Sport bikes are not beginner bikes BUT...

Forum Sponsor
hc7 said:
... any bike can reach 120kmh and give you superior braking to almost any car. even the cbr125 that we rode during the msf course ...
Click to expand...

Just so you know that's not really true. Most cars can outbrake a motorbike. The size of the contact patches is the key. Cars have a lot more contact patch on the road than any bike and that leads to better braking performance. A google search or even a search on this forum will guide you to a few discussions on this. Let's not even consider reaction times or what could happen on your bike if you 'panic' and hammer down on both brakes with full force vs same reaction in a car.
 
I bought a Suzuki Bandit 600S as my first bike last June. This bike is very similar to the 600 Katana.

I'm a mountain biker, I have ridden dirt bikes and I did alright in the safety course so I thought I could handle something bigger than a 250/500. I'm also a bigger guy at 6'2", 190 lbs.

I wouldn't consider the power scary - it's got 70 hp, so not too slow but not too fast. The bike is pretty cushy and has relaxed angles - it's forgiving and not too sensitive to input. It's very comfty and pretty smooth on the highway, and is comfty on 2-up rides. The only concern for this bike as a first bike is that it's heavy (480 lbs, 500 wet?). I've dropped it twice at a standstill. And I could nit-pick a few things about it... it needs to rev for power and the stock headlamp is poor ...

Not all 600's are created equal. The Bandit is a nice overall bike that does everything well enough, and it's WAY less to insure than an F4i. And I wouldn't have a hope in hell of keeping pace with an F4i. I have known of riders who bought FZ6's as first bikes and they enjoyed them too.

Part of me wonders if I should've gotten an SV - it would be quicker, lighter, sportier and a bit more fun. But I found the right bike at the right price and I do like the comfort/tour-ability of the Bandit. I intend to do some demo days this summer and see what I missed.

It might be too big/heavy if you're a first-time rider (no MX) or not big. My girlfriend is 5'9" and is interested in riding, but when the time comes we will probably get her a smaller, lighter first bike.
 
The F4i is pretty nice bike - test rode one for my friend a while back - I think it's OK to start on - as long as you take it easy. Not sure why everybody is up in arms about someone wanting to start on something other than a 125 or 250. I started on a 600 Katana - granted that was in the 90's. And 600's these days are not like the old days bikes. That being said, I was also riding my buddies 750 Katana, and 1100 Katana - and as long as you took it easy, you'd be fine. I was 26'ish at the time.

I've also had a 650 SV - which was nice, kind of cramped and uncomfortable though. I'm now 39, and can't even think about sitting on one without my back seizing up - ended up getting a BMW R1100S last year for comfort sake.

I think you should get the F4i if you find a good deal for one, but take it easy until your throttle hand muscle memory learns the fine movements for throttle control.
 
rich6969 said:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?136088-2011-Kawasaki-Ninja-400R-Low-KM-s!...bingo
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link but I don't think that bike is in my price range. When I was previously looking at the 2006 F4i's my range was $5-6K. Aside from a bike matching my riding skill, I was looking forward to more of a beginner bike for the savings in insurance an initial purchase price. I actually found a nice Yamaha FZ6R online and I'm waiting for the bugger to reply to my e-mail so I can talk to him about it.
 
honduhmatic said:
I bought a Suzuki Bandit 600S as my first bike last June. This bike is very similar to the 600 Katana.

I'm a mountain biker, I have ridden dirt bikes and I did alright in the safety course so I thought I could handle something bigger than a 250/500. I'm also a bigger guy at 6'2", 190 lbs.

I wouldn't consider the power scary - it's got 70 hp, so not too slow but not too fast. The bike is pretty cushy and has relaxed angles - it's forgiving and not too sensitive to input. It's very comfty and pretty smooth on the highway, and is comfty on 2-up rides. The only concern for this bike as a first bike is that it's heavy (480 lbs, 500 wet?). I've dropped it twice at a standstill. And I could nit-pick a few things about it... it needs to rev for power and the stock headlamp is poor ...

Not all 600's are created equal. The Bandit is a nice overall bike that does everything well enough, and it's WAY less to insure than an F4i. And I wouldn't have a hope in hell of keeping pace with an F4i. I have known of riders who bought FZ6's as first bikes and they enjoyed them too.

Part of me wonders if I should've gotten an SV - it would be quicker, lighter, sportier and a bit more fun. But I found the right bike at the right price and I do like the comfort/tour-ability of the Bandit. I intend to do some demo days this summer and see what I missed.

