Im sixteen living in a urban area and would like to move around. (Like today I rode my bycicle to pick up milk and juice and it was uncomfortable.) Any affordable options for a beginner. I don‘t want to do any 30+ minutes commutes but also drive on the freeway time to time
Some people find that usuing the motorcycle for short commutes and chores to be unpractical and suggest a huge motorcycle. I dislike being in a cage, I ride full time. I find a motorcycle the perfect vehicle in the city. Lots of options. For prior eight years / 30K miles I rode a Suzuki Savage. Yeah, I know a GZ250 or a V-Star 250 would have been better, but I was having fun. Mostly just carried in my saddlebags, but I did have a milk crate that I could bolt to the pillion/sissy bar and carry more. Sold it, now have a Vespa LX150. Would be good for you. You know how to ride a bicycle, scooter is almost the same, just you don't have to pedal. Brakes are right hand/left hand, same as your bike. Want to move, just twist the right grip and it goes. Off the throttle, brake down and the scooter declutches and you are stopped in neutral. Twist and off you go again. Simple, easy. Have storage under the saddle that can carry gallon of milk. Want to carry? I have a rear rack that can carry a top box. My box is just a bit too small, so I a few seconds to unbolt the box and I can carry a case (24 bottles) of beer back home. I got the Vespa because it is a 150.5cc -- California Freeway Legal and I can and do run the freeways, doing over 60 mph. Timed: 40 miles in 39 minutes. Nice thing about the scooter is that people do not keep telling you motorcycles are dangerous -- all they say is cool how much mileage 70 mpg! Whoa!
I find that usuing the motorcycle for short commutes and chores to be unpractical. Weather is going to play a big role in when you ride, and you have limited space to carry stuff you might need to pickup or bring. You'll probably be able to do the same things with a bicycle with the benefit of getting some exercise at the cost of time. That being said, riding is a wonderful hobby if you ride cautiously and understand that you can never be completely safe no matter what you do. You have to decide if your a cruiser or sportsbike type of person. Since im a cruiser person, and since I think cruisers are perfect for what you want to do, im going to suggest a bike with no less than 750cc size engine, disc brakes, and fuel injection if its possible. I started on a 1995 Honda Magna, no fuel injection, but a wonderful bike to zip around town. Its akin to having a sporty engine in a cruiser style bike. I found the 750cc to be perfect for myself, as you will quickly grow into it and appreciate the extra power and wont get bored for a few years. Disc brakes are far superior to drum brakes, but while my Magna had a drum on the rear wheel, try to find a bike with duel disc brakes. if you plan on riding throughout the year you will GREATLY appreciate fuel injection insead of carburators. It basically gives you flawless engine starts in any weather. Getting a bike with carbs isnt so bad though, you will learn the workings or your bike better and you will be forced to LEARN how to start it in sub cold weather, which is a good skill to have regardless. I wouldnt pay more than $2000 for a good beginner bike with carbs.
