600 for first bike (A little different)

[brianbat420]

I have read through the stickeys and still have a question for those internet god's out there.

1. I am looking at getting a bike because they have always appealed to me and with gas prices I am going to use it on my 20+ mile commute to work every day. Also I am in Alamogordo New Mexico (NM) and civilization is at least and hour and a half a way. So needless to say I am going to get a bike that performs very well (efficient) on the highway. I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems like a smaller bike is not very good on the highway. So that is one reason I am leaning towards a 600.

Also
From the sticky:
I'm a REAL big guy so I need a big bike.
Real question here is height, not weight. Unless you're in excess of 300lbs, its not that big of a deal when starting out. Now if you're over 6'2", comfort could be an issue. But there are cruiser bikes that you could learn on that would fit you better until you're ready to move up to the SS. There are always alternatives.

2. Well I am 6'2 and a little bit lanky and was wondering about going with a smaller bike and it not being big enough. And since this came out of the "Want a 600 " thread I thought it would be best to ask for opinions.

3. Also where I live there is a large mountain range near my house and a community that I like to go to on that mountain. It is a 10 mile road (I think) and it gains 4000+ feet of elevation. So it is a very steep grade the whole way. I want to make sure I have the power to make it up the hill, and not a million miles an hour.

Conclusion.
With the three examples above I am pretty much set on a 600 and wanted to come on here for advice. I would like to know of a 600 that is not a crazy speed machine. I am going to take it very slow with the bike (I know you have heard that before) because I do not want to die and I am old enough where I am not going to be influenced by the speed demon mentality. I enjoy speed but I am not trying to get a ticket.

[jimphunpants]

You trolling?


If not, here's my take on it.

1. While you may pay less at the pump, a sportbike isn't a cheap thing to own. Maintenance, tires, etc. gets expensive fast.

2. My dad is 6'3" (and 220lbs) and he fits my GS500 just fine. In fact, we're going for a ride together tomorrow.

3. LOL... a scooter has enough power to get you up a hill.

In the end, it's your decision. I don't think you're going to get a lot of support in your decision here though. Not because people wanna see your tall ass on a small bike either, there's tons of people who've "been there, done that". In fact, there was a guy on here who purchased a 600SS/RR not too long ago and he even admitted to being in over his head with the bike.

(P.S. A ticket should be the least of your worries)

[brianbat420]

No not a troll just REALLY dont know anything about bikes. I was trying to look at used bikes to find an aprox price but I cant really even do that because I dont know what model to look at!

I just want something that is decient, is easy to ride, and looks sexy. Is that too much to ask :-)

PS I know a ticket is the last of my worries but I am not going to ride bad enought to die because I know I will. Hell right now I dont even drive 5+ over the speed limit

[RayOSV]

MSF first, then gear, then look at the Ninja 500r or Suzuki GS500.

[soccerpimp09]

guys bigger than you ride 500s and 250s.. they will probably chime in on this too - but really none of your arguements are valid.. except that a 250 might not have the umph for the freeway... a 500 or 650 twin would be more than enough for all above situations - without the crazy powerband of an I4 600 -

and if you are really stubborn and dont care to be on a "small" 500 - (although i doubt the size is any different, let alone more comfy.. than any 500) - an old 600 is safer than a newer one... only because they get faster over time... a early 90s 600 isnt a slouch - but it is a little less responsive than a newer one...

[brianbat420]

I am going to take the MSF BRC as soon as I get back from Iraq. I have some money from being over here and want to get a bike. I was looking at those two bikes as well but to show you how much of a n00b I am I thought "It is only 100cc's of difference how much different can it be?"

I like the bikes Ray suggested. Perhaps someone that surfs the newbie forum can make a list of beginer smaller 250 and beginer 500 bigger bikes.

[rocketrotary]

The only 250 is the Nina 250R. As far as 500s, there is the Ninja 500R and the Zook GS500F (if I'm not mistaken, I don't know too much about zooks).

As far as what to start with, ultimately it doesn't matter. You can ride any bike as long as you have the common sense to keep your wrist out of the throttle. That being said, the temptation is definately proportional to the engine size. I'm fairly new to sport bikes. I have a ZZR600. It's a good comfortable bike (I'm about 6'1") and has enough power to keep me entertained. Should I decide to take it to a track day, the bike is more than capable. However, my first sport bike was a Honda VTR250 Interceptor. It's easier to start out small. The most important thing is getting good riding gear and taking an MSF course. Hope this helps.

