couple n00b questions

[clownin]

Hey guys, this was the only bike board i could find

I've never had my own bike and have only ridden a couple. I want to get a bike for school, no parkin in my school so bike is the best way to go. I dont want a moped or some gay ass scooter.

What beginner bikes should i be looking at and how much should i be spending? 600cc is big enough for a first bike right/

What bike is best for buck, i dont need some extremely fast bike just something that looks good and will get me from home to school easier

thanks guys

[MaineZuki]

Considering this is a Suzuki Forum, most guys here will tell you (and for good reason) to pick yourself up a suzuki. I just got an 83 GS 550. Its got a great powerband. The controls aren't too sensitive, its comfortable and about as fast as you need to go. You can pick up an early 90's for about $1500 give or take. Would'nt suggest a GSX-R of any kind yet. Get some experience under your belt first.

Ride Safe
p.s. Welcome aboard

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by clownin

What beginner bikes should i be looking at and how much should i be spending? 600cc is big enough for a first bike right/

here's a good board to check out:
http://www.beginnerbikes.com/pages/guide.html

Look for a good deal on a used bike that fits your likes and budget. And then enjoy it!

[Clint]

Originally Posted by clownin

Hey guys, this was the only bike board i could find

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...torcycle+forum

Be aware that engine displacement isn't a solid indicator of power. Modern 600's make almost 3 times the horsepower of those of 15 years ago. Research a model carefully before you commit.

[87gsxrnut]

Modern 600's make almost 3 times the horsepower of those of 15 years ago.

Case in point, I just got my '86 1100 off the dyno. It makes 124.5 HP on an inertia dyno, and 96.3 HP on the Factory EC997a Eddy. Those numbers are on par with the new STOCK 600s! Granted, my motor is basically stock, but still, that is how far technology has come in almost 20-years. Also weigh in the factor that the new 600s are at least 50 lbs. lighter than mine, and you can start understanding the picture.

The whole "600 is a beginner bike" concept is lost on todays new riders. A 600 GSX-R or Ninja 636 is NOT a beginner's bike. Unless maybe you are talking a Bandit or Katana 600. MAYBE.

- Nut

[mike0r]

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Case in point, I just got my '86 1100 off the dyno. It makes 124.5 HP on an inertia dyno, and 96.3 HP on the Factory EC997a Eddy. Those numbers are on par with the new STOCK 600s! Granted, my motor is basically stock, but still, that is how far technology has come in almost 20-years. Also weigh in the factor that the new 600s are at least 50 lbs. lighter than mine, and you can start understanding the picture.

The whole "600 is a beginner bike" concept is lost on todays new riders. A 600 GSX-R or Ninja 636 is NOT a beginner's bike. Unless maybe you are talking a Bandit or Katana 600. MAYBE.

- Nut

not even, thats why they make 500's

[wafflehouse]

my first street bike is going to be a katana

but i have ridden dirtbikes and been on motorcycles in general for about half my life

-wafflehouse

[staticxmg]

why wouldn't the 600 be a good beginners bike? It doesn't have that much power, its almost impossible to stand it up, to me a 600 is perfect to start on, quick enough to get you out of trouble, but small enough not to get you into anything you didn't want to be in.

[hydewildman]

dude rofl ur sadly mistaken if you jump on a gixxer 600 it WILL stand up and will throw you for a loop it is NOT a forgiving bike and if you buy a gixxer thinking that it doesnt have much power and that you can hadle it your going to get killed

[prekarious1]

Originally Posted by staticxmg

why wouldn't the 600 be a good beginners bike? It doesn't have that much power, its almost impossible to stand it up, to me a 600 is perfect to start on, quick enough to get you out of trouble, but small enough not to get you into anything you didn't want to be in.

a 600 may be "low" on hp when compared to a litre bike, but if you look at power to weight ratios, then there is no lack of power there. As far as being almost impossible to stand up, that is from your lack of ability, not the bike. You don't even have to gear or clutch up any modern 600's. They will do it off of power alone. The only thing that has to be quick enough to get you out of trouble is your reflexes, modern 600's are NOT forgiving. When you mess up they don't have enough weight to just soak up your inputs and off you go.

A good beginner bike that will last you a long time and you can have plenty of fun on would be a SV-650. It is engineered to be a slightly more forgiving bike than the race replicas but still has the power and talent to let you have plenty of fun on.

[ctx46]

a 600 wont stand up U say?
Bahh.... they will do it with the best of em
http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/124013/ U can do it that way..... or just give her hell and @ about 8000 it will automatically pick up for u.... btw, red line starts @ 14,000 rpm.....

and a gsxr is by no means a forgivign bike, it gives U back what U give it, nothing more nothign less..... so if a noob bought the gsxr-600, which U say is great for beginers, and took a corner, and accedently goosed it.... what would happen...
a) nothing,
b) either go down cause the rear got away from U, or go meet whats straight in front of U real damn quick.....

I will go wit b on that one, Im sure every one elce will to.... .

and that goes for any modern 600.... there in most cases over 105 hp @ the rear wheel, great for beginers

sorry for my rant...
best of luck to ya man and welcom aboard...
joe

[Clint]

Originally Posted by staticxmg

why wouldn't the 600 be a good beginners bike?

Guess they told you, eh? A 600 from the 80's might be fine, as was the 1989 Radian I learned on, but certainly not a modern one.

[Fox]

Well my first bike was a 1989 FZR-600, and I distinctly remember ripping the throttle open at 7,000 rpm and riding a nice wheelie down the road. The same for the 1989 F1 Hurricane. That 1989 FZR for my first bike was a mistake. I almost killed myself on it going wide in decreasing radius turn. Think about it...

i would certanly suggest a ninja 250, they are somewhat good looking and even though this is a suzuki forum, and ita a kawasaki, it is a GREAT learners bike, and good money too. when you get bored of it, step up to a suzuki sz650 then a gixxer 600. or, if you are a cautious guy, start on a gixxer 600, like my cousin who now rides a 1000, a year after he started on a gixxer 600.

[Hoomgar]

As the guys have said here I just want to reinforce it.
Bore is not a good indicator unless coupled with year and
bhp.

Get something that is not "wicked" like a modern 600 or larger.

Getting an older used but serviceable Suzi GS can be invaluable.
It will not only give you a good safe well handling bike to learn on
but will cost you a lot less to get started.

I would suggest an early to mid 80's GS550 or 650 for you. If you are
really green and unsure of yourself then get the 550 or even smaller.
A 400 or 450 has plenty of power to navigate safely through and with
traffic while keeping it on the safe side of the power band.

Plus, when you learn on a good handling low powered bike you become
a better over all rider.

And you get better gas mileage

Rock on!

[ZX-10R Urza]

Ok, I'd just like to point something out here. Most of the poeple here saying a 600 isn't a good beginners bike have prolly ridding 600s from the past, even 5 years ago they didn't even make 100 at the rear. My friedn your photo of a gixxer standing isn't saying anytihng. A 250 will stand you up IF you clutch it. If our friedn wieghts a large amount than it might not stand him up. Plenty of poeple are starting on a 600, Hell I am. A 600 is a lot of bike for you, but not me. Its like fighter pilots. The skills of one generation are no match for the skills of the next. Now in 2024, I will say a 2024 600 will be to big for a bigenner, Buts that prolly cause then they will hav lik 200 HP, whioch will be lot to me since i grew up aroung 100 hp machines. So yes, i fell a 600 well do a borderline job of a learners bike, Heck that's prolly why its the best selling class in america.