Bike options advice needed.
basically im looking at 3 bikes that are all 600cc GSX-r 600, CBR 600, and a R6
can anyone tell me what they like about these and what they dont like. im trying to research as much as i can. I would also like some websites so i can learn about them.
i want a 2000-2002 model and ive started saving so by the time i graduate highschool i will already have some money to put down on one and can go ahead and take some riding classes to get my lisence...Thanks, Cody
Last edited by scabtastic; 12-08-2006 at 06:16 PM.
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
r1=1000cc
r6=600cc
IF IGNORANCE IS BLISS, THERE ARE MANY HAPPY PEOPLE OUT THERE
lol at this guy. lirl
ditto
Here, hold my beer!
sorry...yeah one of my friends cleared that up today at lunch...my bad
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
death wish
Can i get any other answers besides that im going to kill myself because im an out of control teenager that knows absolutely nothing?
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
Any of them are a little much to start on. Go to the MSF course first, and take that. Afterwards start looking at bikes. Get a cheap used bike to ride for the first few months. You want a beginner bike - steel frame, low cost, easy to ride, won't get hurt if you drop it. Get used to riding. Then sell it for what you bought it for, and get a 600. That way, you won't cry when you drop your bike. Spend you money on good gear.
i heard the suzuki...sv500...i think thats the name of it ill have to look....i heard that was a good starter bike.
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
Man get a gsxr600 i got 1 3months ago and love it it is not to much bike and i will be ready for something bigger next yr.I is all about how crazy u or and how fast u want to die i think 600 is a good bike to start on not to much but it still gives u a little scary ride when its your 1st bike.
I dont mabye it just me i once raced quads and is use to alot of speed but my 600 is nice and fast but dont scare me at all till the front wheel pics up at about 45 and dont sit back down to 90 lol that the only rush i get out of it.
Ninja 250..........
get an r1 or gsxr1000 if you not some crazy teen. its all in how you ride
agreedOriginally Posted by Bucky
stay up and bucky are dumbasses and I can gurantee that I know more about bikes than they do. Statistics don't lie. Teens on motorcycles have life expectancies measure in months, not years. If you don't believe me then ask an insurance agent or NTSB official.
This is my advice. Its good advice because its the safest, albeit slower way to go about riding a motorcycle (and motorcycling is all about rist mitigation/management). Anyone who tells you anything different is suggesting a more dangerous path.
• If you don't know any responsible riders that have been riding for years (at least 5) that will be there to teach and ride with you through your first ~400 miles then DEFINITELY TAKE THE MSF. MSF costs ~$300 and will take 3 days (~30 hours) of your life.
• Do NOT start on a 600cc bike. There are certain 600cc bikes which are suitable for people with some motorcycling/dirbiking experience, but from your post I am guessing that you are not one of those people. 500cc and below for at least 4 months or 2000 miles (that refers to the engine size). 40hp should be the hard limit on what you learn on.
• I *reccommend* (this is a suggestion) not getting a new motorcycle. new bikes are much more expensive and unless you are one of the lucky few (like me), then you will drop your bike at least once learning. Statistics say that 1/2 of bike drops/accidents happen in the first 6 months of riding. Assuming most people ride ~5 years this means that new riders are 10x more likely to have an accident/drop as other riders. Fairings are expensive (replacing fairings costs almost as much as a paint job on a car), and you will *NOT* recoup your investment on a new bike. Conversely, I made money on the sale of my first bike/accessories after riding it 8 months (and upgrading).
Like I said, I have never dropped my bike, but I can remember 3 distinct instances when I was learning when I would have either eaten pavement, a curb, or the grille of an SUV if I'd been on a 600cc bike. Small bikes like the GS500, EX-500, and ninja 250 are *extremely* maneuverable. I also gurantee that 3 months in, you will have better skills than someone who started the same time as you on a 600cc sportbike.
• Gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots (riding boots are best, but anything that will protect your ankle in a get-off will suffice), and pants if you can afford them. Believe me when i say that putting the money towards decent gear instead of a new bike will make you happier when you finally upgrade.
