Looking to get my first bike need some suggestions
- Thread starter JBlues
- Start date
It really depends if he has previous motorcycle experience or not. It also depends what he plans to do with the bike:
If he just wants to vroom vroom, show off, and as Clarkson on Top Gear says "Feel a little naughty", then get a 600. Honestly, he'll probably be able to ride it in a week or two after testing it around.
Now, if you plan to actually do something w/ the bike legally like I am, I'd suggest you start smaller. The reason is simply because "can you ride the bike to it's limit?". Seeing as how riding is a sport, with any sport you need to start smaller. I didn't start benching 2 plates per side on day 1. My runner friends didn't start doing marathons on day 1. My track friends (myself included) didn't start on supercars or 300+ HP cars for their first cars. Why? Well, for the physical examples, you just can't. You won't be able to reach that limit...period. For the car example, you, once again, won't be able to reach that limit.
Now, if you're an adrenaline junky, feel free to do it. I would if I had the balls but I don't. Going in a straight line is easy, but how fast, how much lean, how much throttle you can open up when exiting a turn, and many other things have much lower limits on smaller CC bikes. For example, the other day I tried to make a right handed turn at 60 km/h. I opened the throttle WAY too much and early when exiting and the rear wheel shook around; needless to say I got a little scared. On a smaller bike, that probably wouldn't have happened because of the throttle limitations. Smaller bikes also generally weigh less. And mind you, I ride a GS500F that everyone here laughs at.
But above it, it hurts a lot less if you drop a smaller, less expensive bike, than bigger, more expensive bike.
If he just wants to vroom vroom, show off, and as Clarkson on Top Gear says "Feel a little naughty", then get a 600. Honestly, he'll probably be able to ride it in a week or two after testing it around.
Now, if you plan to actually do something w/ the bike legally like I am, I'd suggest you start smaller. The reason is simply because "can you ride the bike to it's limit?". Seeing as how riding is a sport, with any sport you need to start smaller. I didn't start benching 2 plates per side on day 1. My runner friends didn't start doing marathons on day 1. My track friends (myself included) didn't start on supercars or 300+ HP cars for their first cars. Why? Well, for the physical examples, you just can't. You won't be able to reach that limit...period. For the car example, you, once again, won't be able to reach that limit.
Now, if you're an adrenaline junky, feel free to do it. I would if I had the balls but I don't. Going in a straight line is easy, but how fast, how much lean, how much throttle you can open up when exiting a turn, and many other things have much lower limits on smaller CC bikes. For example, the other day I tried to make a right handed turn at 60 km/h. I opened the throttle WAY too much and early when exiting and the rear wheel shook around; needless to say I got a little scared. On a smaller bike, that probably wouldn't have happened because of the throttle limitations. Smaller bikes also generally weigh less. And mind you, I ride a GS500F that everyone here laughs at.
But above it, it hurts a lot less if you drop a smaller, less expensive bike, than bigger, more expensive bike.
UJelly
Well-known member
Magoo
Well-known member
OK, OP is not a 21 yr old hormonal poser.
I think it depends on what you want out of riding.
Are you a weekend rider only that wants to just cruise and have no intention of perfecting your motorcycling skills?
Or do you have the intention of wanting to learn everything there is to know about bikes, riding techniques... becoming a student of the sport?
As many others have stated in other threads... riding a slow bike fast is fun! Riding a fast bike slow... well, you get the picture.
I think it depends on what you want out of riding.
Are you a weekend rider only that wants to just cruise and have no intention of perfecting your motorcycling skills?
Or do you have the intention of wanting to learn everything there is to know about bikes, riding techniques... becoming a student of the sport?
As many others have stated in other threads... riding a slow bike fast is fun! Riding a fast bike slow... well, you get the picture.
kiwi
Well-known member
Everyone has good intentions and not "to go crazy".
Whatever you buy, please post back at the end of the season and tell us how you did.
Ninja EX500, GS500 are good choices for you, or non-SS 600s - 650R, FZ6, SV650 but you will need to be careful on the throttle. It'll also be easier if you drive standard, so you would know how the gearing works.
A Ninja 650 or a SV 650 would be an awesome bike for you. My friend just got a Ninja 650 and it's on the list of great starter bikes
Do the course first, then when you get the bike practice on side streets and empty parking lots til you feel comfortable with the bike. My friend is doing pretty good after a week and a half of having the bike and is already riding it to work.
Do the course first, then when you get the bike practice on side streets and empty parking lots til you feel comfortable with the bike. My friend is doing pretty good after a week and a half of having the bike and is already riding it to work.
I'd suggest you stay away from the SS bikes to start. A 250, 500, or 650 non SS will still go pretty fast compared to cars. Heck, the 650's have pretty much the same torque as the SS 600's but it hits way earlier in the RPM range... just the top speed isn't as high (but is still over 200 kph).
madura
Active member
I agree, if you dont ride much at all, take the course first and see what you like or dont like.
Then if money is no object - get whatever you want, but not a long cruiser...which obviously you dont want by judging by your post.
Or...if you want to learn, and really learn how to ride first, get something smaller, much older, like you probably weren't even born yet year, in decent running condition and ride it until it dies on you, then push it off a cliff or scrap it for parts. This way you will get your skills up; you wont be really worried about dumping an old bike and scratching it, because believe me, its been scratched 100 times before, and most importantly you will see if you actually like riding at all. Plus insurance on those old babies is very low...Im paying $40/m for 1985 Suzuki Madura, and trust me this old thing goes, you can have a s much fun on it as on much newer bikes.
And one more thing - it's YOU that makes you a rider, not the bike.
Good luck.
Then if money is no object - get whatever you want, but not a long cruiser...which obviously you dont want by judging by your post.
Or...if you want to learn, and really learn how to ride first, get something smaller, much older, like you probably weren't even born yet year, in decent running condition and ride it until it dies on you, then push it off a cliff or scrap it for parts. This way you will get your skills up; you wont be really worried about dumping an old bike and scratching it, because believe me, its been scratched 100 times before, and most importantly you will see if you actually like riding at all. Plus insurance on those old babies is very low...Im paying $40/m for 1985 Suzuki Madura, and trust me this old thing goes, you can have a s much fun on it as on much newer bikes.
And one more thing - it's YOU that makes you a rider, not the bike.
Good luck.
Mr Gone
Active member
I'm still riding my starter bike and this is my fourth or fifth year riding. 1984 CB450SC, lil' Nighthawk. Goes quick enough, does all the right things, cost $27 a month to insure. I could have upgraded by now, but what's the rush? Slow bikes are fun as hell to wind out. It'll propell my 210+ pound Six foot self at extra legal speeds on the Highway. I ride with a guy who has a CBR600RR and I"m having no trouble keeping up(mind you, if he wanted, he could leave me in the dust).
One of these days, I"ll sell it for what I paid for it, mebbe get a KLR or Triumph or some ****, who know's mabye a Goldwing. Like someone else said upthread "It's your first bike...not your last."
One of these days, I"ll sell it for what I paid for it, mebbe get a KLR or Triumph or some ****, who know's mabye a Goldwing. Like someone else said upthread "It's your first bike...not your last."
I think you should totally buy this one --> http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-1984-Honda-500-Interceptor-W0QQAdIdZ295568302 it's been lady riden for the last 2.5 years 
outkastland
Well-known member
Personally I suggest an SV650, damn good bike, damn damn good bike.
If 3 wheels is safer than two just get something with 8 wheels and feel invincible. Search "spider" here and see what comes up, plenty of opinion.
I'm going to take a look at the SV650
