Hey there I am turning 21 in October and the family is all chipping in to get me my first bike. I've look through most bikes and sport bikes like the gsr-r600 or cbr 600rr have caught my eyes like it would to alot of people. Well heres the deal I am new to all this bike thing anyone got good tips on price range, gears ect for CBR 600rr from 03-08.

I am a pretty short guy being 5"3 weighing about 130 pounds, any idea how I could make this work? I heard you could lower the bikes at the dealers before purchase.

 

You can lower the bike using lowering links for the rear and pulling the forks up through the triples. Be advised, however, that doing so can negatively affect your bike's handling. You can get by with the bike at stock height by using the one-cheek-sneak (you use one leg to hold up the bike when stopped).

Also, the GSXRs (not the GSRR) and CBRs, and virtually every supersport bike, has a peaky power delivery. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't pay attention.

Definitely take the MSF before you turn 21 - it's cheaper for people less than 21 in CA (not sure how it is in WA).

Don't forget to budget for gear and insurance. You should have enough money for that since you are getting the bike for free.

 

wow you're a small man lol. ^he said it all.

 

I'll agree with marmaladedad on this one. If you don't have previous riding experience on a sportbike or even a dirtbike then a new 600 is not a great choice.

Why? Simple, power. I would wager money that you have no idea how to control 120ish hp on a bike. Or how to move the bike quickly in a tight situation. Those bikes are not forgiving at all. Any mistake you make on that bike will be compounded by 10.

However, there are bikes that are more forgiving and great to learn on. You also won't feel bad when you drop the bike for the first time. Once you learn to control the power of low power bike....then step up to the 600's.

Its much better to be the fast guy on a slow bike, than the slow guy on the fast bike. Honestly, craigslist for your first bike and spend less than 2000ish. The people I know who ride well and are great teachers have all learned on low power bikes.

They learned how to control the power and max out the bike to its full potential. After that, they moved up. I'm not super great at riding, but the 2007 cbr 600rr I have right now scares the **** outta me sometimes (my experience: 250 nighthawk, ex500, 250r dirtbike, cbr600rr).

Took me about 2 years once I started riding to build up to the 600rr.....but hay, that's me. You can listen to me, but the end decision is yours....

 

I think it's a bad idea getting a 600cc sport bike as your first bike. If you search through here, you'll find plenty of threads by guys who got 600cc sport bikes as a first bike and wrecked them. In all honesty, if you want to start on a sport bike, look for a ninja 250. Excellent little machines.

What you have to keep in mind is that while 600cc is not very large, the amount of power it's putting out relative to the weight of the bike is HUGE. A Bugati Veyron has a power-to-weight ratio of .241. A CBR600RR has a power-to-weight ratio of approximately .306. That's a lot of thrust that can get you into a lot of trouble. One little bump and you could find yourself grabbing a handful of throttle and that's gonna hurt you. Also, you're tiny. A 600 bike is heavy. If you were taller it wouldn't be so bad, but since you're so short it's gonna be hard to keep the bike balanced. So really, consider starting on a 250 until you get some experience.

As for lowering the bike, as long as you lower the front and the back of the bike the same amount, you should be keeping the suspension geometry the same. The problem with lowering is that you're more prone to scraping parts of your bike in turns. Scraping is dangerous because it freaks you out and could also lift your wheel off the ground.

 

thx alot guys, all your comment helps alot. I know its a big risk in getting such a powerful bike as a first but Im the type of person who gets a something he likes and keeps it. Its going to be very dangerous for the choice of bike, I know this for myself but I set much standards as taking classes before purchasing the bike, only riding during the day and never street race with it. I witness a friend who died from a bike accident right in front of me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentballer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it's a bad idea getting a 600cc sport bike as your first bike. If you search through here, you'll find plenty of threads by guys who got 600cc sport bikes as a first bike and wrecked them. In all honesty, if you want to start on a sport bike, look for a ninja 250. Excellent little machines.

What you have to keep in mind is that while 600cc is not very large, the amount of power it's putting out relative to the weight of the bike is HUGE. A Bugati Veyron has a power-to-weight ratio of .241. A CBR600RR has a power-to-weight ratio of approximately .306. That's a lot of thrust that can get you into a lot of trouble. One little bump and you could find yourself grabbing a handful of throttle and that's gonna hurt you. Also, you're tiny. A 600 bike is heavy. If you were taller it wouldn't be so bad, but since you're so short it's gonna be hard to keep the bike balanced. So really, consider starting on a 250 until you get some experience.

As for lowering the bike, as long as you lower the front and the back of the bike the same amount, you should be keeping the suspension geometry the same. The problem with lowering is that you're more prone to scraping parts of your bike in turns. Scraping is dangerous because it freaks you out and could also lift your wheel off the ground. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Not a bad idea, 250 ninja might be a good choice. thx dude

 

a 600 is not a good bike to start with, the 250 would be a PERFECT choice.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2279488

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GraphiteAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a 600 is not a good bike to start with, the 250 would be a PERFECT choice.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2279488</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. That's what I did. I'm so new to it that I still love my new Rebel. I got it 3 weeks ago, but have already put over 400 miles on it driving it to and from work everyday.

Honestly, it's something that I should have done a long time ago!

Btw, I hope to eventually step up to a CBR once I have completed the MSF and also once I feel that I'm ready. I'm fairly comfortable on the Rebel now, but I want to give myself a minimum of six months to a year before even thinking of stepping up to a sportbike.


Modified by Back in Black at 8:19 AM 6/26/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Back in Black &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Btw, I hope to eventually step up to a CBR once I have completed the MSF and also once I feel that I'm ready. I'm fairly comfortable on the Rebel now, but I want to give myself a minimum of six months to a year before even thinking of stepping up to a sportbike.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then you can get back on the track as well

 

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

Then you can get back on the track as well </TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

 

I just completed my MSF course and am going to the DMV today to get my license.

The MSF course was the best 150 (I'm under 21) I've EVER spent.

With that said, lets say if I WERE to get a 600. Do I NEED to buy the parts to lower the bike? Or is there already things on there that are capable of making it lower?

 

For the rear your shock is held up by a dogbone connected to the engine. To lower it you need a shorter dogbone or lowering link.

 

yea def go with a 250, get good at riding and step up to the cbr.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladedad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Also, the GSXRs (not the GSRR) and CBRs, and virtually every supersport bike, has a peaky power delivery. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't pay attention.

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


the '03-'05 600rr is especially bad at this. Honda already had the f4i so the rr was really a track bike, meant to be kept in high revs. I actually didnt really like my old 600rr's powerband. Pretty gutless below 7 or 8k then it would absolutely rip. You can see this on a dyno. The new 600rrs have much improved midrange.

F4i or 636 would be more fun on the street IMO. And of course the new 250 is a great looking beginner bike that would be the safest choice for you.

 

At 5'3" you should be riding horses man! Almost the perfect jockey size

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bg-33p &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">At 5'3" you should be riding horses man! Almost the perfect jockey size </TD></TR></TABLE>

you ever ridden a horse? it hurts the ballz

 

I think Len is 5'4 if I remember correctly. I think he just took some cushion out of the seat and uses the one check method.

 

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

+1

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


hurray for shenandoah. I like it more then main just for the fact that it's a consistent surface