[denizined]

Originally Posted by rocketrotary

The only 250 is the Nina 250R. As far as 500s, there is the Ninja 500R and the Zook GS500F (if I'm not mistaken, I don't know too much about zooks).

As far as what to start with, ultimately it doesn't matter. You can ride any bike as long as you have the common sense to keep your wrist out of the throttle. That being said, the temptation is definately proportional to the engine size. I'm fairly new to sport bikes. I have a ZZR600. It's a good comfortable bike (I'm about 6'1") and has enough power to keep me entertained. Should I decide to take it to a track day, the bike is more than capable. However, my first sport bike was a Honda VTR250 Interceptor. It's easier to start out small. The most important thing is getting good riding gear and taking an MSF course. Hope this helps.

Excuse me? The only 250 is the Nina (sic) 250?? First of all, how can it be the only 250 when you yourself in the same bloody post state "my first sport bike was a honda vtr250 interceptor." Second, there are plenty of 250 bikes out there (especially if you also include gray imports) but heres one thats enjoyed by a fair number of forum members here:
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/img/...p/i_GT250R.jpg

Going through the OP's other points: The hyosung doesnt have any of the big person/small bie issues as its the same size as the 600/1000s and on the highway it can comfortably do 90mph (I've taken it up to 109mph indicated).
And last point, every weekend I ride the bike from an altitude of 0 feet to 6500 feet and in 2nd and 3rd gear it can pull like theres no tomorrow so that is not an issue unless you want to delude yourself because you just *have* to get a 600. I'm not saying the gt250r is *the* bike to get, I'm saying your only option is not the 600 as brianbat seems to think.

[Gaolee]

First of all, a 600 isn't a "big" bike. They have evolved into very small bikes, actually. A big person would have to fold well to fit on either of my bikes, both supersports.

Take a look at a standard if you are concerned about having enough room on the bike. An SV650 or Ninja 650 will have more room than any 600 made today, and it will be less twitchy. Another option is to look for an older Japanese standard. They don't have whopping top end by comparison to a modern 600, but they are plenty roomy and plenty torquey for anything any sane person would do on the street. They handle decently well if maintained, and they are not likely to highside you into oblivion if you make a mistake.

Another option for a tall, lanky person is a bike like a KLR or DR 650. They are tall enduros, and a 650 thumper has plenty of torque to get you around. As a bonus, you don't have to stop when you run out of pavement. It is a completely different style of bike, but it is a much better choice than a 600 supersport.

Back to basics- a modern 600 is a tiny bike. If anything, a 500 or even a 250 may seem as big or bigger. And, a 500 will likely have as much torque as a 600 available at most road and engine speeds you are likely to have under normal conditions.

[rocketrotary]

Originally Posted by denizined

Excuse me? The only 250 is the Nina (sic) 250?? First of all, how can it be the only 250 when you yourself in the same bloody post state "my first sport bike was a honda vtr250 interceptor." Second, there are plenty of 250 bikes out there (especially if you also include gray imports) but heres one thats enjoyed by a fair number of forum members here:
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/img/...p/i_GT250R.jpg

Going through the OP's other points: The hyosung doesnt have any of the big person/small bie issues as its the same size as the 600/1000s and on the highway it can comfortably do 90mph (I've taken it up to 109mph indicated).
And last point, every weekend I ride the bike from an altitude of 0 feet to 6500 feet and in 2nd and 3rd gear it can pull like theres no tomorrow so that is not an issue unless you want to delude yourself because you just *have* to get a 600. I'm not saying the gt250r is *the* bike to get, I'm saying your only option is not the 600 as brianbat seems to think.

They stopped making the VTR250 in, I believe, 1991, and they are pretty damned hard to come by. So if you can find a decent one (and thats a pretty big IF) then there is another option. Yes, I forgot about the Hyosung... so shoot me!

[XB12R]

Don't take this the wrong way, but saying you are going to buy a bike to "save" money on gas is just silly. It will take you more miles than a board this size rides in a year to actually save money on a motorcycle purchase through gas savings. Think about it this way:

Gas at $3.50 per gallon

Average car:

low estimate 20 miles per gallon

Average bike:

estimated 35 miles per gallon for a 600 SS/45 for a 500/55 for a 250

If you take 10,000 miles it costs $1,750 in gas for the car, $1,000 in gas for the 600 SS, $777.77 for a 500, and $636.36 for a 250.

