For all u guys that own bikes is this a good deal? This guy I knew from high school is wanting to let his slightly used silver 2K3 R6 w/ 1,000 miles go. The catch is that I have to take over his payments which consists of $7,000. I'll get his matching helmet n gloves as well. The crotch rocket has nevered been dropped n the reason why he wants to let it go is becasue he needs to have money when he transfers to his 4 year higher learning institution.

Should I jus pass or jump on it. I can afford the payments which are $200 a month for 3-4 years or should I save some money in buying a older R6 maybe 2K or 2K1?

Ever since I rode on my friends bike I can't get my mind off of it! I've been plagued.

 

Is it your first bike? If it is I would not go with a brand new bike cause it is costly to replace fairings and what not after you crash it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbogixxer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it your first bike? If it is I would not go with a brand new bike cause it is costly to replace fairings and what not after you crash it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why the **** do people always assume that there going to drop there bike if they've never riden before???? Yes it happens, but experienced riders drop bikes as well. I'm a new rider and have yet to drop my bike. Don't discourage new riders. I highly recommend MSF as a good beginning point... In my opinion it's pretty damn hard to lay down a bike, have self-control and RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS and you'll be just fine...

 

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

Why the **** do people always assume that there going to drop there bike if they've never riden before???? Yes it happens, but experienced riders drop bikes as well. I'm a new rider and have yet to drop my bike. Don't discourage new riders. I highly recommend MSF as a good beginning point... In my opinion it's pretty damn hard to lay down a bike, have self-control and RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS and you'll be just fine... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Because a lot of new riders do. I have a buddy who has ridden for 3 years who hasn't dropped his bike yet. Personally, I've been riding for a year and I've already dropped my bike twice. I have another buddy who has been riding a little over a year, and hasn't dropped his bike yet. And another who dropped his bike 10x the first week he had it. **** happens. It all depends on who you are. He's just throwing up a suggestion to new riders out there so it won't hurt their pocketbook too badly.

 

Calm down buddy. Everyone goes down and its a fact of life. New riders just happen to go down a lot sooner and more often than others so the man is just trying to save him some money. Getting a new bike for your first bike just isnt a good idea.

 

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

Why the **** do people always assume that there going to drop there bike if they've never riden before???? Yes it happens, but experienced riders drop bikes as well. I'm a new rider and have yet to drop my bike. Don't discourage new riders. I highly recommend MSF as a good beginning point... In my opinion it's pretty damn hard to lay down a bike, have self-control and RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS and you'll be just fine... </TD></TR></TABLE>

I did not say that everyone will drop their first bike, but a lot of new riders do. My friend has been riding for 2 years and he has not drop one bike yet, but it will happen to him. Some of the time it is not even the rider's fault. But it is a thing to think about when buying a new or used bike. When I talk to people that want bikes, they always say " I will not drop my bike cause I rode a dirt or etc", But the fact is that not too many people get their license before they get their bike. In a MSF study, 92% of all new riders without license, crash. It is just fact and riders have to live with that if they decide to get a bike.

 

sup man... i just got a 03 r6 a couple of days ago and its my first bike.....i havent drop it yet but you should get the bike if you really want it...dont choose not to get the bike just because your scared you might drop it...get it because you want it..and everything else will be all good...LATE!!

 

I hate to say it, but there's a saying

"there are those who have gone down, and then there are those who haven't.... yet"

I'm fortunate to be part of the "yet", but there have been some close calls. I agree with all the guys about the first bike curse, but I also believe that it's all up to you. Even though I've had my license for over two years (and have known how to ride for 5 years), I haven't been a serious rider for even a year yet. I just bought my first true sports bike last July (2K1 GSXR 600), and just recently went with a liter bike (2K3 954RR). I bought them because I wanted them. And have no regrets buying either one. I've ridden other people's beater bikes, and I'm glad that I never bought one. It's cool to learn the basics on them, but after that, I think it does nothing but hinder your progression. There is such a different feel when you ride a "newer" bike. You feel very confident and comfortable, and many of the newer bikes are so technologically advanced that they are often more forgiving then the older bikes. By this, I definately don't mean power (because these new bikes are very powerful), but they offer such swift handling that a newbie can easily correct himself in mid turn where often many older bikes don't offer such great handling and cause him/her to turn wide (and meet face with gravel).

Also, I think people with "pretty" bikes actually take more caution than people with beater bikes. It's just a second nature thing. You don't want to f--k it up, so you try everything not to, right? I know I would be doing more crazier **** if I wasn't rocking a new bike.

I think it comes down to what you want, what you you feel comfortable with, and what you can afford. Not being comfortable and confident (not cocky) is what will get you hurt. And before you buy any bike, make sure you have enough money for insurance, you might need it!

 

I agree with some of this, but disagree with most.

There are two types of riders... Those who've been down, and those who will.

The only thing that will hinder your progression and experience is YOU. There is no substitute for experience. Meaning no matter how capable the bike is, it's still limited by it's operator. People were dragging knees and popping wheelies 30 years ago. The biggest technological advancement that a newbie rider will benefit from is the tires. They all can get head shake, they are all capable of tank slappers, and they are all capable of going wide in turns. Technology will NEVER replace experience.

