First bike was the Rebel. Next bike should be how many cc's max?

**aceattorney** · 06-11-2010, 02:35 PM

I'm starting to look into the distant future when I eventually add to my stable, and was wondering how big of a bike I can go with, considering my first bike was my Rebel.

Thanks for your insight!

**Buickguy** · 06-11-2010, 03:17 PM

It would have to do with what you are comfortable with.
I went from a 70 to a 125 to a Kaw 400 then a few CB350s, an Elite 150 deluxe then a couple of CB 360s, back to the 350 picked up several Yam XS 650s then an XS 750 triple, settled on an XS 2 with a 1B front end, bought the Rebel, picked up a BMW K75T, then a K75RT, a Midnight Virago 920 and a few more I can't remember. Jerry has had more bikes, my total was only thirty four.
I found that I prefer the lighter weight. I've never cared for 1200 pound 1800 cc bikes. I like to keep the weight under 600 lbs with 500lbs being the ideal Not so much the CCs. The 360 Hondas felt heavier than the 350s. I like the 350 better. The Yamaha XS series was Ok. The 650s being much lighter than the 750 triple. The BMWs were also 750 triple but weighed less and handled lighter so my preference was with the BMW. The Virago is light enough but really has no more power than the BMWs did.
At one time I had 28 bikes in the garage then decided to simplify. The XS 750 was the first to go and I never missed it. I finally got down to four. the CH150D scooter, the Virago 920, The Rebel, and the BMW K75RT.We decided to just keep one each The CH 150 went to a friend. I miss that one sometimes. I had to choose between the K75RT and the Rebel. I kept the Rebel. I do miss the K75RT...

So, long story to say you will develope your likes and dislikes. You may just like cruisers or you might decide that quick handling is what you like, possibly seating.
I choose light weight. Your mileage may vary.

**Blueberry** · 06-11-2010, 05:20 PM

You are lucky as you already have a great motorcycle. You can take your time looking and riding different motorcycles to find out what you want. I am with Buickguy, 400 lbs, 500lbs max is my limit. As far as CCs go my daughters GSXR 600 sportbike will blow off a 1800 CC crusier. Its a different type of motorcycle. My 500 cc RE has the same performance as my wifes 250 rebel. Its the type of motorcycle more than the engine size that makes a difference. IMHO 350-500 cc motorcycles are the best size all around. Its a shame that the big 4 from Japan offer us zero in that displacement class.

JunkyardDog · 06-11-2010, 09:42 PM

Pretty much anything you want, but I would be careful with sportbikes. They are very hard to ride well and very poor handling for an inexperienced rider. They have amazing capabilities, but only in the hands of someone who knows how to use them.

I started off with dirt bikes at age 8, back in 1968, my first street bike was a Suzuki GT380 at age 16, my second bike about a year later was a full dress Goldwing Interstate. Since then, I have had dozens of bikes of all types and sizes. I am now 51, and still love the Rebel. But I would also enjoy a 2000cc cruiser, and want a Harley Electra Glide. I have even ridden the King Kong of motorcycles, the 502 c.i. Boss Hoss.

You will find that once you get past the beginner stage, the size or power of a bike won't make that much difference, you just have to be careful not to push things. Many highly experienced, highly skilled riders have done just that on large displacement sport bikes, and crashed.

At the local Cycle Gear store, all the employees ride sportbikes, they are always parked out front, and they have all been crashed. These guys see crashing as part of riding. I don't. Riding is fun. I have never crashed, but it sure doesn't look like fun.

Ridden responsibly, a big bike is pretty much just as safe as a small one, unless it is too big for you to handle physically, and that is rare. 100 pound women have ridden the Boss Hoss with no problem. Even Jamie Elvidge, formerly with Motorcycle Cruiser magazine rode one. Jerry.

**Blueberry** · 06-11-2010, 10:02 PM

I 2nd what Jerry said about sportbikes, and I have been riding for 45 years! Whatever you do, get what you like. Listen to suggestions, ask questions, but in the end get what you like and are comfortable with.

**regularman** · 06-11-2010, 10:50 PM

Its not the CC's but the HP that I would look at. I would probably only move up double the HP at a time. That way you can feel the bike and learn the limits pretty quick. Double the HP from a rebel is probably going to be in the suzuki savage or sportster 883 range, both of them in the mid 30s if original.

**Henryinva** · 06-11-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceattorney

I'm starting to look into the distant future when I eventually add to my stable, and was wondering how big of a bike I can go with, considering my first bike was my Rebel.

Thanks for your insight!

Sportbike is a death wish, I really dont care what anyone thinks about that because the first thing ya do on one is grab a handfull. If anyone tells ya different, they are flat our lying..

Second bike, a Yammy Virago, 700 cc or so, good used bike, and yes, they have starter issues, related to operator issues. If your dumb enough to lay on the starter and it doesnt engage completely and ya grind 5 pounds of gear coffee, yeah, its got starter issues and you lack a few braincells....

Pick up an 85 or newer for a little bit of nothing, ride the wheels off it for a year or so, then pick a cruiser or whatever, whatever size ya want.

Ya cant beat a shaft drive bike....

**flitecontrol** · 06-12-2010, 12:11 AM

Henry's right about shaft drives. I like the one on my Vulcan. While it has a chain, one bike I would like to explore adding to my stable is a Suzuki SV650. It's called the "naked" model because it doesn't have the fairings found on it's sport bike cousin, the SV650S. It has only one headlight while the S model has two. The seating position is also more upright than the S model. They are no longer made, but in the latter years ABS was an option, and I think my next bike will have it. Lots of good used ones are available and should be for years to come.

**regularman** · 06-12-2010, 02:03 AM

A sport bike is only a death wish if that is what you want it to be. The most powerful bike right now is not a sport bike but the Vmax. Learn to handle and know and control your bike. Yeah you get them for the power and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Being stupid on a bike has absolutely nothing to do with its power or the style of the bike. Sport bikes handle a lot better than cruisers so that is a safety plus. People buy a bike and over ride their abilities on the bike. They don't put it through its paces and learn the bike and know how to control it. I have known several guys on heavy cruisers that have crashed because of this very thing. They put a few thousand miles of highway on the bike and think they know it, but they don't because they never pushed it through a curve and found its limits. Finding and knowing the bikes limits is the absolute important factor. A bike is as safe as the rider.

**aceattorney** · 06-12-2010, 03:42 AM

Some awesome responses - thanks, fellas! I will definitely keep them in mind as I explore my options.

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