New rider with questions.

[Mikael]

Hi all, I'll make a welcome post next.. heh- I'm looking for a used bike, and found a GSXR 750 for a good price, by new I mean never set foot on a bike (though my Team Oregon class will start on the 27th)


Would going to 750cc first be a bad decision? Or should I spend more on a 600cc to begin with.. the 750cc 2003 GSXR is $2,900. I'm looking for a bike that will last me, and keeping me alive would be another nice commodity.

[Flyte Risk]

the short answer is YES!

It's a long drawn out answer to point out everything and there will always be exceptions to the rule. I personally feel that the younger you are the smaller the bike you should start out on and even then 600's are the max anyone new to riding should try to start on. Hopefully Niceguy525 will see this and respond, he just went from an "entry level" 600 to an '07 GSXR 750. He'd be better able to explain the why nots since he knows first hand how bad a 750 wants to hurt you. Heck, even my 600 has left me feeling like a $2 whore who didn't give change.

[Mikael]

haha good response! Yeah I've been told 600cc's is what I should start with a lot, I didn't realize that extra 150cc's made such a huge impact- oh well, maybe I'll find an okay deal later on down the road. Here is the posting incase anybody is interested. http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/614382852.html

[NinjaKitty]

:haha: Yeah.I'm starting with a Ex 500 because I was told that was the biggest i should considered...I will hopefully hear from them soon too. I already paid up for my classes..Just waiting to hear which date I'm down for.. Good luck. I've only toyed around since last Sept....Feel like I need more time though. Oh well. best foot forward.

Good luck

[Flyte Risk]

Another good way to sum up the size of bike you should start with is ask yourself "How good is my health and disability insurance?"

I started on an entry level 600 at 32, one screw up later because I got stupid and I was off work for about 3-1/2 weeks with a sprained knee and a fractured Tibia (schin)

[NinjaKitty]

Another good way to sum up the size of bike you should start with is ask yourself "How good is my health and disability insurance?"

I started on an entry level 600 at 32, one screw up later because I got stupid and I was off work for about 3-1/2 weeks with a sprained knee and a fractured Tibia (schin)

Ouch...ok..I'm fine with the 500..lol..God forbid that kind of bad luck..:(

[willcbr600rr]

Scam--- just do a search on the email. Posted on craigslist everywhere :runaway: Scam

[Mikael]

Scam--- just do a search on the email. Posted on craigslist everywhere :runaway: Scam



lol! Good catch >_> I knew that was too low! Sheesh

[nelson]

Scam--- just do a search on the email. Posted on craigslist everywhere :runaway: Scam

Yes I have to agree!!!! It looks like the 2007 gsxr se to me. I could be wrong on the pic but I can almost guarentee it's a scam. I went through this same type of sale when I wanted to buy a quad. I will contact the seller to see what they have to say. If the circumstance seem the same as the scam I almost fell for...I'll let you know asap!!

[nelson]

Hey I just e-mailed the seller...I will keep you posted.

[Flyte Risk]

It's absolutely a 90 something GSXR. It looks grampa like to my '07

Still not the point of this thread, if you want to live stay away from the late model 600's or even older larger models.

[YAMR6]

To start, I’m a noob!! Take what I say with that in mind.
My very first street bike of any kind is the YZF-R6. I would in no way call myself a good rider but I would consider myself a safe rider…well I would like to think so. LOL I have also been riding dirt for a couple year which helped me a little. Getting on my bike for the first time this December was quite the experience. Didn’t have any problems but I realized RIGHT NOW, that bike has more power then I would ever hope to use. I still feel that way after 1200miles and I’m sure it will stay that way at 12,000 miles. I’m very happy that I got the bike and I’m very happy with the power. What I learned from dirt that I can say transfers the same to street, DO NOT RIDE OVER YOUR HEAD!!
My last 2 coins, if you haven’t ridden anything before, I would stick to the 500 class. I couldn’t imagine starting out on my bike not having any prior experience. Not saying it can’t be done or isn’t done a thousand times a year.
Hope to see you on the road, rubber side down!!

[Mikael]

Would 600cc really be too much, I'm planning to spend my time riding extremely safe, but also want a bike I'm not going to get bored with within a few months of using it.. I jumped in to a car as soon as I got my permit, and picked that up within a day of driving.. with a bike I'm sure it's different, but shouldn't engine size just bring more potential speed/acceleration? Whether you use that should be up to the rider, no? I just don't want an investment I won't regret later on.

