Where should i start?

DOAWHEELIE · 06-01-2008, 12:03 PM

Hello im 21 years old and i have been wanting to ride a street bike since i was 7 years old. i used to have dirtbikes, so i know how everying works, even tho im sure street is different than dirt. but i REALY want to take the MSF course for my own saftey. where should i start what should i do? buy a bike first? take course first? gear?? i know the first thing people will say to me is get a SV650, but i realy do think i could handle a gsxr600 or cbr600.

thank you.

Gaolee · 06-01-2008, 12:42 PM

OK, here we go again.

1. No, you probably can't handle a supersport right off. Every new rider thinks it's no big deal to just jump on a 600 and ride it, but every new rider is wrong. Every new rider has some special reason to ride a 600 first. Those special reasons are like nose hairs.

2. Start with the MSF class.

3. Then get gear so you are prepared.

4. Sit on a whole lot of bikes to find out what fits and what doesn't. Be completely honest with yourself. A supersport bike has an awkward riding position at first, especially if you are coming from dirt bikes. Ride an upright standard for a while before dropping into a crouch so you are not learning the road and how to deal with ergos all at the same time.

5. Read Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist. His example of your attention limits is very good. In short, he says to consider your ability to deal with things as $10 worth of capacity. If you are spending $5 dealing with ergos and the bike, you will only have $5 left to deal with the road and what's going on around you. Chance are you will need more than $5 worth of attention, so best to learn what you are doing in steps.

kdbolt70 · 06-01-2008, 12:48 PM

I agree 100% with Gaolee. I'm also 21, have wanted a CBR since I was little, and have been riding dirtbikes (competatively) since I was 5. I am very comfortable on a bike as I've been on one most of my life. I still decided to hold off on a supersport for at least a year and ride on something with a more comfortable riding position, and a bit more forgiving. My GS500F is the perfect bike for me to learn on. I realized I need to learn how to ride on the street, and learn how to ride on a crotch rocket. Learning those things at the same time is very strenuous, and will most likely result in a crash. My GS rides very similarly to my 4 stroke dirtbikes, and therefore I felt comfortable on it the day I bought it. I have much more confidence on the road knowing I am completely comfortable with the bike, and not having to focus on ergonomics and the different shifting patterns and turning techniques of a supersport. You'll be much happier when you do get a supersport down the road that you did start off on a smaller bike, as you'll be much more experienced with road riding, and that bike will last a lot longer ;)

Edit: but don't just take my word for it, read this: Want a 600? Read This!

Gaolee · 06-01-2008, 12:57 PM

Exactly. One more thing. You will be a whole lot more competent on a 600 in a year if you spent the year on a GS500 than if you spent the year wrestling with a 600. You are young and will learn fast, but there is still a learning curve.

DOAWHEELIE · 06-01-2008, 01:02 PM

yea, you guys are right, after all you are the riders. its just one of my friends, who happends to be a 20 year old girl just bought a cbr 600 f4i....
and all she did was ride quads, so im think if shes doing okay with it i can.
and realy if shes got a cbr 600, and im next to her on my not so super bike, its like,,, damn you know what i mean.

RayOSV · 06-01-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOAWHEELIE

yea, you guys are right, after all you are the riders. its just one of my friends, who happends to be a 20 year old girl just bought a cbr 600 f4i....
and all she did was ride quads, so im think if shes doing okay with it i can.
and realy if shes got a cbr 600, and im next to her on my not so super bike, its like,,, damn you know what i mean.

You can't have penis envy with a girl.

Doing all right and learning how to ride well are different things.

DOAWHEELIE · 06-01-2008, 01:15 PM

true, so what do you think i should aim for?

kdbolt70 · 06-01-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOAWHEELIE

true, so what do you think i should aim for?

