GSX-R 600: Starter bike?

R3VAN · 07-06-2008, 04:03 PM

Well Im taking the motorcycle class in 2 weeks and will be getting a bike by the end of July. I really want the GSX-R 600 but just wondering how it is as a first bike?

Ive heard it go 50/50. They say anything 600cc an under is a good starting bike but others say it will be too much for me and I will hurt myself. Now, Im a responsible guy. I come from a family of bikers (Harleys though) and my dad was killed last year while riding his Harley out in Austin. So needless to say, I will not be doing anything stupid. A friend of mine started with a GSX-R 1000 and he's done quite well on it, but I dont need anything that fast.

Also, for at least another 2 months I will be going to work at 5 in the morning which means VERY few cars out on the road so I will have plenty of solo riding time every morning. Ive pretty much killed off the lil speed demon in me as well, and just take it to the track whenever its starts coming out again.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

jeffie7 · 07-06-2008, 04:12 PM

GSX-R1000 = 10 second bike
GSX-R600 = 10 second bike

600cc bikes are fine for starting out on, when its not a super sport 600.

Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650
Ninja 650

are all good 600cc+ bikes.

However a 600cc SS is NOT a good starter bike. I know people who have started out on super sport bikes, some have done fine, however more of them have went down, sucks to buy a nice bike only to trash it a few days maybe a week or two later...

R3VAN · 07-06-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffie7

GSX-R1000 = 10 second bike
GSX-R600 = 10 second bike

600cc bikes are fine for starting out on, when its not a super sport 600.

Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650
Ninja 650

are all good 600cc+ bikes.

However a 600cc SS is NOT a good starter bike. I know people who have started out on super sport bikes, some have done fine, however more of them have went down, sucks to buy a nice bike only to trash it a few days maybe a week or two later...

Hmmm see your point. I wasnt thinking about going brand new, I was offered a used '02 for $3500 with all the gear thrown in. (2 helmets, jacket, botts, and gloves)

so thats 1 for no lol

Voboy · 07-06-2008, 04:21 PM

Best to start with a 250CC or lower.

Nitrouz · 07-06-2008, 04:22 PM

no.

http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314193

doug · 07-06-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IX R3VAN XI

Hmmm see your point. I wasnt thinking about going brand new, I was offered a used '02 for $3500 with all the gear thrown in. (2 helmets, jacket, botts, and gloves)

so thats 1 for no lol

i used to own that bike and the answer is

NO

Low J. · 07-06-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz

no.

http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314193

+1...no no no no....read that post......

doug · 07-06-2008, 04:38 PM

sorry to hear about your dad man.. but you really shouldn't start on that bike.. don't follow what your friend did.. some people start on 1000's and make it.. but the numbers are few.. same with 600 Super Sports..

i think with a lost parent to a motorcycle.. or even someone close to you.. you would know that its best to do everything the right way..

5 am to work rides are worse than regular rides.. you are up early.. you are not as alert as you would like to be.. and still have a couple people going to and from work.. including truckers.. this goes for any size motorcycle too.. i would think twice about commuting that early on any bike

calin · 07-06-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffie7

GSX-R1000 = 10 second bike
GSX-R600 = 10 second bike

600cc bikes are fine for starting out on, when its not a super sport 600.

Suzuki Bandit 600
Suzuki SV650
Ninja 650

are all good 600cc+ bikes.

However a 600cc SS is NOT a good starter bike. I know people who have started out on super sport bikes, some have done fine, however more of them have went down, sucks to buy a nice bike only to trash it a few days maybe a week or two later...

What about an R6?

doug · 07-06-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calin

What about an R6?

no

calin · 07-06-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

no

terrasmak · 07-06-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calin

What about an R6?

That would be known as a SS bike, so NO. That was even in the bottem line of the post you quoted.

nbdyfcnsqnc · 07-06-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

5 am to work rides are worse than regular rides.. you are up early.. you are not as alert as you would like to be.. and still have a couple people going to and from work.. including truckers.. this goes for any size motorcycle too.. i would think twice about commuting that early on any bike

Yeah everyone in cars is tired too, and the sun coming up makes motorcycles even more invisible.

