[OutlookGrom]

Hi all, I've never ridden anything on two wheels (hence the ultra noob) but i desperately want to. I was thinking about a dual sport or supermoto or something similar but the seat height is too high for me to feel comfortable being a beginning rider and very short. That basically leaves me with cruisers and well, with a small budget there are few options. Then i stumbled across the Grom and well, it just kinda spoke to me. Low seat height, its not a power house, styling is great, and it is very affordable. Also I am looking for something to take the back roads (paved) to and from work because they are doing major construction on the highway where i live and its becoming a nightmare and only going to get worse. So, basically am I in the right place? Would you more experienced riders recommend this bike to a beginner? Would love any advice or feedback.

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Welcome to the forum and good luck!

 

[Highsider989]

The grom would be a great first bike. Do take a motorcycle safety class.

 

[rkwfxd]

The grom would be a great first bike. Do take a motorcycle safety class.

What Highsider said. Yes the Grom will be great for you. Please do yourself and everyone else a favor and take the MSF class. You will have fun. Welcome to the forum.

 

[OutlookGrom]

Yes, definitely. In Texas it is the only option to get your license. I would take it even if it was not required though. Texas has some aggressive and unfocused drivers. Thanks for all of your input and glad to hear the grom is ideal for a beginner.

 

[banks619]

Welcome and I'm sure you will enjoy the Grom.

 

[Duckie]

Bought it for the same reason as you (gridlock on my commute).
Been riding for more than 20 years, and enjoying it even more with the little Honda than with my Triumph or other bikes...

 

[banks619]

I laugh when people complain of "traffic" here in Biloxi. I tell them go to L.A. or San Diego at 4:30 and you will see TRAFFIC lol.

 

[NickJ]

I am glad to hear that you took the class. It is so handy, and they teach so many good practices! I think that people get the thought in their heads that a riders course is beneath them. They are not. I actually want to take another one just so I can freshen up my skills and see what bad habits I have developed.

Anyway, welcome to the site! What part of TX? This bike is great for a new rider for all the reasons that you listed. It will be a great bike that will not get you into trouble because it has too much power, and is too heavy if you do get into trouble. I think it would be good for you to go back and take an advanced course once you get the bike so you can go through some exercises with YOUR ACTUAL bike instead of on that is borrowed.

 

[banks619]

I am glad to hear that you took the class. It is so handy, and they teach so many good practices! I think that people get the thought in their heads that a riders course is beneath them. They are not. I actually want to take another one just so I can freshen up my skills and see what bad habits I have developed.

Anyway, welcome to the site! What part of TX? This bike is great for a new rider for all the reasons that you listed. It will be a great bike that will not get you into trouble because it has too much power, and is too heavy if you do get into trouble. I think it would be good for you to go back and take an advanced course once you get the bike so you can go through some exercises with YOUR ACTUAL bike instead of on that is borrowed.

Good idea. I never took a class but I have been riding since I was like 9 but I would like to take one. You can never have too much education. That goes with everything in life.

 

[swartzie]

Classes mean lower insurance costs too (with most policies)

 

[Slolane]

Welcome to the forum!! :wave:

Sounds like the Grom would work well for you.

As noted above a safety class is great, also budget for some good gear as well. :icon_thumbright:

 

[AJ Nin]

You don't need a motorcycle license with most (but not all) 50 cc. scooters like the Metropolitan and Ruckus in Texas. Those will be even easier to ride because of no shifting too.....but, they only go about 30 mph. For back roads, that might be plenty. I owned a 50 cc. scooter a couple years ago and loved it. Low seat ht. too on the 2 Honda scooters. Yamaha, Aprilia, Kymco, and others make good 50 cc. scooters too. Check to make sure you can register it as a moped though. Some 50 cc. scooters go too fast. My 50cc scooter was an Aprilia Sportcity and went 42mph so couldn't be registered as a moped. You can really get around most anywhere with 50 ccs though. Google maps has bicycle routes that would work fine. You can easily get all the way from San Antonio to Austin for example using I-35 access roads. At first when you print out the maps it looks like a whole bunch of roads, but it turns out they just keep renaming the access road right next to I-35 with every little town you go through. Pretty much a straight shot. I-10 W to El Paso might be more of a problem with so few roads but it would for the Grom too with a speed limit of 80 mph over there.

 

[Dj Hunny]

Welcome and this sounds like it will be the perfect bike for you!

 

[banks619]

How come every time I see Ultra Noob I think of some alien robot on Voltron? lol

 

[OutlookGrom]

I am in central Texas and I inquired with central Texas powersports and as of yesterday they said they have a lengthy list of people wanting to see the actual bike when it comes in but only one deposit. The email went on to say that the deposit is nonrefundable but they would give you a gift card if for some reason you couldn't get financing. Well, i tried to get financed at that very dealership before to no avail. I don't have bad credit just not enough established credit for most creditors. So i decided to hold out on that dealership and I am waiting on a reply from another in waco. I live about 25 miles from either. I don't understand why we cant check on financing before i make my deposit.

 

[banks619]

You can apply for financing through honda financial services.com. I am not sure how long you can wait to purchase but you might as well take a look and you can do it from home. I would call honda financial and ask.

 

[Strokd_GE]

I'd personally try and find a scooter to putt around on to get comfortable riding two wheels, riding a manual bike for the first time down the road with traffic can be very overwhelming, also if you can drive a manual car and understand the concept of clutching and shifting, it makes learning a breeze

Good luck!