Beginner Bike?

Quinn01 · 07-26-2005, 05:37 PM

Hey guys, im new here and i just wanted to ask a few questions. First off, i race quads, nothing to big, a yamaha blaster, 200cc, and i think im getting to old for it. My dad has a Yamaha Road Star Warrior 1700cc's. He has had bikes all his life. He has gotten me into it. So i get my drivers licence in a year. Ill get my motorcycle license also. I want to be able to ride with him. He doesnt go that fast, and hes not really a dumbass on it. Since i have had quads, i know how to do wheelies and endos. Ill be doing that on a bike too.

My question is, whats a good beginner bike? My dad doesnt want me to go above 600cc's since its my first bike. Give me some ideas guys, and yes money is an issue, id like to stick to the main brands such as yamaha, suzuki, or kawi and so on.

mikem317 · 07-26-2005, 05:44 PM

Hello and welcome!

The standard answer is going to be a small CC Kawi Ninja, e.g. EX500. They're cheap and great to trash on since they're not too expensive. Since it sounds like you'll be using it as a stunt bike you prob. want to be using as cheap of a bike as possible, esp. to get your feet wet on two-wheels. Might want to search the Stunt sub-forum for info on engine cages and such.

Quinn01 · 07-26-2005, 05:59 PM

well i dont really like ninjas,

i was thinking something along the lines of either a:

Suzuki GSX - R600
Yamaha R6
or
Honda CBR600rr

out of those 3 which would sound the best for me?

IMPerfection · 07-26-2005, 05:59 PM

If you can afford it, I'd say you're experienced enough to get a 600SS if you feel up to it, the ZX-636R by Kawi, and the CBR600RR by Honda are my favorites. The Suzuki SV650 is bit less aggressive, but an excellent machine, and a great deal as well. If you're really strapped for funds, a mid-90's Kawi Ninja 500R (EX500) can be found for under $2500 in good condition.

IMPerfection · 07-26-2005, 06:01 PM

Oh, you posted while I was posting. If you can afford a CBR600RR or a GSX-R600, I'd say go for it, they're both great bikes. The R1 is a 1000cc machine, so Dad wouldn't approve and it's not really a great choice anyways for a first bike even for someone experienced.

Quinn01 · 07-26-2005, 06:09 PM

yeah i went back and edited my post. I ment R6 sorry...

TemtnF8 · 07-26-2005, 06:36 PM

None of those are good beginner bikes. Do you have any experience in a motorcycle on the street at all? If not, stick with something that is far less likely to kill you. an ex250 or 500 ninja, a Buell Blast, a Yamaha Seca II, or suzuki's comparable 500cc 'entry level' sport bike (Can't remember the name).

I'm not saying don't get one of the bikes you listed because it's your money and you're going to do what you want anyways. Almost everyone on this board advocates starting on one of the above bikes because they are far more forgiving than a supersport. In general, starting on a supersport is a very bad idea, especially at your age. You've got your whole life ahead of you, don't make a poor choice now that will end it early or limit your potential down the road. Take it slow, learn how to ride well enough to handle a racing bike, then in 2 or 3 years re-evaluate your situation and get a 600rr or gixxer if you want.

Like I said, I'm not telling you don't do it, but don't come in here expecting validation for what most of us consider a very poor choice.

Fargin_Bastige · 07-26-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemtnF8

None of those are good beginner bikes. Do you have any experience in a motorcycle on the street at all? If not, stick with something that is far less likely to kill you. an ex250 or 500 ninja, a Buell Blast, a Yamaha Seca II, or suzuki's comparable 500cc 'entry level' sport bike (Can't remember the name).

I'm not saying don't get one of the bikes you listed because it's your money and you're going to do what you want anyways. Almost everyone on this board advocates starting on one of the above bikes because they are far more forgiving than a supersport. In general, starting on a supersport is a very bad idea, especially at your age. You've got your whole life ahead of you, don't make a poor choice now that will end it early or limit your potential down the road. Take it slow, learn how to ride well enough to handle a racing bike, then in 2 or 3 years re-evaluate your situation and get a 600rr or gixxer if you want.

Like I said, I'm not telling you don't do it, but don't come in here expecting validation for what most of us consider a very poor choice.

+1 and Suzuki GS500E

fireblaz · 07-26-2005, 06:40 PM

hey quinn i live in vernon if you are starting to look for a bike soon i found my wifes bike there at motorcycle madness

TemtnF8 · 07-26-2005, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fargin_Bastige

+1 and Suzuki GS500E

That's the one.

nik_z · 07-26-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireblaz

hey quinn i live in vernon if you are starting to look for a bike soon i found my wife at motorcycle madness

you found her there? cool. congrats. jk man.

hey quinn i'd say if you MUST get a 600, for newer bikes i'd say a slightly older SV650 or a newish (04+) Kawasaki ZZR600. as for the stuntin shtuff, you'll have more fun buying a late 90's to '00-01 honda F3, F4 or F4i. buy used, maybe with plastic damage also since you are gonna throw it around anyway. new 600RR's are underpowered and overweight. if you really wanna get ballsy and kill yourself, buy a 636. i take no future responsibility for that given he is a 16 year old.

hey racer x, you gotta 250 you wanna offer him?

fireblaz · 07-26-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik_z

you found her there? cool. congrats. jk man.

hey quinn i'd say if you MUST get a 600, for newer bikes i'd say a slightly older SV650 or a newish (04+) Kawasaki ZZR600. as for the stuntin shtuff, you'll have more fun buying a late 90's to '00-01 honda F3, F4 or F4i. buy used, maybe with plastic damage also since you are gonna throw it around anyway. new 600RR's are underpowered and overweight. if you really wanna get ballsy and kill yourself, buy a 636. i take no future responsibility for that given he is a 16 year old.

hey racer x, you gotta 250 you wanna offer him?

sorry no i found the bike there
it was a long day in the hot sun today
plus i would not stunt anyware in the county the cops are ticket happy so beware

IMPerfection · 07-26-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik_z

you found her there? cool. congrats. jk man.

hey quinn i'd say if you MUST get a 600, for newer bikes i'd say a slightly older SV650 or a newish (04+) Kawasaki ZZR600. as for the stuntin shtuff, you'll have more fun buying a late 90's to '00-01 honda F3, F4 or F4i. buy used, maybe with plastic damage also since you are gonna throw it around anyway. new 600RR's are underpowered and overweight. if you really wanna get ballsy and kill yourself, buy a 636. i take no future responsibility for that given he is a 16 year old.

hey racer x, you gotta 250 you wanna offer him?

The 2005 CBR600RR is by no means underpowered or overweight. It also wins comparison tests. Odd.

Racer X jokes stopped being funny long ago.

mikem317 · 07-26-2005, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMPerfection

The 2005 CBR600RR is by no means underpowered or overweight.

No kidding. I wouldn't call a machine that weighs 360 lbs. overweight. The F4i that he just recommended weights 10 lbs. more dry.

Those "underpowered" machines push something like 110 peak HP. Yeah, that's underpowered if you're talking about a Honda Civic, not a CBR RR.

NeWb · 07-26-2005, 11:33 PM

Maybe you should look into a Katana which im really thinkin about right now. Its a lot tamer out of the 600 CC class. Its a bit heavy but youll get used to it.