Check out the Ninja 650 if you just want to ride for fun.

zand02max · 07-06-2008, 05:39 PM

NO

Get a STARTER bike, IE SV 650, Ninja 500, ECT!

You will thank us later!

Also, read my signature, count my RIP's, they all had R sport bikes!

RxZ · 07-06-2008, 06:00 PM

I don't know how old you are, but according to the insurance companies, a Honda CBR600RR in the hands of a 17 year old as his first bike has a life expectancy of less than 1 HOUR. That is a 600 cc super sport very similar to the bike you are looking at.

I am not making this up.

zand02max · 07-06-2008, 06:05 PM

forgot to add, insurance will kill you!

Most of the younger guys that I ride with, all have liability only and guess what, one guy I know at the local bike shop in town wrecked his brand new GIXXER 600 and only had it 2 weeks, YES 2 weeks. He didn't have insurance and he's only 20!

Popping wheelies and landing in a curb thus bending your frame at 2 am, FTMFL!

xDIEGOx · 07-06-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RxZ

I don't know how old you are, but according to the insurance companies, a Honda CBR600RR in the hands of a 17 year old as his first bike has a life expectancy of less than 1 HOUR. That is a 600 cc super sport very similar to the bike you are looking at.

I am not making this up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zand02max

forgot to add, insurance will kill you!

Most of the younger guys that I ride with, all have liability only and guess what, one guy I know at the local bike shop in town wrecked his brand new GIXXER 600 and only had it 2 weeks, YES 2 weeks. He didn't have insurance and he's only 20!

Popping wheelies into curbs and bending your frame at 2 am, FTMFL!

Zmazing03 · 07-06-2008, 08:00 PM

They will tell you the following are banned for first bikes:

CBR600 RR /CBR1000 RR
R6/R1
GSXR-600 / 750 / 1000
ZX6-R

I personally would like to ride a CBR600F4i, but that isn't so good either.

Zmazing03 · 07-06-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RxZ

I don't know how old you are, but according to the insurance companies, a Honda CBR600RR in the hands of a 17 year old as his first bike has a life expectancy of less than 1 HOUR. That is a 600 cc super sport very similar to the bike you are looking at.

I am not making this up.

Holy sh*t!! Not that I am 17 lol, but damn. Where is the source on that one??

RxZ · 07-06-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zmazing03

Holy sh*t!! Not that I am 17 lol, but damn. Where is the source on that one??

Indirect actually

I took the MSF course this weekend. Our instructor was 71 years old, and has been riding motorcycles since he was 13. He has been an instructor for MSF for 25 years now. He was telling a story of a 17 yo who was taking the class a few weeks ago, and brought his own new CBR600RR to the class to learn on. The instructor was talking to the father and found out that the bike cost 8,000 and change, and yearly premiums were just under 9,000 for his son. The agent told the dad the life expectancy trying to convince him not to buy the bike for his son.

07-06-2008, 04:03 PM	#1
R3VAN K1TT3H R4NG3RZ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: H-Town, Texas Posts: 2,491 iTrader: (0)	GSX-R 600: Starter bike? Well Im taking the motorcycle class in 2 weeks and will be getting a bike by the end of July. I really want the GSX-R 600 but just wondering how it is as a first bike? Ive heard it go 50/50. They say anything 600cc an under is a good starting bike but others say it will be too much for me and I will hurt myself. Now, Im a responsible guy. I come from a family of bikers (Harleys though) and my dad was killed last year while riding his Harley out in Austin. So needless to say, I will not be doing anything stupid. A friend of mine started with a GSX-R 1000 and he's done quite well on it, but I dont need anything that fast. Also, for at least another 2 months I will be going to work at 5 in the morning which means VERY few cars out on the road so I will have plenty of solo riding time every morning. Ive pretty much killed off the lil speed demon in me as well, and just take it to the track whenever its starts coming out again. Any thoughts would be appreciated. __________________ I roxs out to t3h duffster w/the windows down in meh em0'd out 350Z Team Anti-DNF Br1ng back C0MBAT! H3 1s t3h ult1mat3 em0 br0

