Sport Bikes

[tito]

Hey Guys/Gals -


First time poster - long time listener! Whew! Where do I begin? Well, I've wanted a sport bike for quite some time, but never have got around to getting one. I really don't know how to ride very well. Whatever the rung right before 'novice' would be - would be me.

Last night I decided to go for a leisurely cruise when I ran up on a couple of sport bikes. They looked fantastic by the way! '04 R1 and, a GSX-R 600. I knew the second I rolled next to them, they would want a piece and, that's fine by me! We ended up pulling over and talking for quite some time. They were super nice and super cool. I wouldn't go as far as to say as cool as I am, but, I'm sure you get the picture.

So now to my dilemma - what type of bike do you think would best suite the beginner? And, would it be better to buy a new bike, or save the greenbacks and just get a slightly used one? I'd like to get a GSX-R 750 - but, that is a whole lot of bike for not a whole lot of rider. My plan was to progress as a rider and 'grow into' the sport bike. I'd hate to get a bike only to want something with a li'l more zip in the near future. I'm mainly judging my choices thus far by the looks of the bike. I'm such a poser.

Also, right now I'm in the 'kicking the idea around' phase. I'd just like to learn more before I make an executive decision about it one-way-or-another.

Thanks in advance for any helpful tips or suggestions.

[1994SilverGT]

i would think a 600 would be ur best bet for a starter bike. Thats the usual response on here for people wanting to get a bike for the first time. And a slightly used will be cheaper and it wont piss you off as much if u drop or have to set it down.

[tito]

i would think a 600 would be ur best bet for a starter bike. Thats the usual response on here for people wanting to get a bike for the first time. And a slightly used will be cheaper and it wont piss you off as much if u drop or have to set it down.

Appreciate the quick response. Would starting out with the 750 be a bad move for someone with my level of skill (or lack thereof)? Also, are there any particular years to stay away from? If I buy used, I won't buy older than '03.

[Cheezebandit]

Appreciate the quick response. Would starting out with the 750 be a bad move for someone with my level of skill (or lack thereof)? Also, are there any particular years to stay away from? If I buy used, I won't buy older than '03.

one of the reasons i have heard to buy a 600 over a 700 is because they will be more " forgiving " ... I just got a bike myself so .. I cant offer too much info ..

[SC457A]

My first street bike was my 04 gsxr 750. I got it brand new in august of '04. I knew the basics of riding a motorcycle before hand (how to operate it, what does what etc. ) I started out simple and literally practiced stops and starts for about an hour.

I think one thing that helped me so far is I am in my early thirtys. I got the bike because I have always loved sportbikes, and knew at a younger age I might do something stupid on a high powered bike.

A 600 is plenty of bike. You will have fun on it. Just becareful, and ride smart. My 750 still spooks me some, but I ride it like a grandma.

[4DRSS]

NEVER buy a new bike, especially if it's your first. And buy whatever you want, if you ride responsibly it doesn't matter if it's a Honda Spree or a Busa. Good luck and be safe!

[tito]

I appreciate all the responses thus far. Dang. They are tempting!

[ram57ta]

600's are great starter bikes. Keep in mind that just about any 600 ever made will do well over 130mph and will handle better than any cruiser. They also get great mileage. I think only Suzuki still makes a 750 and its a fast SOB. For a first bike if your gonna go sport I would NEVER go with a new one. The first time you scratch it you will be madder than hell. Get yourself a used 600 from the early-mid 90's......they will give you all the speed you want, they are plentiful, and they are cheap. If this is a first sportbike.....relax and get over the fact......you will probably drop it at some point.........either in the drive way, at Sonic, or god forbid while driving it. You dont want something New with expensive plastics and paint to replace.

