Looking for Beginner bike

[Lucky DAWG]

any advice on what i should get?

i'm a light weight
and this will be my first motorcycle that i will drive around for fun and short distances to save some mileage on my Lexus

im guessing not something very powerful bc i need to get used to how to ride one, but i was looking at Subaru, Kawaski's and Hondas


nothing new either, i want something that i could buy and ride around for a year or two and sell for hardly any resale value loss.

i want the best bang for my buck for something cheap that i can be abusing as a starter bike



opinions welcome

[GIXXERDK]

Ninja 250, EX500, GS500, SV650

These choices will be your best bet, and they wont hardly lose any resale value(if you buy used)

[Lucky DAWG]

yea def buying used, the ninja 250 is the only one im familiar with

the others not so much

i've heard insurance is like 200$ a year for these bikes
any idea what price ill be paying for a used one about on these?

[DRFTR]

1998 Suzuki GSXR600...excellent condition, cleanest 1998 you will find...custom grey blue paint, full yoshi exhaust, rejetted, aftermarket rotors, like new tires...only 11,XXX miles...$3500 obo

Dave 404-406-9061

[{X}Echo419]

1998 Suzuki GSXR600...excellent condition, cleanest 1998 you will find...custom grey blue paint, full yoshi exhaust, rejetted, aftermarket rotors, like new tires...only 11,XXX miles...$3500 obo

Dave 404-406-9061

good looking bike.

my advice: get something older. keep the cost under $2K and by the BEST gear you can. it may save your life. this way if you decide you don't like riding or you want to get something bigger/better you're not out much $$$ and you'll have the nessary gear for it. G/L

[Tarzanman]

Eew, don't get a 98 GSXR. Those things are pigs.

Also, subaru doesn't make motorcycles (not to my knowledge). Maybe you mean Suzuki?

You should probably do a LOT more research and learning if you are in the market for a bike

Get a Suzuki GS500. Cheap tires, low maintenance, cheap insurance (my old one cost me $80/yr) and 50-60 miles per gallon

[DRFTR]

don't get anything less that a r-bike...suzuki gsxr, yamaha r(x), honda rr, kawi r's are the bike i would stick with...if you want to spend more like 5K then you should look into the kawi 636...awesome bikes...forget about the suzuki gs500...crappy ass bikes

[GIXXERDK]

don't get anything less that a r-bike...suzuki gsxr, yamaha r(x), honda rr, kawi r's are the bike i would stick with...if you want to spend more like 5K then you should look into the kawi 636...awesome bikes...forget about the suzuki gs500...crappy ass bikes

You got to be shitting me. Give me a GS500 and ill woop your ass up and down the Mt.

[DRFTR]

You got to be shitting me. Give me a GS500 and ill woop your ass up and down the Mt.

haha u wish...i think ur mouth exceeds ur skills buddy...u better know who u are talking to before running ur mouth...anytime u wanna put up let me know and we'll put a nice bet on it as well...

actually fuck the mountains, we'll take it to the track instead

[David88vert]

haha u wish...i think ur mouth exceeds ur skills buddy...u better know who u are talking to before running ur mouth...anytime u wanna put up let me know and we'll put a nice bet on it as well...

actually fuck the mountains, we'll take it to the track instead

I used to keep up with a lot of 1liter riders with my GS500. The tighter the course was, the better for me. But on the straights, the power of the 1Ks was too much.

The GS500 is a great bike for someone to learn on. There used to be a guy near here that had a track-only one that would kill any of us on the track. He ran in expert and turned quick times. It wasn't exactly stock though.

[DinanM3atl]

don't get anything less that a r-bike...suzuki gsxr, yamaha r(x), honda rr, kawi r's are the bike i would stick with...if you want to spend more like 5K then you should look into the kawi 636...awesome bikes...forget about the suzuki gs500...crappy ass bikes

He said it was his first bike...

Most riders will say stay away from the (r) bikes for your overall first bike... R means when you lowisde it the first time means you have exspensive plastic fairing to fix...

[ToyoChick05]

I didnt know suburu's makes bikes!! LOL

[§treet_§peed]

lol a subraru zr sti bike duh

[Cool Cat GTR]

It sounds like Luck SC has never riden before. Since you asked for opinions, here's mine. Buy a dirt bike first and learn how to ride and fall on the dirt. Although there are some differences in dirt versus asphalt, techniques are pretty similar. You don't get too many second chances on the road and you can bet you will bust your ass a few times while learning. After getting the basics down, the Honda Nighthawk is an excellent bike and is 750cc.

