first motorcycle, help me pick one Options

[Hanyo]

I know, i know; the very commonly asked "first bike question" but i need help finding a first bike.

I know about the 250/500 ninjas and the gs500f from Suzuki are all great beginners bikes. I'm really leaning towards a 2008+ 250 ninja because I like how short and light they feel.

But I have a few opinons from my other friends what to get. My friend tells me to get a older 600cc bike such as a 98 katana; My other friend is teling me to get a gs500f to start off with because i will get tired of the 250 real quickly.

My main use of this bike is to commute and I would eventually want to go on the highway with it.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a bike that is less then $3000 and is a good beginner bike (600cc)?

[blu94gt]

I would recommend a used 500 or 600 cc bike. You WILL get tired of a Ninja 250, especially commuting on the highway. Plus, as a beginning rider, you are almost 100% guaranteed that you will lay the bike down at some point, and an older bike will be much cheaper/easier to fix. The options are endless on places like Craigslist, I always see older bikes of all sorts for less than $3000.

My first bike was a 1988 Kawasak EX500, which is pretty much the Ninja without full fairings. Picked it up for $450, and while it wasn't perfect, it taught me how to work on it and was great to ride. The 500 was almost too light to commute on the highway, I didn't like riding it over 60 mph at all. My current bike is a 1980 Yamaha 650 Maxim, bought for $700 and it hasn't really needed much other than tires and a few little things, I commute almost 100 miles round trip every day and it is very comfortable, and can still somewhat keep in play with my buddies who have newer bikes.

I guess when it comes down to it, get something that's comfortable. But you will eventually want a bigger/faster bike. I'd say something like an older Katana, GSXR, or R6 would be a great starter bike from what you've said, and they are all affordable and easy to work on. With your price range you can get all kinds of different bikes.

[6GenCelicaST]

My first bike/current bike is a 1977 HD Sportster XLH 1000. And I must say I've had more fun on that then my buddies r1. Its very docile and easy to ride. There cheap bike that you can find on craigslist for around 1500-2000 dollars. So price wise they're not that bad. And if you get one, make sure you throw some drag pipes on it. Makes me smile every time I start it up

EDIT: On a side note you could even go with a 883 hugger Sportster.

This post has been edited by 6GenCelicaST: Oct 18, 2009 - 11:58 PM

[razor7]

You want to buy a really modded GSXR 750? Should be close to 140hp to the rear (up from 128).

Hahaha, nah, for your first bike go for a detuned 500 or 600, like the katana, F4i (banana seat), GS500, etc. They would be great for freeway riding, but still have a little kick.

-TC

This post has been edited by razor7: Oct 19, 2009 - 3:44 AM

[Rymaster]

just get a 90's 600 and you wont regret it. Most are under 3k, bought mine for 2k('93 gsx-r600)

most are very forgiving and a 250 will easily get old real quickly

[tomazws]

I have to agree with everyone here. You will HATE the 250 once you start going on the highway. I purchased a 1995 ZX6R 3 months ago as my first bike and I LOVE it. The bike is obviously older, slower, and more forgiving than my friend's 2008 GSX-R600.

I definitely recommend against buying a new bike (Not even a new 250), you WILL drop it. I kept telling myself how and why I would drop a bike, and one day when I was pushing it I sorta lost balance and the bike just tipped over. Thank god for sliders.

The GS500F's are nice naked bikes, the Ninja 500's are also nice bikes with only upper fairings. You can get a set of Targa lower fairings to make it more complete looking. I believe a member here just recently got a Ninja 500 with the upper and lower fairings.

[bccentaur3]

I wished I would have gone with a gsxr, but since my first bike was a 95 zx6e I decided to stay with kawi. My current bike is a 06 zx6rr, but if I plan on upgrading I'd stay kawi still, but don't know about getting a liter bike. The 600 still surprises me once in a while.

Go with a 600.

[tomazws]

What made you decide to stay with Kawi instead of switching over to Gixxers?

[razor7]

What made you decide to stay with Kawi instead of switching over to Gixxers?

GSXRs are overplayed in my area, hence why I'm switching to a 1000RR. Still pretty common, but not nearly as much as the K5+ GSXR 600s...

-TC

[speedz]

busa or zx14 should work just fine

[bccentaur3]

What made you decide to stay with Kawi instead of switching over to Gixxers?

I'm a little over 5'8 and weigh about 185 athletic build and can flat foot a 08 gsxr750.

