Wow my first post in this section! So I have a few friends that ride and I am looking into getting a sportbike myself. I have wanted one since I was about 14 and now that I am 24 I can actually afford to own one. I have been doing research on here (Yes I read the big beginner thread) and the internet, but would still like some opinions, tips, and suggestions from experienced riders.

First off I am a short guy at 5’4’’, but from reading around I shouldn’t have too much trouble if I just lean off the seat when I need to stop. I have also read I should take the MSF class, which I plan to, but that just teaches you basic motorcycle laws, tips, etc… I am more interested in a course specifically designed to teach you how to ride a sportbike properly. I used to race dirt bikes and I have riding street bikes, but from what I hear sportbikes are a completely different animal. I’m not too worried, but I want to be prepared so I don’t kill myself. Does anybody know of any beginner sportbike classes in the PNW or Cali area? (Might be moving to Cali soon). Something on a track where I can get some good lessons would be perfect. I would just teach myself, but I want to learn how to ride the right way.

Now about the bike, a lot of people have said start small and get a used Ninja 250. Those look gay as hell and I know I will end up wanting a better/bigger bike. Since I am a Honda guy I have been looking into a CBR600RR, one; because it looks badass, two; because from what I have read they are sweet bikes, three; the resale value seems to be pretty decent, four; I can grow into it and it should be all the bike I ever need, and five; it looks badass. It’s not set it stone I will get that, but it’s at the top of my list. I plan on riding a few and sitting on them all to get a feel for them. Any opinions on getting a new bike? Everybody says you will drop it at least once, so I would hate to scratch up a new bike, then again a used 2003 CBR600RR still goes for about 5-6k (I don’t really want a bike older than 5 years), so I might as well just spend 8-9k on a new one. What's a couple more grand right? I wouldn't have to worry about the history of the bike this way either. Money isn’t that big of an issue, so I would rather just get what will make me happy.

Other than that I think I am pretty much ready. I plan on getting all the proper safety gear of course and taking it very slow at first. This isn't a thread about what I should do or get. I'm 24 and know what I want, but I don't know nearly as much about bikes as I do cars. I like doing my own research and deciding on my own, but opinions would be nice since I don't know that many people that ride other than a few of my friends friends. There's a lot of info to sift through in the internet, especially if your a noob. So feel free to give some advice, especially the short riders that are on bigger bikes.

bbka

p.s. I have a turbo Honda if anybody wants to trade their sportbike!

 

HAYABUSA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MSchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">HAYABUSA</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well since you said so I'll go buy one right now!

 

I don't believe the MSF teaches you how to ride a bike properly. I do believe, however, that they are an EASY way to avoid the somewhat difficult (for a beginner, anyways) DMV riding test.

Once you gain some experience with riding, then you can worry about taking a more experienced riding class. From the time you get your Motorcycle endorsement until a beginner trackday, you should read Keith Code's TOTW I and II, Nick Ienatsch's book (the name escapes me at the moment...something like proficient riding), and Lee Parks' Sport Riding Techniques.

Sorry to hear you're verically challenged. 5'4" leaves with you few options:

1) Tiptoe (or one leg it)
2) Lower it

#2 makes it easier for you to start, and you could always raise it back up when you're used to riding. I would say stick with Tiptoe-ing.

If your heart is set on a 600RR, then you should get one. As you've probably read, the learning curve is much higher on a recent-model 600cc bike. Not to say it can't be done, but it'll just be harder.

Good luck to you.

 

i frown on gettin the new bike...but whatever, if you crash it, sell it to me cheap

take the msf
get comfortable
dont lower your bike with links...
RIDE the track, you will learn more in a day of track riding than you could equaloly steet
dont be a douche
live and tell your tales

 

you dont like naked bikes? if so, suzuki SV650 gets my vote. thats what iam planning to get.

and ya, ninja 250 sure look gay as hell..hahaha. dont for get about gears, get gears 1st and shop for bike.

 

I'm sorry to sound like a ***** but you sound like every other noob that wants to start riding.