[tito]

600's are great starter bikes. Keep in mind that just about any 600 ever made will do well over 130mph and will handle better than any cruiser. They also get great mileage. I think only Suzuki still makes a 750 and its a fast SOB. For a first bike if your gonna go sport I would NEVER go with a new one. The first time you scratch it you will be madder than hell. Get yourself a used 600 from the early-mid 90's......they will give you all the speed you want, they are plentiful, and they are cheap. If this is a first sportbike.....relax and get over the fact......you will probably drop it at some point.........either in the drive way, at Sonic, or god forbid while driving it. You dont want something New with expensive plastics and paint to replace.

Thanks for the advice. I'm probably going to scoop up a 750. I'm pretty mature when it comes to not killing thy self so, hopefully I'll be alright. By the way, I've dropped a bike a time or six before. *frowny face*

[futant]

I got a 94 CBR F2 for 1100 dollars with low mileage wrecked
put about 400 in it streetfightered it (gets alot of looks, even from riders lol) led lights , ceramic header, misc
i won't care when it hits the ground , shit the gear i wear costs 750 bucks
if it's still in good shape i will sell it for what i have in it and get a real nice looker bike or whatever.
But this bike still hangs with 90% of sport bikes out there, not that its insane fast or anything , but it probably one of the last bikes out there that is fast and cheap

[Goose1]

Well i dislike the word "600" as your first bike cause its by far not a beginners bike, 600 now days will out run most older litre bikes. And it all depends what you wanna do if your a straightliner then i would go with the Gsx'r 750 or the 1000's but if you like the twisties id go with the 600, by far the best bike in my opinion of course.

[Jester]

Tito- you should definitely get a chopper like mine. No front brake is perfect for a beginner like you.....................just one less thing you will have to think about using.

[evil jose]

NEVER buy a new bike, especially if it's your first. And buy whatever you want, if you ride responsibly it doesn't matter if it's a Honda Spree or a Busa. Good luck and be safe!

Another one here recommending that you not start with a new bike. By a cheap beater that you can learn on and hang onto it for a year while you learn. Then sell it (and buying it used and cheap won't hurt so bad when you go to resell it) and get yourself into something you really like.

[Nick Tosie]

I'm also looking into getting a sport bike. All Ive ever rided was dirt bikes and that was a while ago. One of the kids I go to school with has an '05 R6 w/ pretty low miles on it he wants to sell to get an R1. He tried to do a wheelie and it came out from under him. The windshield is busted, back seat scuffed, back plastic scuffed good on the back end, right side cover scuffed very slightly and the gas tank has a decent dent in one of the corners. He was gonna trade it in but they won't take it on a trade, and they want 3500 parts and labor to fix. It is rideable, he rides it several times a week. He's told me he'd take $4k on it, he owes 6k on it and would pay it off and give me the title and all. I figured replace the windshield and just ride it. If I drop it not gonna hurt anything more than it already is. It has sliders on it. Is an R6 ok for a noob if I take it easy? I live out in the country so I have places to ride w/o traffic and was going to take a riding class as well. My buddy just got a 03 ninja 500 and I want to go ride so I was figuring this might be a good deal. What do y'all think? This kid learned on the R6 so I figure if he can I can too.

Nick

[probetalk]

he still wants 4k for the bike with 3500$ in damage to it?


how many miles? My bro just picked up a low mileage 03 R6 for about 4k, absolutely perfect condition. If i were you i'd shop around ALOT more. you can find a lot nice bike for 4k rather than picking up someone else's wrecked trash.

At least take the advice posted right above you and get a starter bike for around 2k or less to learn on.

[Goose1]

I'm also looking into getting a sport bike. All Ive ever rided was dirt bikes and that was a while ago. One of the kids I go to school with has an '05 R6 w/ pretty low miles on it he wants to sell to get an R1. He tried to do a wheelie and it came out from under him. The windshield is busted, back seat scuffed, back plastic scuffed good on the back end, right side cover scuffed very slightly and the gas tank has a decent dent in one of the corners. He was gonna trade it in but they won't take it on a trade, and they want 3500 parts and labor to fix. It is rideable, he rides it several times a week. He's told me he'd take $4k on it, he owes 6k on it and would pay it off and give me the title and all. I figured replace the windshield and just ride it. If I drop it not gonna hurt anything more than it already is. It has sliders on it. Is an R6 ok for a noob if I take it easy? I live out in the country so I have places to ride w/o traffic and was going to take a riding class as well. My buddy just got a 03 ninja 500 and I want to go ride so I was figuring this might be a good deal. What do y'all think? This kid learned on the R6 so I figure if he can I can too.

