This is not only a good bike for beginners but if you rode Brit bikes back in the day this will do just fine. Remember a 650 used to be a big bike. I Have ridden my VLX from Chicago to Sturgis, down to Leesburg FL for Bike week and to Birmingham, AL to visit the Barber Motorcycle Museum. Keeps up with the guys I ride with who all have Harley´s. Great bike Love it