I need help buying a bike! This is going to be my first bike. I will be learning how to ride on this bike. I want a Sportbike. 2004+ I want it to be fast can anyone help me on choosing?
Need help buying a bike
- Thread starter Syntec-Man
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Don't get a fast one especially if your just starting out. My suggestion would be to get yourself and Enduro type motorcycle. Enduros look like a dirt bike but, can be driven on the street legally and for off road use. This type and size of bike will be easier for you to learn on and too control.
Take it from someone who has nearly died more than once because of fast things- Last one, I nearly died hitting a retaining wall at over 70mph. The pain I suffer from now because of wanting to go fast is NOT worth it.
Take it from someone who has nearly died more than once because of fast things- Last one, I nearly died hitting a retaining wall at over 70mph. The pain I suffer from now because of wanting to go fast is NOT worth it.
Don't know if you have the MSF course available to you but if you do TAKE IT. A world of knowledge, and you learn on their bike.
If you're planning on a sportbike, you should seriously reconsider. A middleweight sporting standard like Suzuki SV650 or the new Kawasaki EX650 would be good choices.
Here in the US, I always point new (and experienced) riders to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginner Rider Course. I'm sure there is an equivalent in Canada but I don't know what it is.
The Beginner forum on sport-touring.net is one of the best resources for a new rider. Sign up on there and I'm sure someone will be able to point you to training courses in Canada. There is also a whole bunch of helpful discussion with experienced riders happy to help newbies into the sport. Just please check any ego and teenage foolishness at the door before you enter. "I'm new and I want a GSXR1000 for my first bike cause a 600 ain't fast enough" will just get you laughed at.
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?board=4.0
Here in the US, I always point new (and experienced) riders to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginner Rider Course. I'm sure there is an equivalent in Canada but I don't know what it is.
The Beginner forum on sport-touring.net is one of the best resources for a new rider. Sign up on there and I'm sure someone will be able to point you to training courses in Canada. There is also a whole bunch of helpful discussion with experienced riders happy to help newbies into the sport. Just please check any ego and teenage foolishness at the door before you enter. "I'm new and I want a GSXR1000 for my first bike cause a 600 ain't fast enough" will just get you laughed at.
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?board=4.0
I TOTALLY AGREE with this post.
I've seen way too many buy a bike they can't handle.
You want fast? Get one of the bikes he mentioned, take the Beginner and Advanced MSF courses and then go to a track day near you...you can smoke 600 sport bikes if YOU can get the most out of your bike.
A little history In 1971 I has a Kawasaki mach 3 this was a 2 cycle 500 with about 52 rear wheel horse power .My 500 for some reason was very fast .I used to beat every other 500 and 750 Honda I ever raced Today entry level bikes outperform these first superbikes. In 1985 I had the last modle year of the Kawasaki {I think} 500 cc GPZ this bike seemed a bit faster overall handled a million times better than the mach 3. You could go cruise at wot the bike was smooth and stable.Now todays bikes go 150+mph have over 100 + rear wheel horse power and for your first bike I would say be careful in what you choose cause motorcycles are mean machines that can splat you down in a blink of the eye if you let them. I have seen guys wheelie at 60 mph. DON'T BUY A BIKE THAT WILL EASILY GET YOU OVER IN YOUR HEAD IN YOUR ABILITY TO CONTROL THE BIKE AND YOURSELF.
Lorenzo posted exactly what I was going to say. both bikes would be an excellent choice that your skills can grow into without outgrowing the bike.
Surprisingly dual sport bikes are one of the least recommended learning bikes because of the seat hight and twitching steering on the street.
Surprisingly dual sport bikes are one of the least recommended learning bikes because of the seat hight and twitching steering on the street.
i got you guys before i was leaning toward the hayabusa but then i realized bikes aren't cars and i don't want anything that powerful because chances are i will end up doing stupid things with it! Don't worry my dad is making me take Motorcycle school.
Everybody here has pretty much typed what I would type. Ripping around in a car is one thing, but doing so on a motorcycle with Nada for experience can (& does) do a number of really undesirable things:
1)You make the rest of us look like ejits.
2)You write off your driver's license.
3)You wind up being unable to afford insurance due to how you ended up getting at #2 above.
4)You end up injuring yourself very badly.
5)You end up dead.
6)Worse, you end up killing somebody else and live.
If you take it seriously it can develop into a life-long passion. Screw around with it though and you're in for a world of heartache & misery.
John.
