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New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
Hey you guys. My birthday was on April 13 and my parents decided to take me to a motorcycle dealer. So my parents and I went to Malcolm Smith Motorsports today. We spent almost an hour there just looking around. I looked at all of the bikes in the store and gear. My parents asked me a lot of questions about motorcycles and they were surprised that I knew all the answers. But I spent most of the time just sitting on the
2007 Suzuki GSX-R600
But I have one question. Is the Suzuki GS500F and the Kawasaki EX500 also good beginner bikes like the Kawasaki EX250? When I got on the GS, it was somewhat smaller than the Gixxer but its also bigger than a 250. I'm guessing the 500 is also a good beginner bike, just a little more powerful and bigger and has better looks than a 250???
My parents did seem kind of different when we went home. Maybe they will consider letting me get a motorcycle? Who knows. I hope they will.
Last edited by MotorcycleFreak413 : 06-20-2008 at 01:08 PM.
Yes a 500 is a decent beginner bike. I would also recommend some street time in a car before tackling the streets on a bike, but thats my opinion so at a min. take an MSF course.
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Just to start the replies, don't get the 600 to start
Yes the two 500s you mentioned are both good starter bikes. You will find some folks keep the 500 (meaning the ninja 500r) as it has many benefits other than being good to start on.
Just to start the replies, don't get the 600 to start
I know not to start on a 600. It's just my favorite bike though. But I've done enough research to know that starting on a beginner bike is the the smartest path to take. And I will take the MSF course when I turn 15 1/2 and I do have driving experience. I'm always paying attention when my dad or mom or brother is driving as if I am driving. Uh...just read the post in my signature.
Last edited by MotorcycleFreak413 : 06-20-2008 at 01:10 PM.
I do have driving experience. I'm always paying attention when my dad or mom or brother is driving as if I am driving. Uh...just read the post in my signature.
That's not the same as you being in the driver seat, it's a whole different ball game when your behind the driver seat. It's easy to say your a good driver from the passenger seat but it's very different when your behind the wheel and everything you do can kill or injure someone. Get a year or so in a car first before getting a bike. Better to have your first accident in a cage than in a bike.
That's not the same as you being in the driver seat, it's a whole different ball game when your behind the driver seat. It's easy to say your a good driver from the passenger seat but it's very different when your behind the wheel and everything you do can kill or injure someone. Get a year or so in a car first before getting a bike. Better to have your first accident in a cage than in a bike.
Not again. (Just Kidding ) Here, read my reply from my older post (I practice driving all the time with my dad and I have NEVER had an accident or a close call so I think the parking lot thing was a good idea so yeah...you don't know what I'm talking about so just read the post! :
Not again. (Just Kidding ) Here, read my reply from my older post (I practice driving all the time with my dad and I have NEVER had an accident or a close call so I think the parking lot thing was a good idea so yeah...you don't know what I'm talking about so just read the post! :
I still say get a car first before you get a bike. Learn how to drive on the street, save some money and buy the bike on your own. Your insurance will be a lot of cheaper and you will have some skills in judging what OTHERS are going to do in their car. My opinion though, you can't ride a bike all the time.
Find someone with a dirtbike. Go beat around in some mud/snow and learn extremely good balance. Then force yourself to learn how to use appropriate front brake pressure. The, learn how to use the rear brake without sliding. Naturally, learn how to use both in conjunction, and how NOT to put yourself into a slide.
Now, learn how to do slow tight turns on said miserable surface. Once you can do these things, I'm willing to bet you have a good feel for how to handle a bike in slick situations, and more importantly yourself.
Then, I'd go to a parking lot for a day with your road bike atleast and just get some throttle and braking experience, and just get comfy with the bikes weight, turning radius, throttle, and emergency braking.
Lastly, while doing this, train yourself NOT to fixate on any targets/items that are infront of you. This causes you not to pay attention to the mindless Wal-mart shopper who walks right out in front of you even though your headlights are on and your obviously in the right of way, because apparently at Wal-Mart everyone is a god.
And good luck, I've been riding since 12. I started on a 1976 Yamaha 125 Enduro, which weighed as much as the biggest dirtbikes do today
Ohh, and atleast get a beater car. Rainy days aren't fun to ride in.
Find someone with a dirtbike. Go beat around in some mud/snow and learn extremely good balance. Then force yourself to learn how to use appropriate front brake pressure. The, learn how to use the rear brake without sliding. Naturally, learn how to use both in conjunction, and how NOT to put yourself into a slide.
Now, learn how to do slow tight turns on said miserable surface. Once you can do these things, I'm willing to bet you have a good feel for how to handle a bike in slick situations, and more importantly yourself.
Then, I'd go to a parking lot for a day with your road bike atleast and just get some throttle and braking experience, and just get comfy with the bikes weight, turning radius, throttle, and emergency braking.