[sean8564]

what about a old Suzuki Katana 750

like this one

[thepolecat]

[cornercarver78]

Listen to GixxerDK... DRFTR sounds like a talker.

Dirt riding is a good idea though. There is a reason the pro road racers ride dirt.

[Tarzanman]

Dirt riding can only take you so far. Its not bad experience, but keep in mind that there are skills that mostly apply to dirt (like scooching your ass all the way up to the handle-bars and sticking that leg out to turn like a mofo), and likewise skills that mostly apply to street (countersteering, the do's and dont's of trail-braking)

Drftr doesn't sound like he knows much. With riders of equal skill, a GS500 would completely school that wide-as-hell, pig-of-a-bike-98 GSXR-600 on a tight track.

If you are looking to spend $5k then do this:

•Take half of it and put in the bank for your SECOND bike. Spend ~$2k on a starter bike and $500 on gear (helmet, gloves, jackets.... pants and boots if you feel like it).

•Learn to ride your bike, and get as many test rides on as many different bikes as possible.

By time you are ready to upgrade (usually 4-6 months, depending on how much riding you do) then you'll have:
1. A better idea of what you want to get (after having ridden different bikes)
2. More money to play with

You might even decide to keep your learner bike, get some leathers and turn it into a track-bike.

[DRFTR]

Dirt riding can only take you so far. Its not bad experience, but keep in mind that there are skills that mostly apply to dirt (like scooching your ass all the way up to the handle-bars and sticking that leg out to turn like a mofo), and likewise skills that mostly apply to street (countersteering, the do's and dont's of trail-braking)

Drftr doesn't sound like he knows much. With riders of equal skill, a GS500 would completely school that wide-as-hell, pig-of-a-bike-98 GSXR-600 on a tight track.

If you are looking to spend $5k then do this:

•Take half of it and put in the bank for your SECOND bike. Spend ~$2k on a starter bike and $500 on gear (helmet, gloves, jackets.... pants and boots if you feel like it).

•Learn to ride your bike, and get as many test rides on as many different bikes as possible.

By time you are ready to upgrade (usually 4-6 months, depending on how much riding you do) then you'll have:
1. A better idea of what you want to get (after having ridden different bikes)
2. More money to play with

You might even decide to keep your learner bike, get some leathers and turn it into a track-bike.

$500 on gear...my Arai helmet cost more than that...oh but you want him to buy that cheap shit...you can't buy quality safety gear for $500...get real man...you know i'm rite...and as far as if i'm a talker...its either put up or shut up...its that easy...most of you young kids on IA have no idea about anything...you read something and think you know everything...i have owned over 40+ motorcycles since i was 18 years old...and i know when i bought my first bike which was a 2001 Kawasaki zx6r and a 2001 Suzuki GSXR600 that i wish i had gone to a bigger bike like a gsxr750 about 2 months after i have been riding...so i would say buy a cheap bike like the 98 to learn on...which has good power and handling...plus its cheap cause your going to lay it down at some point...buy a really nice helmet and jacket and go have fun with it...

[CopyRight]

well DRFTR....I'm glad you think the more money you spend equals quality...that's exactly how the manufacturer wants you to feel. Scorpion helmets are now being used by many AMA racers and been crashed proven just like Arai's. It's all brand preference when it comes to gear. You can get a great Shoei for under $500....as for leathers, wait...from the way you talk, you probably don't even own a set of full leathers. Jackets...again, preference if you wanna spend alot of money you would buy Dainese, but you can save money by buying Alpinestars, Icon, Teknic, and lastly Joe Rocket. Buying the most expensive gear doesn't prove a thing, soo don't bring that argument to the table.

nice cop out though....you would rather do straight line racing than taking it up in the mtns...how big are your chikin strips? all the way across? don't motorcycle e-thug talk so much. Go over to GSB and alot of the guys who are weekend racers used 500's and SV's to tear up the track and would most certainly lap you around the track in a lower hp bike. You talk like a Squid recommending bikes that end in a "R" .....

