your opinion on bikes?

[Sleepster]

I'll second all the cautious advice and also that about getting a "learner" bike, you're going to drop it at some point, probably slow speed, maybe when you hit the steering stops or something inane like that in a parking lot....DO THIS ON A CHEAP BIKE something with no body work/plastic...Suzuki GS500, Kaw EX 500, etc...maybe an SV 650 Suzuki-that bike you might never outgrow...but take a course or go to a roadracing school even if you never race...learn how to really control the bike, you can get yourself out of or create a more favorable outcome if you know what to do when the time comes..

I have ridden streetbikes(currently have 8 bikes), road raced, been a bicycle courier(D.C. and PDX), raced ALL types of bicycles and generally spent alot of time on two wheels in traffic, a pack of 100 other riders, rubbin elbows into a turn at 100+...blah blah blah...I rarely ride on the street anymore, the track saw to that...

Once you go track you can't go back..

Remember a few things:

No body sees you

Everbody is trying to kill you

Keep your head on a swivel

ANTICIPATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! probably the most important thing in traffic/close quarters racing


My friend once told me about motorcycles and licenses and being a teenager...you have the bike and the license, One of them has to go.. ...Needless to say I kept the bike...

Rubber side down

[civsnake]

Originally Posted by dentrecords

o-hatch.. none of those are good suggestions as a first bike. You might as well have thrown the ZX-14 and the Hayabusa in there while you were at it..

Bah, those are both for weaklings!

OP, here's the perfect first bike for you!!!!





0-60 is in like 0 seconds!!!
Cornering is like infinity million gs!!!
You're light trail will totally kill other motorcycles!!


Just don't forget the proper safety equipment...

[07si sedan]

first off, thanks to everyone for the good advice.

I am definetly planning on taking the drivers safety course before I get out and start riding. Im planning on riding really carefully. Thats one of the reasons I didnt get a bike when I was younger because I thought I might not be very responsible. But I'm 30 now and I feel like I'm a much more resonsible person and I have more respect for the possible dangers. I am definetly getting all the safety gear, helmet, jacket, boots, etc.

Im currently checking in on insurance and what my payments might be, to see whats in my budget.

My driving records pretty good and I get the adult rate. How much do u think insurance should be?

[fg21221]

insurance shouldnt be much depending im 21 i have a 07 gsxr 750 my first bike, i have a clean driving license cuz they look at that nd i pay 500 full year just liability u want full coverage its money they wanted almost 3 grand...

[organiz3d_chaos]

For sure sign up for the safety course BEFORE you buy a bike. I see you said all the safety gear, don't forget gloves and abrasion resistant pants. I would stick with a Ninja 500, GS500 or an older 600. If you stick with a smaller and/or older bike your insurance will be a lot less then a supersport, I have a 94 CBR600F2 and liability is 90 bucks a year and i have a few tickets on my record.

[organiz3d_chaos]

Originally Posted by jerhunter

2006 GSXR 600, I barely knew how to ride, and it scared the ever living piss out of me.

Was a gift from my grandfather. My first, last, and only bike. Had it for a few months, and I sold it right before I went on my first deployment.

Please tell me you were just posing for a picture and not riding....


if not, nice gear squid.

[07si sedan]

wow i checked with my current car insurance company (progessive) and they qouted me $2400 per year then i called geico they said $1420 per year, not as bad. finally state farm 372.42 per year!

now thats more like i was expecting.

[jerhunter]

Originally Posted by organiz3d_chaos

Please tell me you were just posing for a picture and not riding....


if not, nice gear squid.

Yes it was just posing, that was the day I got it. Sadly, I think I rode the thing maybe 10 times, I was waiting too take the Saftey Course on base, then got orders to deploy.

[civsnake]

If you're already used to offroad riding I would recommend something of an intermediary step before going to a full blown street setup. Something like this, maybe:



These things are pretty off-road oriented. In fact, when it is on-road it tends to explode. Be careful, though: Ewoks love these things, the little scamps...

[xmx250]

First off wear full gear AT ALL TIMES no matter what you end up getting!


get on a bike forum such as Gixxer.com, NOW. and let them school you the right way over there. Your knowledge is not enough to buy a bike. You mentioned lowering springs lol, only POSERS lower sportbikes, it ruins your handling when you lower a bike. Plus do you see spring anywhere on the front forks? they are internal with oil etc... you cant just get lowering springs like you do with a car..... BTW dont ever lower your bike


I would suggest you get a ninja 250 just to screw around on. You can find them used easy and when you re-sell them you will probably only lose a couple hundred bucks. The skills and knowledge that you will learn on that thing are INVALUABLE!


BTW: every rider crashes at some point. So you can pretty much accept the fact that one day you will crash with that bike....

[realxlai]

^true.. and thats the sad part..

[07si sedan]

Originally Posted by xmx250

First off wear full gear AT ALL TIMES no matter what you end up getting!


get on a bike forum such as Gixxer.com, NOW. and let them school you the right way over there. Your knowledge is not enough to buy a bike. You mentioned lowering springs lol, only POSERS lower sportbikes, it ruins your handling when you lower a bike. Plus do you see spring anywhere on the front forks? they are internal with oil etc... you cant just get lowering springs like you do with a car..... BTW dont ever lower your bike


I would suggest you get a ninja 250 just to screw around on. You can find them used easy and when you re-sell them you will probably only lose a couple hundred bucks. The skills and knowledge that you will learn on that thing are INVALUABLE!