Lastly, while doing this, train yourself NOT to fixate on any targets/items that are infront of you. This causes you not to pay attention to the mindless Wal-mart shopper who walks right out in front of you even though your headlights are on and your obviously in the right of way, because apparently at Wal-Mart everyone is a god.
And good luck, I've been riding since 12. I started on a 1976 Yamaha 125 Enduro, which weighed as much as the biggest dirtbikes do today
Ohh, and atleast get a beater car. Rainy days aren't fun to ride in.
Yeah thanks. A good friend of mine has a 90cc atv and a 125cc dirtbike. I'm sure he would be glad to let me ride them but he's busy most of the time.
Last edited by MotorcycleFreak413 : 06-20-2008 at 01:00 PM.
Ok...im 17 and know how you feel...
my parents NEVER wanted me to have a motorcycle, a few of my dads friends have gotten seirously injured/killed
this year, im a senior and we have to do a senior project..i used this as an excuse to get a bike
after begging and begging, my dad loaned me the 1500 i needed to buy my 250 (yeah i paid him back)
after waiting a few weeks, i started begging and begging for them to at least let me get my permit and i wouldnt ride until i was 18
finally got my permit, begged and begged for them to let me get it insured..used the "my friends get bad grades/do drugs and i dont do any of that, and i cant even ride my motorcycle i worked for?"
my dad said if i wait until spring, take the msf, he will insure it for me and help me buy a newer bike later
its officially spring, my moms getting a money order tomorrow for the msf class..then i can start riding..
after ive waited for over half a year after getting a bike, my parents have went from "NO YOU CAN HAVE A MOTORCYCLE" to "YOUR TAKING THE MSF COURSE!"
even after i told her i didnt even want to anymore...
im just so busy lately with everything..school, college...i recently quit my job because it sucked..(mcdonalds)..and i dont see any use in getting another job since im moving in a few months..i have enough money saved up for until then
keep talking to your parents...what did it for me was mostly my mom...when my dad wasnt home she let me ride it up and down the street..showing her i knew how to ride it pretty much did it for me...
i dont know how your parents are..but try the whole "im getting bike when im 18 no matter what, and if you dont want me to practice on a smaller one now thats fine"
and about your choice of bikes..RIDE A 250! maybe a friends? just around a parking lot or something...you will NOT be dissapointed, and its still fun..
Many will spout that dirt riding is much different than road riding...and they are right. But I truly believe the level of balance and control you need to have on your bike on mud and snow translate directly to road conditions. Offroad forces you to keep your eyes wide open for big rocks, branches, holes, bumps, and other riders. On trails, your only looking out for natures surprises and the occassional rider (if they are around), and dirt/grass is generally more forgiving than asphalt and concrete. If you spill your bike offroad, you *usually* are not going terribly fast, so you gain experience with half the bruises.
Onroad, you have to look out for the most lethal aspect of riding there is; The soccermom flying up on your ass at a red light while she is putting makeup on and yelling at her kids in the backseat in the Toyota Sienna. here, you have a 5k lb. vehicle that can hit and severely injure or even kill you. Roads are not games. Backroads are more forgiving, but then you deal with the random wildlife playing chicken with your headlights. I try to stay away as much as possible from any road that has a stoplight. This seems to be a big place to get hit on a bike while waiting.
Just get experience on a bike offroad or in a parking lot first. When offroading, try to ride with a few others so you can start to learn when people tend to do stupid things, and gauge distance you should keep to be safe from a rear end situation. Good luck, and remember to ride like you have a giant target pasted to your back, and the cars get 500 extra kudos for hitting you...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MotorcycleFreak413
But I have one question. Is the Suzuki GS500F and the Kawasaki EX500 also good beginner bikes like the Kawasaki EX250? When I got on the GS, it was somewhat smaller than the Gixxer but its also bigger than a 250. I'm guessing the 500 is also a good beginner bike, just a little more powerful and bigger and has better looks than a 250???
I went through the same thing. I wanted a GSXR 600 so bad. I looked all over the place for a beginner bike that I likes. I finally sat on the GS and it felt the same. I bought the bike that same day. I can tell you that it was the best thing that I have ever done riding wise. It is a great bike to learn on. I highly suggest getting one if you are interested in the Gixxers.
I went through the same thing. I wanted a GSXR 600 so bad. I looked all over the place for a beginner bike that I likes. I finally sat on the GS and it felt the same. I bought the bike that same day. I can tell you that it was the best thing that I have ever done riding wise. It is a great bike to learn on. I highly suggest getting one if you are interested in the Gixxers.
Suzuki's are great bikes. They all are, but I'd say a GS500 might be perfect balance between looks, power, handling, and fuel economy for a first bike.
Went to motorcycle dealer today.
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