Everyone says they have ridden dirtbikes, want to wear gear, ride to their limits, take MSF, etc..

But all noobs seem to care about these days is looks (ub3r squid)

Ninja 250 still gets my vote...if you get a used one it has awesome resale value, hella parts if you F it up, 250CC's so you can't get greedy like you probably will on a RR, etc.

Plus, from what I have read in numerous magazines, (from track to street and so on), the `06 600RR was one one of the WORST competitors in the 600 class.

I THINK the standing were as follows:

1. GSX-R (of course...)
2. R6
3. Triumph 675
4. 600RR
5. Kawi ZX-6

Whatever though, if you believe in form over function and want to get a 600RR then go ahead, Darwin will ***-rape you if you screw up.

GL

 

i really don't think half of the people really care about the fact that the 600rr is at the bottom of the 600 super sport class. I don't care that my superhawk isn't the fastest sport v-twin around... the 600rr is a mega solid bike. That's all


My recommendation to you is to take the msf, buy a used 600rr, and buy your gear. I've seen you around on the turbo d series forums and know you aren't some immature lil punk that's gonna get himself killed. Dirt bike experience = big advantage too (ignore what sup gurl said, the experience helps a ton.) A lot of the best riders I know were dirt bikers before and now rip it on street bikes.


Oh and I'm tired of people recommending the 250. Maybe if you're an 18 yr old still in high school or something yeah. But 600's are perfectly fine to start on and if you have no experience the sv650 hands down is the best learning bike. great for learning the basics, great for the track, cheap, the list just keeps going. I know tons of people who learned on 600 super sports too who had 0 experience before. The difference is they're mature about it and don't ride like idiots. They progressively get better and better and treat it like the best it should be. Really it all comes down to you and the respect you have for the bike.

oh and to sup gurl, darwin doesn't care what cc bike you're on. if you weren't meant to ride a 600 you'll eat it on the 250 too. darwin likes little slip on shoes too

 

there is nothing wrong with the rr.. nothing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the 600rr is a mega solid bike. That's all


Oh and I'm tired of people recommending the 250. Maybe if you're an 18 yr old still in high school or something yeah. But 600's are perfectly fine to start on and if you have no experience the sv650 hands down is the best learning bike. great for learning the basics, great for the track, cheap, the list just keeps going. I know tons of people who learned on 600 super sports too who had 0 experience before. The difference is they're mature about it and don't ride like idiots. They progressively get better and better and treat it like the best it should be. Really it all comes down to you and the respect you have for the bike.

oh and to sup gurl, darwin doesn't care what cc bike you're on. if you weren't meant to ride a 600 you'll eat it on the 250 too. darwin likes little slip on shoes too </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree, the RR is an awesome bike! I love it..

Also, I recommend the 250 because I am 18 and in high school

Darwin doesn't like my slip-ons ...when I lowsided I had no foot damage (yes I realize I was lucky and wear boots now )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Oh and I'm tired of people recommending the 250. Maybe if you're an 18 yr old still in high school or something yeah. But 600's are perfectly fine to start on and if you have no experience the sv650 hands down is the best learning bike. great for learning the basics, great for the track, cheap, the list just keeps going. I know tons of people who learned on 600 super sports too who had 0 experience before. The difference is they're mature about it and don't ride like idiots. They progressively get better and better and treat it like the best it should be. Really it all comes down to you and the respect you have for the bike.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

i agree completely. im not saying you should get a 600RR because there are better 600cc options for beginners. BUT i think this was very well put by EngineNo09. And you can never judge whether or not a person is a squid by the first post because EngingeNo09 says he knows this guys isnt a squid but everyone is going to assume he is just cuz he wants a 600rr.

to beerbongskickass (except when you ride/drive ), my opinion is, since money doesnt seem to be an issue, start on a less aggressive 600 for a couple months at least because it wont be a problem for you to sell and get a 600RR once you get comfortable. either way, take things slow and keep the sticky side down.

