Suggestions for a bike?

[StephenG]

Hmm where to start..

I'm 19(about 20), 6'1, weight - 185 (maybe that's a good start)

I'm work at a shipyard so been saving up for a first bike and got a pretty nice bit saved up plus income tax is coming, who's ready?????

Anyways... I intend to take the class $250 for 2 days to learn the basics and defensive driving techniques and what not.

I've searched some shops and I have tried to get on the 600 Ninja and it doesn't feel comfortable, so I tried to 636 and it was a bit better but still not that "comfortable" fit and feeling everyone goes for.

I got on the 750 GSXR and it was nice but I've always wanted a ninja... But if it comes to it I will settle I suppose if it's a wise idea that is.

So then I sat on the 1000cc Ninja and it felt great and fit me well, but... There's a reason I am posting in the "New Riders" section.

My dads been riding 20+ years and he will be teaching me along with me going to take the course before I get the bike.

I take it is unwise to go straight for the 1000 huh? Or is it possible to learn on that? My dad learned on a 1000 supersport so maybe there's hope maybe not, just looking for input and opinions on bikes.

Thanks

[maverick0716]

Read this thread:
Want a 600? Read This!

Seriously. Don't get a 1000 if you actually want to learn to ride properly. You need to learn the basics of handling and throttle control first. If you screw up in any way on a 1000 you will crash...hard. You have no idea what kind of power todays 1000 supersports have. The 1000 from 20 years ago that your dad learned on is nothing compared to even todays 600's.

I took an MSF course on a cbr 125r and it was awesome for learning the low speed basics. It was slow but it allowed me to learn everything properly. I then bought an '84 Suzuki 400 which was a very big step up in power (and weight). Even the 400 could pull a 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds which is pretty damn quick...faster than most cars out there. From there I got my 954rr which is ridiculously fast....too fast really. The thing is you have to really make sure you ride perfectly (or close to it) because they are very unforgiving....and that's something that only comes with experience.

[max384]

Originally Posted by StephenG

Hmm where to start..

I'm 19(about 20), 6'1, weight - 185 (maybe that's a good start)

I'm work at a shipyard so been saving up for a first bike and got a pretty nice bit saved up plus income tax is coming, who's ready?????

Anyways... I intend to take the class $250 for 2 days to learn the basics and defensive driving techniques and what not.

I've searched some shops and I have tried to get on the 600 Ninja and it doesn't feel comfortable, so I tried to 636 and it was a bit better but still not that "comfortable" fit and feeling everyone goes for.

I got on the 750 GSXR and it was nice but I've always wanted a ninja... But if it comes to it I will settle I suppose if it's a wise idea that is.

So then I sat on the 1000cc Ninja and it felt great and fit me well, but... There's a reason I am posting in the "New Riders" section.

My dads been riding 20+ years and he will be teaching me along with me going to take the course before I get the bike.

I take it is unwise to go straight for the 1000 huh? Or is it possible to learn on that? My dad learned on a 1000 supersport so maybe there's hope maybe not, just looking for input and opinions on bikes.

Thanks

It would be unwise to start on any of the bikes you've mentioned. A 250 or 500 will be your best bet. These are beginner bikes made for... beginners! These bikes are more forgiving of mistakes and give you the best chance for success. Starting on a smaller bike, while maybe not as cool as saying you're on a 600, will make you a better rider. Spend a year or two on a good used beginner bike and then buy the bike that you really want. If you buy used, the resale value on the beginner bikes is excellent. I bought my Ninja 250 for $2500. I sold it a year later after putting 15,000 miles on it for $2600.

Also, you're 19. Insurance will kill you on the bikes you're looking into at your age with no riding experience.

Look into the Ninja 250, 300, 500, CBR 250, GS500.

[S3aturnR]

Originally Posted by StephenG

Hmm where to start..