It might be too big/heavy if you're a first-time rider (no MX) or not big. My girlfriend is 5'9" and is interested in riding, but when the time comes we will probably get her a smaller, lighter first bike.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your feedback mate! I'm average height/weight so a bike I can't pickup won't be much good to me. I recall one time my ex-boss tried to move his 1600cc Harley from the driveway to the garage. He dropped it accidentally and it took both of us to pick the damn thing up - that's not what I call fun.
 
I've seen a small women pick up a wing. Its more about technique then the weight of the bike.
 
sundancekid said:
Ah the YouTubes...I hope I never share the fate of those bozos caught on tape smashing their rides.
Click to expand...

You most likely will... Hopefully not too badly, though :cool:
 
sundancekid said:
Gee thanks :sad1: I can't wait!
Click to expand...

FYI, my first (and so far only) real crash was mid-2nd season.. I was already a bit cocky, ran over some gravel spilled on Dufferin, but being cocky didn't mean that I knew that I should have used the rear brake under the circumstances. Grabbed a fistful of front and lowsided. A bit of abrasion of the knee (from the kevlar rub) and a bruise... Some damage on the plastics, new pegs, new shifter, new windscreen, painted the bike to match my riding pants :cool: Speaking of pants, I sewed them back up and did the same with the jacket (search "ghetto mesh")
 
I started out on a 600cc

If you want to take it easy (<5000 rpm) for a while, it's fine to get started. Don't even think about going over that until you are perfectly comfortable.
Also, keep you wrist in check... no sudden throttle flinches.

All in all, you can do it, but you have a lot less fun than starting on a 250. But on the plus side, when you are comfortable, you can turn on the power and have much more fun.
 
grow out of your 125 in one season? I rode my little Kawasaki KH-100 for about 3 years before I upgraded.
 
Yep, there are two kinds are riders.... those who have wiped out and those who have yet to experience the pleasure of wiping out! LOL!
 
FiReSTaRT said:
FYI, my first (and so far only) real crash was mid-2nd season.. I was already a bit cocky, ran over some gravel spilled on Dufferin, but being cocky didn't mean that I knew that I should have used the rear brake under the circumstances. Grabbed a fistful of front and lowsided. A bit of abrasion of the knee (from the kevlar rub) and a bruise... Some damage on the plastics, new pegs, new shifter, new windscreen, painted the bike to match my riding pants :cool: Speaking of pants, I sewed them back up and did the same with the jacket (search "ghetto mesh")
Click to expand...

Good to know! A consistent theme I've hear from people when they've described wipeouts (including one of my RTI instructors 1 week prior to the course) have crashed when hitting gravel unexpectedly, especially when cornering. I hope not to make the same mistake but it seems to be pretty common.
 
ike said:
Yep, there are two kinds are riders.... those who have wiped out and those who have yet to experience the pleasure of wiping out! LOL!
Click to expand...

I've heard similar things from other experienced riders, although phrased a little differently. "There are two kinds of riders, those who have fallen (wipeout) and those who will fall." If/when it happens to me I hope the gear I invest in keeps me safe and I learn from it.
 
Skyler said:
I started out on a 600cc

If you want to take it easy (<5000 rpm) for a while, it's fine to get started. Don't even think about going over that until you are perfectly comfortable.
Also, keep you wrist in check... no sudden throttle flinches.

All in all, you can do it, but you have a lot less fun than starting on a 250. But on the plus side, when you are comfortable, you can turn on the power and have much more fun.
Click to expand...

Meh! I'll stick with something between 125-500 and wait till I grow out of it. I'm only aiming to do 120KM/H on the 400 series highways, that's it! Not interested in losing my license because that'll result in losing my job.
 
hc7 said:
hey sundaneckid

the motorcycle show this weekend might have some good deals for used bikes.

http://www.supershowevents.com/spring/sms11-used-bikes.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion mate! I'm actually aiming at a Ninja 250R in Sunbeam Red. I found one for a fair price that has been babied a lot and hasn't been dropped. So I think I'm going to put money down on that tomorrow. I have yet to have anyone tell me that the Ninja 250's make bad bikes for beginners so I should be happy. I've seen a few bikes out today and it makes me so envious! I need my fix! Don't know about anyone else but riding feels like some kinda drug. Never done drugs, but if I imagined what it feels like it would be like that.
 
Sundancekid, you are going to love your 250. yesterday was my first day riding in traffic. Picked up my ninja from the dealer, rode it home, grabbed lunch and went cruising all around town. I headed out again early this morning and got home right before the rain. so far I've put 133km. This bike is so nimble and easy to control. Ride safe and see you on the road!
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom