Going to get my Motorcycle Licence. But which bike!!!

I just picked up a bike last year when I got back from my deployment. I ended up getting a 2001 honda shadow spirit (750cc). I'm about 6'2 and 185 lbs. I should pick up sojme forward controls for it, becuase I am a bit tall. However, aside from that, the bike has done it's job well.

It has enough power to get me in trouble, earning my first speeding ticket on it at the age of 22. Granted I am thinking of getting a larger bike. I am planning to do so in a few years. This is my bike to learn on, and practice skills. Not to mention it was cheap enough ($2300) that if I lay her down, I won't be too upset. Another factor is that it's a good bike to learn to wrench on.

Someone already mentioned a motorcycle safety course. I strongly urge people to take it. Even my father took one in his 50's after he recently picked up a bike, and was impressed with the information and skills he learned there. I don't know how they work in Canada, though here taking one provides a nice insurance discount, and you don't have to take a driving test.

When you get one, make sure to post some pictures.

Hey Virus,

Yah we have MSC motorcycle safety courses. I will be taking it right after I get my M1 and then take it again after I get my M2. The bike that im like 98% Sure I want is $4500 but I am gunna see if he will go $4000 for it.

Ill be sure to take lots of pics and I think I might get a helmet cam or a flip camera I can attach to the handle bars to get some good riding footage and have a camera with me for when I am field herping. (even though I have a nice big DSLR camera its not always fun running after snakes with a big chunky expensive camera around your neck)

Gunna see if this weekend I can find a dealership around here so I can go sit on some bikes and get a feel for some different ones.

Sounds like a good idea. I never rode or sat on any bikes before picking up mine, so I'm lucky that I truly enjoy mine.

I never thought of getting a riding camera to use for field herping. I should look into that.

first off is the common misconception: crotch rockets are bad for your back. Wrong.

A cruiser style bike is bad for your back. The more upright you sit, the more the disks of your back will be forced to absorb bounces and shocks to your back.

example: take some saucers or plates and stack them on your table. Bang the table and watch them hop and slam together. That impact would be absorbed by your disks. In a lean forward style bike, your arms and hips absorb this force.

Absolute best first bikes are the fuel injected SV650's. Good power but not enough to be trying to run down superbikes, handle and stop great, easy to insure, popular so easy to find a bike and parts. They have a huge following including the racign scene. Best of all worlds.

Im getting the 2003 Yamaha V-star 650 classic on tuesday!!! I cant wait!!