YAMT: List your suggestions for a good looking starter superbike

[AStar617]

Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

 

[Kelemvor]

Ninja (EX) 500.

Looks like a 600 but much lighter and easier to ride. VERY highly recommend as a starter bike. Get one used for like $1500 or so.

Here's a write-up on the 2000 model. I think I had a '93 or so model a while back and I loved it. Was my first bike.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mckaw/00ex500.html

 

[mercanucaribe]

They call them sportbikes now.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Ninja (EX) 500.

Looks like a 600 but much lighter and easier to ride. VERY highly recommend as a starter bike. Get one used for like $1500 or so.

Here's a write-up on the 2000 model. I think I had a '93 or so model a while back and I loved it. Was my first bike.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mckaw/00ex500.html

Doesn't look bad... with the ~5gal. tank, how many miles per tank should I expect with highway riding primarily? Looking at a possible move that would give me a 35min. commute, but can't find any fuel economy info.

 

[Kelemvor]

I always got 40+ mpg I think with that bike. It was a long time ago though so I don't remember. But the styles all changed in the past 15-20 years so you can always fine a style you like and then hit up the classifieds.

You fill it up often but a fill up is cheap.

 

[AStar617]

Did some digging... according to this average fuel economy is now 64mpg 🙂 With my expectation of mostly highway miles, I think that might be close to realistic. :thumbsup:

Thanks Franky... Still open to any other competition to the 500R out there, AT...

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: AStar617
Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

For a nice street bike, look for ninja 250 or ninja 500. If you happen do weight 240+ lbs, take a look at the SV650. All of those are good bikes to start on.

I would highly advise you against commuting on a highway, especially if you have very little experience. Every time you take it out for a ride, you're subject to risk of crashing (simple statistics .. say 1 out of 1000). If you ride long distances daily on a 70mph road, it's like playing rounds of russian roulette. Someone will cream you eventually...

 

[EightySix Four]

I am also looking to get my first bike, but being 6'5 I have problems finding something I can fit on. I've ridden quite a few dirt bikes and would prefer something in the sport bike class. Anyone know a bike that'd fit me well?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I am also looking to get my first bike, but being 6'5 I have problems finding something I can fit on. I've ridden quite a few dirt bikes and would prefer something in the sport bike class. Anyone know a bike that'd fit me well?

Try the SV650... they're really nice looking bikes for bigger people. They come with a hawt LED tail too !

sv650
There's aftermarket kits to add the lower fairings, so you can cover up the lower half
fully faired

 

[AStar617]

Any shots of a fully faired Ninja 500? I think that's what's holding me back from fully loving the style. Something more like a Suzuki GS500 is what I prefer... if fairing like that is available aftermarket, that should do me fine.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: AStar617
Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

SV650S
has fairings looks good and has decent performance you can grow with..
Vtwin motor and easy to handle and very predictable..

great beginner bike..
other than that.. old generation 600s.. ie.. Ninja 600E CBR600F2 FZR600..
repeat stay off new gen 600s.. they are a handful for new riders and will get you in trouble fast..

these bikes are cheap and predictable and wont bite you..

 

[loic2003]

Kawa er-6N or er-6F (whichever takes your fancy). Inline 2, 650.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: AStar617
Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

For a nice street bike, look for ninja 250 or ninja 500. If you happen do weight 240+ lbs, take a look at the SV650. All of those are good bikes to start on.

I would highly advise you against commuting on a highway, especially if you have very little experience. Every time you take it out for a ride, you're subject to risk of crashing (simple statistics .. say 1 out of 1000). If you ride long distances daily on a 70mph road, it's like playing rounds of russian roulette. Someone will cream you eventually...

Are you doing city rush hour commuting? With all of the lane changing and zig-zagging people do it's very likely someone just wouldn't see you and would try to merge into where you are.

 

[The Stigenator]

Suzuki GS500f (the faired model) .. sweet bike.. i would buy oen today.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: AStar617
Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

For a nice street bike, look for ninja 250 or ninja 500. If you happen do weight 240+ lbs, take a look at the SV650. All of those are good bikes to start on.

I would highly advise you against commuting on a highway, especially if you have very little experience. Every time you take it out for a ride, you're subject to risk of crashing (simple statistics .. say 1 out of 1000). If you ride long distances daily on a 70mph road, it's like playing rounds of russian roulette. Someone will cream you eventually...

Are you doing city rush hour commuting? With all of the lane changing and zig-zagging people do it's very likely someone just wouldn't see you and would try to merge into where you are.

Not a concern... my shift for the forseeable future is 130p-10p, and against traffic at that.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: AStar617
Superbike style as opposed to classic Harley/Indian look.

Thx

For a nice street bike, look for ninja 250 or ninja 500. If you happen do weight 240+ lbs, take a look at the SV650. All of those are good bikes to start on.

I would highly advise you against commuting on a highway, especially if you have very little experience. Every time you take it out for a ride, you're subject to risk of crashing (simple statistics .. say 1 out of 1000). If you ride long distances daily on a 70mph road, it's like playing rounds of russian roulette. Someone will cream you eventually...

Are you doing city rush hour commuting? With all of the lane changing and zig-zagging people do it's very likely someone just wouldn't see you and would try to merge into where you are.

I'm really not too worried about dropping in 25 mph traffic, it's hard to get hurt that way. I've had a decent share of close calls (I don't know how you miss a bright orange / black motorcycle ...but whatever) and it's nowhere near as dangerous as wiping out at 75mph when there's 20 cars behind you.