Starter Bike?

[sigmatro11]

I was just curious after seeing another bike thread it made me think about how much I wanted to buy a bike of my own. What would any of you suggest for a first bike for me that isnt to expensive and is yet still reliable?

[Foskamink]

gsxr600

[Foskamink]

bump for awesomeness of gsxr 600s!

[lucabratzi]

bump for awesomeness of gsxr 600s!

yeah you can get a used gixxer 6 for cheap and they are def. reliable as long as you do your homework on bikes and learn to spot a good deal from a shitty one...i would look at gixxer 6's or a yamaha r6...both of these bikes demand respect though because you can still kill yourself on them..they're just more forgiving then a 750 or liter...if you wanted to start out a lil slower then hit up a suzuki sv 650 or ninja 500..

[Haro3]

whats ur riding experience? have you ever even riden a bike before? dirt bikes? anything? cuz if you dont have the mechanical cordination yet a 600 is alot more whicked than you might think. i've noticed alot of people look down on 600's but they're still stupid powerful and dangerous if ur not confident. ninja 500 would be a great starter bike i just hate them but i've grown up riding bikes or like lucabratzi said sv650 they have a clean look and still descent power i think around 70-80 h.p as opposed to newer 600's being in the 110-120 region....the bike i started on was a fzr 600 (yamaha) perfect starter bike i thought. it was still a 600 and still had alot of speed just didnt have the power to get me in trouble as easily whic was a good combo. theyre not as "cool" lookin as the newer race 600's but i'd sacrifice looks for safety when learning then jump on a race 600 such as gsxr 600, r6, or 600rr....kaws suck avoid at all costs lol

[ecivon]

I was just curious after seeing another bike thread it made me think about how much I wanted to buy a bike of my own. What would any of you suggest for a first bike for me that isnt to expensive and is yet still reliable?

Screw the $$ ... any big bore turbocharged with tuned suspension LOL

[MotoLifter]

ninja 500 would be a great starter bike i just hate them but i've grown up riding bikes or like lucabratzi said sv650 they have a clean look and still descent power i think around 70-80 h.p as opposed to newer 600's being in the 110-120 region....

I'm gonna have to agree with Haro on this one. The GSXR600 might be alittle overkill if you have never ridden anything before. The SV650S is ALot of fun for beginners. the V-twin motor is torquie and can put out more than enough power for a beginner. The nice part about it is you can buy the side farings and seat cowl for it, and it looks just like a supersport (GSXR) alot less expensive also. MSRP: $6449.00

[lucabratzi]

yeah the main issue here is safety...if you get on a 600 and think ur the shit u could get seriuosly hurt or die...there's just more room for forgiveness the dif. size bikes...i am one of the few that pushed my limits faster then i should and never got seriuosly hurt...i went down once on a standup but for the amount of crazy shit i've done on the thing im very lucky..main point is whatever bike you get take it easy and know your limits..

[Foskamink]

yeah the main issue here is safety...if you get on a 600 and think ur the shit u could get seriuosly hurt or die...there's just more room for forgiveness the dif. size bikes...i am one of the few that pushed my limits faster then i should and never got seriuosly hurt...i went down once on a standup but for the amount of crazy shit i've done on the thing im very lucky..main point is whatever bike you get take it easy and know your limits..

amen, start slow and build your way up! and now im a professional rally driver! well in my mind

[F4iGuy]

yzf600R- cheaper and more comfortable than the R6, still fast

Sv650- fun and lots of torque but no top end rush cause its a twin

My personal favorite is a cbr600f3, can't go wrong. Honda reliability and easy to learn on. Still does low 11's in the quarter. Can be had for 2-3k

[ecivon]

yzf600R- cheaper and more comfortable than the R6, still fast

Sv650- fun and lots of torque but no top end rush cause its a twin

My personal favorite is a cbr600f3, can't go wrong. Honda reliability and easy to learn on. Still does low 11's in the quarter. Can be had for 2-3k

As far as I'm concerned it's all about performance -- the older CBR900 6 cylinder was a brute and a lot of fun.

A lot of these posts are recommending 600-650's and they will get a new rider in trouble quicker than a bigger bore cruiser. It may be that these recommendations are being based on weight considerations and not safety/performance issues. 600-650's are lighter but will get a guy in just as much trouble quicker, they are just lighter.