So even if you ride the bike 10,000 miles in a year, which most people don't (just look at the mileage of used bikes on the market to see I'm right), you will only save a maximum of $1,100 a year riding a 250. Take that $1,100 and subtract out at least $600 for the tires it takes to ride the bike 10,000 miles, at least $600 for a year of insurance, then you have maintenance, the obligitory modification expenses and lets not forget the repair costs, from when you just like every other noob crashes the bike.

Be realistic about why you want to buy a bike and call a spade a spade. The expenses for tires and insurance alone completely negate any gas savings acheived and that doesn't even count all the other expenses.

If you want to buy a bike do it because you want to experience the sport and do it the right way by purchasing a reasonable bike designed for beginners.

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by brianbat420

1. I am looking at getting a bike because they have always appealed to me and with gas prices I am going to use it on my 20+ mile commute to work every day. Also I am in Alamogordo New Mexico (NM) and civilization is at least and hour and a half a way. So needless to say I am going to get a bike that performs very well (efficient) on the highway. I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems like a smaller bike is not very good on the highway. So that is one reason I am leaning towards a 600.


2. Well I am 6'2 and a little bit lanky and was wondering about going with a smaller bike and it not being big enough. And since this came out of the "Want a 600 " thread I thought it would be best to ask for opinions.

3. Also where I live there is a large mountain range near my house and a community that I like to go to on that mountain. It is a 10 mile road (I think) and it gains 4000+ feet of elevation. So it is a very steep grade the whole way. I want to make sure I have the power to make it up the hill, and not a million miles an hour.

Even at your weight a 500 or a 650 (either ninja or SV) would accelerate faster then 90% of cars AND have a bit more room, 600cc Super Sports are very small bikes and at 6'0" I get cramps in my legs from the high pegs.

I'm VERY familiar with the road you are talking about...that would be the one on the way to Cloudcroft, I go up there are ride the bluff every couple weeks. Any of the 500s would get you up there. In fact I saw a guy on the 500cc Suzuki riding two up with his GF and I was moving at a pretty decent clip and they stayed right with me all the way up to the village.

Most of your points are either invalid or just wrong. At MOST I would say go with either a SV650 or a Ninja 650, they aren't going to make as much power due to the elevations up here are are more then enough to get you up and down HWY 70 and across the basin when you want civilization.

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by XB12R

Don't take this the wrong way, but saying you are going to buy a bike to "save" money on gas is just silly. It will take you more miles than a board this size rides in a year to actually save money on a motorcycle purchase through gas savings. Think about it this way:

Gas at $3.50 per gallon

Average car:

low estimate 20 miles per gallon

Average bike:

estimated 35 miles per gallon for a 600 SS/45 for a 500/55 for a 250

If you take 10,000 miles it costs $1,750 in gas for the car, $1,000 in gas for the 600 SS, $777.77 for a 500, and $636.36 for a 250.

So even if you ride the bike 10,000 miles in a year, which most people don't (just look at the mileage of used bikes on the market to see I'm right), you will only save a maximum of $1,100 a year riding a 250. Take that $1,100 and subtract out at least $600 for the tires it takes to ride the bike 10,000 miles, at least $600 for a year of insurance, then you have maintenance, the obligitory modification expenses and lets not forget the repair costs, from when you just like every other noob crashes the bike.

Be realistic about why you want to buy a bike and call a spade a spade. The expenses for tires and insurance alone completely negate any gas savings acheived and that doesn't even count all the other expenses.

If you want to buy a bike do it because you want to experience the sport and do it the right way by purchasing a reasonable bike designed for beginners.

The riding season here is a solid 9 months, more some years. Not to mention EVERYTHING is very spread out. I routinely click off 20-25k a year. That is the reason my bike is pushing up to 80,000 miles...oh yeah that and I came here from Hawaii where I could ride all year if I was on the island.

The gas savings equal out a lot faster.

[Liver Shot]

I'm 6'2" and "lanky," being about 165 pounds or so, and I don't see how that should dissuade you from a 250 or 500. I'm not too big for them, so you won't be either.

We're not that tall, my friend, I hate to tell ya. If you were 6'6", then maybe you could pull out the "too tall" card.