Hi there,
I am going to get into motorcycling in about 2 weeks. I am taking a motorcycle training course, which will also give me my license. I was planning on getting a Ninja 500- cause im set on a sport bike. I cant find any for sale around me though. So im thinking ill go to a CBR 600. (or maybe Ninja 650?)
Everyone says the 500's a great starter bike- is the 600 going to be that much worse?
The other problem- im 18. Im a responsible 18- but 18 nonetheless.
Im not worried about insurance- Its gonna be about $500-$600 per year. in my opinion, the bike only goes as fast as you make it go. if you don't want to go 160 then don't go 160. it's definately true that a sportbike can get away from some people pretty quick if they don't know what they're doing, but those people shouldn't be riding motorcycles in the first place.
i made the transition from dirtbikes to sportbikes in highschool with a cbr 600. sold it in about 3 weeks because i outgrew it. then i got a gixxer 750 and loved it, but after a couple years i got a 1000 because i thought i needed to be more of a badass. bad move because the 750 was just about as fast and a lot lighter.
if i were you i would just get a gsxr 750 and call it a day. it's pretty much the best all around sportbike out there for the $ and it's no coincidence that nobody else bothers even making a 750 to compete.
oh, and by the way.... going from those little 250's they use in the training course to a sportbike is going to blow your mind so be careful. i'd start off in an empty parking lot somewhere and don't be afraid to be aggressive with it. it's a lot better than learning what she can do on the highway. I am not a fan of sport bikes for one's first ride. That said, you are taking all the right steps including insurance costs.
Respect the bike. Invest in good safety gear. Do not be swayed by all the flash of the stunters. That group is giving motorcycling a bad name.
When you are on the road, assume you are invisible. Leave yourself an out (my Dad's great advise that I employ every day I drive and ride). Stay out of blind spots. I will chance a speeding ticket to place myself in a position of safety.
Good Luck and welcome to the world of cycling. The Honda CBR 600 is an excellent choice. I have ridden the F3's and the F4i and it is the best balanced and rider friendly bike I have been on with a very controlable power curve. As long as your feet can reach the ground when you sit on it I don't see why you should have any problems. You will also be happier in the long run as you will have the extra power needed when you get comfortable with it as the bike will grow with you. Like jman1977 said: "respect the bike".
I'm getting my first bike this wednesday and I'm 35 years young :-) I've spent the winter looking for a bike that I both liked and that was friendly to me as a newbie. Landed on a Suzuki GSR 600, so I'd say that the CBR 600 is a good choice to start with. It will kill you if you're not careful, but it's a friendly bike as well.
Got an advice from a friend: "Drive as if every cardriver is out to kill you." That way you'll keep your attention high and drive safer.
Respect,
kekePower its good to recognize that you are 18. I'm 28 and I sometimes do stupid **** with my bike.
my advice is if its the $$$ then look at that and choose by that. but being that you are 18 your insurance will be high no matter what you get
150cc isn't gonna make a world of difference so I would sit on them take them for a little spin and see which one feels more comfortable to you age does not really matter but no matter what bike you get or how old you are respect the bike but before you buy the first one you find look at a few different one for beginner i like the Gsxr 600 or 750 after you ride for awhile you will want bigger so if you can respect it go with the one you will be able to ride without getting bored DON'T get a 500 or smaller, you'll outgrow it in a couple of weeks. A 600 is just fine to start out with. If you're 18 and want to get a CBR600, you WILL be paying much more than $600 per year for insurance, especially if you finance the bike (lenders require you to carry full coverage for the life of the loan).
Any "pure" race bike like the CBR600, Gixxer 6, R6, Daytona, or ZX-6R will be too much bike for a newbie to handle. Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT ready to handle one after a 2-day MSF course. They require experienced reflexes to handle them properly, and no matter how "careful" or "strong" you are, they are an inanimate object and don't really care.
HOWEVER...
A sportier bike like the 650 Ninja or Suzuki SV650S are considered "sport tourers" and not sportbikes by most insurance, which will help your rates. They are also twin-cylinder engines, which lack top end speed & power, but offer a far more user-friendly powerband that is less likely to sling a new rider on his/her butt and be more forgiving to mistakes.
I started out on a 2003 SV650S, and I loved everything but the forks and the tires. It was a very reliable bike, started and ran every time, all year round. Despite being lower in HP, it still surprised me (OK, scared the hell out of me) on more than one occasion!
No matter what you do, ALWAYS wear full gear. Not just a helmet, not jeans & a T-shirt, get the FULL kit with pants, boots, gloves, jacket and helmet. I no longer ride my SV, and trust me when I tell you that gear works. Glad to here you are getting your license! There are a couple of things I want to say. First, it sounds like you are taking all the right steps to becoming a safe rider. Don't let anyone talk you out of a sport bike. I started on a 1999 CBR 600f4 and I just bought a 2005 cbr 600rr. Sport bikes (well actually, all bikes) are dangerous, but that doesn't mean that danger can't be controlled. Whatever bike you choose be sure to take your time, respect it, and learn about it and others experiences with it.
Now to your question: The ninja 500 will be a bit more manageable for a beginner. A 600 may last you a bit longer and hold you back from feeling like you have "grown out" of your 500. The cbr is also a bit more "bad ***" than the 500 if that counts for anything.
Be sure you understand that all these bikes are powerful and as a beginner there is a chance some plastic will meet payment. You might want to look for a late 90s bike not only because it will be significantly cheaper but because if it hits the ground, you won't feel awful. In your first year of riding you will learn a lot. Some good things, some bad things. You may not want your shining new bike to reflect all that.
I went through what you are going through about 2 years ago. I'm glad to hear you are responsible and I think people like you and me end up doing alright no matter what we choose. My final choice is the cbr, maybe that's because it was my choice a few years ago but in the end go for what is both economical and makes you happy.
Other thoughts, my first bike came with frame sliders installed and I'd like to put them on my new bike. They will save much of the bike in the event it goes down. Think about it.
Good luck and happy riding. |