[king6]

I think an R6 or a GSXR 600 would be good. I plan to start with a GSXR 750. Then upgrade to the Hayabusa.

[Foskamink]

yeh cbr600 r6 gsxr600 ninja 500?600?- i would say let your personal favourite of the 4 be in brand prefrence

[bazerk]

My first "real" bike was a Katana 750, I think that is a perfect beginner bike. It has a metal frame which is great for control and has plenty of pick me up for some speed. But if you really want a great bike you can buy my 05 Yamaha 1100 V Star, pratically brand new. PM me =0)

[Slowhand]

I've never ridden myself I'm looking to buy one this summer... I don't want a sports bike... prob a Harley or something... any suggestions on that kind of style??

[hillshooter]

honda VTX or kawasaki vulcan, Vtx for speed..........vulcan for price

[sigmatro11]

whats ur riding experience? have you ever even riden a bike before? dirt bikes? anything? cuz if you dont have the mechanical cordination yet a 600 is alot more whicked than you might think. i've noticed alot of people look down on 600's but they're still stupid powerful and dangerous if ur not confident. ninja 500 would be a great starter bike i just hate them but i've grown up riding bikes or like lucabratzi said sv650 they have a clean look and still descent power i think around 70-80 h.p as opposed to newer 600's being in the 110-120 region....the bike i started on was a fzr 600 (yamaha) perfect starter bike i thought. it was still a 600 and still had alot of speed just didnt have the power to get me in trouble as easily whic was a good combo. theyre not as "cool" lookin as the newer race 600's but i'd sacrifice looks for safety when learning then jump on a race 600 such as gsxr 600, r6, or 600rr....kaws suck avoid at all costs lol

I've never ridden a sport bike or a touring bike but I have grown up riding and riding moto tracks on a dirt bike and am very comfortable on them, but I dont know how similar they are to a sport bike.

[Haro3]

I've never ridden a sport bike or a touring bike but I have grown up riding and riding moto tracks on a dirt bike and am very comfortable on them, but I dont know how similar they are to a sport bike.

they arent similar at all BUT you have riden which means u understand the basics ie. hand clutch food control cordination, front brake = 75% stopping power etc.....thats just the basics that if you've ridden a motorcycle u get comfortable with. someone recomended a katana i agree with that a katana isnt super sporty looking but very forgiving bikes.

[sigmatro11]

I dont like the looks of a katana at all, I do like the looks of the gsxr though but I am scared of changing to a bike so much heavier than a dirt bike and with so much more power. My dirt bike does have alot of power though and is easy to wheelie going down the road. But then again it is much lighter and I would think easier to control

[stacked566]

Here's the thing, you spend your money on a katana, sv6XX, etc, and you just wasted it. 6 months later or less you're gonna be like Christ, I shoulda gotten a gsxr600 or R6. I grew up racing dirtbikes and still do, and occasionally hit an open track day with our other gsxr. It wasn't hard to adapt at all. Now my little brother, never rode at all, took that class the state offers on how to ride and provides you a bike to ride. He's really good now and safe. Don't blow your money on a katana or something equally as lame, its just a bad buy.

[sigmatro11]

Here's the thing, you spend your money on a katana, sv6XX, etc, and you just wasted it. 6 months later or less you're gonna be like Christ, I shoulda gotten a gsxr600 or R6. I grew up racing dirtbikes and still do, and occasionally hit an open track day with our other gsxr. It wasn't hard to adapt at all. Now my little brother, never rode at all, took that class the state offers on how to ride and provides you a bike to ride. He's really good now and safe. Don't blow your money on a katana or something equally as lame, its just a bad buy.

Thats what I was thinking that it would be a waste of money. I'm glad to hear though that it isnt going to be that hard of a transmission.

[stacked566]

Its not. Its only hard if you act like a retard and immediately start weaving in and out of traffic and doing wheelies on the highway, or endo's at traffic lights. You'll be fine. Just don't get to eager with the stunts right off the bat.

[sigmatro11]

I'm planning on keeping the stunts to my dirt bike. I think I'm going to be alot more cautious on a sport bike. The road is the road to me and the dirt track was made to jump and wheelie on.

