Bikes to avoid?

As a soon-to-be rider, I've been reading a lot about what bikes I should consider for my starter ride. But here's something I haven't seen: What are the bikes that, as a new, mechanically challenged rider, I should absolutely avoid? Are there certain bikes out there that those in the know would tell someone to absolutely avoid?

I'm not referring to the obvious, like the $100,000 custom chopped job or some half-ton monstrosity (no offense intended). Instead, I'm wondering about those bikes that a person of modest means with minimal experience might consider as a first ride. For example, I've been told that, if you don't like to turn a wrench, you should never consider a HD from the 70s.

Thoughts?

Well, obviously the simpler the better. A single cylinder bike is going to be easier to maintain than a twin, and a twin will be easier than a 4 cylinder. Then you can start considering how easy it is to actually get to the engine components. For instance, a Suzuki Katana pretty much has to have all of the fairings removed in order to do any maintenance.

As far as reliability, I think any of the Japanese bikes are going to be fairly reliable, especially the newer they are. Expect to have to do more wrenching on an '80s model bike than you would a '90s model.

These are just generalities, I know. But I hate to make any further comments since I haven't been riding that long.

In my opinion the "best" bikes are the japanese bikes. They are reliable, parts are easy to find and they are (usually) cheaper than their american/european counterparts.

Of course I am VERY biased towards the japanese motorsports/products so take it with a scoop of salt.

I get the impression you're looking into cruisers?

I recommend avoiding a harley as your first bike unless you can really afford it. If you drop and damage a harley, it's like throwing money into the wind. Start on a small or mid-size cruiser that, when you sit on it, you feel in control of. If you have to struggle to pick it up straight or feel like the controls are out of place, try out a different bike.

I would stay away from any Chinese made bikes. I am not sure of specific names, but they are out there. I would stick to known known names such as Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki & Kawasaki the good ol' Japanese built bikes.

stay away from hyosung, at least until they get their crap together. also stay away from yzf 600's and R6's due to the aggrivating tranny issues that yammy won't own up to anymore. my next bike is gonna be a honda, suzuki, or kawi. shame, because i love my yamaha so much. i miss the reliability of a honda and kawi, and the slick shifting of the suzy.

these are all my personal generalizations of bike's i've ridden, take it with a grain of salt.

I pretty much agree with everyone else's sentiments. I wouldn't rule OUT a Harley someday IF that's what you want. But definitely not to start with - instead consider it a reward to yourself for a job well done after a time down the road (many moons from now). I would just add avoid (like the plague) any bike that you cannot feel comfortable sitting on! Forget what it is (brand, style, etc.) and concentrate what it FEELS like. Larger engine size bikes generally will feel just like that to a newcomer: too dang big! If it looks too big and it feels too big then (yikes, go figure?! ) it probably is too big to start on! I’d avoid any bike you both cannot firmly plant your feet down flat ON the ground. PLUS be able to stand straight up from the saddle and still have some room to maneuver with!

The ongoing question in this forum is ‘What Bike Should I Get?” but if you can ask yourself beforehand “just because I can get that get deluxe ‘Acme Special’… SHOULD I?!” :o If you can do that, I think you’ll have a leg up on the rest. :D Plus you’ll get to be a grouchy old(er) biker someday just like some of us in here, sharing you’re experience too with all the ‘noobs’. Nuff’ said.
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LRG

stay away from hyosung, at least until they get their crap together. also stay away from yzf 600's and R6's due to the aggrivating tranny issues that yammy won't own up to anymore. my next bike is gonna be a honda, suzuki, or kawi. shame, because i love my yamaha so much. i miss the reliability of a honda and kawi, and the slick shifting of the suzy.

these are all my personal generalizations of bike's i've ridden, take it with a grain of salt.

I would steer any beginner away from an R6 or any similar bike, but not because of the tranny troubles. A side note the tranny troubles as far as I know were taken care of in 2003. My 01 hasn't had any transmission problems, knock on wood, but the 99-02 are the ones that are known for the problem.

I just went through this and wouldn't buy anything larger than an 800cc (that would be a smaller framed 800) and I ended up buy an Older Shadow Spirit 750.

Pete

As a soon-to-be rider, I've been reading a lot about what bikes I should consider for my starter ride. But here's something I haven't seen: What are the bikes that, as a new, mechanically challenged rider, I should absolutely avoid? Are there certain bikes out there that those in the know would tell someone to absolutely avoid?

I'm not referring to the obvious, like the $100,000 custom chopped job or some half-ton monstrosity (no offense intended). Instead, I'm wondering about those bikes that a person of modest means with minimal experience might consider as a first ride. For example, I've been told that, if you don't like to turn a wrench, you should never consider a HD from the 70s.

Thoughts?

I'm sorry. In looking at my original post, I guess I wasn't very clear in what I was asking for.

What I wanted to know if there are any makes or models of bike out there that those in the know would avoid like the plague.