Lucky C....take a look at gear....goto like Cycle Gear here locally and try stuff on to see what fits and what's in your price range and then purchase online from www.kneedraggers.com or another online dealer, though Cycle Gear is not too badly priced on some items. Get a good helmet, I'd advise not spending over $300 on your first one....a KBC or Scorpion will suit you just fine and just get a good leather Jacket, and a decent set of boots...don't worry about the riding pants...pretty much everyone rides in jeans anyways....if you ever want to step it up and goto a track day or a mtn run, look into a cheap set of 1pc leathers...you can always find someone selling a cheap one on GSB or you can search online...but again, brand preference will advocate price...

good luck!

oh yeah, my suggestion....the SV650's are pretty darn quick and great for beginners as they are light and nimble....older honda 600's are nice as well...but none of us can tell you what to get because if you come across a deal, you'll get it, just like the rest of us would do...just do your research and goto a used bike dealer and sit on as many different bikes as you can to see what you like and fits you the best.

[David88vert]

$500 on gear...my Arai helmet cost more than that...oh but you want him to buy that cheap shit...you can't buy quality safety gear for $500...get real man...you know i'm rite...and as far as if i'm a talker...its either put up or shut up...its that easy...most of you young kids on IA have no idea about anything...you read something and think you know everything...i have owned over 40+ motorcycles since i was 18 years old...and i know when i bought my first bike which was a 2001 Kawasaki zx6r and a 2001 Suzuki GSXR600 that i wish i had gone to a bigger bike like a gsxr750 about 2 months after i have been riding...so i would say buy a cheap bike like the 98 to learn on...which has good power and handling...plus its cheap cause your going to lay it down at some point...buy a really nice helmet and jacket and go have fun with it...

Get last years Shoei or Arai and you can save a ton on a helmet. You only have one helmet? After all these years of riding?
So you were 18 back in 2001? That's 7 bikes a year (6 years)! Do you wreck a lot?. And you are calling other folks young kids?

As for put up or shut up, when do you want to go to Barber? Will you be ready when the new track season starts? I know that I'm "slow", but I'm interested to see if you can ride as well as you talk.

[cornercarver78]

Oh snap. I think tally is back up. They got a track day there soon with Ed Bargy

[dazn]

Oh snap. I think tally is back up. They got a track day there soon with Ed Bargy

sssshhhh the less people that know the better, ive been playing the weather game. i should be there sunday.

[StupidBikerBoy]

Get last years Shoei or Arai and you can save a ton on a helmet. You only have one helmet? After all these years of riding?
So you were 18 back in 2001? That's 7 bikes a year (6 years)! Do you wreck a lot?. And you are calling other folks young kids?

As for put up or shut up, when do you want to go to Barber? Will you be ready when the new track season starts? I know that I'm "slow", but I'm interested to see if you can ride as well as you talk.

I'll get in on this with you David. It should be funny if it even happens. Think I'll leave the 750 at home and bring the SV we just picked up for my GF. I've been wanting to try one on the track and since it's not an "R" bike he should have no problem keeping up with it.

[Tarzanman]

$500 on gear...my Arai helmet cost more than that...oh but you want him to buy that cheap shit...you can't buy quality safety gear for $500...get real man...you know i'm rite...and as far as if i'm a talker...its either put up or shut up...its that easy...most of you young kids on IA have no idea about anything...you read something and think you know everything...i have owned over 40+ motorcycles since i was 18 years old...and i know when i bought my first bike which was a 2001 Kawasaki zx6r and a 2001 Suzuki GSXR600 that i wish i had gone to a bigger bike like a gsxr750 about 2 months after i have been riding...so i would say buy a cheap bike like the 98 to learn on...which has good power and handling...plus its cheap cause your going to lay it down at some point...buy a really nice helmet and jacket and go have fun with it...

Your helmet cost $500 because you're too dumb to realize that is about 3x what it should cost.

$150 for helmet, $30 on gloves, $100-$250 for a jacket and ~$60-$100 for boots. $500 is more than enough for decent gear.

Your riding history is eclipsed by your stupidity (as evidenced from your posts on this thread). Even if youve owned 100 bikes, its clear that you still don't know jack about riding.

Maybe you should do some reading yourself. Ignorant people never know how ignorant they are until they learn something... and you've apparently got quite a lot to learn.

[DRFTR]

Your helmet cost $500 because you're too dumb to realize that is about 3x what it should cost.

$150 for helmet, $30 on gloves, $100-$250 for a jacket and ~$60-$100 for boots. $500 is more than enough for decent gear.

Your riding history is eclipsed by your stupidity (as evidenced from your posts on this thread). Even if youve owned 100 bikes, its clear that you still don't know jack about riding.

