600 bike

[seraph0503]

i'm about to get a bike. i'm gonan get a 600 or 750 for my 1st bike cus it's cheaper and i need to learn how to ride. i'm looking at some suzukis right now katana and gsxr750. any advice on how to shop for a used bike. also waht DOT rating do i need for the helmet. i have a m2000 rated zamp helmet from kart racing but it says exceeds snell and DOT requirements so that should be fine right.

[FordFasteRR]

i'm about to get a bike. i'm gonan get a 600 or 750 for my 1st bike cus it's cheaper and i need to learn how to ride. i'm looking at some suzukis right now katana and gsxr750. any advice on how to shop for a used bike. also waht DOT rating do i need for the helmet. i have a m2000 rated zamp helmet from kart racing but it says exceeds snell and DOT requirements so that should be fine right.

A katana is a great beginner bike, the 750 or the 600 are good starter bikes.. The only thing I don't like about them is that their style has not changed in like 7 years so they have a dated look.

Also, the katana has an oil/air cooled engine, not a water cooled engine... so it tends to run hotter in city driving than a comparable 600 that is water cooled.

I suggest that you look at the suzuki sv650s.

Its a good starter bike aswell .

:)

Post up some pics of whatever you get !!!


Also, your helmet is fine as long as its a FULL FACE helmet.

[2004ElantraGLS]

Funny you should mention this, Seraph, cause I'm wanting a bike now too LOL. My brother has been talking about this for a few weeks now and I think the bug has bitten me....again. About 4 years ago I wanted to buy a 750 Katana as a beginner bike, but I ended up not doing it cause I'm kinda worried about safety n such. Well now he's been talking my ear off about the bike's he's looking at and he keeps begging me to go with him....

To make matters worse, FordFasterR buys a bike and posts pics! Thanks a lot, man!!! j/k

I definately recomend you take a Rider's Course. I've heard people take that class after riding for over 20 years and STILL walk away having learned something new.

As for a beginner's bike, I'd stay away from the Gixers, especially the 750. The Katana you mentioned, be it the 600 or the 750, are great, as Ford pointed out. If I do end up buying a bike, it'll probably be a Katana or a Ninja.

Good Luck, and definately post up some pics when you do buy one!

Regards,
Axel

[FordFasteRR]

if you are looking into getting a really sporty bike for 1500 less than a current supersport, get the kawasaki 2005 ZZR600 ... thats the blue one in the pics I posted up ...

(pics are here too: http://www.nitrousworld.com/bikes.php ).

The reason I suggest this bike is because it has been in production since 2000. It is a true supersport with a new name on the fairing, but its 100% identical to the ninja 6R from 2000 to 2002...

I got the 05 zzr600 for 7390 OUT THE DOOR including all taxes, tag and fees...

:)

[seraph0503]

well i'm working under 3 grand guys that's another reason i'm getting a used bike

[FordFasteRR]

well i'm working under 3 grand guys that's another reason i'm getting a used bike


with 3 grand down, you can get a new bike and pay like $ 100 a month ... or less....... if you do the kawi financing, you pay $ 49 / month ... for a new bike.

anyway ... here are some pics:

katana 600:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/GSX600FK5_Blue_0033CC.jpg

and the ZZR600:

http://kawasaki.com/kawasaki_main/images/products/MOTORCYCLE/2053_800.jpg

[seraph0503]

yeah but i've never had a bike i'm just learing how to ride one with whatever i get. because of that i really don't think it's a good ideas to get a new bike. plus still paying on the lantra. this is really jsut a bike to ride around the city to school and occasionally jsut ride out. still gotta drive for work. zzr does look nice tho. pm me wahtever advice/tips u have. can't really take on buying a new bike. i can't justify that one. my net monthly income is only like 250 bucks if that. gotta remember i dont' have a full time job. i'm a student still.

[02xdGLS]

hmmm. i'm also sorta thinking about really getting into bikes.
but i was wondering about insurance involved with bikes. you must have them like you do with cars, right? and how much do you pay?? anything else i should know about bike insurance??

[FordFasteRR]

Insurance on bikes is almost always not required in most states.

However, without insurance- if you wreck into someone, you will have to pay out of pocket, if you smash the bike into a pole, you still have to pay it off...

That happened to me with my 2001 suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa..

