First Bike! 09 Hyo gt250r or 01 cbr 600

[mcmac]

Hey guys,

This is my first post on the site so would just like to introduce myself and try to get some opinions on my choices for a first bike. I have read a TON of threads over the past year or so about what is the best bike for a beginner. I budgeted myself about 5000 for both the bike and insurance for the first year (as I am still a 21 year old university student, living in Toronto). I originally had my heart set on a used 2009 hyosung gt250r or used sv650, but upon shopping around for insurance I realized that it would actually be cheaper for me to insure a 2001 cbr 600 than any 650 (my agent is new to motorcycle insurance so she thinks a 600 has less power than a 650 :p). So now my options are to spend 2400 per year to insure a 600, or 1300 per year to insure the 250. I have rode trail bikes since the age of 13 (honda crf230 mostly) so I was wondering if the 250 would be somewhat underpowered for highway and open road riding.

Thanks for the help everyone!

[uncalcetindelana]

No, you clearly have not read a ton of threads. Read the stickies, read the responses to thousands of posts exactly like this one.

Use google to search, it's easier:

Type "site:sportbikes.net" before your search words and it will look only at topics from this forum.

Please do this, your answer is right there.

To sum up:

Get a 250, it is NOT underpowered, it's an awesome bike that should teach you the skills you need to ride street (different to a respectable degree from dirt bikes).

People will recommend the Ninja or CBR 250; their quality is superior to the Hyosung's.

DO NOT get a 600 supersport bike.

[RocketPunch]

Originally Posted by mcmac

....but upon shopping around for insurance I realized that it would actually be cheaper for me to insure a 2001 cbr 600 than any 650 (my agent is new to motorcycle insurance so she thinks a 600 has less power than a 650 :p)...

FYI. What she "thinks" =/= facts.

Either she knows or she is speculating. She has a computer at work right? Tell her to use it.

[I-Jo]

Just because they run a quote or guess doesn't mean when it goes through the system that's what comes out. Which means you think you getting 250$/ year when your really going to get 150$/month.

Don't be a chump do more reading and get.quoted by people who have a fucking clue.

[mcmac]

does it matter if she has a clue or not? If she has put the bike into her system and given me that quote, I don't understand how it can change when my term begins...she is not an agent's assistant, she is her own agent. This is with state farm btw.

[L8 Braker]

Why not a Kawi 300 or a Honda 500? Under 5K and a great starter.

[mcmac]

[QUOTE=L8 Braker;4799021]Why not a Kawi 300 or a Honda 500? Under 5K and a great starter.[/QUOTE

I've looked at both, and they are definitely the ideal bike for me, but I can only afford about 5k including insurance.

[Jamie01]

Originally Posted by L8 Braker

Why not a Kawi 300 or a Honda 500? Under 5K and a great starter.

Maybe in a couple years when used ones start showing up for sale. I wouldn't buy a new bike as a first bike. Or a second, third or fourth. But definitely buy used for the first one.

[arcticamt6]

Neither. Buy a used old style (Pre-'08) Ninja 250. Best beginner bike on the market for the money. Spend the rest on good gear and GOOD insurance. Not just minimum stuff. You want $300k/$500k/$300k minimum liability.

[bluspyder]

Don't get the 600ss....Not because it's cheaper then the 250.....but because it's easier to enjoy motorcycling when your not layed up in the hospital.
The 600ss is to much for most new riders to handle. The 250 will get you a good foundation to build your motorcycling passion on rather then having the piss scarred outa you or injuring your self to the point where you never ride again.

[Shamrock627]

Originally Posted by mcmac

does it matter if she has a clue or not? If she has put the bike into her system and given me that quote, I don't understand how it can change when my term begins...she is not an agent's assistant, she is her own agent. This is with state farm btw.

Yes, it matters.

When I had an accident in 2010, I asked him how much it would go up, because of my accident. I got an answer: Maybe $6-10 because it's your first.

Get my semi annual report. It went up $48 a MONTH! State Farm

[uncalcetindelana]

Why has this topic diverted to insurance costs? Does it matter???

If the cost of insurance WAS the one he got that quote on, would you advice him to buy the 600?

[max384]

Originally Posted by mcmac

Hey guys,

This is my first post on the site so would just like to introduce myself and try to get some opinions on my choices for a first bike. I have read a TON of threads over the past year or so about what is the best bike for a beginner. I budgeted myself about 5000 for both the bike and insurance for the first year (as I am still a 21 year old university student, living in Toronto). I originally had my heart set on a used 2009 hyosung gt250r or used sv650, but upon shopping around for insurance I realized that it would actually be cheaper for me to insure a 2001 cbr 600 than any 650 (my agent is new to motorcycle insurance so she thinks a 600 has less power than a 650 :p). So now my options are to spend 2400 per year to insure a 600, or 1300 per year to insure the 250. I have rode trail bikes since the age of 13 (honda crf230 mostly) so I was wondering if the 250 would be somewhat underpowered for highway and open road riding.

Thanks for the help everyone!

The 250 is obviously a better choice for a starter bike than the 600... But why the Hyosung? Look for a Kawasaki Ninja 250 or Honda CBR 250.

I can only remember one time when someone here told us they loved their Hyosung and it was a great bike... Then a few months later he posted a thread about the engine 'blowing up' on a road trip leaving him stranded hundreds of miles from home. I've never personally even seen a Hyosung, but from all the reviews and personal experiences I've read online, I wouldn't even consider spending my money on one.

[Menotomy]

Originally Posted by mcmac

I've looked at both, and they are definitely the ideal bike for me, but I can only afford about 5k including insurance.

What about gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, pants - yes... you need all of those)?

I'm not an expert on the insurance process but your application goes through underwriters who I suspect won't make the same mistake. You may get a surprise when you see your actual rate.

[mcmac]

Originally Posted by max384

The 250 is obviously a better choice for a starter bike than the 600... But why the Hyosung? Look for a Kawasaki Ninja 250 or Honda CBR 250.

I can only remember one time when someone here told us they loved their Hyosung and it was a great bike... Then a few months later he posted a thread about the engine 'blowing up' on a road trip leaving him stranded hundreds of miles from home. I've never personally even seen a Hyosung, but from all the reviews and personal experiences I've read online, I wouldn't even consider spending my money on one.

I've heard mixed reviews (maintenance wise)about it...main reason for the choice is a friend of mine just picked one up as his first last year and said it has cost him next to nothing to maintain. I was originally looking at the Hyosung mostly because it was the best looking 250 on the market (imo) and because it would help me get used to a "big bike", being the biggest in its class. Also figured all 250's had around the same amount of power so didn't really care if it was a bit slower