Whats a good first bike?
Most experienced riders advise starting with a small displacement, i.e. under 600cc, motorcycle. This is an exceptionally good idea. A lighter, less powerful, more forgiving motorcycle will give you the experience you need handling and braking a motorcycle, especially in NYC traffic. It’s also a good idea to start with an unfaired bike since the chances are very high that you will drop it during slow or zero-speed maneuvers at least once during your first year and plastic bodywork can cost up to $900 a panel. A smaller, less powerful bike will also save you a bundle on insurance. A lot of lesser-experienced riders will tell you that they started off on 130 horsepower, fire-breathing sportbikes and, hey, they’re still alive to tell the tale. Ask them how much they spent repairing the bike (and possibly themselves) because of novice riding mistakes. Also remember that too many people who went this route aren’t around today to tell you differently. • Where can I find a used motorcycle in