I bought it new, wrecked it 6 months later, and had to pay it off :(

Anyway... I still can't afford insurance so I don't have it on my new bikes either...

I guess i'll just have to be more careful now ! :)

[rckozma]

I agree with 2004ElantraGLS, if you have not taken a the Rider's Edge course or other MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) endorsed course please take one before you buy your bike. Plus with after you complete the course (mine was 4 days) you will get a certificate that you can take into any DMV office and get your license without having to take the test (you will do that in the course).

And as Ford stated, the Suzuki SV650S or SV650 is a great beginner bike. If you are looking to get one for $3000 or less, you will need to look at pre 2000 year bikes. Check out cycletrader.com, there are some good deals in there.

I also like the Ducati 620's, but you could also get a good deal on a Ninja 500. You could also get a Ninja 250 brand new for about $3000, but you will probably out grow it within 6 months.

I will be looking to buy my bike after we buy our house, this gives me time to do more research and read reviews on the type of bike I am looking for. Right now I am leaning towards the Victory Hammer or the Victory Vegas Jackpot, but I am more into the sport cruiser look.

Good luck on what ever you decide, and if you know anyone that rides take them with you when you go to look at a used bike, hopefully he will give you an unbiased opinion.

[900Z1]

I paid $3000.00 for this http://www.users.ohiohills.com/lalaw1/84sabre.jpg
3 years ago. 121 HP New it ran 10.94 probably runs low 11's now.
It's 21 years old and still get's the job done.

[Kenshin]

I've been riding for 10 years now, and all I have to say to anyone who is looking into getting their first bike to learn on is this: Stay away from Supersport bikes, and if you must go with a sportbike, keep it under 600cc's. My recommendation for a good bike to learn on would be a Suzuki GS500E, Suzuki SV650, Suzuki Katana 600, Ducati 620, MotoGuzzi Breva 750, Harley Sportster 883, Buell Blast, Honda Nighthawk 750, Honda Hawk GT, Kawasaki Ninja 500, Kawasaki's previous-generation ZZR600, etc. All of the bikes I just listed will be forgiving enough to learn on without killing yourself or scaring the crap out of yourself, but fun enough to enjoy riding for years to come as your skills develop. (Okay, maybe not the Buell Blast. You'd outgrow that one in a month or two. Good bike to learn on, though.) Once you are confident enough and have enough riding time under your belt, then you can step up to a more intense bike. I learned how to ride on a 1990 Suzuki GS500E and it was just about the perfect bike to learn on. Small, lightweight, great handling, and quick enough to be fun, but not so powerful it would flip you off the back if you did something dumb.

[rckozma]

I would agree with everything that Kenshin said except the Buell Blast part, when I took my Rider's Edge course it was on a Blast. I found the that it lacked throttle response and it had a very rough (vibration) feel to it. But the other bikes would be good to learn on.

[MrGisriel]

I am 15 years old, my dad has a 1700 Road Star, I am getting a 650 V Star (new) pretty soon: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/star/products/modelhome/21/0/home.aspx I like the looks and how cheap it is new. I'v been told it is a good starter bike, I currently have a Yamaha Vino (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/150/0/home.aspx) that I bought new.

[knottravesty]

Ohh, yea, I'm reviving lol....
I just started shopping for a bike... could be in 2-3 months, maybe longer, but I'm at least starting to shop now...
A friend told me I wanted a 600cc bike to start, and I trust him

Definatly gettin a sportbike, I'm too skinny for a bike. So same question as the first post... but maybe any updated knowledge... I just went to Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Triumph, and Honda... and favorited lol... all the near 600cc bikes.. now its time to start narrowing them down...

so any updated input, that i haven't already read in this thread..??

[rckozma]

Nope, I think everything still holds pretty true. Except that I ended up buying a 2006 Harley VROD Niterod instead of the Victory's that I was looking at. The new 600 sport bikes are pretty amazing these days. Are you looking at getting a used one or a new one?

[knottravesty]

new... So far im leaning towards the Ninja ZX-6R

[rckozma]

The Ninja 650 is also a nice bike for beginners and moderate riders, and it is fairly new on the market. There are so many nice 600's out there, I don't think you could go wrong choosing one. I like the CBR600RR's, but the Ninja's are not bad either. I think my next bike (coming soon hopefully) will be more towards the sport touring area, I am kind of liking the Interceptor.