07-06-2008, 04:12 PM	#2
jeffie7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,178 iTrader: (4)	GSX-R1000 = 10 second bike GSX-R600 = 10 second bike 600cc bikes are fine for starting out on, when its not a super sport 600. Suzuki Bandit 600 Suzuki SV650 Ninja 650 are all good 600cc+ bikes. However a 600cc SS is NOT a good starter bike. I know people who have started out on super sport bikes, some have done fine, however more of them have went down, sucks to buy a nice bike only to trash it a few days maybe a week or two later... __________________ DNF fUzZyBuNnYbAlLz iny0mouf Last edited by jeffie7; 07-06-2008 at 04:15 PM.

07-06-2008, 04:22 PM	#5
Nitrouz GTR Admin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: West Coast Posts: 6,734 iTrader: (27)	no. http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314193 __________________ 2005 420Ztt 35th Anniversary Superblack - Alyssa - 760rwhp / 713rwtq @ 18psi - GONE, BUT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. Evolution 2009 Nissan GTR Solid Red #256 - Arianna Sponsored By: Rays Engineering, mynismo.com, TiTek USA, SP Engineering

07-06-2008, 04:38 PM	#8
doug Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,238 iTrader: (4)	sorry to hear about your dad man.. but you really shouldn't start on that bike.. don't follow what your friend did.. some people start on 1000's and make it.. but the numbers are few.. same with 600 Super Sports.. i think with a lost parent to a motorcycle.. or even someone close to you.. you would know that its best to do everything the right way.. 5 am to work rides are worse than regular rides.. you are up early.. you are not as alert as you would like to be.. and still have a couple people going to and from work.. including truckers.. this goes for any size motorcycle too.. i would think twice about commuting that early on any bike __________________ 2009 Pebble Beige Magic Broom \| 2007 Pearl White Acura RSX Type S (SOLD)

07-06-2008, 06:05 PM	#16
zand02max My R1 is Faster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 13,561 iTrader: (16)	forgot to add, insurance will kill you! Most of the younger guys that I ride with, all have liability only and guess what, one guy I know at the local bike shop in town wrecked his brand new GIXXER 600 and only had it 2 weeks, YES 2 weeks. He didn't have insurance and he's only 20! Popping wheelies and landing in a curb thus bending your frame at 2 am, FTMFL! Last edited by zand02max; 07-06-2008 at 06:08 PM.

07-06-2008, 04:21 PM	#4
Voboy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,647 iTrader: (11)	Best to start with a 250CC or lower.

07-06-2008, 05:39 PM	#14
zand02max My R1 is Faster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 13,561 iTrader: (16)	NO Get a STARTER bike, IE SV 650, Ninja 500, ECT! You will thank us later! Also, read my signature, count my RIP's, they all had R sport bikes!

07-06-2008, 06:00 PM	#15
RxZ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Texas (Tyler Area) Posts: 1,971 iTrader: (0)	I don't know how old you are, but according to the insurance companies, a Honda CBR600RR in the hands of a 17 year old as his first bike has a life expectancy of less than 1 HOUR. That is a 600 cc super sport very similar to the bike you are looking at. I am not making this up.

07-06-2008, 08:00 PM	#18
Zmazing03 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 10,139 iTrader: (7)	They will tell you the following are banned for first bikes: CBR600 RR /CBR1000 RR R6/R1 GSXR-600 / 750 / 1000 ZX6-R I personally would like to ride a CBR600F4i, but that isn't so good either. __________________ - 2003 PPW Enthusiast - Team 350G'z {CT} - fujitsubo \| ame \| tein \| topspeed \| nismo \| jp vizage \| motordyne \| k&n \| hawk \| tokico \| falken Team DNF { Point Guard } : XBL - Zmazing03