What Should Be My First Bike?

Jon, the Street Twin and Street Cup are great first bikes if you want to buy new.

As many here have pointed out, tho, you will drop the bike at some point as your riding career progresses. It happened/happens to us all, so don’t feel too dumb when it does. Believe me you are in good company.

That’s why I would highly recommend that the very first thing that you do when you get your bike, new or used, is to install crash protection. I had a set of Sato Racing crash bungs ordered before I closed the deal on my Bonneville. Didn’t even own the bike yet.

That’s my go to for every bike I’ve owned.

Getting a used first bike is a good plan, and gives you the money to invest in a good helmet (full face), jacket, gloves, and a decent set of boots if you don’t have them. You don’t have to buy motorbike specific boots—I often ride with steel toed Redwing work boots—but the most common motorbike injuries are hand and foot injuries so be sure to keep them safe.

Perhaps the most important thing though is.... new or used, the bike you buy should impact you emotionally. A bike that causes you to wander out to the garage occasionally just for an eyeball tryst. A bike that you turn back to look at as you walk away from it and think, “Oh, yeah.”

if that costs a little more money, just do it. New or used, doesn’t matter but get a motorbike that moves you.

 

This is off topic (sorry Joe) but that second gen Tuono was/is a terrific motorcycle. I had that same year in the matte black and it might be the best bike I have owned. Traded it in on an RSV4 in 2013, which although very cool and ridiculously fast was not as good a choice for me.

Also that red-orange with the blue wheels was the best paint scheme for these bikes. It’s aged well!

 

Thanks bud they really are a great bike, awesome torquey engine and handle nice and plenty quick enough.

Can't actually see me ever getting shot of it, unless I give up biking, which is not happening. Even then might just put it in the house for decoration.