• Crotch rocket envy. I'm not going to lie... you'll have it when you're putting around on your starter bike. I have it now even though I ride an R6. (The new GSXR and ZX6R body styles look sweet). Unless you're seriously rich, there will always be a toy out there that you lust over. If you are dead set on something that looks sporty, then 100% get a faired GS-500. This is a photo of the GS500 that I learned on... so you can be certain that there are sporty looking starter bikes around.
• Maturity. I've never met you, so I am unable to judge whether you have the right temperament/mentality to ride a motorcycle. Personally, I don't think teens should ride bikes unless they 100% have the financial means to do so themselves without food/room/board help from mom and dad. A bike is a toy that can easily get you killed or crippled... and I don't believe that responsible parents buy toys like that for children.
• Advice. You will hear lots of arguments one way or the other about why fast bikes are good or bad for first riders. The bottom line is that they are more risky, no matter how they are ridden (powerband, rake, trail, etc). The reason they are bad choices for new riders is that they are less forgiving when mistakes are made (and we all make mistakes, new rider or old rider)... and new riders don't have the experience or reflexes to make the right choice/correction as fast as experienced riders do. This is the essence of why less powerful bikes are better for new riders.
In comparison... the Air Force has enough fighter jets to train their pilots in F-16's/F-22's if they wanted.... but they don't. New pilots train in smaller, weaker jets so that they don't FUBAR themselves when they make an error (and trash a multi-million dollar jet vs one that costs a few hundred K). I highly reccomend that new riders follow a similar philosophy. Unless you have terminal cancer (do you?), the risk vs reward for a dangerous jump to a race-ready bike isn't worth it.
• Last. This is a judgement call (and my personal opinion). If you dont' have the discipline to forego a 600cc sportbike then you dont' have the discipline to be a responsible rider. Stay up's comment about lifting his front wheel on his GSXR should be an example of that. Better riders than him have gone down for smaller lapses in judgement.
That is my advice.
Seriously thank you for that, that was no sarcasm whats so ever. Ive been dead set on taking the riding courses and the parents arent helping me out with this at all. I have to get my own insurance policy and all my own stuff if i want a bike. All my little brother (who is 16) talks about is how when he gets his bike he's going to learn how to do all stunts and what not and all i can do is look at him and call him a dumbass. I do not have the need/want to stunt the bike because like you said parts arent cheap.
I've taken my falls learning on dirtbikes..took a turn a little too fast and the backend slide forward. The GS500 may not be as fast but from what some people have said it seems like a solid starter bike. I dont want to be another statistic of teen deaths.
Im about to turn 18 so I wanted to buy myself a nice little graduation present. It was this or a Mazdaspeed 3. Again my parents arent helping me at all. Are the pants going to matter that much if the bike is going to be ridden maybe...30 mins at a time? I live in the Kennesaw, Powder Springs area. All I know if for sure I dont want to be giving my death wish by getting a bike. I want to take it nice and slow. I know none of you have met me but i hope my response has given you a little insight about me and my intentions.
Last edited by scabtastic; 12-10-2006 at 10:05 PM.
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
i learned how to ride on a cbr 600 f4i and it wasnt to much of a bike after 2 months of the 600 i went to a 1000cc and i love it now
just take your time riding and dont do anything dumb and u should be ok on any bike
Hahhahahhahahhaha
[QUOTE=Tarzanman]stay up and bucky are dumbasses
What ahe no nothing about me and he is like I no more. What a prick i am just trying to save the dude from getting anything under 600 cause i no as soon as he rides it for 2 months he will go Damn i need a bigger bike i have had mine for 3 months and i am already trying to get a gsxr1000 i wish i would have listen to those guys that told me to go ahead and get 1.