I'm 19(about 20), 6'1, weight - 185 (maybe that's a good start)

I'm work at a shipyard so been saving up for a first bike and got a pretty nice bit saved up plus income tax is coming, who's ready?????

Anyways... I intend to take the class $250 for 2 days to learn the basics and defensive driving techniques and what not.

I've searched some shops and I have tried to get on the 600 Ninja and it doesn't feel comfortable, so I tried to 636 and it was a bit better but still not that "comfortable" fit and feeling everyone goes for.

I got on the 750 GSXR and it was nice but I've always wanted a ninja... But if it comes to it I will settle I suppose if it's a wise idea that is.

So then I sat on the 1000cc Ninja and it felt great and fit me well, but... There's a reason I am posting in the "New Riders" section.

My dads been riding 20+ years and he will be teaching me along with me going to take the course before I get the bike.

I take it is unwise to go straight for the 1000 huh? Or is it possible to learn on that? My dad learned on a 1000 supersport so maybe there's hope maybe not, just looking for input and opinions on bikes.

Thanks

you're looking at all the wrong bikes. super sports are NOT newbie-friendly. stay away from them.

also, i wouldn't buy new as a first time rider. you'll shed less tears when you drop something that's already scratched.

ninja 250, 500 or suzuki sv650 are what you're looking for. if you're bent on buying new, the ninja 300 is a great bike.

again, stay away from a super sport as your first bike...


s3aturnr

[StephenG]

Thanks for the advice.
Only problem is that if I can't fit comfortably on a 600 without my knees being kicked back what are the chances of me sitting onto a smaller bike?

My dad had the same problem when he was my age too which is why he had to go for the 1000.

A buddy of mine is looking at the Ninja 300, and I got on that and I felt like a clown in a clown car. I have had this conversation many times and I am not the kind to be "I'm going big or going home" or "Check me I'm Mr.Bada$$ on a big bike" it's all just my body build and what I fit on.

A 1000 would be nice, but I figured down the road but when I actually went to the shops and sat and held up the Ninja 600's, the 636, and the GSX-R 750 (Not as cramped up at the others) I didn't quite make the match...

My bud is quite a bit shorter than me so his legs could squeeze well but mine looked like chicken wings sticking out....

[rgbeard]

Get the smaller/lighter bike and have an upholstery shop bolster the seat an inch or so. That helps more than you would think.

Sell the bike in a year to two and get your larger bike. You will be thankful you did.

I just went through this with my wife who started on a CB250 and now has an SV650. When I asked her about the steps/progression she said the 250 was perfect even though it wasn't cool.

You ARE going to make mistakes and the smaller bike buys you much more margin than a bigger one. This is the time when you have the best chance of making a fatal error.

Buy a used 250, 500 range bike and sell it when you're done.

[maverick0716]

I still don't see how the 1000 feels comfortable and the 600 feels very uncomfortable. The seat height and peg height are almost exactly the same. The only real difference is the 1000's a tad wider. I've sat on many 600's before and I'm 6'0 175 lbs.

If you need more leg room, I would strongly suggest a standard rather than a supersport. Supersports have you scrunched up...that's just the way they are, regardless off the engine size. If you were dead set on a 1000 and nothing we say will change your mind, try sitting on a Z1000, CB1000, etc....they are much more comfortable to ride (with a tamer powerband too). Bu don't get me wrong, I still strongly suggest getting a smaller bike to start!

['Red]

The way you're talking sounds like you're already determined on a 1000, so. Of course it's not impossible to get that as a beginner and not die as people have started in the deep end but. That's like a very small percentage of people with probably natural talent and insane luck. However on the whole, it's a really dumb ass idea to start on a 1000. You fuck up, that bike will shake you off like you're nothing.


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[drummer92]

Before you even sit on another 1000, check insurance rates. Then check for the Gsxr 750, 600, Sv650, and ninja 250

[S3aturnR]

Originally Posted by StephenG

Thanks for the advice.
Only problem is that if I can't fit comfortably on a 600 without my knees being kicked back what are the chances of me sitting onto a smaller bike?

