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So I will be taking the MSF course here pretty soon and not to long after will be purchasing my first bike. I've always had a hard-on for Suzukis, but the more I read, the more I realize that they're really a pure-bred race bike and probably wouldn't be the ideal starter bike. I've already joined a Honda forum and a Kawasaki forum to learn a bit about what's a good beginner bike, but I thought I'd post up a thread here to get any advice from those of you who ride.
I will be looking at used bikes ONLY for my first bike. I'm a bigger guy so in all honestly the thought of getting a 250cc is completely out of the question. I'm looking at 600cc bikes. The two that have caught my eye are the CBR600RR and the Ninja 650R. I've found a pretty good deal on an 2003 CBR600RR (it's in great condition and the guy wants 1,600 for it).
But I just was hoping for some advice from you guys as to what you feel would be a good starter bike.
Why ask for help with a choosing a starter bike and then ignore the advice? The Ninja250 is the best starter bike. Buy it. Ride it. Learn on it. Sell it (for not much less than you paid for it). Buy next (used) bike. Riding is not for everyone.
Who knows, you may end up hating being among 2 ton cars. Or you may just find out that time is an issue and you can't ride often. Or you may find out that you really don't enjoy riding a sport bike and try a cruiser. Time will tell.
My advice is to get a used 250R and ride it until your skills are beyond the bike. Why take the chance and get a bike that is beyond your skills and hope to learn on it?
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2008 G35xS
Quote:
Originally Posted by SFMACGUY
I haven't reached the limits of my 250 in 3 years. I can guarantee you won't either. Just man up and say you are afraid of looking like a monkey humping a football.
So I will be taking the MSF course here pretty soon and not to long after will be purchasing my first bike. I've always had a hard-on for Suzukis, but the more I read, the more I realize that they're really a pure-bred race bike and probably wouldn't be the ideal starter bike. I've already joined a Honda forum and a Kawasaki forum to learn a bit about what's a good beginner bike, but I thought I'd post up a thread here to get any advice from those of you who ride.
I will be looking at used bikes ONLY for my first bike. I'm a bigger guy so in all honestly the thought of getting a 250cc is completely out of the question. I'm looking at 600cc bikes. The two that have caught my eye are the CBR600RR and the Ninja 650R. I've found a pretty good deal on an 2003 CBR600RR (it's in great condition and the guy wants 1,600 for it).
But I just was hoping for some advice from you guys as to what you feel would be a good starter bike.
Thanks everyone!
If I have to choose the between the two bikes that you mentioned, I would pick the 650r. The 650r wins handdown when it comes to a beginner bike in a sense that is very forgiving, nimble but still has a lot of offer once you've grown used to riding. 650r was my first bike for two years, I sold it the summer before last b/c it's time to upgrade for me.
If you trust yourself and you are responsible(no squid :P), get the 600. Although is a powerful bike, once you get to know it and with enough practice you'll be good. For the MSF, use their bikes. they have a whole selection don't they. In CA, I got to practice with a 600 and an off-road bike.
1600 for a 2003 600rr (if it's in decent shape) is a great price.
Usually I would steer people away from going with this bike, but if you are a heavier guy you may offset some of the extra power from this newer-generation 600.
You're going to drop it anyway, at least you are getting it cheap. Ride within your limits and don't be a dumbass.
Why ask for help with a choosing a starter bike and then ignore the advice? The Ninja250 is the best starter bike. Buy it. Ride it. Learn on it. Sell it (for not much less than you paid for it). Buy next (used) bike. Riding is not for everyone. Why take the chance and get a bike that is beyond your skills and hope to learn on it?
My only problem with the 250 is that I don't wanna get a bike and then sell it a month or two down the road because I've reached the bikes limits. I also weigh 215. The Ninja two fiddy just doesn't seem like it'd be enough bike to even be semi enjoyable. I'd almost be embarrassed to be seen on one. I'd rather get a 600 and simply take it very easy until I become more familiar with the bike and riding in general.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GonZ
If I have to choose the between the two bikes that you mentioned, I would pick the 650r. The 650r wins handdown when it comes to a beginner bike in a sense that is very forgiving, nimble but still has a lot of offer once you've grown used to riding. 650r was my first bike for two years, I sold it the summer before last b/c it's time to upgrade for me.
