Hi,
So. I'm 37 years old and have never ridden before. I got the bug a while back, took an MSF course and am looking to buy my first bike. Since I'm a little older, and am 6'2, 195 lbs, I've decided to ignore every article I read about beginner bikes (pretty dumb, I know) and get a bigger bike. I have it narrowed down to two bikes, now I'm having the classic heart vs head argument.
I rode the America and loved it. It's the top of the heap as far as I'm concerned. Not intimidating, good handling, and I hear from quite a few people that it makes a good first bike.
I rode a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, and against my initial prejudice (since it's really trying to look like a Harley) I really liked it. It fit me well and again wasn't intimidating.
My debate now comes down to this. The vulcan is $1200 cheaper, has fuel injection and belt drive. There are even a few other niceties like a fuel guage. My head is telling me to buy this one.
The America is more expensive, but I could see myself volunteering to take out the garbage just to look at it in the garage. However, everyone says you either drop or lay down your first bike, and I think I'd cry since the America is such a thing of beauty. My heart is telling me to buy this one.
I know the replies to my quandry will be pretty one sided here, but I'd like to hear your opinions, especially concerning the belt vs chain drive and EFI. Any sound advice anybody could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, and wish me luck in my decision. My Triumph dealer only has one blue America left, so my decision will have to happen soon. I don't want to get stuck with a black one...
-Dennis
