Adventure motorcycle for new motorcycle rider

[trailtruck]

I'm about 6'1 285lbs and I want to learn to ride a motorcycle and also get some sort of adventure bike to take on road trips both on/off the road. It'll be a dual sport. I've narrowed it down to 1 that I really like but I'm open to other suggestions. A Honda XR650L. Here's why I picked it: meets the necessary weight capacity from what I've been able to find, it's a Honda so it's reliable/easy to work on, I like the retro look, it comes highly recommended as an adventure bike platform. Here are my questions:

Is this suitable for my height/weight with a seat height of 37" and a wet weight of about 350lbs not including me?

Does anyone own this specific motorcycle and can give me their honest opinion of it?

It'll be for commuting about 16 miles to/from work as well so is it suitable for that?

What years are the best and what years should I avoid?

What should I look to spend on my first one since I won't be buying new?

What should I look for when buying or do you know someone to recommend to bring it to to inspect it before I buy it?

If there are any other questions I should be asking please let me know.

I'll be taking the CHP MSF novice course before buying anything of course but I wanted to ask the pertinent questions first.

Thanks.

 

[big44g]

My suggestions is you take the class and take it seriously. If you have never rode a Motorcycle before, and after taking the class, is when you must decide if you are really able to handle riding a motorcycle. After a few months of riding take the next class. With regard to which one it's just personal preference. Get online and read all you can about purchasing used, what to look for used and adventure riding. But I say get the smallest bike you can live with that gets the job done. I have never purchased a new bike. All of them used from an owner. Most bikes are toys and at some point will get sold. Take your time looking for a used bike. Find one you want and make sure you don't offer more than want it's really worth. That means moving on to the next one if they will not sell at your price. I use this method so that I don't have to much in the bike if I don't like it. If you don't like it or you want to upgrade you can sell it and get most of your money back out of it.


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[TracyGray]

I say start off with a 250cc bike first to get used to riding. Jumping up to a 650cc as a novice rider for commuting or dirt will be too dangerous (especially commuting through socal traffic with distracted drivers.) A Yamaha WR250 or Honda 250L would be a good starter bike and has great resale value to eventually go up to a your xr650L.

Let me see if I can put my $0.02 on some of your questions...

Oh, I ride a Ducati Monser S2R1000 and sometimes commute from Ontario to Marina Del Rey/Venice for work (60+ miles each way).

Is this suitable for my height/weight with a seat height of 37" and a wet weight of about 350lbs not including me?
You're pretty tall and with 350lbs loaded on the bike, you'll most likely end up flat footing the bike because of the cushy suspension.

Does anyone own this specific motorcycle and can give me their honest opinion of it? I've only ridden a my neighbor's Honda 450r dirt bike. Lots of power for my size. I can only touch the ground with one foot at a time because i'm 5'7".

It'll be for commuting about 16 miles to/from work as well so is it suitable for that? Will this be more of a commuter like 70-80% commuting and maybe <20% dirt? If so then maybe consider the CB500X or the NC700x. Either way, commuting shouldn't be a problem since you can split lanes on the freeways and streets. But if you're planning on carrying more than a backpack (having saddle bags/cases) then do with the CB or NC

Thanks.

 

[Oldmanb777]

Smaller lighter bikes are easier to learn on. Lots of dirt experience, will save your ass on the pavement. Check out the "Hurt Report" lots of good info there. Go to ADVenture Rider. That's the site you want for the info you desire.
Your bike choice is a good one, but all the big thumpers are good at what they do, and pretty similar. I probably would almost feel equal buying a KLR,DR, or XR. They all have their strengths. That said, the KLR outsells all the others combined, must be a reason for that. Pick up a cheap, light, maybe 250, or even a 400cc, more dirt oriented bike. Spend some time in the dirt, more is better, before you hit the crowded roads. By the time you are ready to move up, you'll have a better idea of what fits the mission for you. Always remember the "fighter pilot rule" It's the one you don't see that kills you. Check out the Weave maneuver, it will save your life.
But join us on ADVrider, find some local riders to help you get started.

I started riding in 6th grade, still riding @ 63 yrs old. Current bikes are Suzuki DL650, Suzuki DRZ400. Some of my favorite rides are..........No itinerary, sleeping bag, a few back pack items, and a lonely road, hopefully filled with some old forgotten historical sites.

 

[n2advnture]

I rode for 30 years and road raced for a decade and there is a lot of good advice here.

Here is my $.02

#1 Take the class and pay attention and understand what they are saying (especially about counter steering and the gyroscpoic forces that occur especially when turning)

#2 Buy a used, inexpensive smaller 250 or 500 and ride it for at least a year.

#3 Take this class, it will help you 10 fold understand how to ride your bike California SuperBike School | California SuperBike School

The first three will give you a good understanding and skill set of the basics of riding a bike and since you will ride it on the street more than dirt, I'd start with street riding skills (survival LOL) as your base.

#4 Once you've ridden for a year or two, do some test rides on the dual sports to see which is most comfortable for you and your carriage size.

