i am getting interested in motorcycles

[Saint Nick]

i have been noticing a lot of guys out on their bikes lately and i have been getting more and more serious about purchasing a bike. and i was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on bikes to get as a good "starter" bike. i was thinking about a used crotch rocket because they seem kinda cool.. plus they are cheap (but i wouldn't be stupid on them :roll: ). otherwise i am going to look into a nice road bike.

any suggestions?

 

[thechinesehero]

kawasaki ninja 250

 

[Kalvin00]

Suzuki GSXR-1300.

Great starter bike.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
Suzuki GSXR-1300.

Great starter bike.

I heard of those!

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: thechinesehero
kawasaki ninja 250

absolute truth...
Maybe a Ninja 500 at the most...
I also recommend taking the Motorcycle Saftey Foundation course before you buy a bike...
lots of peeps get in this course and relaize its harder than it looks or crash and get scared...

this class provides the bikes and is a 2 day class.. 1/2 day inside 1.5 days on the bikes..

it counts in many states as the driving portion of the license test and gives an insurance discount at most bike providers..

DO NOT BUY A BIGGER BIKE to start on.. these are VERY dangerous and most new sportbike riders dont make it through year 1 without some sort of mishap...

bikes are not toys.. and they arnt like a car.. they arnt for everyone..

 

[LuckyTaxi]

I just started learning and picked up a beauty off of ebay. I have a 98 Yamaha FZR600.
it's quite powerful for me, but once I master it, i'll go get a 750 or something. IMHO, I wouldnt mess with a 250, it's just not worth it!

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: thechinesehero
kawasaki ninja 250

absolute truth...
Maybe a Ninja 500 at the most...
I also recommend taking the Motorcycle Saftey Foundation course before you buy a bike...
lots of peeps get in this course and relaize its harder than it looks or crash and get scared...

this class provides the bikes and is a 2 day class.. 1/2 day inside 1.5 days on the bikes..

it counts in many states as the driving portion of the license test and gives an insurance discount at most bike providers..

DO NOT BUY A BIGGER BIKE to start on.. these are VERY dangerous and most new sportbike riders dont make it through year 1 without some sort of mishap...

bikes are not toys.. and they arnt like a car.. they arnt for everyone..

yes sir i have had a lot of people tell me that bikes are not for everyone and well i suppose we'll find out. but yes i have also been looking for safety classes around my area that i can take.

but yeah i don't want a "big" bike yet. sportbikes (sorry Kalvin00) seem very appealing to me

 

[Kelemvor]

Used to have a Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja but they didn't call them that yet). Was great.

If you haven't ridden before, PELASE sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Course at a local Tech College or something like that. You learn how to safely ride a bike, and you get a waiver so you don't have to take a riding test at the DMV. Plus you get a feel for a smaller bike which might help you make a decsion on if you'd feel comfotable with your own skills to buy a huge bike or a medium sized one.

The 500 I had was great. Small size but had power to go.

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

I rode a crotch rocket, it's not worth it!!!! for one thing, arent they automatica, whereas a sportbike is manual? you gotta learn to shift and get out of first gear.

 

[LeiZaK]

I started with a ninja 250...
I highly recommend it as a first bike. Inexpensive, lightweight, fun, and super-flickable.

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

I rode a crotch rocket, it's not worth it!!!! for one thing, arent they automatica, whereas a sportbike is manual? you gotta learn to shift and get out of first gear.

 

[Skiddex]

Im really liking the suzuki sv650s bikes. i heard you could go with a non 's' and keep insurance down as it is considered a road bike then and not a sports bike?

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

okay sorry i fixed it

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

I rode a crotch rocket, it's not worth it!!!! for one thing, arent they automatica, whereas a sportbike is manual? you gotta learn to shift and get out of first gear.

wait, we're not talking about the stupid pocket rockets are we?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: jndietz
crotch rockets seem very appealing to me

Rule #1-They are called sportbikes.

True. Crotch rockets is about as flattering to sport bike owners as referring to a Harley as an Iron Slug is to that particular cult of motorcycling.

Y0u = n00b, so you are forgiven. This time

 

[Saint Nick]

omgosh hayabusa rider don't eat me i just want to ride a cool motorcycle and enjoi driving vehicles with two wheels while momentarily breaking the speed limit by maybe 20mph

maybe i'll get a ducati

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Skiddex
Im really liking the suzuki sv650s bikes. i heard you could go with a non 's' and keep insurance down as it is considered a road bike then and not a sports bike?

this is another great bike also..
put my girlfriend on one and I ride it sometimes...
fun bike plenty of power...

we also race an older SV650S.. its very fun bike on the racetrack..
the thing rails with Ohlins shocks and forks on it.

 

[Argo]

Raises hand.

 

[Saint Nick]

so i should look into lighter bikes...meaning a smaller engine obviously... the numbers in the names of the bikes usually means the cc of the engine... so you think 650cc engine is good for a beginner or is that too much?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: jndietz
so i should look into lighter bikes...meaning a smaller engine obviously... the numbers in the names of the bikes usually means the cc of the engine... so you think 650cc engine is good for a beginner or is that too much?

I have a 600cc and I'm doing quite fine.

 

[loic2003]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
Suzuki GSXR-1300.

Great starter bike.

A 1300 is NOT a good starter bike. The thing will wheelie in 4th gear+. It's a total death trap.

Go for a smaller bike maybe a 125 two-stroke. Something like mine will do 0 - 60 in 4.5 seconds (Not slow) and has a top speed of 100mph+ but is very light, stops well and is much better for learners. You can open the throttle without the bike dissapearing from between your legs since it's a two-stroke and the power only comes at higher revs (6000+).

The NSR like mine is reliable (being a honda) unlike the Aprillia or Cagiva mito, but is pretty much exactly the same speed.

 

[Saint Nick]

loic thats a hott looking bike! and yeah, 1300 sounded pretty big and beefy for me

 

[Desslok]

04 BMW 1150 GS Adventure

01 KTM 400 EXC

GF has a

BMW 650 GS

Don't go above a 500 and get a used one if you can. You WILL drop it.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: jndietz
so i should look into lighter bikes...meaning a smaller engine obviously... the numbers in the names of the bikes usually means the cc of the engine... so you think 650cc engine is good for a beginner or is that too much?

650 is a Vtwin.. its closer to a 500 Inline 4...
not very scary but a little more torque than an Inline bike..

the supersport 600s are what you want to stay away from..
they will reach out and bite novice riders...
mainly becasue they can be so confidence inspiring and then turn into a rattlesnake the next moment...

they are light SUPER fast... wheelie prone can get you in toruble in a heartbeat..

0-60 in under 3 seconds with the wheel in the air under moderate to heavy accelleration..

beginners do not need this type of power when trying to learn control and intincts...

earlier than 2000 600s are alot better for a beginner.. technology ddint really hit till 2000 when things strated to get really fast and very competitive..

older CBR600s and FZRs and katanas.. all ok starter bikes...
not great.. but ok...