I'm 35, 5'7" and starting to think more and more about getting a bike to ride, mostly on back roads on weekends. I don't want anything super fast. I want something that's easy to ride/turn and relatively trouble free. I am planning on taking a basic rider course offered by the state. I've never ridden anything bigger than a 50cc scooter, and even that only a few times.
So, I'm trying to decide between a nice 250cc scooter such as Honda Reflex or an upright bike such as Yamaha Virago 250.
The Reflex seems more practical - has some built-in storage (maybe not critical for me though), and it'd probably be very easy to clean since it's all covered in plastic. I've heard scooters are easier to maneuver/turn as well.
The Virago looks nice and I've heard that engine sounds really good and is torquey, but it's probably not as easy to maneuver as the Reflex and I'm not crazy about having to clean all this chrome... But I'm guessing it rides more like a real bike than a toy.
I'm looking to buy used... probably in the $2-2.5k range.
Any suggestions/recommendations for a beginner?
So, I'm trying to decide between a nice 250cc scooter such as Honda Reflex or an upright bike such as Yamaha Virago 250.
The Reflex seems more practical - has some built-in storage (maybe not critical for me though), and it'd probably be very easy to clean since it's all covered in plastic. I've heard scooters are easier to maneuver/turn as well.
The Virago looks nice and I've heard that engine sounds really good and is torquey, but it's probably not as easy to maneuver as the Reflex and I'm not crazy about having to clean all this chrome... But I'm guessing it rides more like a real bike than a toy.
I'm looking to buy used... probably in the $2-2.5k range.
Any suggestions/recommendations for a beginner?