• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

New Motorcycle

J

jhayx7

Platinum Member
I have wanted a motorcycle ever since I can remember and now am in the position to buy one. After reading tons of reviews/articles I have decided on the 2006 Ninja 650R. One thing I am scared of is laying that new puppy down within the first few weeks of having it... Any suggestions to a newbie on a motorcycle (besides buying more life insurance?)
 
ok you are new to motorcycles and you want a 650R? hope you are a donor..

edit: as loke said take a class. buy a smaller motorcycle for a year or so then buy the new one.

get experiance first (by the way i been riding for close to 25 years, got my first bike at 8!) heh
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
I have wanted a motorcycle ever since I can remember and now am in the position to buy one. After reading tons of reviews/articles I have decided on the 2006 Ninja 650R. One thing I am scared of is laying that new puppy down within the first few weeks of having it... Any suggestions to a newbie on a motorcycle (besides buying more life insurance?)
Click to expand...

Stop right now and go learn on something that won't kill you.

Searching for old thread.

- M4H
 
Did you even take a motorcycle class before you decided on buying one? If you don't wanna be road kill, you better sign up for one right now.
 
If its your first bike ever then I would not buy a new one just because of the cost. Buy a small displacment bike thats like 10-15 so when you drop it no big deal. Also when you start small you learn to ride better because you arent worried about the bike doing anything unexpected because its throttle response is pretty slow, atleast that was the case when I started on my 81 yamaha maxim 550 and I did drop it a few times. Last bike I rode was a 89 yamaha maxim 750 which was really fast compared to the 550 and I still crashed that bike, now I dont ride anymore.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Take a class.
Click to expand...

QFT, see if any community colleges offer a motorcycle safety class. Might get you a discount on your insurance or allow you to bypass the driving portion of the DMV test.
 
I was looking at something with less power but the more I read about the new 2006 model the more I like it... All the reviews and dealers I have spoke with said that it is a great "first" bike because of the lower seat position and center of gravity and the power curve is geared more twords beginners.
 
Originally posted by: Baked
Did you even take a motorcycle class before you decided on buying one? If you don't wanna be road kill, you better sign up for one right now.
Click to expand...

The proper term is SQUID

Both an abbreviation:
- Some Quick UnImportant Dumbass
- Stupid, Quick, Underdressed, Imminently Dead

And as a pretty good description of what you'll look like after you hit the pavement at triple digit speeds.

Go with absolutely nothing bigger than a 250 for your first bike. And take lessons. There's weekend courses that will get you started (usually on 125s) on not dying within 5 minutes of hitting the streets. 😀

- M4H
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
I was looking at something with less power but the more I read about the new 2006 model the more I like it... All the reviews and dealers I have spoke with said that it is a great "first" bike because of the lower seat position and center of gravity and the power curve is geared more twords beginners.
Click to expand...

that may be the case but what are you going to do WHEN you drop it, not if you drop it. Since its a brand new bike all parts will have to be bought from the dealer and the value drops alot when the bike has been dropped. It doesnt take much, first time I dropped my bike was in a sandy parking lot and I was just moving the bike with my feet to turn around and I lost my footing. Also check insurance costs for a new bike and an older smaller bike.
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
I was looking at something with less power but the more I read about the new 2006 model the more I like it... All the reviews and dealers I have spoke with said that it is a great "first" bike because of the lower seat position and center of gravity and the power curve is geared more twords beginners.
Click to expand...

They're dealers. They're trying to sell you the most expensive bike you can afford.

If you buy it and drive it off the lot, I wager you'll lay it down within 5, and pop yourself ass over teakettle within 10. No offense - you just have zero experience.

- M4H
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Baked
Did you even take a motorcycle class before you decided on buying one? If you don't wanna be road kill, you better sign up for one right now.
Click to expand...

The proper term is SQUID

Both an abbreviation:
- Some Quick UnImportant Dumbass
- Stupid, Quick, Underdressed, Imminently Dead

And as a pretty good description of what you'll look like after you hit the pavement at triple digit speeds.

