Opinions and advice

[Slomaro Z28]

Looking into getting my first bike. I have had dirt bikes, but never a street bike. I know some will tell me not to get this or that bike, which is fine if you give some reasoning. Right now I am looking at early to mid 2000 model cbr600f4i's and Katana 600's. I don't really care to have anything over a 600cc and also don't care to have a R bike. Any info or insight on these bikes or others would be very helpful, thanks in advance:goodjob:

[DynamicSound]

Honda bikes tend to be great bikes to start out on...not as aggressive as others when it comes to take off, body stretch, etc. I started out on a CBR600RR and it was a breeze to get used too.

[Slomaro Z28]

Honda bikes tend to be great bikes to start out on...not as aggressive as others when it comes to take off, body stretch, etc. I started out on a CBR600RR and it was a breeze to get used too.

That's what I've heard. There are a ton more cbr600rr for sale also, just wanted a less aggressive bike for starters. Heard the Honda was the easiest bike for beginners to keep upright.

[Bacon]

The F4i would do you good. Any bike is "easy to keep upright" if you know what you are doing. Go to one of your local dealerships that has a large variety like WOW and find one that is comfortable to sit on and also one that you can flat foot when you come to a complete stop.

[David88vert]

SV650 and have a great bike and cheaper insurance.
Before you go to buy a bike, call your insurance company and get an idea of rates for different bikes. You might find that some are just too expensive on insurance.

[Slomaro Z28]

I called and got a monthly quote of $53 for a 2005 CBR600F4i, I thought that it would be a lot higher. And Bacon, I know what you're saying about keeping it upright.....only thing is turning in curves and in traffic is a different story from a dirt bike on trails. I do plan on going to WOW, since its really close to me. I also plan on getting a good bit of ride time in an empty lot and my neighborhood roads before trying to tackle any public roads.

[David88vert]

WOW is high priced. You are better off buying from an individual.

[Slomaro Z28]

WOW is high priced. You are better off buying from an individual.

Yeah, that's the plan.....just want to go up there and sit on some bikes to get an idea of comfort on each one.

[DDam]

$53/month? is that for full coverage? that seems pretty high otherwise. You can probably get an SV650 for less than $3k and pay less than $150/year for liability to insure it, and they make great race bikes if you decide to go that route too. I started with a 600rr so I haven't much room to talk, but I also don't ride on the street anymore. If I could go back, I'd probably have gotten an SV650S.

[Slomaro Z28]

$53/month? is that for full coverage? that seems pretty high otherwise. You can probably get an SV650 for less than $3k and pay less than $150/year for liability to insure it, and they make great race bikes if you decide to go that route too. I started with a 600rr so I haven't much room to talk, but I also don't ride on the street anymore. If I could go back, I'd probably have gotten an SV650S.

Can I get the fairings for the sv650? I just don't care for the naked look. I am pretty happy with the insurance price.....a lot than what I was expecting.

[DDam]

Yes, you can get full OEM or aftermarket fairings if that's what you prefer. Some come with full fairings, like this one http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/2363279848.html. And honestly they're a much better choice for street riding than an inline 4 600 anyways since you don't have to rev the heck out of them to really move and way cheaper insurance.

[David88vert]

SV650S has the fairings.

[Bacon]

Yeah, WOW is overpriced but I use them as an example of a place where you can go to browse since their selection is such a wide variety.

I am 6' and 160lbs. Personally, the R1 isn't comfortable for me because of the seat and a gas tank that seems to have a rounded off point at the crotch area. The GSX-R has a seat that is too wide for my taste but not as bad as the R1 comfort wise. The CBR and the ZX-R are the most comfortable for me because I have room to move forward and backward when I am riding. Everyone has differences and preferences.

[1moreaccord]

SV650 and have a great bike and cheaper insurance.

+1 SV's are great, and vtwin power is right home on the streets around town!

[dc5-rsx]

Get this CBR 600 RR

In the 4sale thread/Motocycle

[Slomaro Z28]

Went to WOW and I must say I really liked the sv650s. They have a '08 with 96xx miles for 5770, seems a little high considering they advertise it at 7499 brand new. I have found some online I'm looking into. Next question is where to shop for aftermarket stuff and helmets? I mean sure I can do a google search and found 100's of sites, but where are the deals and the good customer service? Right now I am browsing around on motorcycle-superstore.com......anyone used them?

[David88vert]

Go to newenough.com for your gear.

[Slomaro Z28]

Go to newenough.com for your gear.

Thanks man

[1moreaccord]

Went to WOW and I must say I really liked the sv650s. They have a '08 with 96xx miles for 5770, seems a little high considering they advertise it at 7499 brand new. I have found some online I'm looking into.

Definitely keep an eye out for private sales! Depending on how much money you have to spend I believe all 03 + and up models have fuel injection and are generally equal in build! I just found a handful of nice ones on CL for good prices. Obviously some might be fake, or garbage, but give them a run through a moto mechanic, they'll be able to check important functions quickly!
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/2399255074.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcd/2391024306.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/2330130324.html

[Bacon]

Motorcycle Superstore
Motomummy

I have dealt with both and haven't had any issues. If you want a free helmet, I have a spare XL you can have at no cost to you. It's not much but it will get you riding and save you some money until you can find one you want.