On my kawi I still have to be on my tippy toes, well sort of on the balls of my feet. But the way the bike feels, I just like. I know it doesn't come with all the jazz like on the gsxrs for example, they come factory with a stabilizer bar. Kawis get a lot of head shake and pretty scarey some times. I believe the r6's come with gear shift indicators, but the kawis didn't have them until 07 and up I believe.

Besides if you pick up a 05 kawi 636 with the jumper mod you can kill many 600's.

[Hanyo]

Thinking about a 1996 zx6r for around $1800 with 30k miles...


what do you guys think?

[tomazws]

What made you decide to stay with Kawi instead of switching over to Gixxers?

I'm a little over 5'8 and weigh about 185 athletic build and can flat foot a 08 gsxr750.

On my kawi I still have to be on my tippy toes, well sort of on the balls of my feet. But the way the bike feels, I just like. I know it doesn't come with all the jazz like on the gsxrs for example, they come factory with a stabilizer bar. Kawis get a lot of head shake and pretty scarey some times. I believe the r6's come with gear shift indicators, but the kawis didn't have them until 07 and up I believe.

Besides if you pick up a 05 kawi 636 with the jumper mod you can kill many 600's.

That is one reason why I might want to cross over and switch to the Gixxers. I'm 5'6 and have to tip toes on boots on the 95' ZX6R LOL. I researched online and found out the Kawi 600's generally seats higher than other 600's.

Thinking about a 1996 zx6r for around $1800 with 30k miles...


what do you guys think?

It doesn't sound bad, got some pics of it?

[Hanyo]

That is one reason why I might want to cross over and switch to the Gixxers. I'm 5'6 and have to tip toes on boots on the 95' ZX6R LOL. I researched online and found out the Kawi 600's generally seats higher than other 600's.

That is good to know. I'm the same height as you and thinking about getting the same bike also.

I'll look into gxrs then.

[bccentaur3]

WOW!!! my knees are bent on a (zx6e) 93-01 zx6 I believe. On a cbr It feels almost the same as the kawi, but then again its your preference. I'm not a big fan of the single headlight. My buddy has a triumph daytona 675. Thats one bike I would love to own.

the zx6e just doesn't have a sports bike feel. I had one and my other body currently has one too. It feels like a sportster to me. You should look into getting a super sport.

Now if your price limit is 2000 you won't get much, but if you upped it another 1500 you can get something around 2003 and maybe newer.

[Hanyo]

Bump for an update for who ever cares to read about this stuff.


So i've decided to either get a 2008 250 ninja for less then $3k or a 2006 ex650r for less then $3.8k. You can easily find those bikes for those prices on craigslist any time. Right now I'm just stock craigslist looking for the best deal.

I'm gonna wait till after Novemeber when people stop riding there bikes and are in a need for cash after christmas shopping.

We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

But I'm still open to new ideas on detune sport bikes that wont kill me on the road or desolate my wallet from insurance cost.

[bccentaur3]

Nows the best time to buy. I live in MN and I bought mine around this time of the year. The thing is people don't want to keep paying for the bike they financed for over the winter when they can't enjoy it.


Stay away from a 250. You'll ride it for a month and get sick of it. now for the ninja 650 it just doesn't do it. Theres nothing super sport about it. The handle bars are mounted high. You'll want clip-ons.

get a ninja 600 and call it a day. If I could go back I would have picked up a ninja 636. More torque.

[tomazws]

I donno about you, but after about 30 minutes stuck in that push-up position on the highway, my back FU*KING HURTS..... I had to sit up straight with one hand on the fuel tank and my right hand still on the throttle... back problems killing me on these sport bikes! xD

Maybe he's better off with a sport touring..... just a thought.

[bccentaur3]

Yeah my back started hurting towards the end of the summer, but you go through with it because you love to ride. Besides I want to start doing track days with my bike, and how lame would I look on a sport touring?

[Hanyo]

Nows the best time to buy. I live in MN and I bought mine around this time of the year. The thing is people don't want to keep paying for the bike they financed for over the winter when they can't enjoy it.


Stay away from a 250. You'll ride it for a month and get sick of it. now for the ninja 650 it just doesn't do it. Theres nothing super sport about it. The handle bars are mounted high. You'll want clip-ons.

get a ninja 600 and call it a day. If I could go back I would have picked up a ninja 636. More torque.