Nick



The only way a dealership wont take it on trade from what i understand is if it has Frame Damage done too it. Plastic's is not a big deal you can do that yourself. but that seem's awfully damn high for just plastic damage. W/out looking at the bike myself i would be weary about it, cause if its got frame damage, i would walk away or run.

[Nick Tosie]

It doesn't appear to have frame damage, I don't see where it hit the frame or anything....the kid is kinda a tard so I don't think his #s are right. He said the tank is whats so expensive...$3500 was parts and labor at the dealership. I was gonna try and pick it up for 3K. I dont even think it has 6,000 miles on it. I dunno what these go for so any help is appreciated.

I have no issues w/ getting an older bike for 2K or whatever, I'd prefer to not spend a whole heck of alot but where do I find one and what do I look for? I want atleast a 600 and it needs to beable to keep up w/ my buddys '03 ninja 500.

Nick

[HobieF3]

I haven't read shit about what others have said.

I've been riding about 7 years and over 100K miles on sportbikes (most of that commuting, I once went 3+ years at a stretch without a running car) and I think you have two GOOD options.

Option one, the best one to advance your ability, but you will have to an ego that's secure. Buy a used sv650 and ride it ALL you can for a riding season, seat time seat time seat time. They have good resale and you can sell it for what you bought it for.

Option two, buy a used F4i or YZF600R, they both are fairly beginner friendly while being really capable bikes in the right hands and they look good. The YZF won't be as fast as the F4i, but it will be cheaper and a bit more forgiving. The F4i is still a very comfortable and forgiving bike, while being very capable, and possessing Honda reliability.

The riding position of option 2 bikes compared to other sportbikes is more upright, the front rake isn't so steep, the chassis is stable and forgiving on both bikes, you won't have a lot of weight on your wrists, and the seats are pretty comfortable. They are both modern and sporty looking while still being cheap, forgiveable, and good at surviving through a crash.

You will progress faster on lesser of a bike, I promise you that. If you go out and buy a new litre bike, you will get used to the speed in a straight line, you won't ride often, you won't be able to handle the bike in tough situations, you will get tired of it and the hobby, that too is a promise.

[hotrod66stang]

Everyone else is absolutely correct about not buying a new bike. You wouldn't believe how many guys will come back to the store a month (or even less) later and tell me how they ate it on the bike I just sold them. I've got a 95 ZX-6R if you're interested. $2,000 and it's yours. It has been down by the previous owner, but has a CLEAR Texas title.

[HobieF3]

Thanks for the advice. I'm probably going to scoop up a 750. I'm pretty mature when it comes to not killing thy self so, hopefully I'll be alright. By the way, I've dropped a bike a time or six before. *frowny face*

IMO, it's not about maturity. I mean, that's VERY important, but the more of a bike a newb starts out with, the S-L-O-W-E-R you progress as a rider.

If you want to race cars you don't start out with an F1 car, you would die and take forever to get fast, ya know?

[HobieF3]

I'm also looking into getting a sport bike. All Ive ever rided was dirt bikes and that was a while ago. One of the kids I go to school with has an '05 R6 w/ pretty low miles on it he wants to sell to get an R1. He tried to do a wheelie and it came out from under him. The windshield is busted, back seat scuffed, back plastic scuffed good on the back end, right side cover scuffed very slightly and the gas tank has a decent dent in one of the corners. He was gonna trade it in but they won't take it on a trade, and they want 3500 parts and labor to fix. It is rideable, he rides it several times a week. He's told me he'd take $4k on it, he owes 6k on it and would pay it off and give me the title and all. I figured replace the windshield and just ride it. If I drop it not gonna hurt anything more than it already is. It has sliders on it. Is an R6 ok for a noob if I take it easy? I live out in the country so I have places to ride w/o traffic and was going to take a riding class as well. My buddy just got a 03 ninja 500 and I want to go ride so I was figuring this might be a good deal. What do y'all think? This kid learned on the R6 so I figure if he can I can too.