The model I've been looking at in the 600 line is the honda CBR600RR.. If a lot of people with more experience than me (I've never ridden a motorcycle, or a dirtbike) think a smaller engine should be the way to go, then I'll definitely start out lower! I don't want to lose my bike, or my face. But I will be riding at Team Oregon classes, I think they're 250s..


It's a little scary talking about something you can lose your life over, from lack of experience.. but at the same time you have to risk it to get better! Doing all my homework in advance, because soon I'll not have a car, and rely purely on a motorcycle. Thanks for all the questions answered, mixed responses so far.

[MarineHawk]

I'm all for starting at anywhere from a 500-650, depending on the bike. Anything in that range makes for a decent "beginner class" bike that can and will keep you happy for years. Obviously, the happy feeling will probably stick around moreso with (for example) a Daytona 675 vice GSX500F, but still.

One suggestion I would make is that if you plan on -only- having a motorcycle, get something a little more comfortable than a 600RR, perhaps an SV650. Not only more comfortable, but twins are just better bikes (shameless plug). ;)

As for speed/acceleration, that depends on the rider to a degree, because it's just waaaaay to damn easy to crack that throttle, be overwhelmed, and all of a sudden you've twisted it wide open and have flown off the ass end. In the end, you don't sound like you're gonna be an idiot on it like so many other people starting out insistent that "they can handle it" and would end up just fine starting in the 600ish range.

[DrDuc]

I'm going to take a strong position in this post. My intention is not to insult anyone who went with a 600cc (or larger bike) as their first bike. As has been said before, it happens thousands of times every year. I simply do not think it is a good idea and it is not something that I encourage new riders to do.

I've been riding motorcycles for 40, yes, 40 years. I've crashed going between 100 and 120 mph (in full view of a State Trooper, oops!). I should have died that day. I'd been riding for 14 years when that crash happended. It cracks me up when new riders think that 1200 miles is enough to give them even a hint of what can happen when riding on the street. I tend to ride close to 20,000 miles per year on the street and I still consider myself to be someone who has a lot left to learn about being a good rider.

At the time of the crash, I was also riding a few hundred hours a year in the dirt.

I take my riding very seriously because it can kill me.

was the sales manager at a Honda dealership when Interceptors came out. Virtually everyone of them that I sold to someone under 25 came back to the shop wrecked within one month of the rider purchasing the bike. One of those riders was a mechanic at the shop. I have very strong opinions about how new riders should start out.

Our motorcycle licensing laws are too lenient. It's crazy that a new rider can go in and buy a motorcycle that can be going close to 200 mph within a mile of leaving the dealership. I believe that we should have a tiered licensing system like they use in Europe where you have to start out on 125cc or 250cc and work your way up.

If riders did that, they'd find out that none of us actually "need" anything more than a 500cc twin to ride on the street. We'd find out that the fastest way that most riders can traverse a twisty piece of tarmac is on a lightweight bike with awesome handling and adequate power.

Riders who start on small bikes become much better riders because they're not constantly scaring themselves so bad that they're brains run out of the processing power needed to learn how to improve their riding skills.

Stow your ego. Start on a small bike. Commit to taking riding lessons. Then laugh your ass off when you're railing through corners passing the people who had to have the 600s (and larger bikes) as their first bikes.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.

[Skipbo]

:welcome:

I vote for a 650 twin as a beginner bike. Fun, linear, simple, a minimal amount of fiberglass to replace, lower insurance premium, etc, etc.

I would avoid a full fairing'd superbike at all costs for the 1st few years of riding experience. It's insanely expensive to replace when the bike tips over in the parking lot or garage.

[nelson]

I just don't want an investment I won't regret later on


It's a little scary talking about something you can lose your life over, from lack of experience.. but at the same time you have to risk it to get better! Thanks for all the questions answered, mixed responses so far.:ride: :moped: :goldwing: :flamebike: :motorcycle:

Just remember A lot of accidents are because the rider gets into a position he/she doesn't have the experience to handle. A new rider just told me the other day how he almost got into a wreck when the car in front of him stopped quickly and he slammed on the REAR brake to stop. He never mentioned the front brake at all. Now it won't matter much, what size of bike you will be on when you go down. ( and trust me you will go down) it matters what you do as an instict to protect yourself when the time comes. I have been riding street for 15 yrs and dirt for 20. I purchased my first sport bike two months age. ( a hayabusa gsx-r 1300) I got it with the intention of being able to to have to most fun on a sport bike while riding in comfort. Now that I have over 1000 miles on it, i really wished I would have went smaller. Not that I can't handle the bike but riding in the sportbike position is a whole new world than riding in the cruiser position. The weight shift in the turns and overall body positioning. I really agree with the post said about graduating up to the size of bike that suits you best. Just remeber if you crash and wipe out the bike which investment would you have regretted the most...a cheaper 250 or much more expensive 600 r.

