could cause problems.
Its all in the wrist. My fear was putting him on a 600 + Lb motorcycle that will go 140 mile per/hr.
That NC700X looks like a decent starter bike.

My daughter decided to start riding at 40. I have been riding since before she was born. She took the riding course and then got a R6. Go figure.

[Old Ryder]

Proud Day when she passed the course!25651089910900

[valkmc]

Depends on the kid. My oldest son started out on a 93 GSXR 750 and was fine. He now rides a ZX-14. Very responsible kid. I on the other hand started on a 76 Honda 400 SS. I am not sure how I made it through that year, many close calls because I was always going way to fast.

Everyone one is different so I would determine his level of maturity first.

[Limoles]

I would check insurance cost in the first place . Premiums for youngsters are quite high .

[Limoles]

Proud Day when she passed the course!108981089910900

Do you remember the day of obtaining moto license ? That's the time , when we became to be really happy
( as these pics reminds those moments so well ) .

[Old Ryder]

Do you remember the day of obtaining moto license ? That's the time , when we became to be really happy
( as these pics reminds those moments so well ) .

SSOOOO True----The day I got my drivers license will always be etched in my brain August 1971--- Hot and sunny-- and the world was suddenly my oyster.

The day I got my motorcycle license was no big deal. I had been riding for years and was grandfathered in. They just changed the law requiring some special designation. I guess you could just call me just an old rider.:301: