i'm looking to buy a motorcycle

[nmib]

Stay away from 250's. They are marketed to incompetent buyers and even more incompetent first time riders. Id suggest a Suzuki GS500. Its a great learning bike that is light, easy maneuverable and has some pep.

If you want something to learn on and has room for growth id go with an SV650 from Suzuki. Still light weight and also very maneuverable, its a v-twin with gobs of low end humph. Also the second gen's look very modern. They are customizable, you can upgrade the front ends with GSX upside down fronts and more.

couple really nice sv650s in different forms

[punkncat]

I may have missed it, but how big a guy are you?

I saw that you mentioned some dirt bike riding experiance. Is this going to be your first street bike?

Buy something that (as Mann said) you have no problem laying down while you learn.

A 250 is a joke, seriously. They are powerless. The only thing going for them is EXTREME low weight and exceptional handling.
The new 600s are WAY fast and powerful. Think like older 750-900 kind of power and speed. You underestimate it and you will end up killing yourself.
I have ridden bikes for 20 years up until my crash and will be honest this new generation of 600's gives me pause. I am of the mind that many of the sport bikes available today have no business whatsoever on the street anyway, but hey who am I to judge? I certainly was not a good example by my actions....just a good example by experiance.

Take a rider safety course. Take your time. Get something with a few more cc's as it will last better and be more comfortable in the long run. The day that you quit respecting it get off and sell it immediately.

Good luck and be safe.

[slade]

IDK where people get these crazy 2k+ insurance rates from? Stick with 600s, much lower insurance rates. 01 gixxer 600 @ 19 with 1 totalled vehicle under my belt and MANY tickets.... ~800 full coverage and less than 300 for liability(that was 4 years ago, and my first bike).


Going from dirt to road is 2 different worlds, BUT you are already familure with the control placements and used to being on 2 wheels.....which is a huge advantage. Consider going to a track day soon after you get your bike, it will make riding fast on the street seem like a joke.

progressive and geico for $1000 and $2000, both liability only. i'm 19, one $1500 rear ender and one ticket. where/what state do you get your insurance?

[bofh]

I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST not getting a 600cc 4 banger as a first bike.

I think the most power full bike i could see being a decent starter is either a SV650 or a Ninja 650. Both are 650cc twins making around 70hp.

I''ll throw in my two cents here, I agree, a modern 600 4 banger is a odd duck. The have little power down low, and lots of power up on the rpm ranges. They aren't the best first bike. Then again, you're used to a yz125, so it's kinda like that.... with three times the HP.

I'd suggest, first off. Get something used. You're going to drop it. Maybe not at speed, maybe not badly, but you will drop it. Might as well not spend off the lot prices for something you'll scuff up and beat up. Bikes lose a lot of value quickly. You'll outgrow it in a few years... so do the math.

Second, something that's not a 600. Seriously. The 600 class is the current (and for while) supersport engine size. Most of them are design to be able to compete in that class. This is not a desirable entry bike. I'd suggest a bike that's not directly related to any racing class, and perhaps designed for normal road use. There's nothing wrong with actually going bigger than 600cc, it's just that the 600s are tuned in a way to not make them a good first bike. In many ways, I think a 1000cc might be a better first bike .My first street bike was a (old) 750, (86hp) with a linear power band, rarely did I wind it out the max HP. Because I really didn't have to.

Third, and you should know this from dirtbike riding. Get the right gear, and wear it, every time you ride. Stuff happens.

Be safe.

[skife]

I''ll throw in my two cents here, I agree, a modern 600 4 banger is a odd duck. The have little power down low, and lots of power up on the rpm ranges. They aren't the best first bike. Then again, you're used to a yz125, so it's kinda like that.... with three times the HP.

I'd suggest, first off. Get something used. You're going to drop it. Maybe not at speed, maybe not badly, but you will drop it. Might as well not spend off the lot prices for something you'll scuff up and beat up. Bikes lose a lot of value quickly. You'll outgrow it in a few years... so do the math.

Second, something that's not a 600. Seriously. The 600 class is the current (and for while) supersport engine size. Most of them are design to be able to compete in that class. This is not a desirable entry bike. I'd suggest a bike that's not directly related to any racing class, and perhaps designed for normal road use. There's nothing wrong with actually going bigger than 600cc, it's just that the 600s are tuned in a way to not make them a good first bike. In many ways, I think a 1000cc might be a better first bike .My first street bike was a (old) 750, (86hp) with a linear power band, rarely did I wind it out the max HP. Because I really didn't have to.

Third, and you should know this from dirtbike riding. Get the right gear, and wear it, every time you ride. Stuff happens.

Be safe.

yeah, the 125 was when i was 15, i've gained about 50lbs since then. that bike was wicked fast to me at the time.

power at high RPM's isn't a big deal to me, i've ridden 2 stoke bikes most of my life.
so yeah, i'll try to find a place to get my motorcycle endorsement so i can go and test a few bikes first.

[slade]

meh, I don't get why so many people think a 600 is such a bad idea for a new rider. I mean, take an MSF course first or ride a friend's cruiser for a week, then just control the throttle and keep the revs low until you're really comfortable. any mistake you could make on a 600 you could make on an SV650s, you just have to be a bit more careful with the 600.

[Hilltop Customs]

progressive and geico for $1000 and $2000, both liability only. i'm 19, one $1500 rear ender and one ticket. where/what state do you get your insurance?

Pa progressive, my own policy 1 vehicle since i was 17.....totaled/rolled onto the side/tree'd. @ the time 2 speeding tickets, 1 inspection ticket.....there was 1 more but I cant remember now. At the time my bike was minty fresh(aka perfect condition) with less than 10k miles. My insurance has only went down since then....and Ive totaled a motorcycle....high speed+gravel+corner dont mix no matter what you ride. Probably +8-10 tickets since then....down to 160 liability....havent checked full coverage.


IMO power has little determing factor on how your first bike, your mindset along with experience riding has the largest impact.


Why do so many people(not just new riders) buy new bikes and wreck right after? because they:
A) dont have enough experience and forget how to work the controls
B) got excited on their new bike and tried to ride above their level
C) are just unlucky and got hit by a suv taking the kids to baseball practice
D) had some mechanical failure
E) forgot new tires are slick

A) People who dont know how to work the controls properly shoudlnt be on a bike period, so if they want to buy a bike and try to ride off....I'm happy for the dealership that sold them the bike, because they not only just sold the bike, the person is coming right back for repairs. If your this level, go take a safety course...you dont need to be on the road yet.

B) Happens to everyone, get excited and push the limits. Thats why I said about track days. Get a bike go to a track day, get all your "go fast" crap out of your system. It makes riding the streets feel dull and boring.....most of the time dull and boring=safe.

C) stupid people watching their kids instead of the road cannot be avoided.

D) Sue the dealership or bike manufacture.

E) Causes MANY more accidents than you think. Live and learn, you just gained some experience through misfortune.


My final opinion:
skife, you learned how to ride a 125, which is much harder than any street bike control wise. Now you just to need to learn how to deal with the road and traffic and other obstacles that come with it. Take your time and be cautious at first just like you did on your other bikes and you will be fine no matter what streetbike you start out on, just pick one you like and feel comfortable with.



blah blah blah i'll shut up now

[Steelrat]

Here's what I am leaning towards:



About 60 hp and ft/lbs. I sat on one today, and even at 6'2" I fit fine. Simple setup, very handy, simple, and seems very comfortable.

[bofh]

Here's what I am leaning towards:

Approves.

[Steelrat]

Exactly. Time to jump some Nazi barbed wire.

[oneworld]

My first bike was my Honda cbr 600f4I..it was a great bike to learn on..im selling it right now for a 2005 600RR tho..250's suck..dont even waste your time with one, just go find a f4i and mess around on that for a little while.

[slade]

My first bike was my Honda cbr 600f4I..it was a great bike to learn on..im selling it right now for a 2005 600RR tho..250's suck..dont even waste your time with one, just go find a f4i and mess around on that for a little while.

didn't you almost get a 1300 CC sportsbike as your first bike?

[slade]

http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/product/spec.asp?cat=RoadSports&model=GT250R

anyone know anything about that bike?

I'm not sure if I trust the reliability, since its a no name company. the fact that it's a 2007 and still carburated is a bit sketchy, too. aside from that, it looks like a good starter bike, or nice gas saver (although the 27 HP is a bit low...)

[Steelrat]

There's a website on beginner bikes (can't find the link now) and they listed that bike as being a good one for beginners.

As for carbs, keep in mind that the 2008 triumph I posted as my probable first bike is still carburated.

[skife]

http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/prod...s&model=GT250R

anyone know anything about that bike?

I'm not sure if I trust the reliability, since its a no name company. the fact that it's a 2007 and still carburated is a bit sketchy, too. aside from that, it looks like a good starter bike, or nice gas saver (although the 27 HP is a bit low...)

the 500 ninja is carb'd

nothing wrong with carbs on a bike unless your going to be operating them at weird angles


and steelrat, is this the site you suggested? http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/