[FordFasteRR]

The honda cbr 600rr is currently the best 600 out there, it also costs a bit more than the rest !

Unless you have mad skills, you will not be able to make use of the capabilities of any current 600 .

I like all of them except the yamaha, not enough power in the mid-range to be of any use on the street..

=)

[BobMs_wht2k2]

I second the Nighthawk CB750. Not only is it a great bike to learn on, it won't break the bank in maintenance, is comfy to ride and will keep you entertained for alot longer than a 600cc sportbike.

I've had mine for close to 10 years now and it's been a fantastic bike. I plan on another 10 years out o it.

[FordFasteRR]

I second the Nighthawk CB750. Not only is it a great bike to learn on, it won't break the bank in maintenance, is comfy to ride and will keep you entertained for alot longer than a 600cc sportbike.

I've had mine for close to 10 years now and it's been a fantastic bike. I plan on another 10 years out o it.

Dyum, that is a good bike, got a pic of it to post up here ?

[BobMs_wht2k2]

It's sloating around somewhere. It's that brightblue. A 1993 with 12k miles. I put on 10k of those.

[atlwteboy240]

my first bike was a hayabusa and i got out of control with it and totaled it. my second was a GSRX 700 and i loved it nothing better to me unless you go with the R1 i still love those to this day. even tho i hate how they feel when sitting on them. you should be able to find a goodGSXR for less than 3grand. you should also lookinto getting one that has some frons end damage and just repair you can sometimes come out better like that. my buddy has a 2001 hayabusa 1200 turbo and that how he got his for only 4 stacks..only cost him 1500 to fix.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Yeah. . . not real bright buying the wildest nastiest bike ever made as a FIRST bike. Just when I thought you couldn't slip any lower. . . . . .

Stay away from a superbike as a first. Learn how to ride CORRECTLY first. Then worry about getting a faster bike.

I see so many kids get a bike that they can't handle. So many that never learn the correct way to ride. So many that get hurt/killed because they lost it being stupid.

An ABATE course is a great way to learn lots of good info on correct riding styles.

[atlwteboy240]

YES thats exactly the point i was trying to make . learn from others misteaks. dont get hurt like i did and im sure others too... get something you can handle or even more important something you feel safe riding. some people have proublems learning to lean the bikes around corners. so if you have to get one that you dont have to lean as much. even if you think your bike is slow sometimes just remember the guy who totaled a new hayabusa cuz his granddaddy said pick one!!!!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Here's my baby:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/bobnjenmiller/bike002.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/bobnjenmiller/DSCN0039.jpg

[mbv2001]

^^ thats a pretty and very clean bike. looks good.

[hgoalie85]

^^^^nice bike
The 600 sport bikes are pretty amazing now. And as far a new bikes go the cbr600rr stands out because it has both the slipper clutch and stearing stablizer. The gsxr just has the stearing stablizer and the R6 has the slipper clutch. If you get a 600 you will be able to ride for several years or more before your skill out reaches that of the bike. I agree with all the sugestions above for a first bike another bike i would consider is a kawi 636 they a specificaly made for beginers to moderate riders. What ever you get don't out ride your abilities; motorcycles aren't toys.

When looking at a used bike look over the tires, brakes, suspension, chain, sprocket and frame. And take it for a test ride, don't waste your time if the person selling the bike won't let you test ride.

As far as a lid goes look for a dot and snell approved lid. They cost more but they are worth every penny. And when s*** hits the fan you will not regret spending that extra loot. If you like your head the way it is now you will invest in a good helmet.



No matter what you get remeber these two rules.

2. Never exceed your riding ablity. (there has been many of wrecks from people riding like dipsh**s)

1. ALL DRIVERS ARE OUT TO KILL YOU! Even if they act like they see you slow down and move around a little in your lane to draw attention to yourself.

Good luck on motorcycle shoping. Bikes are a lot of fun.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

^^ thats a pretty and very clean bike. looks good.

Thanks. I've worked hard to keep it looking good. That bike has had more coats of wax and more time polishing than all of my cars combined! Of course 10 years will do that.

[tharptroy]

I'd encourage you to look into a 650r or sv650

to me, the sportier bikes arent much fun to ride unless you're really tearing it up somewhere.

if most of your riding is going to be around town, I'd probably cross the supersports off the list, but if you're going to be constantly taking trips to the track or mountain roads, then by all means, get a supersport.