[numbat]

....kawis suck avoid at all costs lol[/QUOTE]



Thats funny ... That what a few of the guys said eary last yr when they had the 06 R6 that was supposed to turn 17,500 rpm (it doesnt)..Although still a high revving bike couldnt compete unless it was wound to the moon at all times.I live in a fairly upscale neighborhood and rode all the 06's . I CHOSE KAWASAKI 636 because of unparraled mid range and comfort ..Like i discussed in my top speed thread BUY A F**KIN BIKE THAT FITS UR EYE AND MOST IMPORTANT UR LEGS FEET AND A$$..THEY ARE ALL CLOSE IN THE STATS .BUT I MUST SAY AFTER THE POWER COMMANDER AND THE JUMPER MOD (the jumper mod is done by jumpin a paperclip across two certain terminals under seat )which allow the ECU to default to a european ECU and it prevents the exhaust valve from closing at high rpm(robbing power) due to US sound restrictions and yes it works and it can only be done on 05-06 636.After me and my cous read a write up on this in a reputable mag we had to do it .And were glad we did.We have earned loads of respect from the gixxer riders and yamaha r6 riders around our area after repeateadly spankin them in 8th and qtr mile aswell as them questioning why they can keep up in the twisties only to see us ease more and more away on the long shutes between em.After we power commanded them lol well u get the picture.. Dont buy a bike bc joe blow says it blows or say its the best bar none.Because the diff for u goin a little faster or getting more enjoyment might be in ur comfort level rather than 1hp or 500 rpm.And also there is rarely a replacement for displacement.And i feel MOST(not all) of ur magazines reviews are shoddy at best and i think sometimes revolve more around the almighty dollar and other factors rather than real world capability..jst my 2Cents

[Slowhand]

also with dirtbike you're not on the highway where an 18 wheeler can suck you under...that's what im scared of

[numbat]

also with dirtbike you're not on the highway where an 18 wheeler can suck you under...that's what im scared of

Yes.. i agree . Being on ANY kind of motorcycle is highly dangerous nowaday.The point is ( and i didnt mean to get off key with the first post,it just chaps my A$$ to see a statement like all kawasakis suck or all yamahas suck etc.I mean everyone can have there preference and be unique to what they prefer.)that i have lived the 06 superbike 600cc comparison in every way and kawi isnt lackin ne any category .As for the reason of this thread ,if u have any succesfull motorcycle experience period. I think u could handle any of the afforementioned including the new superbike lineup if u take it slow do your break in period and learn from those who are better than you.Lets face it ,ive rode a ninja 250 before that will run 90 and kill u in a heartbeat if you abuse it..

[stacked566]

Everybike is good...true. However every track day or AMA event I've compteted in has been chocked full of gsxrs. Not only because of the contingency, they flat out rip. The 636 is nice, but illegal, and doesn't have near enough top end for the rpm range we race at. The R6 in my opinion handles like shit, especially when coming out of a hairpin. Hondas have come a long way in a few years, but suzukis will always get my money for superbikes. Just as a side note, I only ride yamahas for motocross. And ninja 250s are fun as hell to screw around on

[Haro3]

numbat. have you ever wrenched on bikes? cuz i can tell u i've worked on alot more kaws than honda, yamaha, or suzukis....i wonder why? that being my reasoning. so im glad ur bike "fits" you, hopefully it fits ur piggy bank as well. in all reality every bikes stats are almost the same but like stacked said just look at super bike events, who leads the points race and what bikes they ride, yea the rider has a lot to do with it but also look at top factory racers and the bikes that lead the packs, i dont think i've seen kaw up top in a while......

[numbat]

numbat. have you ever wrenched on bikes? cuz i can tell u i've worked on alot more kaws than honda, yamaha, or suzukis....i wonder why? that being my reasoning. so im glad ur bike "fits" you, hopefully it fits ur piggy bank as well. in all reality every bikes stats are almost the same but like stacked said just look at super bike events, who leads the points race and what bikes they ride, yea the rider has a lot to do with it but also look at top factory racers and the bikes that lead the packs, i dont think i've seen kaw up top in a while......

