I need some opinions on a Bike for a new Rider.

[Violator]

I'm looking to get a Sport Bike instead of sinking $4000 to $8000 into my engine bay with a turbo and built motor. I've looked at the following bikes but havent rode one yet.

Does anyone have or know about these Bikes:
'03 Kawasaki ZX-6R 636
'03 Honda CBR600RR (Not out yet) or any other 2000+ CBR600
'03 Yamaha YZF-R6
'03 Suzuki GSX-R 600

I want something good for me, a new rider. I'm not sure rather to go with a bike that is more novice oriented, or something alittle harder to toss around.

I'm gonna take some classes as well before I ride a bike on the streets or much less a parking lot.

Thanks,
Eric

[TedR719]

My suggestion would be to go down and test out all those bikes, sit, test out how heavy they are, etc... and then pick the one your most comfortable with. All those bikes should be pretty close to each other performance wise.

[2000SiVTEC]

I have an 01 ZX-6R and it is by far the most comfortable of the bikes you listed, i totally love that bike, I have considered trading it, but it is just a blast to ride andyes i have ridden most of the other bikes. My next closest favorite is the R6............I am partial to kawai's though. Supposedly the new 636 is one of the best things to hit the 600 class in a long time...........

[Violator]

I was told the same thing about the 636. I was also told the handling on the yamaha R6 isnt very forgiving, most of them weigh 355-370lbs dry. I know the 636 weighs in a 355 lbs, or at least thats the published dry weight. After looking at bikes twice now, I want one more then ever.

[BluByU]

I rode that R6 for you today Eric. Nice and tossable because it's narrow. But like I mentioned, the rider position puts more stress on your wrists. The gixxer gets low ratings because it's not as street friendly, due to it's track prowess, but to a good rider or a rider that's willing to improve on his/her skill it can be a very good street bike. Besides, if you want comfort on 2 wheels, get a goldwing!

[TedR719]

Goldwing :D

Originally posted by BluByU
I rode that R6 for you today Eric. Nice and tossable because it's narrow. But like I mentioned, the rider position puts more stress on your wrists. The gixxer get's low ratings because it's not as street friendly, due to it's track prowess, but to a good rider or a rider that's willing to improve on his/her skill it can be a very good street bike. Besides, if you want comfort on 2 wheels, get a goldwing!

[Violator]

I know sport bikes wont be the most comfortable thing...but not the Goldwing.




It's too expensive. My Dad has one it's pretty nice, but not for me.

[2000SiVTEC]

yeah gixxers are nice, Rico00Si on this board has an 02 and it is pretty nice. None of them are going to be really comfortable, really what matters is how you fit the bike. Don't go with the hype about how good the gixxer, R6 or ZX-6R, are. Go sit on all of them because chances are you will never push that bike to its full ability. Especailly being a totally new rider. But if i had to go with one I would go with the new 636 everything I have read about it says it is badass................

[95GSRB18C]

if your a first time rider i really wouldnt go with anything that new because you have the chance of dropping it. I would go with a 96 or so...something you can have a little fun with at first and then think about upgrading to a newer one once you've learned better.

[nolimitsoldier]

ZX-6R.Word

[Violator]

I'm thinking of the Kaw. ZX-6R...I gotta ride it first though, and hope my raise goes through.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2003/2003-kaw-ZX6R_033.jpg
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2003/2003-kaw-ZX6R_043.jpg

[jontflesh]

Ok take this as you want but I see far too many newbies at Gixxer.com crying about wrecking thier brand new steed.
First and foremost call your local MSF School and take the begginer class. Before you buy a bike even. They will teach you the basics on a 250cc bike. You will get your M endorsement afterwords.
Second off all of the bikes you have listed are AWFUL begginer bikes.

Newbies drop thier bike. It is a fact of life. I did it, everyone does it. Not always a crash but usually low speed stuff.
One no speed drop can cost you well over 1000.00 in cosmetic damage alone.
These bikes have 0 learning curve on them. Yeah they are 600's but only people who don't ride think 600's are wimp bikes. Shit the best riders in the world that ride the GP are on 500cc's.You slip on the throttle you loop the bike, slip on the brakes you loop the bike. I have seen this happen far too often.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and look at something a little less toned down with minimal plastics to ride for a year. Buy it used.
Look at something like these:
Suzuki SV 650 - 650cc V twin. This bike is IMO the best begginer bike out there if you want to stay around the 600 range. Fast bike, easily modded when you are ready to move up. Quite a few of the local MRA guys even race these bikes. You can even put full fairings on them after a while.
Suzuki Bandit 600 - Naked sport/tourer. Inline 4, has good power a lot more comfy than the Gix.
Kawi EX500 - It is a Ninja but with less power than the R bikes. Still a damn good bike, easily modded and on the tracks too.
Yamaha YZF600-Not the R6, kinda more sport/tour style.
Or if you are totally set on a race replica look at a old Honda CBR F2, or F3 or a Yamaha FZR600.

Also call insurance companies first! I am 29 years old, married, have a house and one ticket on my record. I pay 75.00 a month for my 1998 GSXR600. If you are under 24 and have no MSF class you might die when you see what the premiums cost. With the influx of dumbass stunters dropping thier bikes and claiming it on insurance most of the race replicas have been black listed by insurance companies. Hense why I want to get off the street and just do track riding.

I have rode the street for 12-13 years now. I bought my bike brand new in 1998 it was my 2nd bike and my first streetbike. I actually downsized from a 750 Magna. This bike scared the hell out of me at first.

You will be a better rider if you start with something you can grow on but not something that is 105RWHP and less than 400lbs dry.

Do what you want, IMHO of course but being a moderator on a site with 15k riders I see a lot of what happens to newbies who go for what they want rather than something that will teach them to be a good rider.

:)

Oh BTW regardless of the bike you get be sure to figure in an extra 1400 or so for a Full Face Helmet (Snell certified, Shoei or Arai are the best IMO), leather jacket, Gloves, and Boots.


jontflesh

[jontflesh]

One last thing too, most dealers will NOT let you test drive a race replica bike. :)

jontflesh

[2000SiVTEC]

Not everyone drops their bike. A lot of people do, but not everyone........I never dropped mine, but I do agree that these bikes may be a little much for a first time rider. Before I started riding street I had a lot of experienvce in the dirt. Get what you want man, but be careful and don't be a stupid squid! Oh and wear a helmet............

[Violator]

I plan to take the MSF class well before I try to ride a street bike, and the gear I'm going to have financed with the bike so I'll have a joe rocket jacket, a good helmet, and maybe even a set of leathers. As for the bike I still plan to get a Kaw. Zx-6r but my opinion may change after I take the class. what's everyone paying for insurance with the Msf class? I havent got a hold of my insurance, I'm going to wait til after I've taken the class.

Is there anything that can prevent damage to the faring if you drop a bike?

And thank you for the advice, I will definitley look into other bikes (used).

[jontflesh]

Originally posted by Violator
I plan to take the MSF class well before I try to ride a street bike, and the gear I'm going to have financed with the bike so I'll have a joe rocket jacket, a good helmet, and maybe even a set of leathers. As for the bike I still plan to get a Kaw. Zx-6r but my opinion may change after I take the class. what's everyone paying for insurance with the Msf class? I havent got a hold of my insurance, I'm going to wait til after I've taken the class.

Is there anything that can prevent damage to the faring if you drop a bike?

And thank you for the advice, I will definitley look into other bikes (used).

Well on the insurance get this.
I had Allstate for years, everything was through them, bike, house, cage, life ect. Well one day I get in the mail cancellation of my bike policy. The reason "High perfomance capabilities of your motorcycle". Man that pissed me off, I have never had a claim or even a moving violation on my bike! Really irked me.

Best thing to do is if your present insurance co won't insure you is pull out the old trusty yellow pages and look for the farm insurance companies and start a callin :) . State Farm though would not insure me because of a ticket I had in the cage. If you join the AMA you also usually get a small discount. Anything helps these days.

Good luck!

Flesh

[Violator]

I'm currently insured by state farm, how do you join the AMA...I've heard that somewhere before...

[jontflesh]

Originally posted by Violator
I'm currently insured by state farm, how do you join the AMA...I've heard that somewhere before...
You can do it online at www.ama-cycle.org
Or go to the AMA races this spring down at PPIR if you live out here in Colorado.
:)

Oh BTW stay the hell away from Excel Motorsports, in my experiences which were very long and drawn out with those yahoo's. Their service dept is prolly the worst out of any of the dealers I have went to in the state.

jontflesh

[Talus]

Good info from everybody. I totally agree that you should buy something mild and used for your first bike. Something cheap and easy to ride. Sport bikes have amazing power and performance that just about anyone can go out and pick up. Think of it whis way; Those bikes are equivelant to a full race preped car. Extreme power to weight ratios, extreme handling. They are set up for performance, not for ease of driving. Would you learn to drive a car in a 500hp turbo drag car? Or learn to drive in an exotic supercar? It probably wouldnt be a good idea.
I'm not saying you should go buy a Buell Blast or anything, but something more condusive to learning how a bike rides and handles. Then after a year, or even six months, trade it in for something bigger. In my opinion, doing this will make you a better rider for life, because you have the basics covered and gradually build up.

[Shadow_Falcon]

Originally posted by jontflesh
Ok take this as you want but I see far too many newbies at Gixxer.com crying about wrecking thier brand new steed.
First and foremost call your local MSF School and take the begginer class. Before you buy a bike even. They will teach you the basics on a 250cc bike. You will get your M endorsement afterwords.
Second off all of the bikes you have listed are AWFUL begginer bikes.

Newbies drop thier bike. It is a fact of life. I did it, everyone does it. Not always a crash but usually low speed stuff.
One no speed drop can cost you well over 1000.00 in cosmetic damage alone.
These bikes have 0 learning curve on them. Yeah they are 600's but only people who don't ride think 600's are wimp bikes. Shit the best riders in the world that ride the GP are on 500cc's.You slip on the throttle you loop the bike, slip on the brakes you loop the bike. I have seen this happen far too often.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and look at something a little less toned down with minimal plastics to ride for a year. Buy it used.
Look at something like these:
Suzuki SV 650 - 650cc V twin. This bike is IMO the best begginer bike out there if you want to stay around the 600 range. Fast bike, easily modded when you are ready to move up. Quite a few of the local MRA guys even race these bikes. You can even put full fairings on them after a while.
Suzuki Bandit 600 - Naked sport/tourer. Inline 4, has good power a lot more comfy than the Gix.
Kawi EX500 - It is a Ninja but with less power than the R bikes. Still a damn good bike, easily modded and on the tracks too.
Yamaha YZF600-Not the R6, kinda more sport/tour style.
Or if you are totally set on a race replica look at a old Honda CBR F2, or F3 or a Yamaha FZR600.

Also call insurance companies first! I am 29 years old, married, have a house and one ticket on my record. I pay 75.00 a month for my 1998 GSXR600. If you are under 24 and have no MSF class you might die when you see what the premiums cost. With the influx of dumbass stunters dropping thier bikes and claiming it on insurance most of the race replicas have been black listed by insurance companies. Hense why I want to get off the street and just do track riding.

I have rode the street for 12-13 years now. I bought my bike brand new in 1998 it was my 2nd bike and my first streetbike. I actually downsized from a 750 Magna. This bike scared the hell out of me at first.

You will be a better rider if you start with something you can grow on but not something that is 105RWHP and less than 400lbs dry.

Do what you want, IMHO of course but being a moderator on a site with 15k riders I see a lot of what happens to newbies who go for what they want rather than something that will teach them to be a good rider.

:)

Oh BTW regardless of the bike you get be sure to figure in an extra 1400 or so for a Full Face Helmet (Snell certified, Shoei or Arai are the best IMO), leather jacket, Gloves, and Boots.


jontflesh
One of the best pieces of advise given here.

Completely agree with the fact that those bikes are way too much for the beginning rider. Another thing is, if you're on a sportbike rather than a naked streetfighter-type bike, your insurance rates will go up A LOT. Plastics tend to do that. One more thing to add, though... do NOT skip out or take the cheap route when getting gear. That is the only thing that can protect you in the event of an accident, fall, etc. It's wise to shell out the big bucks for the best gear..and don't worry about falling with that, it's better for the jacket to get scratched/ripped up (as well as your ego) than your skin. As far as protection for your head goes, Arai (in my opinion) makes the best helmets out there. And NEVER ride without a helmet.

Oh, and talus, change the "car" part to "bike". There're 500 hp turbobikes abound ;)