In the next couple months or so I'll be in the market for a motorcycle. I have been riding for 3 months or so and I've taken MSF. I don't know whether I should take my chances buying used and get a ducati 996 for around 8000 or buy a new CBR F4i / 600 RR.

I've already been riding my CB200 around as much as I can so I get all the experience.

Do you think since I've been riding a while I'm past the point of dropping a bike unintentionally at say a stop light or in a parking lot?

When I first got my CB200 I dropped it once when it stalled going 5mph around a corner to get out of our residential street, but since then I've thwarted many attempts at dropping it.

The motorcycle is 300 pounds dry and I'm 5'8 135 so I think I can handle a bike that weighs say 400 pounds wet like an f4i, wouldn't you agree?

I'm pretty sure I've got the balancing / leverage techniques down in case the motorcycle does tip to the side, but I really would hate to drop an 8000 dollar bike.

 

Don't buy a ducati unless u plan on seeing alot of track time... buy a used 600rr or f4i. The ducatis are like jaguars... luxury/refinement, but always have nick nack probs, especially with the vibration that goes through their tube frames

 

That's cool, I kind of wanted a Ducati cause I've heard they've got good bottom end but I don't want to run into a lot of trouble with maintenence since it'll be my first motorcycle worth taking in to get maintenenced

 

On another note what would you recommend for a lasting bike.

The seat height and weight are identical (actually less for the 954) versus the 600RR and I've already sat on the RR and I flat foot it so I could go for either.

I know it's better to go with a smaller engine if you're a beginner but I know how to stay within my limits and i'm thinking the 954 would let me begin slowly without making me feel trapped in a mid class bike when I decide I want the power of an open class.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed EG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think since I've been riding a while I'm past the point of dropping a bike unintentionally at say a stop light or in a parking lot?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't think anyone is ever completely past the point of dropping a bike at a stoplight or in a parking lot. It can happen to even the most experienced riders.

If you're truly concerned about dropping the bike, then go ahead and buy an older bike, preferably with less fairings (Suzuki SV650, for example). But just know that no bike is completely immune to falling over - gravity is an evil mistress.

A 600cc bike will have plenty of power for any novice rider, maybe even experienced riders. You might find the agility of the 600-bike more exhiliarating than the banzai open-road power of a liter-bike.

 

Referring to the agility statement, the only thing that's different between the 954 and the 600rr as far as I can tell is the size of the engine, they both weigh the same and the 954 actually has a smaller seat height.

What else besides weight makes a bike handle better?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed EG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What else besides weight makes a bike handle better?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Where the bike carries it's weight, the rake and trail, swingarm length, suspension settings/components, tire size/profile, power delivery (how easy or hard it is to modulate the throttle), etc etc.

 

5'8 135lbs??? You are one light weight for sure, hope your arms and legs are real strong.

 

Haha not really, I'm actually pretty weak, I can't even drive my civic without power steering, it takes me 20 minutes to get out of a parking lot.

 

dont get a ducati supersport bike after riding a 200cc for 3 months... the best i'd reccomend you is to get a used, USED 600cc , save money, and have extra money for gear

 

ducatti's also cost a FORTUNE if something goes wrong internally,

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brasspremier &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont get a ducati supersport bike after riding a 200cc for 3 months... the best i'd reccomend you is to get a used, USED 600cc , save money, and have extra money for gear</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm going to have 9 or 10k in all and I want to buy a used 6000 dollar 929, and I'm planning on spending about 2 grand on equipment.

I don't want to get a 600cc now because this is the only time I have to buy a motorcycle, I don't want to get something that I'll want to sell later, lose money on, and then I won't even be able to buy a 929 of the year I can buy now..

 

Wow...some people just dont learn from others. Your story is the same as everyone elses. "I dont want to buy another bike later." "I weigh too much for a 600." "I can control myself" "Ill outgrow a 600 quickly" How about you dont want to buy something you cant sell later when you crash. Get a used 600 or a sv650.

 

If you ever become a good rider, your power to weight on a 600 is very competitive. That is all I will contribute to this well worn, ridiculous topic. Someone post the movie of the dumbass stalling and dropping the 999. Or show me how to post a video.

 

Even if you dont crash, which is highly unlikely, your learning curve will be soo slow.

 

By request

 

good god, people act like they only have like a year to ride before their life is over.
how bout getting a easier bike to control early on, that way you'll live long to be able to ride more bikes? everyone wants the best bike out there when they start, who wouldnt, but once you have logic back on your side, its not always the best choice.
i just got my cbr 600 and i LOVE IT. it is amazingly quick and i havent even given it much throttle. it also handles very well and is comfortable, for a sport bike. so its cheaper, both in price and insurance than a liter bike and has TONS of performance i wont be able to use completly for YEARS, if not ever.