I'm planning on starting riding but I have no background knowledge on the subject. I would like to be able to go on a cross country trip this summer. I am looking for advice on what type of bike is suitable for a new rider. I was thinking of getting a Honda Rebel 250 or 450. Would this bike be suitable for what I am looking to do? I don't need it to go fast, I just need it to get me from place to place and to hold up to a long trip. I am planning on doing the safety course, practicing, and getting my full license before I go cross country. Any advice would be apreciated.  

I've never been cross country on a bike but it seems like you would want something a little bigger for the highways.  I rode a 400 on the highways 20 years ago and it barely made highway speeds.  They could be faster now though...  You should probably check out the 750 - 900 cc range...  

I have a Honda Spirit which is a 750.  Allthough I do ride it on the freeway I find that I have to push it to its outer limits.  I have found this bike to be good for around town, but will probably upgrade to at least an 1100 this summer to do longer rides.  

I do cross country a lot and I ride a 750 Honda. I don't take the interstates, but then that's never my intention, anyway. I think 750 with a 200lb rider is too small for a steady 70mph. I stay on the side roads, that's where the real country is. I'm not trying to GET there, I'm trying to GO there. I came really close to getting a new 1100 last week but I passed it by. Mine is paid for, it gets 50mpg plus, and that's a BIG plus. I met a guy last fall who came from Las Vegas on his 650 and he said it was great. Something like 90mpg, steady speeds of around 55-60 and he saw all the scenery. The trip took him two weeks or so. I'll be heading that direction in May, loaded with camping gear, and I don't doubt in the least that my 750 will do me right.  

Yes ,dont start out big.Get something you feel safe on.
The Honda Rebel 250 is a great bike,good on gas and will go 55 mph all day for all year.I know as we ride in a group of riders age 25 to 60 and one guy started riding at 49 years old and he got a 250 honda rebel.it has been in 3 states and part of Canada.He loves it.
and if? your freinds are your freinds they will not leave you behind..We have one rule when we ride,We only go as fast as the slowest rider(we stay together).
I hope you find a good ride.also the Suzuki GZ250,Suzuki S40 are also great bikes for not a hole lot of cash..good luck  

Salutations fellow future rider.
The following is my PERSONAL and HUMBLE opinion.

To Start:
1) Stay with a small bike for your first bike.
2) DON'T PLAN A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP the first year of learning to ride. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
3) Take the MSF course and spend your first (maybe even your second) year learning to ride.

I've traveled cross country (not on my bike) for 20 years.  I've traveled long distance (500-1000 miles) on my bike many times.

I've been riding long enough to know that what you intend (per your posting) is ludicrous... You have no idea what your doing.  You don't even know how to ride.
We're not talking about a big bicycle here...

When it comes time to actually look for a bike go to several different dealerships and sit on as many different bikes as you can to see what FEELS good.  Get yourself a bike that you feel comfortable with, preferably nothing bigger than a 750.  A 250 is O.K. if your a girl or a guy who is short and light (150 lbs) and your not going to go far or get on the interstate highways.  The 250s just aren't heavy enough to hold up to highway speeds when a large vehicle like a semi truck with a 53' trailer passes you in the opposite direction (2-lane roads)... that can literally knock you right off the road.  A 750 is quite a bit of weight to be trying to learn on but do-able and can manage the highways easy enough.  And trust me, if after a month or so, you THINK that you've got it all down pat.... YOU'VE BECOME OVERCONFIDENT ! and are a danger to the rest of us on the road as well as yourself.

Ride your first bike for a year or two untill you've developed some real skill and awareness and then consider upgrading to a larger bike.  You will outgrow that first bike... and you will lay it down too.  Just a couple of facts to live with.  You don't want to drop it or lay it down... but you will.

If your worried about the $$$ that you'll lose trading up to that inevitable larger bike... just chalk it up to learning / education.  Laying down a used 650cc bike that cost you $3000 bucks is a lot easier lesson than dropping a 700+ lb cruiser (that you can't pick back up by yourself) that cost you $8000+ and causing $500-1000 worth of damage.

And while riding that first year or so, get in on some group rides... set up some small trips (100-200 miles) to see how you can handle them.  Most people can't make it the 100 miles without a saddle-sore ass and want back off the bike...
A TRUE cross country trip will involve 6000+ miles depending on the routing.

Check out this website:
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/MotorcycleIntroA.html
There's something like 4 or 5 pages of information there but well worth reading... and read every word too.  Especially the page that comes up first (which just happens to be page #2).

You've got a lot to learn.... a lot to say the least.
Best of luck, and ride safe.

ShadowRdr  

I am a new rider only one year or so. I have a 250 Honda Rebel and I want to buy a 650 yamaha v-star classic (candy Apple red).  I love the 650 I have done a good deal of research but would like any input from anyone who has one. This motorcycle I am looking into has already windshield, backrest, engine bar with saddle bags for $5,799. Is this a good deal?  I went to the motorcycle training school for a weekend back in June of 2007 and now have my license.  My husband said that I need a bigger motorcycle because I will want to go faster than 45mph.  