Maybe you should do some reading yourself. Ignorant people never know how ignorant they are until they learn something... and you've apparently got quite a lot to learn.

oh thats rite cause pro racers wear hjc rite...dumbass...you get what you pay for...you only need a 150 helmet cause your too poor and stupid to realize what you put on your head is to protect your head...not to look cool...i have owned a lot of bikes cause i can...and would walk you anyday on a bike...you just say the word buddy...so keep running that cock sucker on the internet...broke ass
-dave

[Tarzanman]

First off, pro racers dont pay for their helmets (or any of their gear for that matter). Arai does or their sponsors do.

Second, Arai helmets are common for two reasons: Tight fit on the head and they give their helmets away to pro racers (and heavily discount them for amateur racers).

Third, All a motorcycle helmet is is compressed styrofoam inside a plastic/kevlar/fiberglass shell. The rest is fabric padding to hold it on your head. The technology is very basic (no breakthroughs there). I can think of 4 other brands that are Arai's equal (or better).

The reason they charge $500 for their helmets is because people who dont' know any better (like you, apparently) see the price tag and automatically think that the helmet must be better. They then spend that money on marketing and free lids to AMA racers. Its a slick marketing racket... but that is all it is... a marketing racket.

If you want to spend an extra $350 on peace of mind, then go ahead. An Arai will protect your head.... but a $150 Scorpion and Shoei will do the same job and leave you with enough cash to get a second helmet and a jacket or boots.

Its your money. You can throw it down the deepest, darkest hole for all I care.

I bet you think BOSE speakers are the bomb-diggity too. Am I right?

oh thats rite cause pro racers wear hjc rite...dumbass...you get what you pay for...you only need a 150 helmet cause your too poor and stupid to realize what you put on your head is to protect your head...not to look cool...i have owned a lot of bikes cause i can...and would walk you anyday on a bike...you just say the word buddy...so keep running that cock sucker on the internet...broke ass
-dave

[GIXXERDK]

oh thats rite cause pro racers wear hjc rite...dumbass...you get what you pay for...you only need a 150 helmet cause your too poor and stupid to realize what you put on your head is to protect your head...not to look cool...i have owned a lot of bikes cause i can...and would walk you anyday on a bike...you just say the word buddy...so keep running that cock sucker on the internet...broke ass
-dave

Thats funny Mat Mladin wears a KBC helmet, Aaron Yates wears a HJC helmet, and Marty Craggill too wears a KBC helmet.

Oh and, you DONT get what you pay for. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

[StupidBikerBoy]

oh thats rite cause pro racers wear hjc rite...dumbass...you get what you pay for...you only need a 150 helmet cause your too poor and stupid to realize what you put on your head is to protect your head...not to look cool...i have owned a lot of bikes cause i can...and would walk you anyday on a bike...you just say the word buddy...so keep running that cock sucker on the internet...broke ass
-dave

Um, yes, many do.

Your ignorance is soaking through the internets.

[StupidBikerBoy]

$500 on gear...my Arai helmet cost more than that...oh but you want him to buy that cheap shit...you can't buy quality safety gear for $500...get real man...you know i'm rite...and as far as if i'm a talker...its either put up or shut up...its that easy...most of you young kids on IA have no idea about anything...you read something and think you know everything...i have owned over 40+ motorcycles since i was 18 years old...and i know when i bought my first bike which was a 2001 Kawasaki zx6r and a 2001 Suzuki GSXR600 that i wish i had gone to a bigger bike like a gsxr750 about 2 months after i have been riding...so i would say buy a cheap bike like the 98 to learn on...which has good power and handling...plus its cheap cause your going to lay it down at some point...buy a really nice helmet and jacket and go have fun with it...

You're an idot. Trying to talk a new rider into buying your overweight "R" bike.
How about you stick to your bling bling chicken strips and leave the advice to those that obviously know more about riding skill. Don't think it's so? Then stop and realize that you're the only one on here giving this BS advice. You say you're experienced, yet your words plainly show your ignorance. Whats with these kids today that think they just up and "know" everything without going through the paces? 40 bikes in 6 years and he's "experienced"...

LuckySC, You're getting some good advice, just don't listen to the size queen. And it looks as if you are going about it the right way. Don't worry about losing any money by upgrading later, most of the time you can sale starter bikes for what you bought them for since you won't keep it long. Or as said previously, you could keep it as a trackbike.