There are tons of really great threads around here about starter bikes. The most common are:

Ninja 250 (the '08's look badass)
Ninja 500
SV650
GS500 (F or E)
Buell Blast

take a look around at some of the threads here, there's plenty of bikes great for learning on, some even look good too! Excellent thread here: *Looking for a beginner bike? Look no further...*

DOAWHEELIE · 06-01-2008, 01:29 PM

cool thanks

07zzr6004me · 06-01-2008, 01:30 PM

You don't want a 600 for a couple reasons:

1. They have funky seating positions which make them difficult to ride, especially for a beginner.

2. The power bands on the low end are twitchy at best. The low end isn't there on a small displacement inline 4. They rev up to 14.5k rpms and want you to use it. Being a beginner with inexperienced throttle control, this can get you in some pretty dangerous situations. My 600 for example in the morning until its at 180 deg or so is temperamental, and I have had it spit and sputter in the middle of a turn. Now had I just been starting out, I would have panicked and dumped it, but having thousands and thousands of miles under my belt, I know how to handle it.

3. Your friend with the f4i. She hasn't crashed and thinks she can handle it YET! I had an f4i as my last bike, and they are definitely not newb friendly. While their power band is not bad, their junky rear suspension and healthy power band make them apt toward standing on the rear wheel with little or no effort. This can be fun later down the road, but its hell for a beginner.

My advice:

Get a twin. They are awesome machines with more power than you are gonna want or need for 10k miles. The power is smooth and controlable without being dangerous. They handle rather well, hold their value, and look good. They are cheap on insurance! (~800 year for newb) I dunno what your situation is like, but on your own policy for full coverage (you're an idiot if you don't get full coverage) with a MC license and clean record from Geico.com or progressive.com, you'll pay $3000-$4000 a year for a GSXR600 or a 600rr.

I had an 01 SV650s and loved it. In fact I'd still be riding it had I been closer to out of college when I bought it. The 650r Ninja is another great bike for a beginner. Sit on them both, buy the most comfortable.

BlackstarPowers · 06-01-2008, 03:11 PM

Good reading here: First Bike, 600cc - Chicagoland Sportbikes

Ghost Rider · 06-01-2008, 03:20 PM

1. MSF

2. 500 cc bike

3. Helmet, gloves, boots, Leathers.

4. It is too easy to ride a 600cc and above bike, until something goes wrong. Riding a bigger sport bike gives you a totally distorted impression of speed and how in control you really are. Riding a 500 cc bike forces you to think more.

clutchdemon · 06-01-2008, 05:08 PM

I agree entirely with everything said above. In fact, I think I had this exact discussion privately with kdbolt numerous times. :-)

"and realy if shes got a cbr 600, and im next to her on my not so super bike, its like,,, damn you know what i mean."

One thing I'd like to add, simply because it's the first thing that comes to my mind regarding the image of you riding a non-so-sporty bike next to a girl whos riding a cbr...How nice will it feel when you can comfortably, controllably, and safely out ride the girl on the cbr on your XXX that probly gets 30% better gas milage? pretty good.

I'll keep an eye on this thread as it matures..I have a lot of opinions and I really like to help. Good luck in your searching//researching!

~Clutch

DOAWHEELIE · 06-01-2008, 06:02 PM

i cant tell you how much i would love to ignore you all and go get a gsxr600. lol
but after seeing so manny good reasons and real good advice, i think ill go to my local dealer and sit on some beginer bikes and try to have an open understanding mind set on the hole thing, i wanna look good, and be able to control my bike.

the sv650 dosnt look bad at all. i kinnda like it acctualy, how much could i score one of thouse for? and whats a good year?

and i dont think i have geico or progressive in Mass.

RayOSV · 06-01-2008, 06:25 PM

Any year sv650 is good. First generation ('99 - '02) had carbs. Not a bad thing, just a fact. Second generation ('03 and up) have fuel injection. There is an sv650 naked/standard and an sv650s which has a half fairing (second generation has optional lower fairing. The "s" model has clip-ons instead of handle bars and a much more aggressive riding position. They're great bikes that will keep you interested for years. They also make great track bikes and there are lots of them racing.

Check out:

svrider.com