new to motorcycles help!

**pelly789** · 04-16-2006, 11:10 AM

hey guys im looking to buy a motorcycle for this summer, ive had a dirtbike in the past like 2 years ago it was a cr 125 pretty fun bike, if thats what your into, but recently i wanted to get a suzuki gsxr 600. i dont want anything too big because i dont wanna kill myself, and im young so insurance goes up with motor size. i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or anything when buying a bike im looking for a 2000 or newer but obviously want to spend as little money as possible. how much would you pay for say a 2001, ive been reading the bargain news lately and i see that the going price is around 4,000 to 4,500 but to me that seems a bit pricey considering you can get a brand new one for another 4 grand, any help on what to look for before buying one or any useful sites would be awesome thanks for the help

**Polska** · 04-16-2006, 11:26 AM

If I were you I'd get the cheapest 600 I could find, get an older one, so if you drop it it won't hurt your wallet as much. 4,000 to 4,500 US is about what the 2000-2001's are going for. Be careful when buying a used bike, some of them store the milage in the gauge clusters... so many don't display the true milage if the cluster has been swapped. My bike has been looped once and crashed head on into a car the second time. It was repaired both times and now looks brand new again. You would not be able to tell that it's been in two severe accidents; so be careful when buying used. That's why I would buy an older bike for cheap, learn on it, drop it, etc... then when you're ready and have more $$$ I'd buy something really close to new (like a year old) or brand new. That way you know it's truly immaculate and you can baby it.

**SCMedic** · 04-16-2006, 11:44 AM

Buy used, and buy a 600 or smaller. I can tell you from having raced motorcycles and ridden sportbikes that you will be better served with a less power, better stopping, handling bike to start out with. F4i, GSX-R600 (2000), F4, SV650...

**Psychotron** · 04-16-2006, 11:51 AM

Going from dirt-bike to crotch rocket is ok. In all honesty I always reccomend people to the Kawasaki Ninja 250. It is a great handling bike, and has great throttle response in the upper RPM's. It is probably the best bike I can think of for someone to learn handling of sport bikes. There is a lot of freedom in the lean and steering etc.

**crash187ct** · 04-16-2006, 01:27 PM

yeah man, for your first bike, definitely get a junker. chances are you are going to wreck. if you've made it past the first 6 months, then get a newer one. buying a new first bike....isn't a great idea, like what was said above. because it takes some geting used to, and you'll probably drop it. most people have, learn the basics, then get a new one.... good luck with your shopping

**SnaX** · 04-16-2006, 03:31 PM

Motorcycles go vroooooom!

yeah a 600cc would be the biggest i would go if you're new.

I have an R6.

What about gsxxr mod.. im thinking his name reminds me of suzuki, he should know quite a bit.

All i know is i'm really quick through turns, and i have an advantage on an open stretch against a few other bikes :P

Just be careful son, cause new riders die a lot lol. Gotta pay attention, and assume nobody else is paying attention, because they never are.

check out traderonline's website it's a .com, with a lot of used bikes. Just remember that bikes need repairs too, and some parts for different makes cost a little more depending on what you're doing.

**pelly789** · 04-16-2006, 05:25 PM

cool thanks for all the advice and help guys i know what your all sayin about learning on a crappy bike and everything but i still want to get a good enough one that id want to be seen on...you know what i mean? im not spending too much on a bike just around 3500-4500 something thats nice but not too nice to learn and then i will get a nice brand new bike, i cant wait to get one though its gonna be cool im going for my permit in a couple weeks and taking a driving course soon after that while i save up money in the mean time

**Polska** · 04-16-2006, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by pelly789

cool thanks for all the advice and help guys i know what your all sayin about learning on a crappy bike and everything but i still want to get a good enough one that id want to be seen on...you know what i mean? im not spending too much on a bike just around 3500-4500 something thats nice but not too nice to learn and then i will get a nice brand new bike, i cant wait to get one though its gonna be cool im going for my permit in a couple weeks and taking a driving course soon after that while i save up money in the mean time

your 'pretty' new bike may not look so good after you crash it. after you're experienced the risk of going down is lowered... think of it as protection for your investment.

**aadrenaline** · 04-16-2006, 05:33 PM

wait till like may or june...all the rich kids that bought 600's like last year or the year before trade them in cheap toward bigger bikes...

my friends a dealer so he told me to hold off till like mayish cause ill get like a03 for like $4500 i want a gsxxr 750 tho

**sooners04** · 04-16-2006, 06:03 PM

Yeah but dirt bikes throttle response is much more aggressive than any street bike. I don't think he will have a problem. A motorcycle is a motorcycle when it comes to balance and shifting. Get a Harley-Davidson!!

**~fuelforfire~** · 04-16-2006, 06:36 PM

harley davidson aint no crotch rocket, we have a fatboy and sportster and my uncles house though

***G-1000*** · 04-16-2006, 07:00 PM

2001 gsxr 600 would be a great bike to learn on. I started on a 600 it has enough power to have fun but not to much that your going to kill your self. A 2001 gsxr 600 right around 4 or 5 grand. Just make sure when you buy a bike it was never dropped.

Also call and find out how much ins is going to run you. The bike is the cheap part.

Just rember one thing a street bike is a world a difference then a dirt bike. They are very fun but dangerous as well.

**SnaX** · 04-17-2006, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by aadrenaline

wait till like may or june...all the rich kids that bought 600's like last year or the year before trade them in cheap toward bigger bikes...

"Gotta get a bigger bike cause it has more power" These are the kids who become statistics if you get what im saying.

**pelly789** · 04-17-2006, 09:16 AM

thanks agian for all the help thats what im hearing that a gsxr 600 2000 or 2001 is a good beginners bike to learn on, i am still young so i dont wanna get anything too big for insurance reasons and what not, it may seem like im new to motorcycles but ive been riding dirtbikes and quads and everything else for just about my whole life so the only thing i think i will have a problem with is getting used to the weight difference between a dirtbike and street bike, i used to race dirtbikes a little bit once and a while so i think ill be ok but who knows but i cant wait to get one!! thanks agian

**Myka** · 04-17-2006, 09:18 AM

dont forget your helmet

...those things are expensive

**pelly789** · 04-17-2006, 09:33 AM

yea i know i was lookin one to match the bike everything that looked nice to me was $400 or more damnit this is going to be an expensive hobbie bike + insurance + helmet = 60 hour work weeks this summer lol

**cfiler** · 04-17-2006, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Psychotron

Going from dirt-bike to crotch rocket is ok. In all honesty I always reccomend people to the Kawasaki Ninja 250. It is a great handling bike, and has great throttle response in the upper RPM's. It is probably the best bike I can think of for someone to learn handling of sport bikes. There is a lot of freedom in the lean and steering etc.

Great advice. The ninja 250's are awesome bikes! They are a perfect first bike imo. Another good starter would be a EX500 or a Suzuki GS500.

After riding bikes for afew years, I'm probably going to be picking up a used Ninja 250 this year. Those bikes are so much fun.