#5 Take an MX class

I hope this helps

 

[boiler13]

Classes

Was forced to take an ABATE advanced riders course years and years ago. If I had a nickel for every time that course has saved my butt, it would at least pay for the course tuition.

 

[TDFbound]

As a motorcycle rider myself, I can say that most of the advice given is spot on. Definitely take the class, like, no questions, take the class. Regardless of bike type, I also recommend taking some more advanced training, or a track day with good instructors.

I don't buy into the "get a 250cc" thing though. My very first bike was a brand new 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, which is a 675cc motor. It was just punchy enough to have a blast, but not powerful enough to ever make me uncomfortable- it was a very forgiving and predictable bike and never gave me any problems if I accidentally gave a bit too much throttle in a curve or got on the brakes too hard. It was great on the track as well, easily able to keep up with the supersport bikes like Kawasaki ZX-6R, Suzuki GSXR-750 and the smaller Ducati models. I would have been totally bummed if I had started out on a smaller bike.

 

[BluT4R]

my $0.02

Take a class. It will also help with insurance in most states.

For your size and shape a 250 is way small to drive farther than the corner store. On the other hand, for your first bike stay below 8 - 900

Kawasaki DLR650 or V-Strom 650. Both have be around forever and a older one can be had for a reasonable price. Both have reputations for lasting forever with proper maintenance.

I bought a 9 year old V-Strom 650 with 9500 miles for $2200.

 

[sycamore]

I learned to ride a motorcycle on the MX tracks When I was 8 years old. Went to MX racing school, and became a team sponsored racer by the time I was 10.

I'm a firm believer that the best way to learn to ride a motorcycle is to learn off road. Off road you will learn the physics of riding a motorized two wheeled vehicle and the consequences are minimal. Unless of coarse you hit a full grown pine tree at 50 mph on a forest road. :wtf: Note to self, dont do that.

Start small and work your way up, and trust me you will have as much fun on a small bike off road as you will on a supersport bike on the slab. But be prepared to have a get off, as all motorcycles riders know. Its not a matter of if, but when you will have a get off. Doing this off road can have less consequences, and once you have a handle on dirt. You can easily transition to street.

Be forewarned though, once you become addicted, you will never ever, be able to shake it. Even after you hit a full grown pine tree at 50 MPH, head on. Shit gets complicated after that, and deserves its own thread.

 

[sycamore]

I'm about 6'1 285lbs and I want to learn to ride a motorcycle and also get some sort of adventure bike to take on road trips both on/off the road. It'll be a dual sport. I've narrowed it down to 1 that I really like but I'm open to other suggestions. A Honda XR650L. Here's why I picked it: meets the necessary weight capacity from what I've been able to find, it's a Honda so it's reliable/easy to work on, I like the retro look, it comes highly recommended as an adventure bike platform. Here are my questions:

Is this suitable for my height/weight with a seat height of 37" and a wet weight of about 350lbs not including me?

Does anyone own this specific motorcycle and can give me their honest opinion of it?

It'll be for commuting about 16 miles to/from work as well so is it suitable for that?

What years are the best and what years should I avoid?

What should I look to spend on my first one since I won't be buying new?

What should I look for when buying or do you know someone to recommend to bring it to to inspect it before I buy it?

If there are any other questions I should be asking please let me know.

I'll be taking the CHP MSF novice course before buying anything of course but I wanted to ask the pertinent questions first.

Thanks.

Ok I've given my opinion on what I think you should do to learn how to ride. Now I will give my $0.02 on the XR650L.

I hate it! IMHO Honda had the best DS platform with the XR650R, and they dropped the ball. Pisses me off ever time I think about it.
A close friend of mine that I raced desert with decided that this was going to be his choice for our CDR ride. He became a hater, and this comes from a loyal Honda guy. Loves his CRF450X, and stands by it, and actually that was my Dez racing platform and they are bad ass.
The XR650L? Not so much, it does truly suck! I mean its mostly 1980's technology, and totally under powered for adventure riding, and he kept blowing exhaust gaskets during our 2800mile journey.

I chose the Husqvarna TE630. Plenty of power, way better suspension and I had no issue making 90MPH HWY passes. My issue was I kept shearing sub frame bolts on the exhaust side. Definitely a weight issue, but the platform is an awesome. However it is a performance bike ,but very controllable.

Have fun, as thats what its all about.

 

[A2toHgt]

Glad to hear you're doing some training and not learning on your own. In addition to the MSF course, I would highly recommend doing an advanced course.

I did a Police motorcycle course a few years ago. It was absolutely worth its weight in gold. You don't need to be a high level rider to do it either. In fact, the instructor was telling me that novice riders often do better... less bad habits to break.

 

[verbutani]

Glad to hear you're doing some training and not learning on your own. In addition to the MSF course, I would highly recommend doing an advanced course.

I did a Police motorcycle course a few years ago. It was absolutely worth its weight in gold. You don't need to be a high level rider to do it either. In fact, the instructor was telling me that novice riders often do better... less bad habits to break.

After the MSF courses (there are at least two or three you should take), lots of us rent track time, where you put everything to the test.