Which to buy for a 1st time rider?
Hello everyone!!
For background: First bike, Novice rider. 6'3" 170lbs 42 years old
My wife has finally come around to the idea of me owning and riding a motorcycle. Only took 15 yrs of asking 😆 Taking my safety course in 1 month so I'm researching a future purchase/weighing pros and cons.
I'm looking for something slightly sporty but nothing crazy that'll be easy for me to get myself in trouble on. Mostly will be commuting to work and weekend rides of 30-90 minutes. Comfort and ease of handling>speed. Connectivity features a plus. Do NOT want a cruiser.
I've loved the Royal Enfield line up since I saw my first Continental MANY years ago. I love the classic styling, straight forward engines, and beautiful designs. But I'm struggling to pick one for my first bike. So that's why I've come here! I've narrowed it down to 2 main candidates.
Guerrilla 450: This is honestly my #1 choice as I can find it semi locally to "try-on" and possibly test ride. It seems like every review I read/watch praises the bike for its fun factor, handling, and ease of riding. Most, if not all, really struggle to find a reason to dislike the bike. What I'm struggling with are 2 things. The power and the size. I'm concerned about the power when commuting on the highway. While it's mostly just a quick 20 min blast I don't want to feel like I'm under-powered and have difficulty passing/maneuvering. The size mostly comes down to the fact that I'm so tall and would prefer not to look like the Bear riding the bicycle in the circus.
Bear 650: I really, REALLY like this bike. The Wild Honey colorway simply sings to me. Again, it seems like most reviewers have trouble finding faults with the bike. I like the fact that there's a bit more power here without it being a huge/overwhelming amount for a first time rider. I'm hoping that would translate to a little more grunt on the highway without sacrificing slow speed comfort/ease of use. I also like the fact that the bike is a BIT bigger than the Guerrilla. In my mind at least, that would translate to mitigating the "Bear on a Bike" issue with the Guerrilla. I'm concerned however, about the higher weight of the bike and the fact that not a single dealer within 4 hours of me has one I could "try-on"
So what's the opinion here? What direction would the owners of these lovely machines steer me in? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! All opinions welcome!
TIA