hi all names josef, 20, from melb australia.

im finally able to afford a vehicle of my own and id love to grab a bike but being about 6ft and arounf the 120-130 kg mark kinda hard to choose what will have enough grunt to get me around dont wanna end up breakin down trying to get up a hill you know?

was worried as my state laws say that as a learner or probationary you must ride a 250 cc... luckily im told this year its changing to you ride what fits you so possibly a cruiser from 500 to 750 maybe even 900cc would be best, but as a newbie id like some opinions from people with more experience etc.also wondering can a 500 to 750 cc range bike do long distance like a cruise from city to city so to speak? or do you 100% need a big tourer?

glad to be here guys ciao.  

I've never taken a tour on 750...But...I know people who have driven to Alaska from Central California and back on a Honda 750.  I think I saw a posting of someone here who did a cross country tour on a Vulcan 500.  

I'm not familiar with your speeds between cities or the distance between gas stops and other stuff, but people have done it here...

Have fun  

Hi, I am new here.  Josef you sound about the same size as my husband, he rode a Yamaha Vstar 1100 for 5 years and liked it a lot.  Last December he upgraded to a Yamaha Roadstar 1700cc and I took over the 1100.  A friend of ours that rides with us has a Honda Shadow 750 and is very happy with that.  Your best bet is to go and sit on a bike that you like and if possible take it for a test ride.  Many places here in the states will no longer allow test rides.   Best of luck in your search.  

HI from Washington St. USA: I ride a 05 suzuki C50T 805cc. My friend has a Honda shadow 750. He is about 5'10" but weights over 300lbs.   He has had no trouble with the way the bike handles. It does not have the get up and go that I have. He is 140 lbs. heavier than ME. The only real problem or performance related is that the poor bike doesn't have enought power to get up all the hills(2-4000 feet  high) we have around here. The Honda gets it done with out missing a beat. He is going to get a bigger bike soon.
The C50 fits me perfectly. I am 5'10" at 195..just a lite weight. I get 47-50 miles per gal. The seat fits and is comffy for about 1 1/2-2 1/2 hrs. I have all the power I need. I have over 14,000. miles so far.This would be a good bike to start with. It does not weight much easy to handel. Runs well in traffic stops good..Good luck on your hunt for the right bike. Try to ride as many as you can to see which fits you best...scruffy