Oh and I got a response on that 750 and so far It kind of seems like it could be a honest sale. I will dig some more but If you are seriously entertaining this bike I would beg you to ride with seasoned vets for awhile before getting rid of the car to ride this and only this bike on your own.

[Jane Honda]

Oh, and one more thing.









GEARGEARGEARGEARGEARGEARGEARGEARGEARGEAR!!!!!!!!!




Did I also mention, wear your gear?

[Mikael]

Oh and I got a response on that 750 and so far It kind of seems like it could be a honest sale.


I got a response too, he/she told me they'd put in on ebay so I can buy it through there.. yeah right- I'm in the same town after all, so I really find it hard to believe that you'd get it for that price.


@Jane Honda - Yeah I realize gear is really, really important.. I've been picking stuff up for good deals, like today I got some nice gloves, and a jacket for 50% off! Love sales >_>

@DrDuc - "Stow your ego" that's good advice- and I completely agree as a beginner.

@MarineHawk - The SV650 interests me, it's comfortable, and affordable. I also like the Buell's but they're above 1000cc- so that would be the bike I'd upgrade to.

[Bones]

Get a SV 650 Naked. I got one for my first bike and I still have it 2 years later. You can do a lot of mods to this bike and as your skills get better so can your bike. my 2 cents. got mine in 06, the bike is a 04 that had a pipe and K&N for $4,000 with only 3,200 hundred miles. It was a steal. Great bike just went for a 90 mile ride today.

[nelson]

This was her response:: Hi there,
First of all I must say that the price is firm $2,900.00 USD. The bike is in perfect shape , very good running condition , 2,095 miles on it , clear title , no scratches. I am selling it because soon will have my first baby. I am very excited about this. My main priority from now on will be family so I'm selling the it to get a family car. As payment method will use only eBay. As protection I am affiliated at eBay and I have a purchase protection account for $20.000 USD. If indeed you are interested to buy the car please let me know your full name and shipping address and I'll start the eBay process immediately.
Thanks in advance


If this is the same as yours then I just might be a scam..I don't know...What do you all think???

[Mikael]

This was her response:: Hi there,
First of all I must say that the price is firm $2,900.00 USD. The bike is in perfect shape , very good running condition , 2,095 miles on it , clear title , no scratches. I am selling it because soon will have my first baby. I am very excited about this. My main priority from now on will be family so I'm selling the it to get a family car. As payment method will use only eBay. As protection I am affiliated at eBay and I have a purchase protection account for $20.000 USD. If indeed you are interested to buy the car please let me know your full name and shipping address and I'll start the eBay process immediately.
Thanks in advance


If this is the same as yours then I just might be a scam..I don't know...What do you all think???


Yeah that was the same exact as mine.. total scam. You go to craigslist to deal locally, not hotlink to an ebay auction.

[Mikael]

Get a SV 650 Naked. I got one for my first bike and I still have it 2 years later. You can do a lot of mods to this bike and as your skills get better so can your bike. my 2 cents. got mine in 06, the bike is a 04 that had a pipe and K&N for $4,000 with only 3,200 hundred miles. It was a steal. Great bike just went for a 90 mile ride today.


This is the only one I could find around here (http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/615102898.html), though a bikeshop I went to today had a few used ones for sale.. had I gotten some service I would have asked how much they went for! :P I saw a picture of one sv650 without the windscreen.... sooo hot! That would be my choice of a starter bike. Here's the auction.. so far away though! LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-SUZUKI-SV650-SV-650-NAKED-SPORT-BIKE-V-TWIN-POWER_W0QQitemZ170203395978QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m170203395978)

[Bones]

Just make sure you get one that is fuel injected. I belive they started making them EFI in 03? It is nice not playing with a choke on a cold bike. The one in your photo was carberated.

[Nicegy525]

First off, anyone can ride anything provided they have the right mentality!

But Im gonna be a hypoctrite and say start out small. Reason being is that you can learn important lessons and habits much easier on a smaller, lighter, more forgiving bike. The when you upgrade, you already have the skills to put that extra power to good use!

The downside of starting big is you can really get yourself into trouble with that throttle. Twist it too hard coming out of a turn and you can break the rear wheel loose and become Superman's stunt double... Too much throttle coming into a turn will leave your legs sticking out the the hillside you just plowed into cause you couldnt hold the line...

