Just joining
 

Here I am at almost 52. Took my motorcycle safety course last year and got my license. Yesterday I bought my first motorcycle - red 2000 GZ 250. I had been advised to go with nothing less than a 750cc bike.
I finally decided to go with the smaller bike to hone by skills. Anyone out there with regrets for doing a similar thing? Anyone glad they did the same thing?

Re: Just joining
 

There is no one that I know of on this site that regrets going with a 250 for their first bike, I could be wrong but I don't think you will find a person to say that on here (Now I will Patiently wait for someone to prove me wrong). I personally think that while it can and has been done (I have a sister that started out on a 600cc and she is still alive, I THINK) it is not a very good idea to start out on something like that, at least IMHO. And even with my example of my sister, there is still a good jump in power and torque from a 600cc to a 750cc, and then when you compare that to the jump from a GZ250 to a 750cc, well the power jump is off the charts.

By the way, welcome to the site.

Re: Just joining
 

I was told the same thing, and I did what you did (at age 51 as well). I have no regrets, even though I have a bigger bike now (750). I still have the GZ for the time being, and I ride it regularly. The GZ is a great bike to start your riding career on, and you may feel like moving up someday, or you may not. Nothing wrong with either one.

Re: Just joining
 

This is something like preaching to the choir! Amen, brother!! :)

My story is a little different. I started my riding career on a 90 cc Honda. Yes, that was a LONG time ago. :shocked: After a lot of bikes over 40+ years, I thought I would settle in with a GZ for as long as I can ride; didn't work out quite that way. :roll:

I enjoyed the crap out of my 250 for about 2 years, which included a 1200 mile road trip but I'm not sure that any rider is immune to "the bug". It bit me a couple of weeks ago and now I have a Honda Shadow 600. I plan more road trips and think it will be just a tad more comfortable.

So, you did NOT make a mistake. Whomever gave you that advice leans more toward emotion than practicality. A big, powerful bike is almost NEVER the best choice for a new rider.

Re: Just joining
 

Welcome drs. You will not regret a GZ as a first bike. It is a very forgiving bike and will allow you to develop riding skills and confidence in your own abilities.

Re: Just joining
 

I have a friend who is being given the same advice, he's ridden a scooter for a couple years, but only ridden a motorcycle once, no MSF as of yet, but only considering 750cc bikes and up. His rationale is that he'll never have to worry about wanting to upgrade (Yeah, right, once you get hooked, there's no stopping :) ) and that even if the bike has huge amounts of power, you don't have to use it. Sounds like very sound reasoning. :roll:

Re: Just joining
 

But at least he has been on two wheels for two years already, even if it was a scooter.

Re: Just joining
 

I guess, but the jump from a 200 lb or so, 50cc scooter to 500 lbs+, 750cc+ cruiser, THAT will be an eye opener for him. Hopefully he'll heed the warnings to learn how to ease onto the throttle, not pull it wide open like on his scooter.

Re: Just joining
 

Don't get me wrong, I still don't think it is a good idea to jump from a 50cc scooter to a 750+ but it is a far sight better judgement than most people make, like going from there toyota corolla to a Suzuki Hayabusa or some crazy shit like that.

Re: Just joining
 

The GZ is a terrific bike for starting/restarting your motorcycling life. People do start on a 750+, a mature/athletic/fit/careful person would have fewer problems than a immature/uncoordinated/weak/careless person. Just basic low speed parking lot/garage handling is much more difficult with a 500+ lb bike. The power of a bigger bike makes it very easy to get into situations a beginner can't foresee. Things happen a lot quicker at 100mph+ than at 60mph. The temptation is there and without experience and training bad things happen. (don't ask me how I know this)

Re: Just joining
 

You will be pleased with the GZ! It's a great bike to start with, and you may find that it is all you really need, depends on you and what you want out of the bike. Easy and inexpensive to maintain and operate, handles easily, and doesn't have the power to "get out from under you" like a bigger bike can easily do. My cousin bought a big Harley for his first bike, drove it out of the dealers lot and into the ditch across the street, more power than he was ready for at 58 years of age, and my son in law who is in the military and in great physical shape at 24 still almost put his 750 into the neighbors yard across the street the first time he pulled out on it. You made a good decision and even if you decide to trade up at some point you won't have any trouble finding a buyer for the GZ.