Starter Bike

[JustAFocus]

if you buy a 250, you're gonna be sick of it in 2 weeks after you get the basics of balance, turning, braking, and throttle control. Buy a 600 you learn the same techniques, and its enough bike to keep you satisfied enough to not have to upgrade

might as well buy a 50, atleast they're cheap and fun to keep around after you buy a bigger bike, and you've learned the basics.

[mikecentola]

I don't think I had any issues whatsoever as to learning on a 600. Where's adam to chime in who learned on an R1

[Johnny]

its just a opinion. i learned on a 600. then bought a litre bike. everyone told me the bike was too much power. i think people have this misconception that a 1k will flip over if you touch the gas. you can go down on a 250 and die just as fast as a litre bike.

i think a 600 like the r6 is a well balanced machine. it will due anything you want it to do yet still a easy bike to ride. very universal. i have about 5 girls over on sfx that purchased new 600s for starter bikes and everyone of them are doing very well.

im not sure if 250s depriciate any faster or less but i know people that cant get rid of them. they are not as popular in my area as a 600 or a 1k.

[2fast4u]

Originally Posted by silverandslow

I've heard a million diff. things from second hand sources. After my cars done and I have extra cash I wanna get a sport bike. I've never rode anything. Some people say like cbr600 would be a good starter. Some say like a 350 or something. Is a cbr good to learn on? They trap like 112-113 i beleive bone stock which is a pull but not crazy.

There is a ton of good and a ton of misinformation in this thread. Anyone who tells you a R6 is not ok but a CBR F4i/600RR is ok is misleading someone. Sure the Honda is a hair less powerful BUT they still are 10 second bikes and trap in the high 120s... not a beginner bike.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_...ormance_times/

I just bought my F4i and it is my first bike, HOWEVER my roomate has let me ride his FZR600 (similar to Mikes YZF600) for over 3 years and 2-3k of seat time before I felt comfortable stepping up to the slowest of the 600 "superbikes". There is nothing about my bike that makes it good for a beginner aside from it is less peaky than the 'zuk and yamaha counterparts. It is still wicked fast and more than many can handle.

Now its been said that a 250 is just as dangerous as a liter bike, yes you can lay both of them down at 80mph and kill yourself however the liter bike lets you get there much faster. Even a good rider with restraint will more likely be able to outride their ability on the liter bike much faster than on a 250. I have ridden a ninja 250 and it is a great start. My roomates bike is his first and it is at the top of what I would consider to be a starter bike... his runs mid 11's at 120 mph (with a stepdown gear) and is more than powerful enough to yank the wheels, handles great and they are cheaper and easier to fix than the newer injected bikes.

When you are learning how the inputs work, and how to ride you dont need something that can get you into trouble quicker. The ready to race bikes dont steer as easily, have more agressive riding positions (One of many reasons why I bought the Honda which is the most upright of the 4) and steepen the learning curve.

A beginner should strongly consider a ninja 500, SV650 (S), or something along those lines. Hell I am pretty sure a ninja 500 runs low 14s, looks close to a 600 bike and is faster than pretty much every car on the street. Its the same reason I started with a Cutlass 442, then stepped up to a 4.6l Mustang GT, and now to my LS1 Camaro... you have to build skills to handle increased potential because regardless of 2 wheels or 4, the more powerful a machine they are the quicker you can get yourself into trouble and frequently the more difficult it is to save yourself when you get in trouble. Z06 payment.... here I come
It can happen to anyone... playing smart might keep it from being you...

[Johnny]

those magazine times i dont think are realistic. they are at perfect conditions w/ a pro rider. im sure those bikes will hit those times but not everday, all day w/ your average joe riding.

most guys w/ litre bikes cant break into the 10s that these magazines are rating high 9s.

off topic but i always thought those times were misleading.

[2fast4u]

Originally Posted by Johnny

i always thought those times were misleading.

But they show the bikes potential... I've run faster than magazine times with my Camaro being stock too.

All I was saying is that they are too much for the general novice. I wouldnt go out and buy a new sv650S if I planned on upgrading a year or two down the road but to pick up a 4 year old bike with 7500 miles on the odo certainly wouldnt be a bad start. Plus they sound badass and with the "S" faring package they look good too!

[silverandslow]

I know very little about bikes. But i understand how a bike that is too powerful can get you in trouble.

I don't want a bike that I'm gonna accidentally pull a wheelie in because i've never pulled teh throttle.

If and when i get a bike I'll prolly start out in town and eventually after a few months get on the highway. Hell I can get everywhere I need to without using the highway

I'm looking at this SV650

This looks like a modified one....http://photos.bravenet.com/315/590/027/3/F8D661D7F4.jpg but I love it.

[2fast4u]

That is a good looking bike... I went to road atlanta this fall and watched the suziki world challenge series... the 650S was not that much slower than the 1000S around the track and sounded great.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by silverandslow

I know very little about bikes. But i understand how a bike that is too powerful can get you in trouble.

I don't want a bike that I'm gonna accidentally pull a wheelie in because i've never pulled teh throttle.

If and when i get a bike I'll prolly start out in town and eventually after a few months get on the highway. Hell I can get everywhere I need to without using the highway

I'm looking at this SV650

This looks like a modified one....http://photos.bravenet.com/315/590/027/3/F8D661D7F4.jpg but I love it.

Get whatever you want man. You know how much self control you have.

[silverandslow]

Originally Posted by Pete

Get whatever you want man. You know how much self control you have.

one thing i just wanna avoid if I can...are those types of situations that for the record I dont know to be the case on a bike but like.....maybe an R1 handles AWESOME...but you have to know how to ride it sorta thing? Like for lack of a better example....an Mr2 can handle absoutly AWESOME...but tyheres a fine line...and the wrong person driving would do better in corners in a civic than a better handling mr2...but a good mr2 driver would handle better than an c6 type thing...like the better top end fast bikes might have a fine line that beginners shouldnt ride becaause you can't use the bike and if you try you fall or screw up...but starter bikes might be more "loose" and more forgiving...there thats teh word I want a forgiving bike where if i lean in a bit too much or accidentally pop the gas im not gonna fall/spin out type deal....i love the looks of the new sv650's lol they arent fast in comparison to bikes..but fast enough to be very fun....prolly seems faster as your sitting outside.....on a motor with wheels.

[mikecentola]

You have to ask yourself....do you really think you'll come anywhere close to the maximum handling potential of any bike before you want to get a new one? I thought my yzf600r handled very well, but my r6 handles much much better, but I felt like making the switch at the time I did was the correct thing to do.

Remember, the SV650's are used as track bikes a lot.

Again, it all comes down to the idea that you'd better have your brain attached directly to your right hand, or any bike will ride you. Could my yzf pick up the front wheel? Probably, but it was a good choice for me because it wasn't able to pick it up under strictly powering on.

Honestly, the best advice is to take the MSF course, then just pick a bike that you want. Be confident in yourself to make the right decisions.

[gsxtc]

i found the handling capabilitys of gregs gixxer when i was doin the chickin strip delete mod for him dont lean over the point to where stuff starts to drag and you drop off the edge of the tire or you start drifting,lol