BTW: every rider crashes at some point. So you can pretty much accept the fact that one day you will crash with that bike....

thanks for the link. ive spent about 5+ hours so far reading everything i can. i plan on spending alot more time on there. some very helpful info.

so i admit im a newbie when it comes to bikes and reading 100+ posts has definetly humbled me. i checked into courses offered and plan on taking the beginners course and the more advanced class.

heres a few good links I came across for any other new rider considering on getting a bike.

good advice for us beginners...
Form Equals Function: Sportbikes are Not Beginner Bikes - Gixxer.com
Why not a Sports Bike for a First Bike ? - Gixxer.com

[organiz3d_chaos]

Originally Posted by 07si sedan

thanks for the link. ive spent about 5+ hours so far reading everything i can. i plan on spending alot more time on there. some very helpful info.

so i admit im a newbie when it comes to bikes and reading 100+ posts has definetly humbled me. i checked into courses offered and plan on taking the beginners course and the more advanced class.

heres a few good links I came across for any other new rider considering on getting a bike.

good advice for us beginners...
Form Equals Function: Sportbikes are Not Beginner Bikes - Gixxer.com
Why not a Sports Bike for a First Bike ? - Gixxer.com

sportbikes.net is another good site.

Want a 600? Read This! - Sportbikes.net
reasons to start small - Sportbikes.net
Tips on how to be safe and stay alive. - Sportbikes.net

[dentrecords]

Glad to hear you're taking steps to ensure you're ready first. Good stuff.

[Mrizzle84]

first off... im in the same boat. im looking to get a FIRST bike to learn on and save $, gas, miles.
i agree on some of these HOT bikes... and ive read a lot of these and other site posts.
ive learned a lil more and really and looking towars a lil ninja250 withing the next 2-3 months.

i want a 600cc bike and love how they look... but after hearing of 3 close friends hurting themselves (one who almost had his head ran over in his accident) made me realize anything can happen. so ima look into a small bike now.

I always look out as much as i can on the roads for the bikers, and always ALWAYS give them room to pass. and give them room when i pull behind them.

and around where i live ninja's are only like 12-1800 depending on year/cond.

[civsnake]

Originally Posted by Mrizzle84

first off... im in the same boat. im looking to get a FIRST bike to learn on and save $, gas, miles.
i agree on some of these HOT bikes... and ive read a lot of these and other site posts.
ive learned a lil more and really and looking towars a lil ninja250 withing the next 2-3 months.

i want a 600cc bike and love how they look... but after hearing of 3 close friends hurting themselves (one who almost had his head ran over in his accident) made me realize anything can happen. so ima look into a small bike now.

I always look out as much as i can on the roads for the bikers, and always ALWAYS give them room to pass. and give them room when i pull behind them.

and around where i live ninja's are only like 12-1800 depending on year/cond.

Is your first paragraph meant to imply that you want a bike to save on gas vs. a car? If that is the case, I would advise against this course of action. Don't buy a bike to save money, because you really are leveraging your personal safety against dollars and cents. Do it because you want to ride a motorcycle.

Also, as I've stated before, if you plan of doing any freeway riding I would avoid a 250; they just aren't up to the task. Check the 500 or a used 600 or something.

I'm glad you're looking out for the bikers on the road. It's a nice feeling to see someone make more room for you because they took the time to notice you.

[RaskyR1]

Bikes Rule!

I have owned 2 R6's, an R1 and now an 1800cc power cruiser. I also started out on riding on my 2000 R6


A lot of people will say a 600 is too big of a bike to start out on. I disagree somewhat. I think it all comes down to how disciplined you are. No matted if you're on a 250 or a Busa the bike will only go as fast as you want it to! If you can learn to take baby steps and not ride out of your comfort zone than I say get a 600. If you buy a 500 or something smaller you will only end up trading it in the next year. The new 600's are very light and easy to toss around. I believe they are lighter than the 500's but I could be wrong there.

Take the motorcycle safety class and if you do decide to buy a 600 respect it! If you go out and try to go fast and ride beyond your means it WILL OWN you!



Rasky

[organiz3d_chaos]

Originally Posted by civsnake

Is your first paragraph meant to imply that you want a bike to save on gas vs. a car? If that is the case, I would advise against this course of action. Don't buy a bike to save money, because you really are leveraging your personal safety against dollars and cents. Do it because you want to ride a motorcycle.

Also, as I've stated before, if you plan of doing any freeway riding I would avoid a 250; they just aren't up to the task. Check the 500 or a used 600 or something.

I'm glad you're looking out for the bikers on the road. It's a nice feeling to see someone make more room for you because they took the time to notice you.

Also dont count on saving money by getting a motorcycle. By the time you pay for your gear, insurance and buy the bike, you probably wont be saving money on gas.

[organiz3d_chaos]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

Bikes Rule!

I have owned 2 R6's, an R1 and now an 1800cc power cruiser. I also started out on riding on my 2000 R6


A lot of people will say a 600 is too big of a bike to start out on. I disagree somewhat. I think it all comes down to how disciplined you are. No matted if you're on a 250 or a Busa the bike will only go as fast as you want it to! If you can learn to take baby steps and not ride out of your comfort zone than I say get a 600. If you buy a 500 or something smaller you will only end up trading it in the next year. The new 600's are very light and easy to toss around. I believe they are lighter than the 500's but I could be wrong there.

Take the motorcycle safety class and if you do decide to buy a 600 respect it! If you go out and try to go fast and ride beyond your means it WILL OWN you!



Rasky

I disagree, you may have came out fine. But starting out you WILL make mistakes, the difference with that mistake on the noob-friendly bike and the super sport is a pucker moment or serious injury.

[timbakersr]

suzuki SV650 google it! The best bang for the buck by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.