1)You make the rest of us look like ejits.
2)You write off your driver's license.
3)You wind up being unable to afford insurance due to how you ended up getting at #2 above.
4)You end up injuring yourself very badly.
5)You end up dead.
6)Worse, you end up killing somebody else and live.
If you take it seriously it can develop into a life-long passion. Screw around with it though and you're in for a world of heartache & misery.
John.
Get a used Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha or Kawasaki in the 500-750cc range cruiser or sport (doesn't matter). Make sure it was properly maintained. If it has a scratch or 2 even better because you will probably drop it once or twice. DO NOT go buy a $20k Harley Davidson. Save that for later. Take your MSF course and buy a SNELL rated helmet and other proper gear.
Any sportbike will be too much for a newbie to handle. I have a GSXR600 that will get you into trouble very quickly. I recommend you start on a 500. If a 500 is not cool enough try a Suzuki SV650 or a Ninja 650r. Also, check on insurance before you go jumping into a major purchase. FWIW I pay 1000 a year for full coverage on my bike. That's with riding experience and being at the ripe age of 29.
I wouldn't suggest a sport bike as a first bike at all.
Get a small bike (non crotch rocket). Learn the proper way.
Learn the rules of stopping and and maneuvering. Plus its easier to take your license test on a non sport bike.
I learned the hard way on a GSXR 600. And withing the first week had dropped the bike from doing the simplest thing like mounting it or moving it. lack of experience also let me into a crash that now would never happen after learning more.
Get a riding book. A good one is call "A Twist Of The Wrist II"
It teaches you from everything like staying in lane, both brake usage, to finding your apex in turn.
And ALWAYS wear your helmet. NOT a stupid small ones that barely cover your head. Get full face and wear it all the time. Get used to it all the time hot or cold.
All bikes are fast. How fast you talking about. When you can out ride your bike then you can worry about speed. Until then get a small manageable bike.
Believe me you don't want to be on a highway in traffic get a little nervous yank on your clutch, gun the throttle (actually trying to release throttle and grab brakes). Once the engine revved high you will freak and release clutch and you can have an "ouchie in no time". Happened to me, but I didn't crash. It scared the beans out of me.
Your gonna have to learn hand foot coordination, using BOTH brakes all the time, finding out what your engine sounds like at 30mph different gears for town driving...etc.
IMHO I think power is the worst thing you need when learning. My gauge and skill level grew the more I rode. But I made the mistake of following the wrong biker buddies and I am sure you have them too, who had me doing 135 within few weeks. Safe NO, STUPID yes. Did I know better NO. Now I do. And Although my new bike has been garaged for some time now, I have not yet passed 90 with it. There is simply no need to.
Take your time and learn the right way, don't get road rash faster than you need to (never) or worse, because of lack of experience.
Good Luck and Be Safe.
My crash was at about 60mph and I was braking as hard I knew how at the time. This turn was under a over pass and sweeped left and descended slightly. I wasn't wearing my leathers (stupid) at the time, because I went on date, but was wearing my helmet. I panicked and locked the back brake and didn't squeeze the front brake enough, plus I did NOT lean her in for the turn enough. So instead she stood up and I hit the wall. Last thing I saw was pavement sliding past my face as I skidded on my head. I was able to walk away (somehow) with just severe road rash. Lucky me. The other option was broken bones and death!
NOW that would never happen. i would sooner lay her down before I hit that wall, But better yet the turn would be no issue what so ever.
I wear leather jacket, gloves with Kevlar knuckles, denim pants, steel toed boots and full face helmet of course all th time. Hot or cold make it your second skin, even better a riding suit.
Get a small bike (non crotch rocket). Learn the proper way.
Learn the rules of stopping and and maneuvering. Plus its easier to take your license test on a non sport bike.
I learned the hard way on a GSXR 600. And withing the first week had dropped the bike from doing the simplest thing like mounting it or moving it. lack of experience also let me into a crash that now would never happen after learning more.
Get a riding book. A good one is call "A Twist Of The Wrist II"
It teaches you from everything like staying in lane, both brake usage, to finding your apex in turn.
And ALWAYS wear your helmet. NOT a stupid small ones that barely cover your head. Get full face and wear it all the time. Get used to it all the time hot or cold.
All bikes are fast. How fast you talking about. When you can out ride your bike then you can worry about speed. Until then get a small manageable bike.