[DinanM3atl]

$500 on gear...my Arai helmet cost more than that...oh but you want him to buy that cheap shit...you can't buy quality safety gear for $500...get real man...you know i'm rite...and as far as if i'm a talker...its either put up or shut up...its that easy...most of you young kids on IA have no idea about anything...you read something and think you know everything...i have owned over 40+ motorcycles since i was 18 years old...and i know when i bought my first bike which was a 2001 Kawasaki zx6r and a 2001 Suzuki GSXR600 that i wish i had gone to a bigger bike like a gsxr750 about 2 months after i have been riding...so i would say buy a cheap bike like the 98 to learn on...which has good power and handling...plus its cheap cause your going to lay it down at some point...buy a really nice helmet and jacket and go have fun with it...

go to webbikeworld and go to helmet comparisson. The helmet bought from pepboys did as well as the Arai that was 10x the price...

The arai had less noise but companies like HJC and the like are on the up and coming and making Nice helmets!

NM... someone posted earlier in thread... you don't always get what you pay for
hehehe

[chevyman95]

You can start out on anything.....is it prudent? No. My first bike was a 2001 CBR929RR. I took my time learning it and by the time I got rid of it I was a pretty competent rider. It was a waste of about 529ccs and 10 years of technology but I liked it.

Since then I've been through many bikes (01 929, 01 ninja 250, 82 xj650, 82 cb450, 88 ninja 250, 89 ninja 600, 2001 GSXR600, and more I can't remember) I was fixing them up and flipping them.

The ninja 250's were fun but at 6'2" 225lbs they weren't exactly breathtaking. The most important thing I learned from them was how to really wring out a bike and push it to the limits instead of just using about 40% of the potential.

I would recommend something along the lines of a 90's katana, or a 500cc bike.

Oh and I wear an hjc cl-sp I bought for $120 i think, Just make sure your helmet is dot and snell approved.

Then hike your butt over and join us ad gsb

[Lucky DAWG]

You can start out on anything.....is it prudent? No. My first bike was a 2001 CBR929RR. I took my time learning it and by the time I got rid of it I was a pretty competent rider. It was a waste of about 529ccs and 10 years of technology but I liked it.

Since then I've been through many bikes (01 929, 01 ninja 250, 82 xj650, 82 cb450, 88 ninja 250, 89 ninja 600, 2001 GSXR600, and more I can't remember) I was fixing them up and flipping them.

The ninja 250's were fun but at 6'2" 225lbs they weren't exactly breathtaking. The most important thing I learned from them was how to really wring out a bike and push it to the limits instead of just using about 40% of the potential.

I would recommend something along the lines of a 90's katana, or a 500cc bike.

Oh and I wear an hjc cl-sp I bought for $120 i think, Just make sure your helmet is dot and snell approved.

Then hike your butt over and join us ad gsb

appreciate it man, yea i'm like 5'8 130 lbs, i'm a small guy, so i dont need sumtin too powerful

a lesser powered bike is def what im lookin at

sounds like u kno ur shit

[CopyRight]

oh yeah, Gixxer's are notorious for being the squid boys bike of choice. You'll get 0 respect rolling up in one unless you can prove you can ride it or you dont have chikin strips a mile across.

[David88vert]

Spend a little more and get last years Shoei or Arai - IMO. I got my Ukawa replica for $230 new shipped to my house. Was top-of-the-line and the time and retailed for $600.

[Lucky DAWG]

thanks for the help guys, i'll do some research on your suggestions

and in no way do i want to spend 5k like some were suggesting

all together including equipment not over 1.5 or 2k i'd say, thanks for suggestions
keep em comin if you like, couldn't hurt :-P

[GIXXERDK]

thanks for the help guys, i'll do some research on your suggestions

and in no way do i want to spend 5k like some were suggesting

all together including equipment not over 1.5 or 2k i'd say, thanks for suggestions
keep em comin if you like, couldn't hurt :-P

Just do the opposite of what DRFTER says and you'll survive

[Tarzanman]

go to georgiasportbike.com if you want level-headed advice about riding. importatlanta has more loudmouth squids than the pacific ocean

[nukills]

drftr are you the one selling the gsxr for 3500 obo?

[OneSlow5pt0]

same,im lookig to get into bikes too...i always loved kawasaki so i was gonna start with a 250 or 500 ninja...ive never ridden before so i think that 250 would be good right?im bout 5'10 and 150 pounds