Nick

I've bought and sold a lot of bikes in the last few years. I guess I'm fairly shrewd, I do it to make money, but from your description alone, I wouldn't pay more than $2500 for it. That price will vary depending on what it looks like in person.

[Nick Tosie]

Appreciate the info guys. I'll see what he wants to do on the price on it...he's gotta get the title released from the bank anyhow, he still owes on it anyways and it may be too much for me anyhow (power).

Hotrod I may take you up on that...you think it would be a good bike to learn on and still be capeable and fast/fun in the furture as I progress?

I'm def. going to take a class. One of the guys at work recommended Texas Rider (www.texasrider.com). Basic class is $180 for a two day all day weekend class, motorcycles and helemets provided, I may do that and make sure this is something I want to get into before I purchase. Y'all think thats a good idea or ?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm a total newbie to this.

Nick

[HobieF3]

It doesn't appear to have frame damage, I don't see where it hit the frame or anything....the kid is kinda a tard so I don't think his #s are right. He said the tank is whats so expensive...$3500 was parts and labor at the dealership. I was gonna try and pick it up for 3K. I dont even think it has 6,000 miles on it. I dunno what these go for so any help is appreciated.

I have no issues w/ getting an older bike for 2K or whatever, I'd prefer to not spend a whole heck of alot but where do I find one and what do I look for? I want atleast a 600 and it needs to beable to keep up w/ my buddys '03 ninja 500.

Nick

Really, from the dealer, $3500 isn't much at all. As far as the big 4 go, Yamaha does have the most reasonable prices for bodywork from the stealership.

The retail for a 03-05 non special edition (no raven, no flames) R6 set of bodywork is $2490.95. I imagine the sub frame is broken, possibly the frame tabs where the tail section mounts, there are other little odd and end plastic pieces that are probably broken, maybe some of the inner plastic pieces up front, bar ends, lots of little junk adds up. A dealership estimate can get pretty high.

Also, Yamaha frames seem to tweak pretty easily in a crash, I tend to stay away from wrecked Yamahas for that reason.

[Nick Tosie]

Man I appreciate that info....he tried to do a wheelie from a stop and it came out from under him. He's riding it and it looks fine from like 5 feet away but I was wondering about the stuff under the plastic. This doesn't sound like something a beginner wants to deal with. I'll stick with something I know is solid. Thank you.

[HobieF3]

Man I appreciate that info....he tried to do a wheelie from a stop and it came out from under him. He's riding it and it looks fine from like 5 feet away but I was wondering about the stuff under the plastic. This doesn't sound like something a beginner wants to deal with. I'll stick with something I know is solid. Thank you.

It's a great way to get into a bike cheap, but if you don't know what you are getting into, it could wind up being a real nightmare.

If you know anyone local that knows bikes, I mean, someone that's turned some wrenches on jap sportbikes, not just someone that's been riding for awhile, it still might be worth checking out. I say that on dfwstangs, but I wouldn't say that on just any website. If you are a do it yourselfer, you have tools, you know your way around mechanical things, like most dfwstangers, it's good to check into. If you don't know anyone that's really knowledgeable about bikes (and crash damage) and you aren't really a DIY type, you might want to avoid the headache and not buy someone else's crashed bike.

[Nick Tosie]

I'm a volvo tech. by trade (ase cert, etc) so DIY is not a problem for me. I have considered going by Prestige autobrokers and looking and seeing if they have any theft recoveries. I just need to talk to someone that really knows their sh*t like you guys do so I know whats a good bike and whats a bad bike and what to look for.

Really appreciate the help.

Nick