600-650cc bikes for beginner (Old school please suggest)

i bought a 08 R6 with mods for my first bike. i got bored of the 250s at riding school. my brother is an instrustor so i was able to push the bike with good instrustion. They also knew i had already bought my bike
 
The CBR600F4 are a reliable bike

The Honda 600 F4i is probably one of the best all around sport bikes out there.They are dead reliable,reasonably comfortable,there's a ton of aftermarket stuff for them,they have won countless races including Daytona and if you look hard I'm sure you could find a pretty good one in the $4000-$4500 range. There's no doubt in my mind that with decent tires, these things will keep up to any current 600 sport bike on the street and maybe even on the track.
 
Because of the look.Most of my friends are already on Kawasaki 650 and i am just starting now,plus i am planing to ride with my girlfriend and don't want to be embarrassed in front of her while i am riding with my other friends

Your girlfriend isnt gonna know ****, the 250 ninja looks the same just a slight bit smaller... My ex girlfriend couldnt tell the difference between my CB125 and my CB450... Unless your girlfriend is big into bikes and a superficial *****, she wont know. If you buy a bike because you dont wanna be embarassed, i imagine a lot of crashing in your future... are you gonna be too embarassed to take the riding course too?? Because your girlfriend mind find out you dont know how to ride a bike yet??
 
If you're worried about the embarrassment of having a lower displacement bike, you're in this hobby for the wrong reasons.

Buy a bike you feel will suit your needs. Just remember the only people judging you by the displacement of your engine are the same posers that camp out in parking lots and scream down straights only to park it in a corner. Be judged by your riding capabilities, not by the hunk of metal and plastic you've got strapped between your legs.

There's no "wrong" reason to get into this hobby. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting something bigger to look better, not everyone is into putting a knee down in every corner. As long as you're riding safe than there's no problem with what your ultimate goal would be. It's not some exclusive club...
 
...i imagine a lot of crashing in your future... are you gonna be too embarassed to take the riding course too?? Because your girlfriend mind find out you dont know how to ride a bike yet??

R_yder. I'm assuming you meant you are planning to ride with your girlfriend as a passenger, correct? Please, if you are "just starting now" don't do that, yet. At the very least, your girlfriend as the right to know the type of rider she is riding with. Let her make the choice whether she wants to get on the bike of a motorcycle controlled by you.
 
I am planing to ride the bike with my girlfriend and most of my friends already on Kawasaki 650.I feel embarrassed to ride 250 cc,which most of the people mentioning a flashy toy.i am confused.

Well here's the thing. Do you have dirt bike riding experience or anything like that? If you did, you'd pick things up a bit sooner. As far as your gf goes, she won't know the difference between a 250 ninja, a GS500F and a Gixxer1000. An EX500 has more than enough pop for 2 up riding. Having said that, you really don't want a passenger while you are a newbie. It just adds a whole other dimension of difficulty.

As I mentioned previously, you can start on anything, but some bikes are better than others and there is NO argument against that.... it is fact. For ME, it is about the RIDE not the bike. I want a bike that gives me smiles. I've seen too many newbies on machinery that scared them.... then they give up riding.... they never really gave it a chance.

You're a big boy... you have to figure out what you are looking for.
 
For your gf's sake get a little experience in first.
 
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Don't waste your time getting a 125 or 250. People always tell you, buy it for a season and then upgrade. Why waste your time? That is the most pointless advice ever. I started on a 600. After my first ride on it, and not quite knowing what to expect from her, i was completely comfortable. Yes, it's true that are people that can probably take me in corners on a 125. I'm not racing and that doesn't bother me. I ride my pace on my 600. This is my 3rd season and I don't pretend to be an experienced rider. I've riden in any groups and have been outridden by many people, I just ride my pace. OP, believe my when I tell you. Do not waste your time with this pointless advice of starting on a smaller bike. Simply control your pace until your control level grows.

And yes, it's much cooler to ride a 600 than a 125 or 250, don't care what anybody says. I'm not knocking anybody on those bikes, but if your comparing, then there's no comparing.
 
And yes, it's much cooler to ride a 600 than a 125 or 250, don't care what anybody says. I'm not knocking anybody on those bikes, but if your comparing, then there's no comparing.

so, if I pull up to you with a 1200cc, am I twice as cool as you?? wow.. imagine if I had one of those K1600's !! :) ;)
 
U meant SV650 or SV650-S ? I prefer SV650-S.Do you think that is a good bike for beginner?

They are pretty much the same bike. S has got more fairings, clip-ons, 1 tooth less on the rear sprocket. More sporty ergos (that can be good or bad, depending what you want), better wind protection.

As for getting bored - it's a possibility on a small bike. Once again - depends what you plan on doing. I found out that for longer trips, my 250 was a bit annoying. Struggled climbing and passing was more difficult too. For city driving, commuting, it's was a perfect bike.
I'm also your height, and found the Ninja 250 to be a bit small.

Nevertheless, 600cc sport touring bikes are a very safe option. SV650, Ninja 650, FZ6 - all great.
 
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so, if I pull up to you with a 1200cc, am I twice as cool as you?? wow.. imagine if I had one of those K1600's !! :) ;)

There's always some moron out there trying to twist something.
Yes, there are "cooler" bikes then a 600, however I was comparing a 600 to a 125 or 250. As I stated the first time, a 600 is much cooler than a 125 or 250. The question was never posed, what bikes are cooler than a 600. Until that question is asked, I don't need to hear from you Kiwi.
 
There's always some moron out there trying to twist something.
Yes, there are "cooler" bikes then a 600, however I was comparing a 600 to a 125 or 250. As I stated the first time, a 600 is much cooler than a 125 or 250. The question was never posed, what bikes are cooler than a 600. Until that question is asked, I don't need to hear from you Kiwi.

no need to call me a moron. Obviously you don't have a sense of humor and understand what smiley's are. Australian by chance? ;)
 
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For an older 650cc sport bike I'd say SV650. But if you're never going to go over the posted limit anyway, why would you want something bigger than a 250? They'll do at least 130 and still accelerate faster than a lot of cars. A 650 will do at least 200 which is unnecessary based on your requirements.


I weight 200 lbs and my 250 Ninja easily does 150 km/h. I've had it up to 165 once. Mind you that was redlining it in 6th.

This is my 3rd season with it. I'm def ready to move on to something a little bigger, but it's still plenty fun and cheap as hell to keep on the road.
 
There's always some moron out there trying to twist something.
Yes, there are "cooler" bikes then a 600, however I was comparing a 600 to a 125 or 250. As I stated the first time, a 600 is much cooler than a 125 or 250. The question was never posed, what bikes are cooler than a 600. Until that question is asked, I don't need to hear from you Kiwi.

What bikes are cooler than a 600?
 
Kawasaki GPZ550
Suzuki 650 Tempter
Yamaha XS 500
 
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