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| | #41 (permalink) | |
| Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007
Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 650S
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 35
| Quote:
__________________ Cathy | |
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| | #42 (permalink) |
| Muscle Biker ![]() | It's a real shame that Kawasaki doesn't sell this model in the USA. It's the Kawasaki EN-6R, an inline 2-cylinder 650. It's one of the best "newbie" bikes I've ever seen. It weighs just 174 kg (383 lbs) dry, and can be purchased (in Europe) with ABS. ![]() Here's the Kawasaki UK page: ER-6n
__________________ ![]() ![]() There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400 |
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| | #43 (permalink) | |
| Banned ![]() Joined: Dec 2003
Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black)
Location: Memphis
Posts: 11,423
| Quote:
The 600 (650, whatever) Bandit is a very good (IMO) bike to start on. You can pin the throttle without spinning up the rear tire on a corner exit, and the upright riding position allows a newer rider the option of spending an entire day in the saddle working on their chops. The GSXR can be ridden for and hour or two, but then you really need to get off and let your back have a rest. | |
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| | #44 (permalink) |
| U.B's LoveChild ![]() Joined: Apr 2005
Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S
Location: 20 Miles East of LA
Posts: 1,202
| The seat height still sucks with this one but at least the weight is more within the range.... ![]() THE 2008 KAWASAKI ZZR600 On the other hand, this bike is like the Ninja ZX-6R from about 3 to 4 years ago so it still packs a big punch and might not be suitable for newbies. Jim: The bike you mentioned is available in the States (not sure about Canada, though). It just weighs 10 lb more.... Ninja® 650R : Specifications
__________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin." Last edited by wookie; 01-25-2008 at 10:16 AM. |
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| | #46 (permalink) | |
| Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007
Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 650S
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 35
| Quote:
I never considered the ZZR either--it is nice. I have sat on a 650R.
__________________ Cathy | |
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| | #48 (permalink) |
| No Significant Other ![]() Joined: Oct 2007
Bike: 2008 ZZR600
Location: Under a rock in Texas
Posts: 2,394
| One advantage of a light bike is that if you have to lean the bike a little to reach the ground w/ just one foot, it won't be as apt to keep going to the ground. Some bikes are just better balanced and can accept more of a lean w/o letting go. A top heavy bike won't allow much lean, and takes more strength to hold up once it goes past the breakover point. Low center of gravity bikes are easier to keep up even if they do weigh more.
__________________ The "other" ZZR rider.
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| | #49 (permalink) | |
| Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007
Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 650S
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 35
| Quote:
Yeah, it seems like a heavy bike is less forgiving--once it starts to go, it is gone. I guess I didn't realize when I bought it that the Bandit is so much heavier than the competition.
__________________ Cathy | |
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| | #50 (permalink) |
| Foil Inspector ![]() Joined: Jul 2007
Bike: 2007 Black S50
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 953
| I've just quickly scanned through this thread and find it curious that no one has mentioned a small cruiser, other than the fact I suppose that the OP didn't mention one, and doesn't seem interested. While a small cruiser wouldn't weigh much less than a Bandit if at all, they would have a lower seat height. At 440# my S50 isn't light (it's light for a cruiser) but with a seat height of 27.6" I find it very manageable even though I had a knee problem last summer. The Honda Shadow VLXs have seat heights of 25.6" which are the lowest I know of. I do understand it is a matter of personal preference. I knew what I was going to buy before I even went into the first motorcycle dealership. For what it's worth.
__________________ Like Roseanne Roseannadanna would say: "it just goes to show you, it's always something." |
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| | #51 (permalink) |
| No Significant Other ![]() Joined: Oct 2007
Bike: 2008 ZZR600
Location: Under a rock in Texas
Posts: 2,394
| I'm considering another bike, and the ZZR is on my list. Pretty high on the list too. Only thing I don't like is it is a carbed motor, not really a bad thing I guess, but EFI's are much better in elevation changes.
__________________ The "other" ZZR rider.
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| | #52 (permalink) | |
| Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007
Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 650S
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 35
| Quote:
__________________ Cathy | |
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| | #53 (permalink) | |
| Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer ![]() Joined: Oct 2006
Bike: Kawasaki Zephyr750RS, Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 999S
Location: Crappy Little Island!!!
Posts: 3,650
| Quote:
And ZZR suggested by Wookie is also another one that people love here too. But like Wookie, it's not really a newbie bike. By the way, I told you that I was always so nervous that I was almost in tears. But I didn't mention that on my very first ride on public streets (and a couple more), I had the engine on, shifted to 1st gear and all ready to go.....but just sat there for 45 min!!!! I was so scared to take off. So you're not the only one that is nervous and I do believe it's really the length of experience. You'll get over that and you'll be fine. So don't worry too much. You just have to get over that stage and one day, like me, you will feel that you have finally come to grips with your ride.
__________________ Suzuki GSX-R600 ![]() Cherry blossom season is here! Yay!!!! Last edited by kay; 01-26-2008 at 11:11 AM. | |
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| | #54 (permalink) |
| Muscle Biker ![]() | That's because everyone in Japan rides on the wrong (left) side of the road!
__________________ ![]() ![]() There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400 |
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| | #55 (permalink) | |
| Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer ![]() Joined: Oct 2006
Bike: Kawasaki Zephyr750RS, Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 999S
Location: Crappy Little Island!!!
Posts: 3,650
| Quote:
__________________ Suzuki GSX-R600 ![]() Cherry blossom season is here! Yay!!!! | |
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| | #56 (permalink) |
| Muscle Biker ![]() | Nope, we drive on the RIGHT side!
__________________ ![]() ![]() There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400 |
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| | #57 (permalink) | ||
| Throttle Jockey ![]() | Quote:
Ninja® 650R I plan to make it my next bike. Unless I get a Aprilia Shiver. They also sell the Versys here. Versys™
__________________ AZ SRT-4 owners forum ![]() ![]() Quote:
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| | #58 (permalink) |
| Muscle Biker ![]() | A Kawa or an Aprilla? YMBK. A Kawa is a bike to ride. An Aprilla is a bike to take space in the garage while you wait the entire summer for some stupid part to be delivered.
__________________ ![]() ![]() There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400 |
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| | #59 (permalink) |
| Kickstand Operator ![]() Joined: Jun 2007
Bike: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650S w/ABS
Location: Montreal
Posts: 299
| There are a couple things you could do to make life around the garage easier. The first is getting stronger -- squats, pushups, pumping iron. If you spend the next few months working out, even one day a week, not only will you look better for bikini season, but moving that bike around will be easier too The second is to get some sort of motorcycle turntable for the garage. One of the hits on the first page of google is a Canadian vendor...
__________________ See ABS in action complete with plummy voiceover. |
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