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...question ...? I've read on this site, that although bulletproof, these aren't good for a first bike. I'm a big guy, 6' 280 lbs (closer to linebacker 280 lbs than weight watchers 280 lbs) and was by a friend who rides that I shouldn't look at anything less than a 750. Any thoughts on this? If not this bike then which would you suggest?

 
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With that kind of beef to haul around, you'll definitely need something with plenty of muscle. I'd agree that 750cc is about the minimum I'd consider. Why not the CB750?

 
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its a perfect bike for first timers, hell, when i was 18, 105 pounds, i had a kawasaki R600. and im a chick.the center of balance and weight of a croch rocket is much better than a crusieraddt.: i re=-read the question.... physics!!!! it doesnt matter how big you are..

 
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A Honda CB 750 is a big bike for your first bike, although you are a big man. I don't you would want to go any bigger than a 500 for your first bike but this is an exception because of the size of the rider. A 750 would fit you perfect, although check into it more when you actually go to the dealer. I have no idea what your friend is talking about, I think he just wants you to have more power, which the more power and speed for a beginner means the harder it is for learn.

 
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I'm in a similar situation myself. I just completed the moto safety course.I was looking around. Part of me feels that anything less than a Harley makes me feel like a 2nd class citizen. But I'm not paying crazy amounts of money on a first bike.The key is your height and weight, but having something you can strech out on as well as easy to ride. I found that the Yamaha V-Star 1100 is really comfortable and easy to move. The classic has shaft drive which requires basically no maint. They've been out for a few years now so you may find a good deal. Plus it looks a lot like a harley. Check em out on www.youtube.com or on yamaha's site.

 
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The 750 is a good choice. I actually started with a 125, but I was only at 140 lbs. I went to a 350 and then the CB750. You'll love the 750, I'm sure!

 
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The CB750 is a great bike especially for someone your size. The only problem being is if you haven't had any riding experience this may be a little much. It could get you into trouble fast. I had a couple of friends killed on CB750s years ago and I believe it was because the 750's were their first bikes and they didn't have any experience making mistakes with a smaller (slower)bike first to learn how to stay out of trouble. The ideal way to become a bike rider is to start small (preferably starting with a mini bike or dirt bike) and work your way up. You're way past minibike stage so if you have very little or no experience at all find something smaller and temporary and experiment and play with it in a field or wooded area. An old dirt bike or an old beater for a couple of hundred dollars for training purposes.If you go straight for the CB 750 take the MSF riding course, wear a helmet and ride safe. Good Luck

 
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These bikes are good ,cheap,bikes for beginners but to get the fuel economy and a good ride ,you probably want a 1000.The 80's model honda gl 1000 goldwing is a good bike you can sometimes find cheap.Some came with all the fairings and most did not.These bikes WILL keep up with the bikes of today.Most 600s and 750s like those are made for 150 to 200 lb.riders around 5'6 to 6' to ride comfortably you probably want a 1000.

 
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caucasian men (in 6' and over 200 lbs) in thailand rides honda cbr150 and they don't mind! they are even ecstatic about it. why shouldn't you on a much bigger cb750?

 
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I had a 1978 CB750 super sport for a first bike. I had it for 15 years and just sold it last year. Great bike. Plenty fast. I am not as big as you, but these bikes have plenty of power. They are kind of heavy. You can adjust the springs on the back with a channel lock pliers for different weights. Never had any problems other than usual tires and cables. The guy I bought it from had it as a first bike when he was 15 years old.

 
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I have a 1980 Honda CB750 Super Sport and I am 260 lbs. It has tons of revs and power. Problem with bike is that is it top heavy. Meaning it is not a very well balanced bike. The engine sits high with the twin overhead cam and likes to have its camshaft chain rattle where you can tighten it each season. This bike is not meant for 2 people with 1 being your size. Too hard on the passenger on the bumps.
The bike is harder to pull up out of a turn, meaning you have to give it more throttle to pick the bike back up into its straight postion but it has plenty of power for that. Its not a bike that you want to get off balance with bad footing on soft dirt or gravel such as stopping or backing it up into a garage. Once it starts to fall over, its gone. It's down with a heavy hit.
Recomendation is if you are riding double a lot, then you should be over 1,000 cc. so you are not loading the bike all the time. My friend had a Honda Goldwin about 1,000 cc and just bought a new Yamaha 1100 that rides double a lot and within 1 month he wished he had went to 1300cc and spent the extra money.
But I have riden my wife on the back of her bike and it handle beautifully, except for when the clutch got hot going up Niagara Falls hill on the Canadian side being a steep hill. Might of been a sticky clutch or over heating. Maybe a C90 bike might had a bigger clutch to hold my weight and hers on that hill. The 1100 or 1300 somtimes come with dual front disk brakes which is an important factor with weight and saddle bags packed full.
The newer bikes, such as my wifes 1st bike is a 2006 Suzuki C50 Boulevard meaing 50 cubic inch or about 800 cc. for engine size. This bike is 100 times more balanced with low center weight of gravity. It has a very low seat, meaing you have good footing for backing up the bike into a garage, especially if you have a gravel country driveway. This bike is fuel injected, meaning no carburators too mess around with down the road. Lots of my friends are having problems finding carb needles and jets for these older bikes in the 80's.
It is true that you should start out with a smaller bike being less chance to get into problems such as going to fast in an unexpected sharp turn and not know how to counter steer your handle bars and lean down low to get out of an accident. This takes a motorcycle course and experience. Also sudden changes of wind direction from transport trucks or large highway open regions.
My recomendation is that older bikes are usually harder to handle because of their high center weight of gravity being extremely top heavy. Go and sit on some new and old bikes and pick them up from a stand still. Its not giving a true test of a ride but it will surprise you that large bikes can be light.
There is a lot of people buying bikes 750 Honda's to 800 Suzukis to Kawasaki 900's. Suzuik and Kawi's are fuel injected. Suzuik is liquid cooled. Less heating problems during stop and go traffic in cities or in motorcyle parades. My wife owning a Suzuki C50 for her 1st bike, was not impressed that my CB750 blows the doors off her bike, me being 250 lbs. But her bike is way more comfortable to ride in bad weather, down the major highways. But in windy roads, I love my action of the CB750.
I will have trouble buying a cruiser, as I still want the power, but I am tending to like the cruiser for the sake of larger saddle bags for rain gear, windshield, etc. With bikes, it's like boats. You always want a bigger and better one next year.
Things to consider when geting a new bike:
Heavier bikes get blown around less in the wind, rain or by trucks.
Small front tires hit those pot holes and road snakes harder.
Small bikes are very easy to handle keeping you out of trouble.
Larger tanks for less stops every 220 km or so and nice to hug with knees on sharp bends.
Saddle bags to keep extra rain gear gong back and forth to work.
Good seats, not usually mfg. seats to keep you snug and tight into the bike.
Windshield for bad weather.
GPS to help your way around unfamilar cities and back roads.
Engine guards "A Must" for engine and your protection to help get your leg out in case of a slide.
*** Proper riding jacket with protection pads, pants or leather chaps and riding boots.***
The old story is "Good gear protection for is not IF your go down, but WHEN you go down.
Meaning most bikers have dropped or slid down one of their bikes.
Priority is getting proper training from a training school course and not your best friend. Your best friend can give you advice after your course. If you can afford a bike, then put out the money for training. Practice in very light windy days and watch out for the road snakes repairs, with small front tires.
Let us know what you bought.