Hi - just resently got my M2 (oh by the way I'm from Toronto Canada) - now I am having anxiety attacks trying to find the bike - just came in from my first retailer of bikes and honestly they were looking at me like either chang ching $ or they were forcing me to go sit on bikes that really did not catch my eye ONLY THE PRICE...

All my friends are "Harley Riders" but, honestly can't afford the bike and insurance so thinking of "Honda Shadow Ace 750" and ESPECIALLY don't want to get my friends involved because for the last 2 months they have been driving me NUTS...1 group vs. the second group...who I can ride with or not...1 willing to help but, never around when I see the bike - the other guy we're not talking right now because he's an idiot only wants me to ride with his group ....

HOW DO I BUY A BIKE ALONE
WHAT DO I NEED TO ASK
WHAT IS IT REALLY THAT I'M LOOKING AT WHEN I SEE THE BIKE
ITS MY FIRST BIKE..WILL I BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MY HARLEY FRIENDS?
I am sick to my stomach thinking that I am getting ripped off...  

You buy a bike alone by going to the dealer alone....If seacond hand you need to ask if there has been any issues with the bike(mechanical or crashes ect...the over all picture is what you will see and you will either fall in love with the apperance or colour of your chosen machine..
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand yes a Honda shadow ace 750 will kick along with the others unless they ride like dorks ...Take care remember it is your life and your money...  

Dee,
The main thing is to sit on the bikes and find one that you are comfortable with balancing with both feet on the floor.  The Ace is a very nice machine. I was planning on buying one. I sat on it and a Saber 1100 went back and forth and as an after thought sat on the Vstar 1100 and it said "I am your baby and you are my daddy!"  Do not let the sales people pressure you! Sit on all the bikes that you are interested in over and over and something will "click".  The main thing you need to ask is the sales person to leave you alone and let you sit on the bike and feel it.
keep us posted and good luck.
campyman  

  HI; I have been on a bike for well seince 1964. OK
1.. NEW or used?  How much can you aford?   Have you ever been on a bike larger than 50cc?  Used may be the way to go the price is about 1/2 of new and most bikes don't have many miles on them. *** how much. new or used you will still have maintance oil, tires, misc repairs: lites ,wiring , engine maintance, valve adj, battery you know stuff that can and will happen. NOT trying to discourage you just want you to think about the other stuff that goes with bike ownership.
2..  How to buy a bike. Slect several bikes in the cc range that you would like. 650-900, 1000-1200. or bigger. Manufacture is not that important I don't think. Find the one that fits you. Your feet MUST BE flat on the ground when setting on the bike. NO tippy toes. That will only get you a broken ankle. Next while setting on the bike turn the handle bars lock to lock . If you have to sterch more that an 1/2 in.or they hit your leg or the tank ask the dealer if they would move the bars to fit you. Now you have the bars in your hands lean the bike as far as you feel comfortable with. Lean it both ways right and left.If the bike fells top heavy to you try another. You won't have to lean very far. 2 or 3in.or so. Remember the tanks are empty at the dealer. Gas is about 9lbs to gal 4-5 gals of gas 46-50 lbs on top. The only time that teh weight of the bike really becomes important is in the parking lots stop lights in very slow traffic. This is where people drop them( I know     ) It is very hard to pick up a 600lb bike by yourself..
3.. What to ask ?...HOW MUCH.? How much is the finance charges. What and how long is the warranty. Can I get extended warranty. ASK around about the dealer you are going to buy from. Do they keep there word. Do the machanics know what they are doing? SOME DON"T Trust me. There is a HD dealer here that can't fix anything. But they charge... ) Also ask about the parts dept. and how hard is it to get stuff for the bike you pick. Ask when is the first service due. How much is it going to cost for that service? (The first service on the C50T I bought was 265.00. I had them do it just for the warranty. ) Have the dealer check on any recalls or get on line there are sites for every make and model of bike and they are a very good source of info.I
If you look at used ask about everything .Tires, engine,shocks milage. Ask if they know who owned it and contact them. The previous owner is the best cause he will tell you everyting good and bad about the bike.
4.. DON'T kep up with any one.This will only get you hurt. If they are your friends they will ride at your level untill you get more confidence and skill. Cause if they don't they are not your friends. It's not a race to see how fast you can die. If your friends won't help you learn to ride safely then find others that will. You will be a lot happier and feel safer. You will get the skills you need to ride with the  H-D   bunch but it will come slowly at first. The more you ride the better you will get. All states have speed limits the harley guy need to do the limit as all of us do.
5..  RIPPED OFF ? You need to educate your self about the dealership your going to. The bike your looking at. Get all the free info from the dealers. and try to get them to let you ride on one. ( Some do and Some don't around here.)
YOUR FIRST BIKE 650-800CC
I hope that this novel helps....scruffy HAVE FUN MOST OF ALL...  

