Choosing your first motorcycle is a significant step, and the discussions within the Indian Bike Forum community often highlight diverse experiences and opinions on this topic. One member, stoomat16, shared their journey, starting with an Indian Scout Bobber and later upgrading to a Springfield Dark Horse, offering valuable insights for those considering their first ride.
Stoomat16 reflected on their initial experience with the Scout Bobber, noting its agility at slower speeds, particularly in traffic. However, they also mentioned its surprising power once opened up, perhaps even a bit overwhelming for a complete beginner. This sentiment echoes a common theme in motorcycle forums: balancing the desire for a powerful machine with the practicalities of learning to ride safely. Stoomat16 wisely pointed out that responsible riders can manage various bikes if they progress at their own comfortable pace. Their personal upgrade to a Springfield Dark Horse 116 after just one season illustrates how quickly riders can develop and seek more from their motorcycles. This experience also subtly touches upon a common desire among new riders – the urge to quickly “trade up,” suggesting that perhaps starting slightly bigger might be preferable to avoid rapid upgrades.
However, the conversation takes an interesting turn when considering regional regulations, specifically in Australia. As stoomat16 explains, a Scout Bobber, despite its appeal, doesn’t fit the learner legal criteria in Australia. This regulation limits what new riders can legally operate on public roads. The forum post mentions the evolution of these regulations in Australia, moving from a simple 250cc limit to a more complex system involving engine capacity (up to 650cc) and power-to-weight ratios. Some manufacturers offer “learner legal” versions of bikes, often achieved through throttle limiters and ECM circuits. While these restrictions are technically easy to remove, doing so is illegal, even for fully licensed riders, highlighting the complexities and sometimes debated nature of “nanny state” regulations, as another forum member, CH10, alluded to.
The discussion broadens further when considering truly powerful bikes as first motorcycles. The forum post references reading about individuals internationally choosing a TS111 Indian motorcycle as their very first bike. This is presented as a “steep learning curve,” mainly due to the bike’s bulkiness at low speeds. The post cleverly contrasts this with the hypothetical scenario of a Hyabusa as a first bike, suggesting that while low-speed handling might be challenging on a large Indian, the sheer power of a sportbike like a Hyabusa could be even more dangerous for a novice, especially on open roads.
To further illustrate the learning curve and potential pitfalls of starting too big too soon, stoomat16 shares an anecdote about a friend. This friend transitioned from a 250cc learner bike to a GSXR1000 immediately after obtaining their full license. The timing, entering winter with wet roads and the imminent arrival of a baby, combined with the overwhelming power of the new bike, led to a negative experience. The “fun” previously enjoyed on the smaller bike vanished, and the GSXR1000 ended up unused in the shed. This story serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that enjoyment and confidence are crucial aspects of early riding experiences, and that instantly jumping to a high-performance machine can be counterproductive and even intimidating.
In conclusion, the Indian bike forum discussion, initiated by stoomat16’s experience, provides a nuanced perspective on choosing a first motorcycle. It highlights the excitement of upgrading, the importance of understanding regional learner regulations, the debate around starting with larger versus smaller bikes, and the crucial lesson of pacing oneself and prioritizing a positive learning experience. Ultimately, the “right” first bike is a personal decision, but considering the collective wisdom shared within the Indian bike forum community can be invaluable for new riders.
