How much bike for a newbie?

Hi all

I rode a little years ago and have gotten bitten by the bug again. Completed the MSF class but need lots of practice on back roads and such. My question is how much bike is too much? I am a bigger guy, 6'3" and 280 lbs. I am attracted to the Seca and Maxim 750 bikes. Too much to start with? Thanks!

 

In my opinion it really won't matter much about the size...it's a matter of respecting the bike and understanding it's capabilities. You sound like an older (read that a mature) ride...you've taken a safety class AND you're asking the question.
I was in the same boat when I got my 750...hadn't ridden in years and frankly the bike scarred the $h!t out of me...took a couple of hundred miles in the saddle to start to relax....I still remember that moment when I thought to myself "I can control this thing" THAT was when I got really scared....for me...to feel comfortable while riding, I've got to stay hyper-vigilant, no day-dreaming...I'm always thinking every car/truck/deer on the road is going to try to take me out and I'm always looking for an exit strategy.
Just me...

 

IMO, the 650 + 750 are pretty good choices. Go smaller and you'll outgrow it and it's not enough for the highway, go larger and well.... yea... too much bike.

 

Something that may be even more important:

Our Secas and Maxims are 30 years old. Riding one of these bikes pretty much means a DIY proposition when it comes to maintenance; and virtually every one you find for cheap will need to have a whole bunch of long-neglected maintenance caught up on. Valve adjustment, carb service, forks and brakes needing to be rebuilt, etc., are all on the list of things you'll need to deal with before doing any serious riding.

As long as you don't mind becoming a self-taught Yamaha Four-cyl mechanic and realize that the budget for a proper recommissioning runs in the $600 ~ $800 range and have the time, place and resources to do it yourself then by all means, jump in. I'm not trying to discourage you; just pointing out something that people often discover after the fact.

Don't make the mistake that so many folks make thinking that you can just buy an old bike and start riding it. It doesn't quite work that way.

Oh, and the 550s are plenty "enough for the highway."

 

At 6'3 I think you're going to find a lot of bikes are too cramped for you. Assuming you're in reasonable health you're big enough to deal with a larger motorcycle. None of them will go faster than you twist your wrist.

As Bigfitz pointed out, the age of these machines generally means they require catch up maintenance when you first buy them. Paying to service them is pricey, assuming you can find someone to work on them.

They are fairly simple to service and don't require a lot of specialty tools. If you're a half way decent shade tree mechanic you should be able to do your own work.

 

Sorry Fitz... I was referring to CC's in general, not the SECA 550. Every smaller CC bike I've ridden, I don't feel comfortable on the highway (i do live on some major trucking routes). I should also point out I have NOT ridden a 550 seca. I've had friends go both ways they have bought 250's, 400's, and 1800's as first bikes.... none of them went well.

 

750 is a good start. Just make sure you respect the power till you are used to it. I'm 6'3" and over 300, the 750 Seca can be a bit cramped over 2 hours of riding, but it's ok for shorter trips. Power is fine.

 

i started on a 250 which i thought was a good for getting around to where i needed to go, even on the highway for about 15-20 minutes, i now have a 550 and i can feel the difference in the power, i have yet to take it on the highway as its not on my route to work, but im sure ti wont get blown around by the trucks like my 250 did.

i think that as long as you feel comfortable on it its an okay bike to start with. but if i had to give a number i would say anything over 1000 would be to much for a starter bike.

 

Well, I think I understand about the major maintence these bikes will need. Not as well as some one who has already done it of course. At 6'3" I think I'll need to modify any bike I get. I did the MSF class on a 250 Suzuki cruiser and it was painful.

 

I started with a maxim x 700cc. Plenty of pick up I weigh around 195lbs.

 

1st Seca

If I could get this guy down to a decent price is this likely a good candidate. Basically it needs everything which means a good $800 in parts and lots of work.

 

not bad. gonna need some TLC and time. but that faring has to go!

 

Seca

This would probably be a better starting point. Probably can't deal much on price though.

 

The GL500 SilverWing, at 52 HP pushing a full-size fairing was as small as you'd ever want on the Interstate. OK for country lanes and 55 use.

 

I would check out the second one you posted offer him 800 or so.

 

patmac6075 That is a marine corps thing . exit strategy and all .I am that way even walking in public . But it is a good mind set when riding as well . I ride strictly country back roads , so the deer and elk here are more of a worry than cars !!semper fi

 

Trouble it is not close.

 

I am 6' 3" about 200 lbs. and ride an XJ 650.
I have yet to take any epic rides (read: anything longer than two hours). The bike is a little small physically but it also is tons of fun. I got mine for a great price ($100 bottle of whiskey and a Thai dinner), I have invested probably 6 times that amount already in making it safe and reliable and still have more that should be added to it.

To quote Edith Piaf (and translate) "No, I regret nothing." :lol:

 

It's a good solid find, though. The mufflers aren't original, but the bike appears to be very solid and a much better starting point than the first one.

I like the line in the first ad though; "chrome exhaust some corrosion" and in the pics the LH muffler is completely rusted out.

You'd have a much better time of it with the 8600-mile bike. It will still need all the "standard stuff" but you stand much less chance of any serious pitfalls.

 

Yea go with the bike in the second ad you posted. That first one looks terrifying (as far as getting it back on the road)...

 

Well the second one got sold before I could get to it. Would number one be a good project if I could get it cheap enough? Thanks.