I went through the same thing you are going through.  I probably had it a lot easier because the motorcycle world appears to be testoserone driven.  The good news is that there are very few bikes out there that are bad.  The worst reviewed bikes today are going to give you years of service and do what they say they are going to do.  I'd avoid newer manufacturers from asia for a bit though (such as China).  

I would look through the various web sites and then look at reviews on the internet.  That should narrow your search down to a few bikes.  Then sit on it at a dealership.  

Honestly think about what you will use the bike for.  Everyone thinks about doing stuff like going cross-country with their bike, but what will it be used for 99% of the time.  It's not a good idea to buy the cross country bike and then find yourself commuting under 50 mph for two years before going on that long trip.

Come back to this web site and ask for opinions on your top choice(s).

Good luck.  

While this may sound sexist, you may have to take a male friend with you to the dealerships to act as a decoy( he doesn't have to be knowlegable about bikes just willing to deal with pushy salespeople) while you take your time and do as one of the previous responders said sit on several bikes and find the one that fits you. Your friend can keep the sales people busy and allow you to shop Then if another salesperson approaches you you can just say I'm with him. You didn't list your height so I can only tell you what worked for me I am male 5'-8" 175lbs and I looked a several bikes before selecting the Suzuki C50. I can put both feet flat on the ground while astride the bike and the seat is very comfortable. I also liked the fuel injection and shaft drive because I don't want to spend as much time working on my bike as I do riding it.
 I had also looked at the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 and had a hard time deciding between it and the C50. The Honda 750 didn't feel as comfortable to me as the others but that's just my preference.
Buying a bike should be an enjoyable experience and the best confidence builder is to do your homework. There are several sites that can give you reliable info on the various bikes. You can Google motorcycle reviews and then when you do go talk to dealers, you will be able to converse with them on their level and not be intimidated. Good luck! and happy riding!  

Also, for starter bikes, check out this month's Cruiser. They  hit the 650cc class.
2 of the bikes are definite starter bikes, but, they've been around for years, so they're available use at good prices.

Don't poo poo the used bike. My wife's 1st bike was a used Savage which we sold a year later for $500 less than we bought it for. 2nd bike was a '96 Intruder 1400 that we got for about $3000 (half of new). We sold it a year later for $2600. 2rd bike was a 3 year old Mean Streak with 4000 miles on it. She got it for 70% of a new one.
She picked all the bikes by herself, and did her own financial negotiations. She did pay cash for all of them.

I weigh 250, and I had an 800 Drifter (the really heavy vulcan 800). I could easily get the bike up to 85mph, and it would do that all day. When you hit the mountains or the people on the big bores crank it, you need to downshift to keep up.  

Looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice. I just wanted to mention on option available for the Honda Shadow 750. My friends wife began riding only a year ago. She picked out what she liked and what felt comfortable. She is not very tall and Honda was able to lower the bike and make adjustments for her comfort and safety. Hope this helps!  

Looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice. I just wanted to mention on option available for the Honda Shadow 750. My friends wife began riding only a year ago. She picked out what she liked and what felt comfortable for her. She is not very tall and Honda was able to lower the bike and make adjustments for her comfort and safety. Hope this helps!  

Don't worry about what your friends ride.  It doesn't apply to you.  Find the bike that fits you and your budget best.  Sit on as many bikes as possible.  If you find you love a certain bike but the grips aren't in the right place or perhaps the seat isn't what fits you then ask what they can do to help.  About a dozen companies make quality handlebar risers that move the grips around (a little closer or a little taller perhaps) and several folks make better seats.  Some of those seat can also let you sit closer to the ground so if your perfect bike is an inch too tall your dealer may be able to order another seat for you to make it yours.

