Hey all!

I'm into buying my first bike next springs and I want to learn what would be a good choice. I like the CBRs and Gixers so far but not sure on what would be a good bike for me to start off on. So help me with making a decision.

 

 

Thanks for being an *** man. I'm here trying to learn a bit so I don't kill myself. I know a bike is a dangerous thing that's why I want someone to help me in deciding what I should get for my first street bike. I learned to ride on a dirt bike and now I want to get on to the street.

 

you're quite welcome

i wouldnt start off on a gixxer or similar sportbike personally, but the dirtbike experience helps. the street is a completely different beast, and you could start off on an older 600cc sportbike or similar if you take the MSF course first and don't ride with hooligans.

edit - i talked arturbo into getting a ninja 250 and man let me tell you that little thing is a total blast to ride.

 

Go to sportbikes.net and look in the newbie forum

Honestly, no matter which motorcycle related website, if you bust in there talking about getting a gsxr or cbr 600 for your first bike you will get flamed. It is not that the people dont like u, but that they dont want you to get hurt.

Trust me, there are thousands of riders wanting to shed a little insight on why it's not good to start too big. Good luck in whatever u get, and for God sakes man get a helmet and some protective gear. I say dont be cheap, if you value your life/flesh go out in full leathers, but many others have had good results with joe rocket phoenix mesh suits. It is not as good as leather but it is better than skidding your *** down the street loosing valuable skin and flesh in just a tshirt and jeans.

Oh yeah and do yourself a favor, take the MSF course


[Modified by cbrman, 1:18 AM 9/3/2002]

 

Thanks cbrman.

I like the CBR and GSXR but I knwo I shouldn't start out on one. As for protective clothing, you bet your *** I'll be wearing it. I think it's so stupid seeing people riding with out leathers, if they wipe out it's going to hurt big time.

Here in Ontario you need a whole new license to ride a bike so I'm going to for sure take the course.

My buddy has been riding since he was like 5, he races bikes now too. IS race bike is sweet, him and his dad built it from the ground up. I look to him for information and how to learn. He thought me to ride and has told me not to get a sport bike if I want to live, especailly a gixer.

Also my same friend was saying I should pick up a totaled bike and restore it becuase I'll be able to learn a **** load about bikes that way. Is this a good idea?

 

LOL im sorry but that cracked me up for a few minutes. i have a dial up connection right now and read your post first while this picture was loading and i was expecting a real motorcycle but it comes out a bicycle! then it drops down a little more and then i see it has training wheels!!!! hahahahaha LOL!!! that was a good one.

 

I love it so far.

 

No ****, I love mine too. It leans waaaay over and just loves esses. I took off the centerstand to get some clearance. You experience that problem yet? Btw, I was able to keep the regular riders in visual range last weekend. Not much but I'm damn proud. Having the time of my life. Anybody got recommendations on a pair of leather pants?

EDIT: g2, get an older ninja 250. Real old if your friend can help you fix it up. Pretty good bang for the buck. I think sv's are cheaper but the insurance is 600cc+ which is pretty bad.


[Modified by tonydatyga, 9:55 PM 9/3/2002]

 

tonydatyga,

Joe rocket makes pretty good gear and it is somewhat inexpensive. Anything that is cowhide leather approx 1.5mm thick and is doublestitched should do well. Make sure the leather is double thick in high impact spots like elbows/shoulders, knees and seat of pants etc.

It depends on your size/frame. If you can get off the shelf sizes to fit well check kneedraggers.com and see if they have anything in your size/price range. If you are an odd shape, you can have custom leathers made to your exact body size/shape. http://www.syedleathers.com, and do a search for barnacle bills.

Racers swear by vansons, but they are expensive.

G2, this is why people tell you not to bite off more than you can chew. Notice the blujeans inside the vehicle and the helmet on the roof. Yes that is the rider.....

 

cbrman, woah. i didnt even see the bike until i read your comments.

 

How much could I pick up one of those 250 Ninjas for? I can't start until I move out, which is at least 3 more years, but I really want to. But then I'd be scared of getting rear-ended...

 

Brand new Ninja 250 is $3k

 

How about something about 5 years old?

 

Dude, anything over a year old (250R) is going for $2k even around the DC metro. Buy it now as nooone wants a bike to store over winter. Especially people trying to upgrade to a bigger bike come spring. If you don't know bikes and don't have friends that do, try to stick w/ something newer so you only deal w/ small maintenence issues and not bigger repairs. Course this is a general thing. For the pic, I assume the rider is dead? Seems like his eyes are open to me... I'll look into the standard leather pants. You guys buy a little big or small? I fit a 32/30 pretty well but I try for a 33/30 just for safety. Gotta be prepared for thanksgiving dinner right?

 

just my 2 cents... I think there is pros and cons to buying a used bike as your first
the pro part would be that you can learn on it and graduate from that bike to another once you learn to respect the bike. the cons is going through all the buying it selling it possibly loosing money part of it. If you want get a new 600, a freind of mine did as his first bike, he didnt even know how to shift gears. He took a CHP approved class and rides very safe. If you get a new bike as your first just make sure you respect the bike and ride carefully. I think that alot of ******** get on the new bikes and ride like morons cuase they get the taste of speed

 

im a newb too. and i was told a good starter bike is a ninja 250. fun, and small.

 

Guy's don't start with a 250, I started with a ninja 500, was very a nice bike, plus you can fit a cbr swing arm in there !! got it with a larger tire Avon Azaro. very light and was turning like a bitch !!
the 250 is costless but within 2 week of practicing you will see the end of it, 500 can stay a bit longer if you don't want tooo much.

 

So you ran the factory 100 front w/ a presumably 180 cbr rear? No comment. Get a busa and it'll be a good month before you outgrow it and need a turbo kit.

Btw: the zx6 front helps to balance the cbr rear... kinda shoulda hafta do both. These mods also cure the soft factory front fork dive issue as well as raise the ride height and quicker turn in. This is a general statement, you can dial most things to your preference w/ the new parts. Course after all that you could have just bout an I4.


[Modified by tonydatyga, 11:23 PM 9/18/2002]

 

im pretty damn sure thats a bad idea to fit a cbr swingarm in a ninja. even if it did fit, it wont be running straight, and probably will need alot of welding to do.

IMO, 250 is where to start. In the street, if you feel like you need more speed to do lane changes and stuff, you might want something stronger LATER.
But it all depends on the first few years i guess... what you want to do with it.

 

I finally rode my friend's ninja 250, It was SOOOO much fun. Now I want one or a pocket bike!!!

 

Get a F2 and learn how to ride the freakin mess outta of it.

Most of friends started off riding on NightHawk 750s or '97 Gixxer6s.

-AzianAvenger

 

I was again told to try a CBR 600 F2. My friend says it's half decent for starting off. It's not to fast and the after market for it is pretty good.

What do you guys think?

 

F2's are incredible bikes to learn on. You can usually find a decent price on them from $2k-$3k. I didnt learn on an older bike, Id rather be paying off this damn thing for years lol

 

Oh come on man, at least give 'em a motor!