[Slomaro Z28]

Motorcycle Superstore
Motomummy

I have dealt with both and haven't had any issues. If you want a free helmet, I have a spare XL you can have at no cost to you. It's not much but it will get you riding and save you some money until you can find one you want.

PM'd

[Slomaro Z28]

Some will probably flame me for this, but I am really considering a 250r now. I have been looking at the cbr250r and the ninja 250r. Comments, good or bad welcome. Biggest reason is price and very wide availability.

[Bacon]

I don't advise any new rider to go 250 simply because a 600cc bike is a good starter bike and who's to say you won't get bored with the 250 after a few months of riding.

Go for the 250 if you'd like but I say go 600.

[David88vert]

250 will get old when you can't really do good highway speeds. Get a 500 at least.

[1moreaccord]

Some will probably flame me for this, but I am really considering a 250r now. I have been looking at the cbr250r and the ninja 250r. Comments, good or bad welcome. Biggest reason is price and very wide availability.

Well for the reasons Bacon and David88 mentioned - you may want to start with a more powerful bike.

However, on the other hand this is exactly as you are saying - your FIRST bike! You should take time to learn and become familiar with how it handles - street is NOT dirt.
What you should do is read the sticky in this forum - http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?182871-Official-quot-First-Bike-quot-Thread
I wanted to copy paste the whole thing for you as it addresses every concern you will have and carefully explains why.

IMO - You'd be fine with a Ninja 250 (Although I'm partial to Honda CBR :goodjob:) I believe they can do a verified 100 mph (indicated 110-115?) and what is the fastest speed limit on roads you drive? I'm thinking no more than 70-75 mph. Obviously it will take some time to get there, and no, it will not have the passing power of a more powerful engine. But when your learning, I think you may owe it to yourself to start small.

It's funner to drive a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow!

That being said I personally believe any one of these bikes are moderate powered easy to learn on beginner bikes:

- CRF230 L / M
- Ninja 250 / 500
- Suzuki GS 500 and GSF 500 (cheap and look good)
- WR 250X
- KLX 250 SF
- Rebel 250
- Shadow 750
- Honda NX 250
- VTR 250
- Vulcan 500
- Boulevard S40
- V Star 650
- DR-Z 400 (s or sm)
- XL 650
- DR 650

Borderline - (read: more powerful, but beginner-ish)
- Hawk GT - mine lol
- SV 650
- Ninja 650 / ER - 6N
- Suzuki Gladius
- Monster m600
- BMW F800 / FS 650?

+More

[Slomaro Z28]

What you should do is read the sticky in this forum - http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?182871-Official-quot-First-Bike-quot-Thread
I wanted to copy paste the whole thing for you as it addresses every concern you will have and carefully explains why.



;) First thing I done :cheers:

Not sure what it is but really just don't care for that one piece seat. What about the FZ6R? I love the R6 look and Yamaha promotes it to be a beginners bike.

[David88vert]

FZ6R is good bike, more powerful than you need, so be careful with it.

[Slomaro Z28]

FZ6R is good bike, more powerful than you need, so be careful with it.

Yeah I read a handful of reviews on it last night. Comparable bikes were the ninja 650r, gs500, and sv650. However they did say the mid to high rpm power band was a little more aggressive than bikes listed above. I am familiar with the instant kick in power from dirt bikes, had a KX 125 bored over that would put your back on the ground if not careful. I know there is a complete difference in road and dirt, just trying to be smart about my buy. I 100% agree I don't need or even want a supersport bike as a first. I know the fz6r uses a detuned previous gen R6 engine, but feel comfortable that it would be a good bike for me to start on.

[1moreaccord]

I think an FZ6 is a great bike! That was a top one on my list! I also think it'd be fine for you.

Just want to mention tho that it is definitely in a different league than sv650, gs500, and 650r. All those bikes are twins very linear horsepower. The fz6 is an inline 4 that is peaky but still makes great power all over!

Gs500 ~ 50hp
Sv650 ~ 70hp
650r ~ 80hp
Fz6 ~ 100hp. Power plant and power from a fz6 will stomp this competition lol

I think it'd be fine for you tho!

[Slomaro Z28]

I think an FZ6 is a great bike! That was a top one on my list! I also think it'd be fine for you.

Just want to mention tho that it is definitely in a different league than sv650, gs500, and 650r. All those bikes are twins very linear horsepower. The fz6 is an inline 4 that is peaky but still makes great power all over!

Gs500 ~ 50hp
Sv650 ~ 70hp
650r ~ 80hp
Fz6 ~ 100hp. Power plant and power from a fz6 will stomp this competition lol

I think it'd be fine for you tho!

Went and sat on the 2011 FZ6R today. Really liked it, they also had a brand new SV650S (non current new sale) right beside it. Not much of a difference sitting still, but like the visual appeal of the FZ6R a little more.