No haro i dont wrench on bikes for a living but have wrenched on alotta cars and i dont really care whos winning races wit certain manufacutures , whether it be nascar or ,motogp,ama,I was stateing a real world scenario in which i was involved(ill never be a AMA racer) ,and for that matter i have sold more parts and worked on more freakin chevys than u can imagine .Does that mean they are the biggest peices of $hit there are? maybe. and it could also mean that there is a shitload around.My experience was for real world ppl to see my take on the (06) fairly stock lineup.. BTW Kawi will be fitting any break down bills for the next five yrs if i even wait that long to upgrade..

[DSM4Life]

The new GSXR600's are really too fast for someone learning to ride. Look in the papers and try and get an older gsxr600 and learn with that. Who cares what the bike looks like. Chances are you will dump it anyway starting out. As per PA motorcycle safety course, the first 6 months is the more dangerous for a new rider. Be careful.

Just because you know how to ride doesn't mean your safe from other drivers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DosjHHCmF4



Good luck

[X-Damien]

any 600 (no Kow's or Canatuna - Katana), if you want a new one then GSXR600, pre owned - Honda CBR.
Most used GXSR's have been abused more then others - then again, should be carefull with anything used.
Mine 1st was a CBR F4i.

[Haro3]

any 600 (no Kow's or Canatuna - Katana), if you want a new one then GSXR600, pre owned - Honda CBR.
Most used GXSR's have been abused more then others - then again, should be carefull with anything used.
Mine 1st was a CBR F4i.

i dunno why you'd say gsxrs are abused more than hondas....the #1 preffered stunt bike is a cbr f4i......

[Tock]

Back in the 1970's, the general consensus of opinion was that beginners should stick with bikes 250cc and under, then work their way up.
About 10 years ago, I bought a Vulcan 500 (cruiser), and it had plenty of get-up-and-go (had a Ninja engine). I rode it 140 mph one time, and it had lots more to give, but I wasn't taking it . . .
Since then, I've seen too many wrecks caused by careless 4-wheelers, and had too many close calls to want to ride much in the big city. Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it . . .
I'd buy another one if I ever moved to a rural area, but that's unlikely to happen.

But to answer your question -- what kind of bike you get depends pretty much what you want to do with it. Crotch rockets if you want to ride at breakneck speeds & risk your neck doing it . . . Cruisers if you want to look "cool" while putzing around town . . . Big Goldwings if you want to pull a trailer while sightseeing across the country . . . a "regular" bike like a Honda Nighthawk if you just want dependable and comfortable 2-wheel transportation.

So, really, what you ask for pretty much depends on what you want to use it for . . .

[gixxerboy1]

No haro i dont wrench on bikes for a living but have wrenched on alotta cars and i dont really care whos winning races wit certain manufacutures , whether it be nascar or ,motogp,ama,I was stateing a real world scenario in which i was involved(ill never be a AMA racer) ..

I tore apart more kawi's then i can count on my gixxer. Would never buy one even though i love the look of the older zx7r's

[X-Damien]

i dunno why you'd say gsxrs are abused more than hondas....the #1 preffered stunt bike is a cbr f4i......

Maybe you're right...I know that newbies get GXSR's more than any other brand, so the chances of getting a bike that was layed down and sold quickly are far more greater.
Stunt CBRs are easier to pic out - you can usually tell by the condition.
Just get a Duc - that's what I have

[numbat]

I tore apart more kawi's then i can count on my gixxer. Would never buy one even though i love the look of the older zx7r's

Gsxr-600? SCARY I can almost hear my 636 taking its cover off right now in the garage .lol. My input is above is enff for this thread.Sry if i created this thread into a superbike controversy .

[gixxerboy1]

Gsxr-600? SCARY I can almost hear my 636 taking its cover off right now in the garage .lol. My input is above is enff for this thread.Sry if i created this thread into a superbike controversy .

well a 636 should beat a 600 but i cant understand why my 750 ass rapes zx9's

[stacked566]

Well we all know that its the rider not the bike. Bottom line, kawasakis have and always will be a 2nd tier bike when it comes to superbikes. People that race use the best bikes, which get the most R & D money, which yeild the best product. End of story. I think this guy gets the picture on what bike to get. Good luck and be safe bro.

[pwerfll1]

how about a honda nightwing 250cc

[DSM4Life]

i dunno why you'd say gsxrs are abused more than hondas....the #1 preffered stunt bike is a cbr f4i......

Honda makes bikes















(sorry im a born gixxer guy )