Cause damn now i got to sell mine to get another 1 and thats a bitch to each is own but dont start using my name like u no me and calling me a dumbass just because the only bike u could afford was a ninja 250or maBYE NOT EVEN THAT WAS IT A PW90,scooter,bycycle or mabye u just think u no everything well i dont but the thing i do no is u want power to scare u not feel free with it cause thats when u get heart i no considering i use to race quads.
just take your time riding and dont do anything dumb and u should be ok on any bike[/QUOTE]
Thats what i say
I have a 1 liter. I have been riding for years. There is no need for anything bigger than a 600 - on the streets. Period. If you get on a track with a 600 and a 1000 that are both stock, you will log almost identical times - if you know how to ride. There is no one on this forum that can outgrow a modern 600 on the street. You are fooling yourself if you think you can.
It really doesn't matter how powerful the bike is. It's all about the rider's skill level. A good rider on a SV650 can easily leave a ok rider on a 1K on the track. Where the power of the 1 liter has an advantage is on the interstate and dragstrips. Concentrate on getting your riding skill level up, and it won't matter what you are on.
BTW - Learning throttle control while leaned over in a sharp turn in the mtns is MUCH easier on a 600 than on a 1 liter. The additional torque will make the tire break lose easier. Plus 1 liters are harder on the tires. Plan to spend more money on tires - they need increased grip.
Although there is never-ending discussion about what CC is acceptable for a starter bike, I will have to state my opinion again. I think that its very possible to learn to ride on a 600cc or bigger bike, given that you exercise proper control of it while learning. Although I had previous MX riding experience, I started on a CBR600f4, and I went to a gsxr750 then to a hyabusa within a year. The bike only goes as quickly as you make it. I agree a 1000cc+ bike is going to be harder to control, but I am still a firm believer in saving the money and buying as big of a bike as you want, as long as you work into it. The reality is that a modern 600 is more than enough bike for anyone on the street, but thats not what matters in the end. What matters is having a bike that you enjoy to ride (for whatever reason...including "curb appeal.") So, if you want a 600 or bigger to start, I dont see any issue with it personally.
I could also effectively argue that not having enough bike is just as dangerous, especially in a place like Atlanta where everyone drives 80 MPH. I remember borrowing my buddies ninja 250 one day and riding on I85. I was more concerned with getting run-over than anything else. Sometimes you need to be able to accelerate out of danger.
In my opinion, a 250cc bike has no place in the fast lane on an Atlanta highway (though I know people who will argue otherwise). However, a GS500 / EX500 is just fine for commuting...however your argument is partly moot. Of the (stock) cars on the road, only a Corvette (or faster) will out-accelerate a 250cc bike in low gear.
The problem (as you large-cc-starter-bike-proponents routinely ignore) isn't whether its possibe to learn on a big bike.... the issue is learning safely without killing/maiming oneself. A 600cc/1000cc is not a safe way to learn. You cannot be competent about riding or the learning process of riding and believe modern 600+cc bikes are suitable for beginners. A new rider should give themselves as much leeway as possible to correct new-rider mistakes. Sportbikes are unforgiving. Only narrowly experienced/skilled riders with 3-inch chicken strips on their rear tire fail to grasp this fact.
Your experience can't apply to the OP. You had moderate (at least) experience on a motorcycle and did not have to familiarize yourself with the controls on the bike, feel of riding, and the behavior of the motorcycle all at the same time when you got a street bike.
Like i stated before...i have some experience with MX so i know how the controls work and how much the bike would give me and how much it wouldnt...fallen countless times...but please keep the advice up i greatly appreciate it
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #07
Fuck Bitches, Kill tyrannosauruses
Dude, its your money. Screw what other people think, because in-the-end, if youre like me, youre going to do what you want to do regardless. Motorcycles...especially the ones you named...are not "practical" methods of conveyence, esp in the wet/cold. They are amusement machines. So buy what amuses you most. Just keep in mind that sometimes you have to pay for the choices you make down the road...
