Newbie needing advice

[KoopaTim]

I have finally decided to get into the sportbike world and I need a little advice. I have no experience riding and have decided to take the MSF course after getting my permit. I plan on buying a new bike and am undecided on which one. I was considering a GS500F but my cousin said I would outgrow it too fast and that he recommends the Katana 600. I like both bikes but do plan on getting a gixxer in the future after about a year or so of riding experience. I am 6"3" and did feel more comfortable on the Katana. Simply put, which bike would you recommend.? Thanks.

[007]

Considering your size, I would go with the Katana. Just take it easy the first 1K miles!
Keep digging and reading the threads on this website. There is a lot of useful info here. Welcome again!

[LayinLo]

<----GS500F....great beginner bike.

IMO For you, though, I'd go for the Kat.

It's got a little more after market potential and more beginning horsepower. (The first streetbike I ever rode was a '02 Kat 600)

Good luck, and ride safe.....

[KoopaTim]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I am leaning towards the Katana, though both are good bikes. I love the forums, it has been extremely helpful. All the great information is awesome.

Thanks for the help

[87gsxrnut]

Either one would be OK in my book. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. The Kat, as mentioned above, does have more aftermarket stuff available.

- Nut

[Uncle Bob]

Both good choices for a beginner, I would usually stear towards the 500 but given your size the Kats a good choice.

[Stu-04GSX-R600]

You may want to consider looking for a used Katana, since you plan to move to a GSX-R in a year or so. There are many used Katana available, only a year or so old. Since, many people begin in the same position you are. Just a thought. You will be glad you did in a year or so.

[04gsxr600]

Kat would be a good choice as well. I'm about 6'3" as well and with little higher seat height than most (granted not much) on the GSXR I usually tend to feel it after a good ride. Still tryin to work on some different pos. and such. This is all for the street though. Track riding pos. is a different story.

Speaking of GS500 I saw an 04 yellow one in AU the other day. Once in a truck and the other riding around. First time I saw it thought it was a GSXR 600 with the stickers on the fairing and tank very simillar to the 600s, but then i saw the kat like seat. nice either way though.

[KoopaTim]

Thanks for the help. Is a GSX-R600 definetly to much bike for a beginner? I just love the look of that bike so much. I don't plan on being crazy and riding stupidly. I plan on wearing gear and taking the MSF course. I just keep hearing it is too much bike.

[DragonGold]

Cant tell you whats best for you, only you know..but

Katana 600
~ 70 HP 500 pounds - 0 to 60 in 4 seconds

GSXR 600
~ 100 HP ~375 pounds


The Kat 600 is my first bike also, riding about 2 weeks, and it still scares me. Not so much on the straight aways, but in the curves...

I wanted a gsxr also, but the more I read, the more I knew the gsxr was outta my league. I have pretty good willpower, but that bike is fast, and I am inexperienced. Those 2 things dont really mix imo.

well, ima prolly get flamed for this but im going to start out on a 600cc bike as my first sportbike. i suggest buying a cheap dirtbike with a clutch or a dual sport that way you can learn at least the bare basics like clutch and turning and braking and the feel for the bike. i dont highly recommend a 600cc bike, but i believe it depends on your personality alot and not just experience.

[GIXXER-Mike]

Gotta decide for yourself !
I'm 32 & just took my first ever ride on a bike when I purchased it about a month ago...'04 GSX-R600, blue&white.

I've got 800 miles under my belt. Never sat on it once w/o my gear. Although I'm a NEWBIE, the one thing I've learned is:

"YOU MUST CONTROL THE BIKE...NEVER, EVER LET IT CONTROL YOU!"

I believe it takes SELF-DISCIPLINE on any type bike 'cause it's easy to wanna try it out...speed or do tricks so to speak. You must remain aware & in control at all times. To me, this is what matters most. BTW, reading & understanding the threads that are posted in here by experienced riders are worth more than gold.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best !

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by DragonGold

The Kat 600 is my first bike also, riding about 2 weeks, and it still scares me. Not so much on the straight aways, but in the curves...

I wanted a gsxr also, but the more I read, the more I knew the gsxr was outta my league. I have pretty good willpower, but that bike is fast, and I am inexperienced. Those 2 things dont really mix imo.