I totally see your point of view. I always kick myself for not getting a bike sooner when i can get a R1 for the same price as a boring 250 or a sport touring 650. But the point is i want a learner bike that is fun also.

I donno about you, but after about 30 minutes stuck in that push-up position on the highway, my back FU*KING HURTS..... I had to sit up straight with one hand on the fuel tank and my right hand still on the throttle... back problems killing me on these sport bikes! xD

Maybe he's better off with a sport touring..... just a thought.

You got my drift. I'm looking for detuned sport bikes. After looking around, Old 600 and sport touring are the bikes to learn on. Big enough to know what power is, but not raiser sharp enough to cut off your head.

Yeah my back started hurting towards the end of the summer, but you go through with it because you love to ride. Besides I want to start doing track days with my bike, and how lame would I look on a sport touring?

Haven't you seen people go on the race tracks with 250 ninjas and tear up the 600rr in the turns? Its what ever you make it. When racing in the track days; The winner is never the guy who has the fast time; but the guy who had the most fun.

[bccentaur3]

O yeah of course. I wanted to buy my girl friend an 08 250 ninja because it looks sporty but super nimble. If you plan on doing a lot of track days pick up a 250. They are sooo nimble its a blast. But straight aways just doesnt do it.

[Hanyo]

So I finally got my bike.

Its as 2003 636 ninja. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. I would like to thank everyone for there help and info.






Here are my observations and experience with motorcycles so far.

1)First thing you would ever notice on a bike is its extremely fast. Like mind blowing fast. Think of the fastest car you have ever rode in x 10 because you have to hold onto dear life. The only sensation i can relate to is you have a evil monkey on your back trying to rip you off your bike when you have the throttle pinned open.

2) its more expensive then you realize it. After buying gear and insurance and tax i was way over budget.

3) Sports bike hurt so much to ride. Your always in a crunched-up position, your right hand is always holding the same posture to maintain your speed. After an hour long ride you will be hurting. If you dont have tank grips expect the gas tank to hit you in the jewels.

4) motorcycle protection gear sucks, its gets so hot and sweaty. I would love to ride a motorcycle in just t-shirt and shorts but safety comes first.

5) passing the motorcycle test on a sports bike is not humanly possible.

6) It cost a whole lot more to maintain a sports bike then a car. Tires last only 2ooo miles and your fuel economy is not that great. (I only get 5 mpg better then the celica.) Parts cost a lot to replace because you most likely will need to buy them at the dealership. Motorcycle oil changes can cost around 50 dollars just in parts alone.

7) You will notice how bad everyone else drives and you have to be prepared for some asshole to swerve in front of you.

8) you will want more speed and regret not getting a 1000cc bike. maybe hayabusa muahaha

9) your home page will be reset to the weather channel, so you can decide if your can ride today.

10) did i mention bikes are ****en fast?

[whatthe]

1)First thing you would ever notice on a bike is its extremely fast. Like mind blowing fast. Think of the fastest car you have ever rode in x 10 because you have to hold onto dear life. The only sensation i can relate to is you have a evil monkey on your back trying to rip you off your bike when you have the throttle pinned open.

4) motorcycle protection gear sucks, its gets so hot and sweaty. I would love to ride a motorcycle in just t-shirt and shorts but safety comes first.

7) You will notice how bad everyone else drives and you have to be prepared for some asshole to swerve in front of you.

9) your home page will be reset to the weather channel, so you can decide if your can ride today.

10) did i mention bikes are ****en fast?

I get from my motorbike friend all the time haha

[97celiman]

haha that made me lol. my buddy learned to ride on a shoddy bike and then went and bought a gsxr 1000. needless to say he is spoiled as far as riding goes. everything else is just slow. still...i envy him.

[bccentaur3]

nice find. 636 is BOSS. I have the zx6rr, so the 599cc bike. I just spent a **** load on track gear this winter. 1100 on a teknic suit 200 on alpinestar boots. Another helmet to add to the collection and All thats left are some gauntlets for the track.

[tomazws]

How much? That's a nice clean bike. Bubble shield, seat cowl, rear fender eliminator, side LED blinkers, frame sliders, sparkling clean body.

Do oil change yourself, Autozone/Kragen/Pepboys ALWAYS carry 4-stroke motorcycle oil and the big stores will have filter too. It's the same thing with a car. It's more important for these bikes to have oil and coolant filled, these high RPMs will burn your motor FAST if it's dry in there.