Incidentally, my wife rides a 650 V-Star Silverado and we've removed all of the decals and badges from it.  Added a few pieces of chrome and new pipes as well.  Harley riders frequently complement the bike and nearly always ask which Harley it started out as before the mods.  Since we added the hypercharger it keeps up with the Softtails and my V-Star 1100 just fine.

As far as pricing goes, it seems all dealers follow a similar formula: MSRP + destination fees + assembly fees + taxes & registration fees.  The dealers to avoid are the ones that add "dealer documentation fees" which are just another way of saying we're screwing you over.  If I don't get an out the door price over the phone on the stock bike I won't bother to make the trip.  If I get there and the bike isn't the same price or less I walk out so I don't waste any of my time.  Used bikes are easier to negotiate since the bike's already been shipped to the country was already paid for by the first buyer, it's already assembled, and we have established pricing guides (NADAguides.com) to work with.

Good luck.  

I just bought my first bike and I am also a female so I know what you are going through. I sat on them all from 650 to 2000 and decided on the Suzuki M50. It fit me better then the others and was not as top heavy as the 900's even though it is an 800.

I went to many dealers and I asked a lot of questions. I also used the Cycle Trader magazine that lists new and used bikes for sale to help me price shop and see if I was getting a good deal. I ended up buying a new bike so I have a warranty and the price was not that much more then the used ones once I negotiated between dealers to get the price dropped A LOT.

Good Luck,
KMO  

I am also a new rider, female 5'4 130lbs. I bought a 2007 Suzuki 650 Blvd. S40, perfect for a beginner, I wanted a Harley Sportster, way to heavy for a beginner and cost
too much, I had looked at the Honda Rebel 250, felt like
a baby bike, I like the idea of a light bike and very
easy to control and looks very much like a Harley (thats
one of the reasons I bought it).
Good Luck  

Hi..just wanted to ask you a question since you seem so knowledgeable about bikes.  I'm 5'3" and bought my first bike...a 2007 C50T Boulevard and I really like it.  It fits me other than the handle bars.  They feel like jello when I'm taking off.  I feel like my hands are stretched out too far to the sides.  I had a riser put on and that helped with my sitting position but they still feel out there.  I thought about having them shortened.  Have you heard anyone mention doing that to their handelbars?  Would it just be better to purchase a different handlebar than trying to shorten this one?  

I'm new to this posting messages too..this is the question I wanted to send to the fellow who has been riding since 1964...Hi..just wanted to ask you a question since you seem so knowledgeable about bikes.  I'm a female 5'3" and bought my first bike...a 2007 C50T Boulevard and I really like it.  It fits me other than the handle bars.  They feel like jello when I'm taking off.  I feel like my hands are stretched out too far to the sides.  I had a riser put on and that helped with my sitting position but they still feel out there.  I thought about having them shortened.  Have you heard anyone mention doing that to their handelbars?  Would it just be better to purchase a different handlebar than trying to shorten this one?  

Welcome to the lady rider club.  Just started riding Feb 08.  I internet researched, talked to alot of male bike rider friends (not retailers) and took a rider safety course. From all the data gathered and experience taking the course, it was best for me to buy a smaller, inexpensive, used bike. I bought a used 1 yr old Honda Rebel with 500 miles on it for $1800.  I put over 1000 miles on it in a couple months.  Then I was ready and prepared to handle a heavier bike.  But I was strongly advised against getting a larger bike first. My male rider friends strongly suggested I get the miles under my belt first, then graduate up.  I now own a new Vulcan 900 and have already put over 900 miles on it.  That bike fits me well. I'm 5'5" and 140lbs. I have a friend that got a new Harley sport bike.(she didn't research or ask friends) She has dropped it several times.  The male rider friends are telling her that bikes is too tall for her and the bike itself is top heavy.  She sat on my bike and fell in love. Its low center of gravity makes it very easy to handle and easy to pick it up if you drop it. (in my driveway-sitting still) Good luck to ya. Be safe and have fun.