It's a lot harder to learn cornering on a 500+ pound top heavy bike than it is on a lighter bike with a lower center of gravity. That's why so many recommend a small bike to learn on. You won't go 100 mph or do any wheelies on a GZ250, but you will learn a lot that transfers to riding bigger bikes. The "I'll grow out of it" argument is weak - you are allowed to sell the small bike and get something bigger. Don't try to eat the elephant at one sitting.

[DaMaNP750]

Originally Posted by soad

well, ima prolly get flamed for this but im going to start out on a 600cc bike as my first sportbike. i suggest buying a cheap dirtbike with a clutch or a dual sport that way you can learn at least the bare basics like clutch and turning and braking and the feel for the bike. i dont highly recommend a 600cc bike, but i believe it depends on your personality alot and not just experience.

so your not going to start out on the 750? oh...i am in the minority....

[KoopaTim]

Thanks for the feedback. Reading the forums have been EXTREMELY helpful. The knowledge is amazing. I am still stuck between the Katana and the gixxer 600 (why do they have to look so great). I think I am probably gonna go with the Kat. Insurance is a big reason. The weight difference is big but I think I could handle the Katana. I've never bought a bike before. Do dealers usually give deals like perhaps throw in some free gear? Gear is good.

[DaMaNP750]

most people will say buy a bike in the winter b/c they are hurting to make a sale. that may be true, but the 04 inventory is sitting out there. they want to move those 04's to have the room for the 05's. So they are dealing!

my dealer had to FIND my gixxer 750 and he still gave me a free helmet, tank pad, some shirts, and 25% off of anything else i bought. I bought my leathers, gloves, and framesliders. i saved about $100 in total, while i bought that, while buying the bike. I bought the extended warranty and in that it included 10% off of anything anytime for the duration of the warranty. It also included the first 500 mile tune up!! So i figure i got the extended warranty on a rocket 750, for a mere 300 bucks! Talk about a deal!!

If you go there and let them know you are serious about buying, they will start to sweeten the deal. Just keep asking what else they will give you. Dealers want to make money like everyone else. Oh and also, even though he had to go pick up my bike from somewhere else, he still knocked $100 bucks off of it. I think I got a great deal...no buyers remorse here. And he will be getting a recommendation if any of my friends that want a suzuki or yamaha (that's all the bikes they carry).

[DaMaNP750]

oh yeh...if in doubt take someone with you. two people are more intimidating than just one. plus you can act like you are talking to them or bring someone you trust. ask them on their opinion. makes sure they are a bike person, otherwise you will most likely just hear, you dont need that.

yeh i know i dont NEED it, but I WILL buy it.

good luck either way

[Uncle Bob]

No such thing as free gear, just means you're paying more for the bike. They will usually be more open to throwing in gear than reducing the prices because any price reduction is a 100% profit loss.

Whereas throwing in a $100 retail item only costs them maybe 50% of that amount. As mentioned they will usually throw in a discount on anything else you may buy at the same time or a smaller discount for a predetermined period.

However I am leery of these types of deals because getting a 10% discount off the MSRP may be more expensive than the regular price at another shop.

Best example I can give is a friend who bought a bike in a certain shop and got a 25% discount on two first gear jackets selling for $350 can. He paid $560.00 can for both jackets. I went into another dealer the following day and bought 3 of them ( Wife/daughter/myself) for $99 can a piece for exactly the same jacket.

So as in all situations, buyer beware. If you think buying a bike there will get you a discount on a secondary product then do your homework on the secondary product before signing on the dotted line.

[DaMaNP750]

I agree with you. However, the items I bought aren't being discounted anywhere except ebay and they dont have my size. The GSX-R yellow leather jacket is $300 and i couldnt find that anywhere cheaper. I paid 240. I think thats a pretty good deal. My gloves are suzuki gloves that I also couldnt find anywhere else. I know my frame slider price was about average AFTER the discount, but hey while I was at it, yeh know?

I didn't buy the bike becuase he was giving me this. I already decided to puchase the bike and then I started asking questions. He obliged and I think it was a win-win situation. Besides you can pay more for something and be completely happy. Thats what salesmanship is all about. If you can make someone happy with their purchase, then nothing else matters.

[LayinLo]

Originally Posted by DaMaNP750

I didn't buy the bike becuase he was giving me this. I already decided to puchase the bike and then I started asking questions. He obliged and I think it was a win-win situation. Besides you can pay more for something and be completely happy. Thats what salesmanship is all about. If you can make someone happy with their purchase, then nothing else matters.

I agree. Glad you feel good good about your deal.