Why do you want a high cc bike? Its a slippery slope to disaster IMO. You redline in first gear and your OVER the speed limit. You think you can use all 1000cc on the hwy or mts? Good luck with that. You'll be one of those on the side of the road looking stupid, with harly guys laughing as they pass. Trust me, its the worst feeling. Not to mention the 40hp motards that can pass you in a turn. Even after riding my 600 through deals gap, 129, 180, and 60; 10-20 times, I rather have a 500. But hey, its your life and I wont be making the decision. I too became a statistic and bought a sports bike as my first.
As to the original question. Hondas are the most expensive out of the 3 but good reliable bikes. Yamaha is also more expensive than a Suzuki. Suzuki's have been number 1 in every class (600, 750, 1000) until this year (if i recall correctly) when the 06 R6's came out. Suzuki is cheap, I bought a brand new 2005 gsxr 600 for $7,000 out the door, where my friend bought a 2005 CBR600RR USED with 4500 miles on it for $7500.
These bikes are so fairly similar in performance so it all comes down to personal preference. Go to a dealer and sit on the bikes and see how you like them. As for me I'm a Suzuki guy, but I am lovin the 06 R6's..
How was your time at deals gap Gixxerdk how did you like it. Me and my friends are talking about going up there this summer. Let me know maybe everybody on this forum can ride up there together.
Jaszen
In all honesty, its over rated.. Theres too many bikes up there and accidents happen every hour or so. If you really want to get on the throttle I suggest 129(Blood Mt) plus, its closer. The roads at Deals Gap is like hwy 180 if you ever been there, narrow as shit. I guess its a good experience, but I just dont see what all the hype is all about.
Honda owners tend to be of the opinion that their bikes are worth top dollar even though there is little-to-no difference between the look and performance of 'race-ready' japanese sportbikes. If you want something different then look at BMW, Buell, Aprillia, Triumph, Ducati, etc.As to the original question. Hondas are the most expensive out of the 3 but good reliable bikes. Yamaha is also more expensive than a Suzuki. Suzuki's have been number 1 in every class (600, 750, 1000) until this year (if i recall correctly) when the 06 R6's came out. Suzuki is cheap, I bought a brand new 2005 gsxr 600 for $7,000 out the door, where my friend bought a 2005 CBR600RR USED with 4500 miles on it for $7500.
These bikes are so fairly similar in performance so it all comes down to personal preference. Go to a dealer and sit on the bikes and see how you like them. As for me I'm a Suzuki guy, but I am lovin the 06 R6's..
The reason that Suzuki's are so prevalent on the pro/am racing circuit is that they are cheap, perform well and (most importantly) parts are widely and readily available. None of that should matter for your first bike, though. It should be a beater/learner until you figure out what kind of bike you like.
Example: going on looks alone, when I was looking for my first bike I thought that I wanted to eventually upgrade to an SV650s... but after getting to ride a bunch of bikes belonging to friends or on test rides (VFR, Superhawk, GSXR, Katana, FZR600, SV650, Duc 999), I quickly changed my mind. Especially about the '97 GSXR I rode... that thing was a fat pig.
Yeah, well *some* experience only qualifies you for a weak 600cc like a Katana 600. Bear in mind that falling down or sticking your leg out on a street bike is not an option if you want to stay healthy.
Last edited by Tarzanman; 12-13-2006 at 08:55 AM.
Nah dk cant ride worth a sh** thats whyHe can't
I say fu** the mountains give me some beach bitches id rather go strip riding than hit some curves in a mountain.When i want curves i just go to my bitches and ride them out from side to side.
Originally Posted by scabtastic
Like i stated before...i have some experience with MX so i know how the controls work and how much the bike would give me and how much it wouldnt...fallen countless times...but please keep the advice up i greatly appreciate it
Dude i use to race quads we not about crazy speed its dif of course but get what u want and take your time and ride with slow ppl then u will get use to it real fast u ride with ppl that speed alot like me u just lear how to die quick.