My first bike was a 1990 Katana 750 Granted it was an OLD 750, it was still heavy as balls and had lots of power. (I dropped the dang thing 3 times) I only bought it cause it was owned by a good friend and it was in my price range. I rode this thing (mostly by myself) for about 8 months and put about 8,000+ miles on it before I sold it for exactly what I paid.

Then I bought a brand new 2005 Kawi ZZR-600. It was new, but a more mild 600 compared to the supersports. The thing was lightyears of difference from the old Katana! It made about the same, if not more power and the handling was ten times better! in 3 years I put alost 28K miles on this bike and she still runs great today! I learned the most on this bike because while it could go fast, it was VERY forgiving for the newbie mistakes I made.

Just recently I stepped up to a 2007 GSXR 750 and HOLY F^^K BALL$ This thing is freakin FAST!!!!! The only reason I havent crashed it is because of the lessons I learned from 30K+ miles of experience on older, less powerful bikes. I seriously would not recommend this bike to beginners!

*knocks on wood* I have yet to taste the harsh asphalt in my riding career. I credit this to a solid attitude and keeping things in perspective and my ego in check. I always focus MORE on riding CORRECTLY instead of riding fast. Speed is a byproduct of learning things the right way! As I have learned and progressed, I have become a little more faster every riding season. Im still not as fast as alot of riders are, but I care more about coming home in onw piece than I do about hangin with the big boys.

Mikael, if the 750 is what you want, go for it. but bear in mind you would do well to keep the right attitude and not be in a hurry to get fast! It will definitely last you a long time before you got bored. Although so would a 600. Buy what you want and what fits you best and get out there and find some good instruction.

Oh and if you are interested I have the ZZR for sale! check out my thread in the for sale section!

[orion15220]

Just in the process of buying for my wife and then I saw your ad!!!!!!


I would say its a scam

[orion15220]

[orion15220]

http://i32.tinypic.com/15p1vk9.jpgCase ID:65B4T138L3W13Date:Mar.22.2008Status:Payment Pending

[Jane Honda]

First off, anyone can ride anything provided they have the right mentality!

But Im gonna be a hypoctrite and say start out small. Reason being is that you can learn important lessons and habits much easier on a smaller, lighter, more forgiving bike. The when you upgrade, you already have the skills to put that extra power to good use!

The downside of starting big is you can really get yourself into trouble with that throttle. Twist it too hard coming out of a turn and you can break the rear wheel loose and become Superman's stunt double... Too much throttle coming into a turn will leave your legs sticking out the the hillside you just plowed into cause you couldnt hold the line...

My first bike was a 1990 Katana 750 Granted it was an OLD 750, it was still heavy as balls and had lots of power. (I dropped the dang thing 3 times) I only bought it cause it was owned by a good friend and it was in my price range. I rode this thing (mostly by myself) for about 8 months and put about 8,000+ miles on it before I sold it for exactly what I paid.

Then I bought a brand new 2005 Kawi ZZR-600. It was new, but a more mild 600 compared to the supersports. The thing was lightyears of difference from the old Katana! It made about the same, if not more power and the handling was ten times better! in 3 years I put alost 28K miles on this bike and she still runs great today! I learned the most on this bike because while it could go fast, it was VERY forgiving for the newbie mistakes I made.

Just recently I stepped up to a 2007 GSXR 750 and HOLY F^^K BALL$ This thing is freakin FAST!!!!! The only reason I havent crashed it is because of the lessons I learned from 30K+ miles of experience on older, less powerful bikes. I seriously would not recommend this bike to beginners!

*knocks on wood* I have yet to taste the harsh asphalt in my riding career. I credit this to a solid attitude and keeping things in perspective and my ego in check. I always focus MORE on riding CORRECTLY instead of riding fast. Speed is a byproduct of learning things the right way! As I have learned and progressed, I have become a little more faster every riding season. Im still not as fast as alot of riders are, but I care more about coming home in onw piece than I do about hangin with the big boys.

Mikael, if the 750 is what you want, go for it. but bear in mind you would do well to keep the right attitude and not be in a hurry to get fast! It will definitely last you a long time before you got bored. Although so would a 600. Buy what you want and what fits you best and get out there and find some good instruction.

Oh and if you are interested I have the ZZR for sale! check out my thread in the for sale section!




I don't know who's balls you have been holding, but damn, if they are heavy, all the power to ya!!! :unsure:

[CopperSV1]

Start with a 650 Twin or a 500 Four. +1 for SV650!