Im new - trying to find out what to buy?

[Bluebarron]

Alright I am sure you guys get this a lot, but it definitely seems everyone has a unique story to tell with a unique answer to receive. So I felt I couldn't just read other peoples threads.

Anyways: bottom line - I am brand new to street bikes, infact i've never been on one. Only a little dirt bike experience. A lot of quad experience (not that it seems it will count for much)

I personally am 5'10, 170 pounds, and lean to be a more of an aggressive driver.

I realize I am very new, but I really would prefer to only put the money down on a bike once for at least a few years. And I would really prefer to not get something that looks like a cruiser. (I almost went for a 2006 Yamaha FZ6 but after my buddy bought a Kawasaki ZX 6R I don't think I could see myself riding next to him). Call me stupid but I think we all appreciate to some degree how what we ride looks like.

Only other thing I could say is ive been a yamaha person all my life... But given I cant seem to convince my self on the FZ6... an R6 would be the next step. Problem with that bike I thought is it was way too uncomfortable - the seat - and I know ill do a few 400 mile drives on it. is there a way to fix that?
Or should I be looking at like a GSX600 or even a similair Kawaski to my friends? One last thing, I will be using this bike daily to save gas and would prefer more low end power. Ive heard the R6 has all of its beauty in the high end, but maybe the lack there of low end power would help me as a new driver.

Sorry if that was too much info but I really plan on utilizing you guys responses. Thanks!

[intimid8er]

With your dirtbike experience you'll grow into it, and be able to smoke your buddy's sorry butt.

[Bluebarron]

lol I don't know if I should be buying Suzukis top line sports bike. I did say I had little dirt bike experience.. Less than a year

[intimid8er]

The 170-horsepower bike, which weighs 500 pounds fully loaded, was targeted by law enforcement agencies worldwide after its 1998 debut because it can reach a top speed of 189 mph.

Suzuki Motorcycles of North America gave Roethlisberger the bike as part of a promotional deal in exchange for his appearance at several area Suzuki dealerships, including Andrews Cycle in Salem, Ohio, where he picked up the motorcycle last summer. Andrews' sales staff declined comment.

The motorcycle is popular among first-time buyers, said Steve Stiller, a salesman at Northgate Motorcycles in Cranberry, Butler County.

Roethlisberger surgery called success - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[PhotoJoe]

Dude, I mean this in the nicest way. Grow up...then buy a bike! I may be wrong, but follow along:

Originally Posted by Bluebarron

So I felt I couldn't just read other peoples threads. I, too, thought that when I first posted. However, the advice here is always the same...and it's smart. I have NEVER seen this group recommend a 600cc+ sport bike as their first bike

Anyways: bottom line - I am brand new to street bikes, infact i've never been on one. And this makes you unique? Seems like you're in the same boat with everyone else that at one point had never been on a street bike. Makes you the perfect candidate for the same advice they give everyone. Start used and small.

.......and lean to be a more of an aggressive driver.Again, this makes you suited for a sportbike? I think it makes a 125 about right for you. You need to learn skills and mostly respect for your bike.

......but I really would prefer to only put the money down on a bike onceThe great thing about this, if you by a sportbike with all of the other stuff you told us about yourself, this may be the ONLY bike you live long enough to buy!

(I almost went for a 2006 Yamaha FZ6 but after my buddy bought a Kawasaki ZX 6R I don't think I could see myself riding next to him).Ego! That's a great reason to buy a suicide bike for someone who in impatient, has too big of a bike and has no idea how to ride.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but you do sound like you have a death wish. Take the MSF, start with something like the FZ6 (which is no slacker of a bike, just looks different than your buddy's), and work up as your skills and maturity grow.

May I ask, how old are you?

Good luck in your decision. Think about it carefully. Hope you make a smart choice.

[inspiron]

{inspirion pulls up a chair}

Hey Tim, toss me a beer, will ya?

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by inspiron

{inspirion pulls up a chair}

Hey Tim, toss me a beer, will ya?

{rummages through cooler}

Hmmn...don't have any European beer, just some high test American Micro's.

{Tosses a Rogue Dead Guy Ale to inspiron}

Need an opener?

[SVZuki]

{opens a big bag of pretzels}

Mind if I watch the show?

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by SVZuki

{opens a big bag of pretzels}

Mind if I watch the show?

Not at all....grab a seat. Want a beer?

[Bluebarron]

I am 20.

The posts I read it seemed peoples responses were they wanted to know more about the driver. I simply tried to give all the valid info I could.

And I was trying to confirm or not if an R6 could be a decent bike to learn on given i've read that elseware. however, what I read is you can learn on it if you kept it under 6k rpm.

I will reconsider the FZ6... but that is a 600cc bike too, however heavy.

I would appreciate a bike you might suggest... suggesting I ride a 125 seems to be more of a way of proving your point than a good recommendation.

Thanks though. Im not just throwing harsh comments out the windows. I came here for a reason.

[SVZuki]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Not at all....grab a seat. Want a beer?

heck yea! have some pretzels.