My dad had the same problem when he was my age too which is why he had to go for the 1000.

A buddy of mine is looking at the Ninja 300, and I got on that and I felt like a clown in a clown car. I have had this conversation many times and I am not the kind to be "I'm going big or going home" or "Check me I'm Mr.Bada$$ on a big bike" it's all just my body build and what I fit on.

A 1000 would be nice, but I figured down the road but when I actually went to the shops and sat and held up the Ninja 600's, the 636, and the GSX-R 750 (Not as cramped up at the others) I didn't quite make the match...

My bud is quite a bit shorter than me so his legs could squeeze well but mine looked like chicken wings sticking out....

well, i'm taller, fatter and have much older knees than you. if you can't comfortably fit on a 250 ninja or sv650, then you really should start looking at cruisers. nobody rides a sport bike because they're comfortable. i currently own one of the most uncomfortable sport bikes ever conceived by man (unless you're on a racetrack, that is).

ideally, you need to LEARN on a smaller bike before you go for a super sport. don't cheat yourself by starting big...


s3aturnr

[maverick0716]

Originally Posted by drummer92

Before you even sit on another 1000, check insurance rates. Then check for the Gsxr 750, 600, Sv650, and ninja 250

+1
This is an extremely valid point! You may find the difference to be thousands. Your age and gender put you in the highest risk category to insurance companies. Is it really worth it to you to pay several times the amount in insurance while you're just putting around learning?

You will have a much more enjoyable time screaming around on a 250 or 500 than you would riding a liter bike at 3000 rpm trying desperately to keep it out of the ridiculously brutal powerband. Its fun being able to take a bike to its redline shifting up and down gears without necessarily braking every speed limit there is....if you take a 1000 supersport to redline, even in first gear, you will be doing over 70 mph! Get used to short shifting big time if you get a 1000.

[mpusch]

I'm sorry, but 6'1" 185 is not very big for these bikes. I'm 6'0 195 and my friend is 6'3 and about the same and we both fit fine on a 250. I currently have a Ninja 500 and it is plenty big.

[max384]

Originally Posted by StephenG

Thanks for the advice.
Only problem is that if I can't fit comfortably on a 600 without my knees being kicked back what are the chances of me sitting onto a smaller bike?

My dad had the same problem when he was my age too which is why he had to go for the 1000.

A buddy of mine is looking at the Ninja 300, and I got on that and I felt like a clown in a clown car. I have had this conversation many times and I am not the kind to be "I'm going big or going home" or "Check me I'm Mr.Bada$$ on a big bike" it's all just my body build and what I fit on.

A 1000 would be nice, but I figured down the road but when I actually went to the shops and sat and held up the Ninja 600's, the 636, and the GSX-R 750 (Not as cramped up at the others) I didn't quite make the match...

My bud is quite a bit shorter than me so his legs could squeeze well but mine looked like chicken wings sticking out....

I'm 6'0" 200lbs and I fit on it fine. Hell, I found the 250 to be much more comfortable than any of the supersports I've sat on/ridden. If you said that you were 6'6" I could see the argument for not wanting to start on a 250... But a supersport with its low clip-ons and aggressive rear sets isn't going to be any better.

If you truly find the 250 too uncomfortable, consider the GS500. My friend rides one and I've taken it for a few rides. It's definitely roomier than the 250 or supersports.

[Vaishali]

Yes, I agree with S3aturnR. Super sorts bike are not good for beginner. I think Ninja 250r is the best bike for you. It is always a good bike for newbie. Kawasaki Ninja 250r is loaded with widest tires and wheelbase. It is equipped with big front protection and large windscreen. Kawasaki Ninja riding position is reasonably comfortable on long trips.

[jeffo8]

i am 6'6" get a 250.
you wont be as folded up on it as a 600 or 1000.
if you do not like sport bike ergos then try enduros.

Motorcycle Ergonomics