[seanohue]

Ok, my first question is how the clutch on a sportbike compares to that of a dirt bike. I've never been on a sport bike because I know no one that owns one. On a dirt bike, I used to have trouble going from stop to moving while in 1st gear (you know, let the clutch out slow and give it a little gas) where I end up either wheelying (from too much gas or too fast of clutch removal) or stalling (not enough gas). Is the clutch on 500cc bike like a Ninja or a GS500F similar to a dirt bike or is it more forgiving like in a car? Next question is the 2 bikes in question that I'm considering are obviously the Ninja 500 or the Suzuki GS500F (I read the post at the top, I'm 6'5" so I'll probably have to use a 500cc as opposed to a 250cc). The main thing I'm concerned about are the brakes. The Ninja looks like it has much smaller brakes than the GS500F. The GS500F looks heavier (im speculating). Would the weight of the GS500F balance out the size of the brakes (and I imagine larger brakes=touchier?) to about the equal of the Ninja? Or a better question would be is the Ninja and GS500F about the same for a starter bike? All help and opinions appreciated

 

[RayOSV]

Neither answer is going to give you instant help.

You'll get used to the clutch in either 500cc bike quickly. I would strongly suggest taking the MSF course first. The first exercise on the bike with the engine running is exploring the friction point of the clutch.

Either 500cc bike will have quite adequate brakes. The design of each takes into account the size of the rotors (front much larger than rear), the pressure applied by the calipers, and the size of the wheel/tire. I'd guess that either one would be able to do a stoppie if you tried.

 

[seanohue]

Alright great thanks And yea, MSF course is going to come before I actually buy the bike.

 

[R.Brosnan]

How similar the clutch is will depend on what kind of dirt bike we're talking about. If we're talking about a four stroke play bike, like a Honda XR, Yamaha TT-R, Kawasaki KLX, or Suzuki DRZ, they'll be very similar. If we're talking about a two stroke motocross bike, like a Honda CR, Yamaha YZ, Kawasaki KX, or Suzuki RM, it will be much, much easier to get rolling on a street bike. Either way if you take the MSF class you'll get the hang of it real fast. Both the GS500 and the Ninja are very good starter bikes; the GS is actually a bit lighter but the Ninja is a fair bit more powerful. Like Ray said, the brakes on either will be perfectly adequate.

 

[Millertime eh]

Ya brakes shouldnt be an issue (as mentioned) but ya generally the cluth is more forgiving then on a dirt bike but you will be able to get the hang of it like ray said when you first get your bike just going slow and exploring the friction point. Things like these they will also teach you in the MSF course.

 

[toyotapower]

hey, i had an 04 gs500f as my first bike last summer, the brakes on it work VERY well. to be completely honest with you, those brakes felt almost as responsive and powerful as the ones on my brand new gixxer 600. stopping should not be a worry with the gs, i would very highly recommend the bike. it was great for me to start on (i had no motorcycle experience whatsoever). the guy who bought it from me sounds a lot like you, lots of dirt bike experience but none on a street bike. he loves the thing to death, its been a very easy transition for him between the two styles of riding. just my .02.

 

[seanohue]

alright great thanks a lot for the input