 

The MSF course only focuses on teaching you how to ride, they dont touch on the laws at all.

If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, then the MSF course would be very very helpful. There were some kids in the MSF class I took that talked really big about getting sportbikes, and one of them couldnt ride worth **** and took a hard fall on the 125cc honda.. atleast he learned right there in a controlled environment that he shouldnt ride, and not on the street with a 600cc bike.

If you already know how to ride dirt bikes etc.. then the MSF course wont be too helpful, maybe just the street-wise tips they give you.

 

Thanks for all the comments! Defintely helps out with my decision.

marmaladeboy

Thanks for the input and I will check those books out for sure. When I was searching on the internet I found a few riding classes with his name on them. Yeah it kinda makes things a little more difficult at first because I am shorter, but I'm sure I can learn. I looked into getting the bike lowered, but I also read that can affect performace/balancing. I'll look into that later after actually get a bike. I'll stick with the tip toe for now.

ngng

Like I said it's not set in stone what I will get. I am defintely going to look into used bikes, but I want to sit on a few new ones as well. If I find a good deal I'm sure I will end up getting a used bike, but like when I bought my car and truck, I already knew what I wanted and I paid way too much for them lol. I'll try not to do that with my bike and make sure to do research first.

How do you like your Ducati 749s by the way? There is a guy by my house that has an all black one and it looks pretty dang sweet.

Last For One

Sorry, but I just checked out the SV650 and it looks like a big turd lol...

sup gurl

Yeah I know what ya mean. If you go to the forced induction section you will see me flaming noobs more than anybody lol. I can't stand the "What turbo is best for my car", but I usually just reply and point them in the right direction. If they sound like a complete retard then I defintely put them in their place. That's why I tried to stay away from the "What bike is best for me" and questions like that. It's kinda hard finding good info right away on the net, so I will just keep searching and reading.

About the only caring about looks, well I don't know **** about bikes yet, so that's all I have to go on. I'm not going to lie and say I don't care about looks, I want a bike/gear that looks great, but I also want a bike that performs great and works for me. I still have a lot to learn about that though and I will look more into the GSX-R and R6 from what you have said now.

Here is my car and as you can tell looks are the last thing on my mind. It's all about homeade and being a cheap bastard lol...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=771081
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1148993

p.s. I'm not getting an ugly *** Ninja 250...

EngineNo09

I actually had no idea the 600rr was at the bottom of the list for 600cc sportbikes. I read around here for a few days and everybody seemed to like it. I just figured they were all pretty similar (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawi) when it came to performance, just depends on who is driving and how your bike is setup. Kinda like a race between a B16, GSR, and Type R... The driver and car setup could make all the difference, yet on paper the Type R would smoke the B16 or GSR.

Yeah I will more than likely be getting a use bike, it just seems the 2000 and up bikes I have looked at recently go for at least 5-7k used, which isn't that much less than a brand new bike. If you or anybody knows of any good sites I can compare specs and what not that would help a lot. Maybe a good year bike I can bike and build/fix up to run better than a brand new bike? I know if I was buying a Honda again it would be a 92-95 VX hatch with a complete B16 swap, which I would build up a GSR bottom end for and swap in later, then of course a custom gt30r turbo setup, but knowing about cars doesn't help me when buying a bike lol.

RedHatchBlack

That's kinda what I got from reading about the MSF. I will be taking that since I hear it's easier to get your license this way and it might help with insurance costs. I comfortable riding standard bikes, just never rode a sportbike.

 

How much do you think your Civic is worth?

 

Don't get me wrong man I just don't want you to hurt yourself thinking you can handle a bike most noobs can't

 

IMO, RR is too much for a new rider.

It's not necessarily that you'll hurt yourself - but the bike is too fast to be fun. 2nd gear = 100mph.

Plus, it's too pretty. If you drop it or bang it up you'll be pissed.

Get a cheaper, older sportbike - F4i gets my vote if you must have a 600.