[PhotoJoe]

{Takes swig of Inspiron's beer, tosses a fresh cold one to BlueBarron as peace offering}

Sorry man, may have been harsh. Please keep in mind I don't even own a bike. However, do you see my point about buying a bike that's way over your head just because you don't want your friend to have a cooler looking bike. Here, take a look at these links:

This demonstrates my points perfectly:

YouTube - Motorcycle Crash

And this is "Must Read" material.

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ghlight=safety

Very sorry if I sounded mean-spirited. Your arguments are scary, though.

And yes, the 125 comment was sarcastic, to emphasize a point.

{Takes another sip of Inspiron's beer}

I'm done. Good luck with your decision. You show wisdom in asking advice, I hope you show the wisdom to listen.

Oh, and

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Bluebarron

I am 20.

The posts I read it seemed peoples responses were they wanted to know more about the driver. I simply tried to give all the valid info I could.

And I was trying to confirm or not if an R6 could be a decent bike to learn on given i've read that elseware. however, what I read is you can learn on it if you kept it under 6k rpm.

I will reconsider the FZ6... but that is a 600cc bike too, however heavy.

I would appreciate a bike you might suggest... suggesting I ride a 125 seems to be more of a way of proving your point than a good recommendation.

Thanks though. Im not just throwing harsh comments out the windows. I came here for a reason.

Keeping in mind that it is a hell of a lot funner riding a slow bike fast, than it is riding a fast bike slow you should probably be looking at a Ninja 250.

From our collective experience, and the info you gave us, that should be the path you are on.

However, also from our collective experience, people such as yourself, ignore our well intentioned/we have nothing to gain/impartial advice, and go get the too big for them R bike anyway.

It is our intention to steer you towards a bike on which you can learn a whole new skill set that is not apparent on a dirt bike.

The street is a whole new world and there are subtleties in the way you change direction or take a corner, that could mean the difference between injury and death, or a fun Sunday ride with you and your friends.

We stress some sort of riding course BEFORE you buy the bike to make sure motorcycling is even for you. After that, asses your skills and make a decision from there.

You'll probably not go with the Ninja 250, but, it will run with bigger bikes 9top speed of 120), a skilled rider on it can whip a poor rider on a closed course hands down.

You need also to evaluate what you want out of a ride. If your friends drive at 140 mph in a straight line on a busy public thoroughfare, and they convince you, you need a missile like theirs to keep up, you need to asses again where you stand.

If the Ninja 250 doesn't seem good to you...(They don't lose their value.)
Then look at the Ninja 500, the Ninja 650. Those are probably a tad more powerful than you need but still more forgiving than an "R" rated bike.

The FZ6 you mentioned is a decent choice, but not the best for a newb. It still has the R6 engine in an unfaired frame.

Suzuki SV 650 is a good choice, along with the GS500.

Anybody tells you those are baby bikes or girls' bikes is a loser and you probably don't need to hang around with them. Only your skills will determine how or what you ride.

[GregR1]

don't look at me for advice! i got a 900cc ninja as a starter.


stay away from the R6. have you sat on one? did it feel like you were about to fall over the front of it? felt like that to me!

admitting that you're an aggressive driver ensures that you'll NEVER get anyone to recommend a sportbike or anything similar. quite the contrary - you'll get recommendations for smaller and less violent bikes that won't tempt you or let your aggressive nature get you into trouble.

a 250cc to 500cc standard bike is probably enough to keep you flogging on it for 2 years.

you COULD get a hayabusa since you'll never outgrow it, and if you never go on forums or read magazines you'll likely never be tempted by another new bike.

[techgesture]

Is anyone here to going to suggest the MSF for him? LOL.

Do yourself a favor, before you begin thinking about type of bike, riding style, etc, etc... Please, take the MSF class ASAP. Then when you get a good understanding of the complete and utter differences between street and dirt riding with these machines, then beging to think of what bike.

{Brought my own beer}

[Clint]

There's a real pleasure to learning a bike, enjoying it and then considering what's next. It does nothing for you to buy a bike for three or five years down the road. Used bikes hold their value fairly well, anyway. New ones do not. Well, with that one exception I can't bring myself to name.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by PhotoJoe

Take the MSF, start with something like the FZ6 (which is no slacker of a bike, just looks different than your buddy's), and work up as your skills and maturity grow.

Originally Posted by intimid8er

We stress some sort of riding course BEFORE you buy the bike to make sure motorcycling is even for you. After that, asses your skills and make a decision from there.

Originally Posted by techgesture

Is anyone here to going to suggest the MSF for him? LOL.

Nope. No one.

Multi-quote is cool.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

New ones do not. Well, with that one exception I can't bring myself to name.

That reign is beginning to signal it's own end. Saner pricing on used ones are starting to trickle in here and there. Pretty soon dealers will be offering (lord forbid I say it.......) discounts. It'll be anarchy I tell ya!

Anyways, that's a topic for another time, but you read it here first.

[Bluebarron]

Alright thanks for the advice. I am liking these Suzukis. the GS500 looks like it would be a god bet... But im leaning towards the Katana 600... Feedback?

[Clint]

The Katana's not a bad choice, assuming you get some training. It's a whole different animal than a dirt bike, and bad habits are easy to come by.