new guy looking for bike advice

[Naked wookie]

Howdy all.
just joined the forum today and looking for a bit of insight and help from some knowledgeable folks.
recently got my motorcycle endorsement here in sask.
well a little info, almost 21years old, and my roomates got me into the motorcycle/riding hobby now haha.
one roomate is letting me use his extra bike its a 84 honda 450cc cruiser style.
I have been riding it for week or so now and really enjoy riding in general.
Looking forward to trying to do a trip or 2 this summer once the season is going and the weather decides to stop snowing on me.
yes I had snow today.

so here is my main problem.
I am 6,8" and 240ish pounds. Very athletic guy always in sports and such. So the 450 is really really short and apparently its quite a funny thing to watch as I ride on it.
Combined with I would like to not have a 1000cc bike as that is more power than I am currently willing to mess with. Why make life shorter I figure.
and I would like to make the more responsible choice for my parents sake haha.

been looking at several different bikes lately, I find I like the Fz6r riding position.
doesn't feel like I am leaning forward so far over the tank.
heard alot of people throw out the ninja 250cc as a first bike. but it seems rather small and I would wonder how well it would carry me.
if it was capable of actually pulling me upto decent highway speeds and having a bit of city pep I might look at it due to price as well.

another option that I had thrown at me was a KLR650 due to its size.

currently looking at either a 88 gsx/katana but it needs a bit of work, and a 95 gsx/katana both 600s

any recommendations for a good bike, I am preffering something sport touring/sporty over a cruiser yet but then again can't turn down a good deal on a first bike. beggars can't be choosers.

past, present anything helps. tips/info as well.
Thanks.
nate.

[redrider]

Nate,
I,m rather " old school".My first street bike was a Honda 350. Following was a 550, 650 ,750 and I have been riding liter standards for the last ten yrs. I,ve ridden many miles over the past 40 yrs.
My advice is as follows:
Determine what you would like to do with the bike..ie wknd trips, summer tours & camping for a wk or 2,explore the many roads in the area where you live etc.
Consider that you decide to travel out of your neighborhood you will need a bike that can handle saddlebags, a tank bag or a tail bag or a waterproof sealbag ,the minimum in tools, a puncture kit for flat tires.
Invest in a good helmet,gloves,boots & motorcycle jacket.Many of these can be purchased online or from a local shop. Use the internet to compare specs & prices.
Join ADVrider.com for all kinds of info....
Because of your size I would suggest you look closely at the KLR. It is a do all motorcycle including dirt roads and it has a fan list a mile long. It also has many,many accessories for the motorcycle traveler.
Lastly, don't get seduced by horsepower. It may get the adrenaline flowing on occasion but it can become expensive ( insurance,repairs,tires ) & sometimes downright scary. If you play your cards right,you may someday be in a position to go riding with your son....now that sir is a high...

All the best

[twowheels]

Stay away from four cylinder super sport bikes. They have a peaky torque curve that can overwhelm a new rider and have an uncomfortable weight on hands, riding position for someone your size. The Versys would be a great bike for you but may be out of your price range. KLR is good too. Also Ninja 500 or 650 or SV650.

[Naked wookie]

heh twowheels you pretty much hit it on the nose for bikes I really like the look of and styling.
also been looking at a yamaha Fz6r as my one roomate has the Fz1 and its riding position is a nice sport/touring cross.
the versys seems fairly similar to those as well.
along with the suzuki vstrom is another one that had my interest

also been riding a few different bikes the 450 I was being allowed to ride finally sold.
so then I had access to a 80s maxim 650 shaft drive which was rather nice to ride and then that one disappeared.
and the past 2 weeks or so I have been riding my one roommates 82 honda interceptor 1000 .
I rather like its powerband nice and smooth power through the gear without any super power range that it just torques away at.

so for the moment I am watching bike adds, saving money and just trying to ride whenever a bike is open haha. I will likely try and go for my full licence in the next few weeks with the warmer weather finally coming.

redrider my goal for a bike is to travel.
if I can get one this summer it will likely just be me going camping further north here in sask maybe a bit into alberta.
but I want to do some serious traveling deep into the states, rough it off the bike for awhile I am thinking.
so the KLR is definitely a bike that has my interest with it being able to reach places I wouldn't take a street bike haha.

so for the moment I will just have to wait and watch for the right deal/price hehe.

thanks for the info and advice guys

[haggis]

Some great bikes (and good for starting):
DR650! KLR650; SV650; the new Triumph Bonneville (but I'm biased!); the wee-strom (650 v-strom) HD Sportster;

and the TriumphRocket III



maybe!