Case in point: My first bike was a brand new 98 YZF600R. This, at the time, was Yamaha's Supersport machine. It was well capable. I had this bad boy for one month. 1200 miles. Went into a turn, radius decreased and there was a car next to me in the turn. He went a little wide, which startled me, I went wide, I got on the brakes, stood it up and proceeded to exit the highway at about 70mph.

Lesson Learned: MSF doesn't replace real word experience (I graduated the month before). I should not have been next to that car. I shouldn't have taken the turn that fast without being familiar with the decreasing radius. The accident was technically not my fault according to the police. I know better.

So, $3000 in repair bills later, I had a brand new bike that had been down. Oh, the bike was mechanically sound. Fork wasn't tweaked, frame straight... That money was 75% plastic parts. Levers, pedals, fairing stays, bolts, clips, gas tank... Another lesson learned: insurance, should have gotten it. At this point I wish I had bought a beater in the first place. Instead, I had a $9000 one ($6000 for bike, $3000 in repairs).

I found two contradictory statements.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've ridden other people's beater bikes, and I'm glad that I never bought one. It's cool to learn the basics on them, but after that, I think it does nothing but hinder your progression.

Also, I think people with "pretty" bikes actually take more caution than people with beater bikes. It's just a second nature thing. You don't want to f--k it up, so you try everything not to, right? I know I would be doing more crazier **** if I wasn't rocking a new bike.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you'd get crazier on an older bike, and be more reserved on the newer bike. How is the older bike hindering any progression would make, and how would the new bike help advance it ?

99% of everyone who rides sportbikes will NEVER be able to get close to the edge of ANY bike's capabilities, let alone something like a new supersport 600. Magazines are cool and all.. but they're filled with all of the newest machines... to help sell the new machines... They also have people working for them who ride bikes for a living. Now that I think about it, even the magazine guys were talking about how unforgiving the new bikes are... at the limit.

There is nothing wrong with buying a new bike. As long as you're aware the odds are against you never dropping it. Be aware of you own skills, or lack thereof. Take the MSF, wear your gear. This appiles to new, used, and beaters. If you're realistic about your own abilities, then you more than likely will be fine. Despite the accidents... dropping it in the driveway hurts the pride the most, lol. Well, that and doing it at the gas station (seen that too often)

 

I honestly don't know a single person who hasn't dropped a bike at least once. Now, did that drop actually DAMAGE anything? Not always, especially in one case where I convinced the guy to buy sliders, and the slider caught before the directional or fairing did.

I don't agree with getting an R6 as a first bike, but not because I don't think the person can handle it, but because I don't think it let's their skillset grow as fast as a crappier bike would. Good riders make a crappy bike go fast. Crappy riders hang on to a good bike.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by project_mercy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't agree with getting an R6 as a first bike, but not because I don't think the person can handle it, but because I don't think it let's their skillset grow as fast as a crappier bike would. Good riders make a crappy bike go fast. Crappy riders hang on to a good bike.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree 100%

Hell, in most cases crappy riders hang onto ANY bike.

 

Yeah, it may have sounded like I contradicted myself, but I was actually thinking more in the lines of stunting (looping wheelies and stoppies). I have no probs riding hard in the canyons. That's what I bought the bike for, and I'm damn sure I'm going to get my money's worth.

I totally agree with Matt when he said that "There is no substitute for experience." I'm sure that we were all once newbies. I guess I was being somewhat ignorant when I posted my long comment, but it's probably because I was fortunate to be a quick learner and have good people to ride with. I absorbed everything people told me, and I practiced it. People said "look ahead and follow the lines, you'll go where you look." I went out and did it, and it helps me judge the turns.

I know that my jibberish was not clear, but to make my point short, people should ride whatever they want to ride just as long as they feel comfortable and confident on it. I PERSONALLY don't feel that my confidence level is at what it should be when I ride older bikes, I just have a hard time with it. It varies person to person.

 

Thanx for the advice about not droppin the bike

 

this one's going nowhere. Not as bad as the "can I ride" threads but not much better.

 

Well I'm not gonna try and discourage buying a new bike, but atleast think about this. Are you the same age as your friend and plan on continuing your education? If so think about how that extra $200 will help out. Also having a lean on the bike you WILL have to have full coverage insurence. So think about your driving record and accident history as far as your insurence. Taking the MSF course will greatly reduce your risk of injury to yourself or to the bike as well as reduce your insurence. If you can handle all this go for it. It's a great bike. Good luck.

 

i know five different people who own bikes personally, and up until yesterday only 4 of them have ever dropped their bikes. the 5th dropped it for the first time yesterday just parking his bike.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sushibug &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i know five different people who own bikes personally, and up until yesterday only 4 of them have ever dropped their bikes. the 5th dropped it for the first time yesterday just parking his bike.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Only 80% of the people you know with bikes have dropped them... Until yesterday. Now only 100% of the people you know, have dropped their bike, lol.

 

I caint wait to drop myne...03 r6. Do it if you have the extra cash... paying for a bike sucks.

 

i would get it, sounds like a good deal...im about to work out a deal with my local cycle shop and get one for 8500, rather then what they were selling them for $9k after taxes/freight. There is only 1 shop around here that still has them for sale this year.