Go with absolutely nothing bigger than a 250 for your first bike. And take lessons. There's weekend courses that will get you started (usually on 125s) on not dying within 5 minutes of hitting the streets. 😀

- M4H
Click to expand...

250 is kinda small unless its the new ninja 250, it would be hard to do highway speed with an older 250. My 550 was a perfect starting bike, could go fast enough but if you slipped on the throttle while going over a bump or anything nothing really happened. Got bored of it after a few months but if it was a larger bike I think I wouldnt be as good as a rider as I am now.
 
it really pisses me off when someone does something like this. They have ZERO experience and go buy a motorcycle that is far to powerful for them. They ride around and think they are badass. then go to showoff in front of some hot women and eat pavement.

It gives resbonsible riders a bad name.


take a rider class and buy a small CC bike for a year or two then move up to a slightly larger bike. you do not NEED a 650R get a Ninja 250 or something.
 
Originally posted by: Instan00dles
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Baked
Did you even take a motorcycle class before you decided on buying one? If you don't wanna be road kill, you better sign up for one right now.
Click to expand...

The proper term is SQUID

Both an abbreviation:
- Some Quick UnImportant Dumbass
- Stupid, Quick, Underdressed, Imminently Dead

And as a pretty good description of what you'll look like after you hit the pavement at triple digit speeds.

Go with absolutely nothing bigger than a 250 for your first bike. And take lessons. There's weekend courses that will get you started (usually on 125s) on not dying within 5 minutes of hitting the streets. 😀

- M4H
Click to expand...

250 is kinda small unless its the new ninja 250, it would be hard to do highway speed with an older 250. My 550 was a perfect starting bike, could go fast enough but if you slipped on the throttle while going over a bump or anything nothing really happened. Got bored of it after a few months but if it was a larger bike I think I wouldnt be as good as a rider as I am now.
Click to expand...

considering he has ZERO experiance a 250 is perfect for a year or two. then go to a 500-600CC.

starting on a 650R is just a dumb idea.
 
Originally posted by: Instan00dles
250 is kinda small unless its the new ninja 250, it would be hard to do highway speed with an older 250. My 550 was a perfect starting bike, could go fast enough but if you slipped on the throttle while going over a bump or anything nothing really happened. Got bored of it after a few months but if it was a larger bike I think I wouldnt be as good as a rider as I am now.
Click to expand...

Part of my point. Learn to handle a bike at city speeds first, then go at the speeds that can really (asterisk-ampersand-percentage-dollar sign) you up. 🙂

- M4H
 
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: notfred
You can get run over by a truck just as easily on a 250 as on a 600.
Click to expand...

Fine, OP should just get a Vespa w/ Hello Kitty helmet.
Click to expand...

Based on the "smaller is better" philosophy that people are pushing, he'd be nearly invincible on it.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: notfred
You can get run over by a truck just as easily on a 250 as on a 600.
Click to expand...

Fine, OP should just get a Vespa w/ Hello Kitty helmet.
Click to expand...

Based on the "smaller is better" philosophy that people are pushing, he'd be nearly invincible on it.
Click to expand...

there is a reason we are saying get a smaller bike to start. getting a 650cc bike when you have no experience is a bad idea.

 
Buy a used bike for your first one. You're going to drop it. You're going to mess it up. Buy something used and cheap, be destructive with less expense. Then buy your new bike later.

For the record, I started on a 1990 Ninja ZX6D. I should've started on something with a bit less power. I survived my own stupidity, but I've ridden by multiple accident scenes of people who didn't. I used to live in the Santa Cruz mountains - lots of fun to ride in those roads, but very dangerous as well. Be careful. Don't be a statistic.

A smaller displacement bike is a good idea too.

 
The 650R the OP is talking about isn't a real sport bike, like what I think most of you are thinking. A 600rr, GSXR600, ZX600R/ZX600RR is plenty more power. This is the kawasaki equivalent of an SV650.

I'm going to agree that it seems too powerful for the OP considering the image I'm getting from reading the post. I'd recommend trying to find a Ninja 250/500, Vulcan/Rebel 250/500 or an older bike that's been converted to be a streetfighter (naked, no fairings).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top