I'm 19 years old and I'm about to get my first street bike. I'm debating between a cbr, gsx-r, or a yamaha r series. I'm 5'8 so height is an issue. I'm pretty solid on the fact I don't want a 1000cc bike. Any experience or info would be great thanks!
If possible please include price ranges for years and bikes. I've done some research and found that an undropped, unmolested bike post 2000 is going to be around five grand. I've answered this question many times and there are 2 things you should take into your decision.
1. What are you going to use the bike for freeways mostly or streets mostly?
2. How much do you wan't to spend?
That being said before I list the bikes let me tell you what is going to be your main issue after you get the bike. The problem is folks don't think about this issue until they get the wrong bike but then its too late.
The issue is: Freeway vs street driving
Trust me when I tell you this what happens is you get a bike and you ride it on the streets and everything is great but then if you have the wrong kind of bike, and you get on the freeway going 70+ or higher its like riding a different bike in a different world.
So if you are planning on getting a motorcycle for oh lets say you'll be riding on the streets always and never on freeways then get a very light bike the lighter the better. List is below.
If however you are going to ride on freeways for longer than 10 minute you need a bike that weighs about 400+_lbs or more. A light bike comes in at 300+ lbs or more.
If you are on a light bike on freeways it will blow around a lot and in winds over 19mph -30mph it can even scare the hell outta ya if the wind hits the bike just right folks have actually swerved into the wrong lane and have gotten into accidents.
So heres the best bikes and all bikes are based on best price and reliability. They are all used bikes.
Best Bike for streets yet goes 80+ and faster than most cars off the line is the Kawasaki Ninja 250 before year 2007, you can get them all day long for $2000 or less. I have owned one and never had 1 problem with it. They are more fun than a barrell of monkeys and its a gas camel that is it uses very little gas. You can go over 200 miles easy without having to pump up.
Second bike for streets and sometimes freeways but not freeways often is the same bike but its called the Ninja 500. It has 2 times the power. Both the Ninja 250 and 500 are legal on the freeways and I have ridden a Ninja 250 on the freeway but for long distances its too exhausting. The Ninja 500 is a better bike than the Ninja 500 with better power but also comes with a higher price tag used around $2000 or a bit more but I have seen them cheaper than that if you look around at the site below.
If you can spend $4000-$5000 an excellent bike is the Suzuki Sv but get it with fairings. The bike comes naked or you can find them used where folks put the fairings on it and it looks hot with fairings plus this bike...is best for freeways if you are comparing it to the other 2. The bike has 600 cc motor.
A bit on the motors. Don't freak out about getting a 1000cc or 750 or 600cc motor. They wont shoot out from under you at the smallest turn of the wrist. Most of the power on the bikes today are on the HIgh end which means in the higher gears like where you need it on freeways.
WARNING: I would not get a 250 or 500 cc bike for freeway riding as its more dangerous and risky than a 600cc or higher. You need at least a 600cc bike to feel safe on freeways..if your not going to ride the freeways then it doesn't matter.
The last used bike on our list you can get cheap and out of all the bikes listed this bike, the suzuki katana, is the best for the freeways. Its designed more for long distance cruising than the other bikes and weighs in at over 500lbs. On the freeway it stays planted and it comes in 600cc or 750cc or higher. Again get 600cc. The bike sells cheap if used between $2000-$3000 It looks smoother on the lines than the other bikes.
When I was new to riding I went to get my first bike and went to the dealer to test drive them (lol silly me) and learned right away that dealers don't allow it but they do allow you to sit on them and see how comfortable they are. You should sit for 10 minutes on one which I recommend to see how it feels.
If you are getting a used bike there are some things you should NOT accept when buying used. Remember there are alot of bikes for sale so you don't need to settle for something you don't want.
I WOULD buy a bike if it had a good running engine with low miles.
I WOULD buy one that had minor cracks and scratches in the fairings.
However, I would not buy one that didn't have all the gauges working, and the turn signals working and attached as thats a fix it ticket for you if you get pulled over. Also don't get a bike that has bald tires or bad tires that are almost gone as you don't need to buy that bike.
I always go through this checklist before buying a used bike.
Tires
Gauges working
Engine good
oh..and also don't buy a bike that is salvaged. Not saying salvaged bikes are not good but its hard to insure them and also a hassle as you have to take it to the police station for inspection and you can't ride it until it passes the inspecton.
Lastly, make sure the bike has current tags on it. If you buy a used bike and the tags are up, did you know that the new buyer is responsible for those back taxes? It's true. You wont be able to ride until you pay it.
If the bike has current reg. tags on it then you know its safe.
Is there a new bike that is reasonable and good? Yes. Check out the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 which is awesome also.
As far as the cbr, gsxr or yahmaha I have to say the Yahmaha looks much better to me and the quality of the Yahmaha is better..in my opinion.
Go to the top site below, then click on your state, then your city then click on motorcycles 07 or 08 CBR600RR is the bike to beat. It's the lightest and hadle the best. I'm 5'5" got it lower 2" and it's fine. Love the power to weight ratio. I'm going to agree with the second answerer, a cbr 600 would be a good first bike, plenty of power, and you won't get bored quick... honda cbr 600rr
yamaha r6
kawasaki ninja zx6rr or zx6r
suzuki gsxr 600 or 750 Yeah, well... "undropped, unmolested" may not be your best bet as a first street bike. The 600's will give you the best value for money, of the ones you listed, but I'll give you the best advice I can: Get an SV650.
Crashes better (no bodywork), costs less, easier to work on, and easier to ride, MUCH better around town, and doesn't attract police
I've never met ANY serious motorcyclist who didn't *love* SV650s. The only guys who bash them are the ones who judge a motorcycle on its penis-compensating ability.
There is NO downside to an SV650. You can buy them cheap and if you don't like it, you can get your money right back out of it.
Hell, if you want a crotch rocket, get one for good weather, and keep the SV for when being comfortable and safe is more important than maximum speed.
Besides, if they'll do 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, how much faster do you need in a "first street bike"? First, take a MSF or RidersEdge course, to get you started. Or whatever course is available where you live.
You will get training and probably get a discount on insurance, which will be very expensive for a young man on his first bike. Insurance is based on your age, your years of riding, and the cc's of the bike. So, at your age, and experience level, I would stay under 650cc, and try to stay with a good 'standard' model, not the high performance sport bike, at least not when you are buying your first bike. The 'standards' ( or a cruiser type) will have more than plenty of performance for you. When you get a year or two of riding time, you can always trade up to what you really want.
If you take a course, you can ask the instructors for advise on a first bike, in the meanwhile, you will have fun and learn a lot.
Good luck. Those are all terrible choices for a first bike, and you'll be in way over your head with any of them. Start small and learn on a Kawasaki Ninja 250.
Check out the New Rider Forums for trustworthy newbie advice...
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/new-rid...
Good luck! |