So as a roockie learn with other roockies so u guys all take your time and more seat time u get the better u are.
pretty much everyone crashes at some point in time, just a matter of when and where. yes there are some that have never crashed, but realistically when owning your first street bike you will.
here's my experience:
grew up on dirtbikes, fourwheelers and etc. first streetbike '98 ZX-6R.......drove 12 hrs round trip to pick it up from Timbuktu, SC. Got it home and attempted to ride it from the trailor and into the garage. Dumped the clutch and dropped it against my CRX cracking the car's bodykit, it was beater trash anyway (under the hood is what counted). Vowed I wouldn't touch it again until after I took the MSF. A month later after I passed the MSF I started putting around the subdivision. Then I started riding too a nearby school parking lot and practicing slow maneuvers and was able to get it up to about 35mph to make some decent turns. About a week and a half later I started riding everywhere. Forgot to mention, I was always prepared for the crash. I was the only one who showed up for the MSF in full gear
After clocking about 8,000 city miles I met members of GSB which most are now on BSB and started hitting the Vortex. Hanging out with that crowd I decided I wanted to start some more enthusiastic riding in the mtns. First trip up: I was having a blast.....taking curves with guys that have track experience, dragging hard parts and thinking I was the shiat. Later on in the day I learned about body positioning and that dragging hard parts is a nono the hard way. Even though I had not one scratch on me, I totaled the bike. While on 60 dragging hard parts the front tire washed out and I let the bike go. Literally sat on the ground and slid on my ass, luckily when my boots hit the side of the road I was able to stand and run the rest of the momentum off. I watched and cringed as the bike continued to slide, get 'hip tossed' by a fallen log and stop just a few feet short of falling off a cliff.
Purchased for $2500 Cash Before:
Sold for $1,750 After:
Morale to the story: Start with a beater and progress. Even if you crash it will maintain the majority of its value. That's unless you are a rich boy who doesn't care or don't mind sky rocketing insurance increases from crashing a new bike. BTW: Two weeks later I bought a '03 ZX-9R, two years later '04 CBR 1000RR, most recently '05 GSX-R 1000, and ??? coming soon so stay tuned
Another bad idea. If you do opposite of what stay_up says then you should be in good shape.
Find responsible, more experienced riders to go ride with. When in a group it is customary for newer riders to take point so that the veterans can keep an eye on you and give you pointers (or point out mistakes) during the breaks. There are more than a few messageboards around where people set up beginner/rookie ride outings.
Stay away from riders who will ride too fast and leave you behind. People like that are assholes. ***Don't ever ride faster than you are comfortable going just to keep up with someone*** (Thats important. Remember it).
Also, choose your riding partners carefully. I've heard of two separate stories in the past two years where riders were either killed or put into the hospital because of mistakes made by their riding partners. <--- This is another reason why only riding around with new riders isn't the best idea.
As someone that has been riding for longer than some of yall have been alive.....I like Tarzanman's suggestions the best.
He is absolutely on point in saying that biting off a bunch just to save money may very well be your ticket to an even more expensive hospital room.
I rode an EX500 for many years. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Back then, it would certainly more than keep up with 600's and just about anything while cruising around. It had it's drawbacks, but the pros way outweighed the cons by far. I bought that bike brand spanking new back in 1989. I put lots of miles on that bike. I used to ride it down to Daytona and then to Myrtle Beach every single year for many years. It had enough power to keep up, get me out of trouble if need be, and more importantly it started and ran like a top everytime I turned the key on the ignition. It even uses a spin-on type oil filter right up front. Oil changes take all of 15 mins. Tires are cheap. I even used to buy race scuffs when I was broke. Rode the tires off that bike. I liked it so much that when I bought my RR, I gave that bike to my dad. All the fairings are still intact and the paint looks as good as new. Bike runs perfectly still. We go riding together all the time.
MSF classes are a must for any beginner. I took them, on my own EX500, after I'd already been a semi experienced rider and still found a lot of things that I learned or brushed up on. For a rookie, it's a great idea.
Riding with idiots will only make YOU an idiot. Motorcycles are so easy to go fast on, that even the most mature and experienced riders find it hard to not twist that right hand every once in a while. Rookies SHOULD NOT FOLLOW. Testosterone will quickly write a check your booty can't cash. I've seen it happen.