If you want info on the V-Star 650 check this forum out: http://forums.delphiforums.com/sgmfa/start
If you want information this is the place to go. I'm a new rider since July 07 and bought my first bike, a 2007 V-star 650 Custom and love it. No regrets  

I will check out that site. thanks so much for your input.  Ijust thought that i would buy before the weather broke and would not get a chance to buy with such a good deal. I hope that it will shift better than the hondal rebel. did you take a rider course? I only been riding about a year and don't feel comfortable riding only about 45 mph and around my block.  

Some good advice has been posted, but I'd like to add my 2 cents.

I returned to riding after nearly 40 years (I sold my Moto Guzzi in late 1968) I knew I wanted a cruiser. I visited a couple of dealerships in the area and although I wanted a H-D, the only one in my price range ($8K) was a 883 sportster more suited to a six-footer (I'm 5'8"). I settled on the Kawasaki 900 Vulcan Classic which I took delivery on a few days after taking the safety course.

The course told me that I had forgotten nearly everything I ever knew about riding...take the course before you get your chosen bike. It's better to make a mistake on someone else's 250 rather than make it on your 650-1000. That being said, expect a learning curve on the new machine. And give yourself time before tackling highway traffic...you may have gotten the license but confidence comes slowly. Be patient, make sure you can handle whatever you buy safely, and one day you'll suddenly discover that everything has become second nature. Good luck.  

One of the comments said that smaller bikes were unsuitable for cross country trips. Not true. I have a friend who is the original owner of a '46 Velocette. I think it's 500cc (at best) single cylinder thumper. We live in Mass, and he had pictures from his 2001 trip to British Columbia on the bike.

While the larger bikes are better on the interstate, his bike has a top speed of about 50, so, he never goes on them. He gets scenery, not miles.

Pull it back to what do you want the bike to do. If you want to do touring, what kind of luggage racks are available. Where can you strap gear?
My 1st bike was a 2000 Drifter 800. I wouldn't recommend it as a starter bike unless you are 6 ft and at least 200 lb. It handles well, but, you are still dealing with almost 600lb.  With saddle bags, a luggage rack, backrest, and tourmaster bag, I was good for a 2 week jaunt.

If you are thinking touring, and starter bike, the Kawi 750 comes to mind. It was made for almost 20 years, there's a ton of aftermarket stuff for it. It's light, and I know people who've gone coast to coast on it (solo...don't even think of a 2nd person on that bike for anything longer than a trip to the store).
If you get it, remember to go light on the throttle to start or else  

Hi bigmary,
I too am a new female rider, riding since Nov 07.  I purchased a VStar 650 classic and I love it.  It fits me perfect and the seat is so comfortable.  I've ridden a 100 mile ride without any soreness at all.  It's a perfect size for a lady rider and I especially like the heel shifter (protects the toe of my boot..which is important to a woman) and the foot boards.  It's also one of the most beautiful bikes for the $. I bought mine used, it being an 06 model with an extended warrnty until 2011 and a sissybar back rest.  It had 3300 miles and not a scratch and I paid $3900.  Right now there are really good buys on the new 2007's.  Shop around and you'll find a really geat deal.  Have fun, be safe and always wear your helmet.  

VStar650  

Personally, I think that size does not matter.  I think that you should not even consider a cross country trip until you have a good amount of miles under your belt.  I am also a female rider, and I have a Softail Deluxe (1450 CC's).  I weigh about 135, and am 5'7'.  It is all what you get used to.  This was my first bike, and I have been riding for several years now.  Take your time...there is no way you should attempt 3000 miles when you haven't riden at all.  Take the MSF course, and then start giving yourself some realistic expectations. Good luck!!  

Can someome help me please, i'm a new rider and this is my first bike ever have, for some reason my battery died, my friend jump start me and accidently put the positive with the negitive, after that happen my speedometer doesn't work any more, but the miles reader works and the light on the speedometer work also, someone told me it's a fuse but I check the fuse box and put a new fuse in, still the same. i heard from another person there's a fuse for the speedormeter...is that true ??.. if not what should i do  

I went to saftey class and got my M, I am less than 150 lbs, my husband got me a Yamaha Morphis Scooter
250 cc highway rated , automatic.  It looks like a fat boy from behind. I ride 30 miles each way to work and home. A helmet with a visor and an armored jacket helps me deal with wind gusts. I have taken it up to 70 miles an hour and she handles very well. She weighs 450 lbs. We had 45 mile per hour wind gusts and she does fine. If your a little person and love the wind in your face.  I am going on a 4 hour trip this weekend.  I enjoyed your advice and am learning from it. Tessaroo