Enjoy and be safe. I hope you took the MSF course, because you could skip that impossible riding test at DMV and get a discount on insurance.

Lastly, enjoy and ride safe. Every car on the road is your enemy.

[bccentaur3]

True that.. The Test at the DMV IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!

[Hanyo]

nice find. 636 is BOSS. I have the zx6rr, so the 599cc bike. I just spent a **** load on track gear this winter. 1100 on a teknic suit 200 on alpinestar boots. Another helmet to add to the collection and All thats left are some gauntlets for the track.

You got any suggestions for what are good track boots? I want the most amount of protections (Anti-torsion, anti-crush) for the lowest price. Thinking along the lines of something between $100 to $180 and are strictly motorcycle boots, wont be wearing them to walk around in.

boots

[bccentaur3]

those are nice, wished I would have gone with them. But the Alpinestars are pretty comfy. If you need a suit, get a one piece. Mine fits me flawlessly and to be honest I feel like a motogp rider. lol!! The gauntlets are going to be pricey though. I need a pair.

[Hanyo]

what gauntlets do you plan on getting? I'm in the same boat as you, trying to get all my track gear.

[bccentaur3]

I saw some nice tecnik ones. To be honest anything under $120. I want to be able to drag my knee this year.

[Hanyo]

are you going to take some track classes to improve your riding? I'm debating whether or not I am ready for that. I want to put some more miles under my belt before going to racing school.

Why dont you post some pictures of your RR? i would love to see it.

[blu94gt]

3) Sports bike hurt so much to ride. Your always in a crunched-up position, your right hand is always holding the same posture to maintain your speed. After an hour long ride you will be hurting. If you dont have tank grips expect the gas tank to hit you in the jewels.

4) motorcycle protection gear sucks, its gets so hot and sweaty. I would love to ride a motorcycle in just t-shirt and shorts but safety comes first.

7) You will notice how bad everyone else drives and you have to be prepared for some asshole to swerve in front of you.

9) your home page will be reset to the weather channel, so you can decide if your can ride today.

Sport bikes definitely are uncomfortable. I'm so glad I went for a bit more of a cruiser style this time around, all my friends who are on crotch rockets are faster but when we go on a 100 mile ride to the lake they're hurtin by the time we get there (while I'm comfy cushy lol)

For gear, did you get solid leathers? You should look for a mesh jacket and pants with a removable liner, will let a lot of air flow and keep you cool.

You definitely will notice how bad other drivers are, and how many people flat out don't pay attention before changing lanes or making turns. Don't go too crazy on that rocket though. I about took out a guy on a Honda the other day in my car, he came flying down the middle lane of the interstate doing at least 120 in the middle of rush hour, I was trying to merge into the middle lane and he was about a foot away from getting killed (and I'm VERY AWARE of bikes around me).

And yes...weather channel is constantly updating on my phone lol

*EDIT* forgot to say congrats on the purchase, that's a nice looking bike! Have fun!

This post has been edited by blu94gt: Apr 24, 2010 - 11:10 AM

[bccentaur3]

are you going to take some track classes to improve your riding? I'm debating whether or not I am ready for that. I want to put some more miles under my belt before going to racing school.

Why dont you post some pictures of your RR? i would love to see it.

I plan on taking the CRA classes here. But will do some track days for sure. I'll post pics tonight when my girl friend gets home.

[bccentaur3]

too many battle wounds on the bike.

[Hanyo]

i'm jealous. you have the newer 636. I think its one of the sexiest motorcycles of all time.

[bccentaur3]

sorry not the 636. its the RR so only 600

[Hanyo]

I feel like ****. I just sold my bike to a squid..

http://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/2203058166.html

[bccentaur3]

Damn I wonder how much I could get for my bike.

[Hanyo]

Damn I wonder how much I could get for my bike.

Your bike would be hard to sell because a lot of people don't know what so special about the RR is. So you wont get the value you want.

My bike had a lot of *bling* added to it so it sold fast. Less then 5 days and it was gone. I also priced it cheap.

Still super depressed about my loss, Maybe a triumph 675 would be the right medicine.

[Smaay]

I dont care if you are Nicky Hayden, there is no way a ninja 250 is gonna take me in the turns on my old ZX6-R. I lived in Monterey for 4 years and have probably 1000 miles logged on Laguna Seca. It just aint happening.

[hath80]

With your price range you can get all kinds of different bikes.