Get a decent first bike that is dependable and inexpensive. Spend your money on top notch riding gear instead. If you ever go down, you'll be glad you did. Remember that the only thing between you and the cheese grater asphalt is what you're wearing, period. I've gone down and I've had road rash. It's NOT fun at all. I learned my lesson about dogs and about riding gear that day.
Anyway, be safe.
Last edited by Jaimecbr900; 12-13-2006 at 02:07 PM.
[QUOTE=Tarzanman]Another bad idea. If you do opposite of what stay_up says then you should be in good shape.
Dude
LOl the reason for getting a sport bike is 2 have fun and act a motherfucking fool u think ppl buy sport bike to sit around and do the speed limit.
Fuck that the bottom line is man u get a sport bike cause u wana live life on the edge other wise get a fucking chopper cause no matter what these guys tell u (Like noob tarzanman)if u looking to get a sport bike u going to Act a fool if not in 3 weeks well in week 6 u will be twisten the sh** out of your throttle.
So take the safety course and if u get a sport bike do what u feel cause no matter what we say u going to do it anyway.stoppies+speed+wheelies+other shit=sport bike.
I think tarzanman is trying to say whats right but at the same time Dude u no he not going to care about a damn thing that u have said cause when he gets on a sport bike your im post is the last thing on his mind.
[QUOTE=stay_up]Haha Vicc calm down man!Another bad idea. If you do opposite of what stay_up says then you should be in good shape.
Dude
LOl the reason for getting a sport bike is 2 have fun and act a motherfucking fool u think ppl buy sport bike to sit around and do the speed limit.
Fuck that the bottom line is man u get a sport bike cause u wana live life on the edge other wise get a fucking chopper cause no matter what these guys tell u (Like noob tarzanman)if u looking to get a sport bike u going to Act a fool if not in 3 weeks well in week 6 u will be twisten the sh** out of your throttle.
So take the safety course and if u get a sport bike do what u feel cause no matter what we say u going to do it anyway.stoppies+speed+wheelies+other shit=sport bike.
I think tarzanman is trying to say whats right but at the same time Dude u no he not going to care about a damn thing that u have said cause when he gets on a sport bike your im post is the last thing on his mind.
Your post says it all. Not everyone out there is stupid enough to risk life and limb just for an adrenalin rush. You should check out GSB, there was a guy who you sound just like named Pruitt who rode too hard, too fast and isnt' around to tell about it.
Just because you tend to not think or do anything yourself without peer pressure as a steering influence doesn't necessarily mean he is the is the same.
I don't have any beef with you as a person, but you have said some stupid, ignorant sh*t on this thread and called it 'advice'.
Lol kidding me man u still want admit that the reason for getting a sport bike is to act a fool and thats what 98% of ppl going to do.all i am saying is if u getting a sport bike its your life do what u want to do with it.
Ppl going to sit here allday and say shit about how to ride man face it the bottom line is speed,wheelies,stoppies and other stuff is what u do on it when i had my race quad no handers,wheelies,speed,and extreme jumps to add u dont buy a a sport bike and ride it like a bycycle.
thats all man i am not going to keep posting just cause u want admit that any1 who buy's a sport bike is going to act a fool no matter what ppl say.
ok
Hmm what he got 2 say now.
blahblahblahblahblah>>hmm?blahblahblahblahblah.
Lol its oks tarzanman i still love u
4 the falling 1's
J_WAlker RIP
STunt till u die cause at your funeral no 1 will cry.
Here is what I have to say.
I have been riding for years. I have NEVER pulled a wheelie, or done a stoppie on a public street/road. Not all riders stunt their sportbikes.
I have not wrecked my bike. None of them.
I ride the mtns and the interstates. I do speed. Sometimes "excessively", but not all the time.
I would be more than happy to show you the preferred line around the track. :-)
I got a sportbike to be riding on the best technology that you can buy for 10K, rather than pay 35K for a Harley that has 1950's technology......
You know what they say, there are two types of riders. Those that have crashed, and those that will crash.
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