I need Info. !!!

[bluedevil127]

Wassup guys; i'm newbie sort of and I've got a couple questions(newbie sort of meaning i dont even know how to ride yet).

1. My friend is gonna teach me to ride on his '02 R6, so could i get a Katana as my first bike??? I know the Katana does'nt pack as much punch as a gixxer so I think it would be best.

2. How's insurance for a 23 year old newbie???

Any info. would be a great help. Thanx in advance.

[87gsxrnut]

Ummm . . . exactly what is his idea of "teaching you to ride"?

- Nut

[Clint]

It's well known that being taught by a friend is among the highest risk factors.

Get some real training. Learning how to shift and where the brakes are isn't training, and only sets you up to hurt yourself.

Having said that, a Katana is still a heck of a bike. Even one from 10 years ago makes 65 horsepower or more. That's a lot for someone with no real experience.

[bluedevil127]

Ok, I can see your point. So I'll take the MSF course but still; any suggestons on my first bike ???

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by bluedevil127

Ok, I can see your point. So I'll take the MSF course but still; any suggestons on my first bike ???

Go online and check insurance rates. I suggest www.progressive.com and www.bike-line.com for easy quotes. This is certainly one important step in buying your first bike. A website with a lot of good advice for beginner bikes is www.beginnerbikes.com, as well as the more experienced riders here.

[Clint]

I've seen countless posts preaching the virtues of a GS500 as a first. I sat on one for the first time yesterday. Nice!

It's a bit upright, like my Bandit, and it looks good. It doesn't feel small or wimpy like I had anticipated (the small Ninjas seem too small for typical man).

Give 'er a sit.

[bluedevil127]

Ok, I went to local shop and they actually had a 2 used gs500s, so I gave them a sit. It's kinda upright so I felt comfortable with the riding position. They're both a little banged up but each has less than 10,000 miles on them and they're under $2000. I just have to set up my Msf lessons now.
Thanx for all the info. and if u have any more, keep it comin' !!!

[Mike Burnham]

Congrats on the choice. If you are learning, having a bike that is a little banged up will just let you relax a bit, knowing you will not be banging up a perfectly maintained bike if you drop it. Putting a scratch on a scrated bike is not as hard on you as putting one on an unscratched bike.
Good luck with the course. See ya on the highway.

[Louis]

Great choice! The GS500 should satisfy your needs a while. They also have the advantage of having not too much plastic if, God forbid, you drop your bike.

Let us know how it goes.