 

I don't think it's too much. if you stay under 7k it's very tame. learn your basics and gradually ease on the throttle to get used to it. It does hurt though if you drop it. I have friends with race 600rr's and the plastics are well... race plastics. guy lowsided and just shrugged it off and kept riding. Most people though would be mega pissed off for rashing up their nice new 600rr that cost them god knows how much...


Modified by EngineNoO9 at 9:46 AM 5/14/2006

 

First, take the MSF, you will get something out of it.
Second, after taking the MSF, forget what you learned and READ Twist of the Wrist 2 by Keith Code!
Thirdly, get a USED bike, F4i, RR, it doesn't matter...well it does but you seem to want to look cool, so those bikes will be good starter bikes. Better yet, if you REALLY want to be a bad *** rider, and not just look badass, get an SV650. That bike will give you a world of experience for the twisties.
Fourthly, AFTER YOU GET YOUR SV650, DEFINITELY take it to the TRACK and take a racing class, beginner, intermediate and advance. This is the BEST thing you can do week after week. Riding on the track is a lot of fun. Riding on the street is a lot of fun. But on the street too many variables that can pretty much kill you. But with the skills you learn at a racing school, you'll learn that riding on the street is not as fun as on the track but you will still have fun on the street.
Lastly, be smart on the street or on the track. All of the experience in the world won't help if you aint smart about what you are doing. And from your post you seem like a pretty smart dude, with a good head on your shoulders. You are doing all the research and asking all good questions that a beginner rider SHOULD ask simply because you just don't know the answers. So keep asking.

Keep it safe!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMO, RR is too much for a new rider.

It's not necessarily that you'll hurt yourself - but the bike is too fast to be fun. 2nd gear = 100mph.

Plus, it's too pretty. If you drop it or bang it up you'll be pissed.

Get a cheaper, older sportbike - F4i gets my vote if you must have a 600.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have to agree wholeheartedly. I got my bike in the dead middle of summer for $2000. It runs good, bit of cosmetic **** and has 36k on the chassis and suspension, motor has about 10k. Puts down 100 hp and 47 ft/lb BUT weighs 430 lbs DRY. Get something like that. Honestly, I wouldn't ride and RR now. It's just not worth it to me. Really, please consider this.
As motorcyclists we obviously don't wanna see other bikers hurt but we also don't want other riders marring OUR names as the safe ones. We're trying to keep you from doing both.

 

EDIT: whoops. i posted on the wrong thread. im an idiot.

 

Okay so I was searching around and I’m now looking more into a 2001+ CBR600F4i. I wanted a bike that was fairly new so I could have fuel injection. I like the styling of this bike and from what I read it's "tamer" than the 600RR, plus it's still a honda. Looks like I can probably find a nice one for about 5k or a little less if I get lucky, so that’s not too bad. I also just ordered Keith Code’s TOTW 1 & 2, only $25 for both on Amazon. Now I just need to find some gear and check about the MSF course. Thanks for all the advice!

 

wow, really getting sport bike?

all i can say is, be careful. its your life.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Last For One &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow, really getting sport bike?

all i can say is, be careful. its your life.</TD></TR></TABLE>


... wow you're really gonna get a brain some day.... haters ftl

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beerbongskickass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Okay so I was searching around and I’m now looking more into a 2001+ CBR600F4i. I wanted a bike that was fairly new so I could have fuel injection. I like the styling of this bike and from what I read it's "tamer" than the 600RR, plus it's still a honda. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The F4i is a much better choice. The RR is really hard-edged, and not much faster. Glad you saw the light, sort of.

As far as the SV650 being a great starter bike - I agree except for one thing. The power delivery is actually VERY abrupt. I did a lot of accidental wheelies on it, and thought the powerband was too torquey for newer riders. The R6's powerband was much more manageable until you hit 10K or so.

It was great to lean around town though - you can really muscle a bike with bars around a parking lot, unlike a bike with clip-ons (F4i, RR, R6, etc).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Last For One &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow, really getting sport bike?

all i can say is, be careful. its your life.</TD></TR></TABLE>

But, you dont even own a bike