Believe me you don't want to be on a highway in traffic get a little nervous yank on your clutch, gun the throttle (actually trying to release throttle and grab brakes). Once the engine revved high you will freak and release clutch and you can have an "ouchie in no time". Happened to me, but I didn't crash. It scared the beans out of me.
Your gonna have to learn hand foot coordination, using BOTH brakes all the time, finding out what your engine sounds like at 30mph different gears for town driving...etc.
IMHO I think power is the worst thing you need when learning. My gauge and skill level grew the more I rode. But I made the mistake of following the wrong biker buddies and I am sure you have them too, who had me doing 135 within few weeks. Safe NO, STUPID yes. Did I know better NO. Now I do. And Although my new bike has been garaged for some time now, I have not yet passed 90 with it. There is simply no need to.
Take your time and learn the right way, don't get road rash faster than you need to (never) or worse, because of lack of experience.
Good Luck and Be Safe.
My crash was at about 60mph and I was braking as hard I knew how at the time. This turn was under a over pass and sweeped left and descended slightly. I wasn't wearing my leathers (stupid) at the time, because I went on date, but was wearing my helmet. I panicked and locked the back brake and didn't squeeze the front brake enough, plus I did NOT lean her in for the turn enough. So instead she stood up and I hit the wall. Last thing I saw was pavement sliding past my face as I skidded on my head. I was able to walk away (somehow) with just severe road rash. Lucky me. The other option was broken bones and death!
NOW that would never happen. i would sooner lay her down before I hit that wall, But better yet the turn would be no issue what so ever.
I wear leather jacket, gloves with Kevlar knuckles, denim pants, steel toed boots and full face helmet of course all th time. Hot or cold make it your second skin, even better a riding suit.
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Yah i don't think a sportbike is good for learning i will get a cruiser or something and then when i can handle a fast bike i will get Hybusa
So your talking at least 2 years before a busa.
Oh man...you need to spend some time on a 750 before going warp.....lol. For me 600 is fine.
Good Luck
Oh man...you need to spend some time on a 750 before going warp.....lol. For me 600 is fine.
Good Luck
Do your friends a favor. Don't take any passengers until you are really competent on that bike. This could take up to two years or more. Any spill will result in injury.
If you are a male under 22, and if you are like myself and every guy I knew under 22, you'll still have only a moderate awareness of your mortality. Every time you get on that bike could be the last day of your life. Remember that as you ride.
I've been riding for many years, and still remind myself of that every time I get on the bike. When I choose what to wear, I always think..."what do I want to be wearing when somebody throws me off the back of a pick-up truck travelling 60 mph (or higher)?" This always leads to the answer full leathers with protective armor and a full face helmet.
Oh yeah...and enjoy yourself, no experience that I know of other than maybe flying a F-18 comes close to the experience of riding a bike. That's why we do it....right?
If you are a male under 22, and if you are like myself and every guy I knew under 22, you'll still have only a moderate awareness of your mortality. Every time you get on that bike could be the last day of your life. Remember that as you ride.
I've been riding for many years, and still remind myself of that every time I get on the bike. When I choose what to wear, I always think..."what do I want to be wearing when somebody throws me off the back of a pick-up truck travelling 60 mph (or higher)?" This always leads to the answer full leathers with protective armor and a full face helmet.
Oh yeah...and enjoy yourself, no experience that I know of other than maybe flying a F-18 comes close to the experience of riding a bike. That's why we do it....right?
I avoided passengers like the plague for many years. Now that I know what I am doing (after twenty or so years) I am still pretty picky about who I let aboard. The passenger can REALLY screw up the ride.
John.
John.
Get what you want, learn to ride safe, and know your limits. Don't try and keep up with fast guys, ride your own pace. If want to ride fast get in a club who rents track time and learn there, not on the street. You don't even need a sportbike for this, many guys are out there with nakeds or old standards, vintage machines or whatever they brought for the day. Check on insurance costs before you buy a sportbike, it can be pretty high as mentioned.
so far to date the people i have heard that got a fast/sportsbike as their first bike. didnt live to get a 2nd. im not being crude. Im being serious. 1st bike + fast/sportsbike = a few things 1)death or 2)many fines and tickets 3) super high insurance rates & insurance claims you normally wouldnt file. i know this is not what you want to hear, but its the truth... ive read in the paper and seen on the news soooo many times how people HAD to learn the hard way... 8(
Is a ninja considered a sportbike??
Yepporama
Your scaring me with these questions...and you want a Busa...
Your scaring me with these questions...and you want a Busa...
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