That seems to be the conclusion I've been getting from a few of the bike forums I've joined. The only reason I'm even considering the CBR is because I found one for a great price. If it gets sold before I complete the MSF and am able to purchase, unless I find another one for a great deal, I'll get the Kawi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheshirecat79
1600 for a 2003 600rr (if it's in decent shape) is a great price.
Usually I would steer people away from going with this bike, but if you are a heavier guy you may offset some of the extra power from this newer-generation 600.
You're going to drop it anyway, at least you are getting it cheap. Ride within your limits and don't be a dumbass.
Good luck.
Ya, the bike looks to be in great shape. Obviously I need to see it in person before I can claim that for sure. Its got about 10k miles and the owner is allowing time for a mechanical inspection to be completed before any purchase is made to. Assuming it's still for sale by the time I'm looking to purchase, if everything checks out on it I don't think I could turn it down. The owner has said it's always been garaged and has never been dropped.
Last edited by Goin' Sidewayz!; 10-21-2009 at 11:10 AM.
My only problem with the 250 is that I don't wanna get a bike and then sell it a month or two down the road because I've reached the bikes limits. I also weigh 215. The Ninja two fiddy just doesn't seem like it'd be enough bike to even be semi enjoyable. I'd almost be embarrassed to be seen on one. I'd rather get a 600 and simply take it very easy until I become more familiar with the bike and riding in general.
Who cares about what other people think?
When me or my friends see a guy on a 250, we always say "what a smart guy, in a few years he will be a legit rider"
News flash for you, most people laugh at guys on a 600SS with huge chicken strips over a guy learning on a 250. Dont be ashamed of being smart about a decision you may not get another chance to make.
I had one friend who started on a 250, another on a 650R, and myself on an SV650S. Two of the 3 of us are decent riders, we put time into reading and practicing techniques safely. The other on the 650R rode past his limits early, dumped it and he will never recover from it, we have tried. Dont be that guy.
While the 600RR is the friendliest of the SS bikes, I would still pass as a first.
650R, or SV650 is my pick IF your not doing a 250.
btw-$1600 for a 600RR sounds like a salvage, fawk that for a street bike IMO
I had a Ninja 250 as my first bike. Every rider I came across on the street gave me a "head nod." You'll know about that when you start riding. People know when they see a guy on a 250, you cant have anything but respect because you're getting into the game the right way. And theres nothing cyclists like more than other cyclists. I rode my 250 for a year. The bike is very forgiving. I bought it from a guy who weighed 240 lbs he learned a lot from it as well. It is all about throttle control but I can tell you I made so many mistakes my first few weeks on that 250 that had I been on any R sport bike 600 or not, I would've been owned big time. Just trust me on this one, put your pride down. Learn to ride, get the basics down and then go ahead and get the 600. You'll have a much better understanding then of the basic skills, the what to do, when and how by that time.
My only problem with the 250 is that I don't wanna get a bike and then sell it a month or two down the road because I've reached the bikes limits.
I haven't reached the limits of my 250 in 3 years. I can guarantee you won't either. Just man up and say you are afraid of looking like a monkey humping a football.
I haven't reached the limits of my 250 in 3 years. I can guarantee you won't either. Just man up and say you are afraid of looking like a monkey humping a football.
...that too
But if I were to get a 250cc I already know that I'd end up selling it a few months down the road for a 600cc.
I got my zx10r because i didnt want to buy a bike then sell it a month later like you..Get the 600 .. My first bike was a 1000 and I learned on that. As long as your not an idiot you can learn on anything. Its all about the driver not the bike. I had mine for a year and a half then decided to get rid of it for a project car. Never dropped never crashed.
My first bike was an '07 Ninja ZX-6R, I didn't have any problems learning how to ride it. After only 2 weeks or so I was already hitting the twisties and outrunning some seasoned riders. kawasaki FTW.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goin' Sidewayz!
the more I realize that they're really a pure-bred race bike
Newbie buying a bike. Need advice.
Who cares about what other people think?
