newbie

[kinkyllama]

Well i dont know anything about bikes really. I want to buy one for both pleasure and for when im working on my car (Im starting autocross with it).

Someone recommended to me for my first bike a GSXR600 but that seams way to fast for a first bike. I'm not really sure how much i want to spend yet. I'm only 17 (todays my birthday actually) and i have to talk my parents into letting me get one first but i have a decent amount of money set aside. I also need some info on safty gear, my dad said he'd spend as much money neccasary for safty if i can talk my mom into allowing me getting a bike. I plan on taking any courses i can to learn how to ride and all that. I want to get a suzuki mostly because my car is a suzuki and id like to stick with them.

One of my biggest concerns is insurence. My car already costs 4kUSD a year on insurence. My bike would not be my main way of transportation. If anyone has any ideas on how much insurence is please let me know and keep in mind i am 17 so its going to be much high. Also if there are any class' i can take to lower my insurence.

Well i guess thats all, oh by the way my names Dan.
Thanks alot

[inspiron]

Hi Dan,

Welcome to the forum.

You're right - a GSXR600 is way too much bike for a noobie. If you take some time to read the archives here, you'll see that we recommend that new riders:

1) Take the MSF course
2) Get the best GEAR you can affort
3) Start riding with an older, used bike. Look for a cheap, old 250 or 450. You will drop it while learning to ride. Why trash a brand new bike?
4) When you have THOUSANDS of miles and YEARS of experience, you may be ready for a new Gixxer 600.

Insurance is expensive because riding is dangerous, and because alot of stupid people go out, buy a brand new Gixxer (or R1 or CBR ...) and trash it (and themselves) almost immediately. If you want to save on insurance (and live past your 18th birthday), get a small, used (cheap) bike, take the MSF, and gain experience.

HTH!

BTW ... Happy Birthday!

[Trapper]

and Happy Birthday. Seems like you have a good head on your shoulders. You'll do fine.

[kinkyllama]

What is the MSF course anyways? I did see that around the forum. How do you go about getting your license to ride? I think i was told i had to have a bike to get my license. Can you buy a bike without a license?

[Clint]

Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You don't have to own a bike to take the test, but you do have to supply one for the test. Alternatively, you can take the Beginner Rider Course (BRC) and it will replace the driving test, should you pass, in some states. Someone from AZ can probably fill us in on that.

Welcome, and thanks for taking such a level-headed approach to this venture.

What's your autocross car? See mine in my sig. I didn't buy it to autocross, but it sure was fun. Now I spend more time on the bike.

Oh, and you might be surprised how affordable motorcycle insurance is, IF you buy an appropriate bike and IF you buy an older one that you don't have to carry full coverage on.

[LayinLo]

and happy birthday

[YellowJacket]

Happy Birthday and welcome! Inspiron gave you really good advice and RowdyRed94 was dead on when he noted how affordable motorcycle insurance is, IF you buy an appropriate bike and IF you buy an older one that you don't have to carry full coverage on

[SuzukiGirl1]

It depends on where you take the test in regards to if you need a bike or not. When I took my test, I had a bike (GS500), but we took our tests on the same bikes we used in the class, little 250's.

Definitely take the course. You sound like you've got a head on your shoulders if you are thinking "smartly" about GSXR's even if other people are telling you that it's a good starter bike.

I loved the GS500 for a starter bike.

[axel_2078]

Originally Posted by SuzukiGirl1

It depends on where you take the test in regards to if you need a bike or not. When I took my test, I had a bike (GS500), but we took our tests on the same bikes we used in the class, little 250's.

Definitely take the course. You sound like you've got a head on your shoulders if you are thinking "smartly" about GSXR's even if other people are telling you that it's a good starter bike.

I loved the GS500 for a starter bike.

I thought all BRC classes supplied the bikes? Mine supplied Honda Nighthawk 250s.

[kinkyllama]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

What's your autocross car? See mine in my sig. I didn't buy it to autocross, but it sure was fun. Now I spend more time on the bike.

My car is a Suzuki forenza.. its not bad... Only thing i could afford in cash that you dont see often (yet). In about three week it will have about 175hp. Im doing a custom turbo before the summer.



But anyways. Does the BRC supply you with a bike? I only know one person with a bike and theres no way in hell he will let me touch it (friends step-dad). I think my mom would want me to take training courses and what not before i go out and spend some money on a bike.

Can someone give me some particular models for me to look at for my first bike? Preferably a suzuki. Also how many miles is a bike good for? Proply maintained

[Trapper]

Check out http://www.beginnerbikes.com/

Sorry for being dismissive but there are a lot to choose from.

[High Plains Thumper]

Originally Posted by kinkyllama

My car is a Suzuki forenza.. its not bad... Only thing i could afford in cash that you dont see often (yet). In about three week it will have about 175hp. Im doing a custom turbo before the summer.

But anyways. Does the BRC supply you with a bike? I only know one person with a bike and theres no way in hell he will let me touch it (friends step-dad). I think my mom would want me to take training courses and what not before i go out and spend some money on a bike.

Can someone give me some particular models for me to look at for my first bike? Preferably a suzuki. Also how many miles is a bike good for? Proply maintained

First, KL, see http://www.msf-usa.org, they have the specifics on your state licensing requirements and class information.

http://www.beginnerbikes.com has information for newbies on types and sizes of motorcycles. One motorcycle that makes an excellent beginner bike is the Suzuki LS650 Savage. It is a large single thumper (single cylinder) at 652 cc's that is very torquey but is easy to manage, but has some cruising capability. Suzuki has renamed it as the S40 for 2005.

At any rate if you like wrenching, motorcycles particularly Japanese ones depreciate heavily like cars, you should be able to find a used starter bike for say $1,000 to $2,500 if you are looking for decent cosmetics and good mechanical condition. Don't mind the age. When you are ready to move you, you will most likely be able to sell for what you paid for.

Riding a motorcycle is like riding a sports car, even a 250 can keep up well in city street traffic.

- HPT

[Gixxerdale]

[c50tiger]

... you've gotten some good advice here, so I'll just leave it at this

[East Texas C50]

Happy Birthday, Dan.
From what I've read from you here, you will understand the saying: "There are old riders, and there are bold riders, but there are no old bold riders."
The advice the experienced folks here have given you is truly priceless. Don't get in a hurry about choosing the bike, or about getting down the road once you get one. THE NUMBER ONE ITEM here is to take the safety foundation course. The course I took a year and a half ago cost $155, lasted Friday night, all day Saturday, and 1/2 day Sunday. They provided the motorcycles and helmets. All I had to provide was boots, gloves, long sleeved shirt and long pants. Passing the course took the place of a road test for my license. I took the state MC written test and had my MC license for a whole year before I was able to buy my machine. The course was a real confidence builder and FUN FUN FUN!

Ride safe!

[kinkyllama]

Well thanks alot everyone... im going to do the msf course and check out some bikes. This forums very helpfull and i appreciate all your help

Dan

[Larry L]

Don't overlook scooters. The Burgman 650 is a terrific machine that will out-handle a surprising number of bikes. Probably give you a better deal on your insurance too. Great way to start riding.

[themeatmanlandry]

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Larry L

Don't overlook scooters.

[Adrenalin_Junky]

Scooters would be a great Idea~ Good call Larry!