I'm sure someone already mentioned this, but don't start on a 650. I have not owned a bike, however, I am strongly considering getting one once the weather gets nice and I've probably been looking at the same things you have. I'm stuck between a Ninja 300 or going with some type of supermoto so you could look at those or also consider a used Ninja 250 or CBR 250r and just sell it in a couple months once you decide to move up.

…trust me my dude, I've been riding for 8-9 years now and you don't want to start out on a 600. I bought a CBR600RR for my first bike, brand new off the showroom floor. I even got the price down about 1k and sold it the following year because it wasn't enough power. I then stepped up to the CBR1000RR and I can tell a difference but as far as the handling and weight; there is none. You should really consider buying a used old bike if you're going to start out on a 600cc bike. You will be disappointed with it after the first season (especially if you have a crew you ride with).

If you're worried about getting in trouble with the bike, you will get in trouble on a 600cc bike as easily. My 600, I was able to top out at about 163mph (and yes you will try it at least once). With my 1000cc, I went 183mph before I backed out because I got scared. Both machines are amazing and will treat you right as long as you respect the bike and don't get too comfortable with it. I have totaled a bike before and I have been able to get up and get another because I understand my limitations.

People want to say that the more power you have, the more incline you are to using it. I would be the first to say that is a false statement. I will never want to experience 180 plus mph again; not even 120mph (which I do in my Z all the time). Its a different feeling between going that fast in a car vs a bike. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do your research and take as many classes as you can in regards. Bikes aren't dangerous, it's the vehicles around us that are dangerous. Then there are those idiots that do stupid things to hurt themselves (I know a few). But good luck with whatever you decide to get.

Sidenote: please don't do like everyone else and get a suk. Get a Yam or the BMW S1000; straight beautiful

2013 Beginner Sportbike Shootout part 2: Kawasaki Ninja 300 vs. Honda CBR500R vs. Kawasaki Ninja 650

The beggining is the ninja 300

Start at 3:18 for the ninja 650

I would listen to everyone else though, majority thinks against 650

buying a brand new first bike is a TERRIBLE idea..that i will agree with..the cc means absolutely nothing.

buy a used bike, 600 or 1000cc, something that already has some damage but road worthy....ride it for 6 months or so, sell it and buy your brand new bike.

The Ninja 650 is NOT the same as the Ninja 600
you guys think the 650 twin is the same as the 600 inline
its not and the same power delivery
one is like a tractor and the other is a screaming eagle
one has 100 + HP and the other 60 ish...

I agree with what you said here however the engine size definitely means something. Even a 250 will be faster than most cars out there and is enough to get out of its own way. I have been riding dirt for 20+ years and street for 7 now and a 1000cc bike will get you in trouble quick!

I went against my own advice and started on a Yamaha R6 but as I said I have tons of experience on two wheels, I rode that for about 3-4 years and then picked up my GSXR1000. I think starting on the 1000 would be straight suicide, and even the 600 is asking for trouble if the OP has zero experience on a motorcycle. Unless you really are disciplined enough to not crack the throttle open too hard on the 600, I recommend you look at something slower, and LIGHTER. My buddy just picked up a new CBR500R and while it isnt the fastest, its really a great bike to ride and you sit pretty upright making it a much better commuter.

I found a couple used ninjas, one the snow melts gonna drive down and sit in it and get some second opinions. Anyone in nj wanna come with me heh.

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I probably shouldn't get in Darwin's way but ... If you haven't ridden a bike before, you really need to get some experience under your belt before you jump on a big one.

Going by the few posts of yours that I have read, you will eventually end up with a big bike. I suggest finding a cheap used bike in the 250-400cc range, ride it for a few months to get some experience, sell it and get a big bike.

YMMV

:iagree:
Unless you have experience, take a course.

Fixed. ;)


A defensive/safety course is a good idea for any type of new (to you) vehicle. I took a company-sponsored defensive driving course many years ago and, even though I had been driving for 6-7 years, I still learned a lot.

Very true. I try to take a riding course once a year. But I don't get to ride but once a year.

Btw Ex, nice momo pic, that episode was hilarious!

And also, Im probably going to have to ride the bike home. Same thing i did with my Z, first time manual drove it 3 hours back home haha it was a hell of an experience.
So on that note. do i need to wear a leather jacket? I heard if you fall you wont tear through your skin cause leather helps with it?

Helmet , leather gloves , leather jacket and some companies sell Kevlar jeans

Any recommendations on companies? Or sounds that you use. Lol now that I think about it I'm sure there are forums for bike rider. I was starting to think this is the only forum that existed. But I'm sure this is the only forum that exists

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Arai makes some nice helmets

Kevlar jeans are pointless. It's been proven.

GSXr <~ Forums

Mods ban him now. He's advertising for the gsxr forum!!!

Spoiler.

I Kid.

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i was on gsxr.com too, you can find all kinds of stuff.. For sale bikes, gear..
check out cycletrader.com too.

Heh.

Time to go sign up for another forum. I'll be back. With weapons.

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You don't have to own a GSx-R or be planning on getting one. Those dudes are generally pretty cool.

- Get a used bike for your first one. I've known people who go big on their first bikes, put 50 miles on it in 2 years, then sell it for a huge loss because they decided it's not for them.

- Get a used bike for your first one. You *will* drop it. You *will* do something bad with it. You *will* dump on sand at some point. And you're going to be very upset if it's new.

- Take a motorcycle driving course, even if your state doesn't require it. This will let you know if you even begin to enjoy it. And will teach you things that you really should know. There are plenty of things about motorcycle riding that are *not* intuitive to beginners.

- Just like they do in the riding courses, you need to learn to ride slow before you can be safe at speed. I.e. get the underpowered bike first.

- Wear full gear. It's nice to have the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, but only if you don't ever dump or do something stupid or just make a mistake or have someone else make a mistake near you. Pretty much any rider knows someone f**xed up or killed due to a riding accident. Please be safe.

- Don't ever care what you look like on a bike. This will get you into trouble. FAST. Just be confident and happy that you're even *on* a bike when you ride, instead of being just another cager.

- Don't wave to the scooters. :)

:tiphat: Well said, my good (wo)man.

Best advice I ever got when I started riding was dress for the crash. Which sucks in the dead of summer in Florida stop and go traffic, but I still wore head to toe gear 90% of the time.

If you don't wear motorcycle shoes tuck in your laces, and wear gloves! My gear of choice for the street is Icon, they are my style dress, so it blends well when going out. Their street pants look alot like normal jeans. For me it wasn't just a brand but a culture.

Not everyone wears full leathers all day and most people like to wear jeans
Teknic Xcelerator Kevlar/Denim Jeans are decent and have knee protection
Something is better than nothing

Me personally would rather sweat than bleed but not most people do that

yea i would rather sweat then bleed. So Icon. Noted.
I think im going to buy in march. Once im done with audio modding on the car.
Do helments have like blutooth features? or something along those lines. How do you bike riders deal with phone calls and such.

I just wait until I get to my destination. I can't be bothered with a call even with Bluetooth when riding. You need all your senses 100% for all the wack-a-doos on the road.

Once again if you can't go without they do make nice devices that go inside of your helmet.

Hmm yea maybe I should hold off on the phone then.

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:iagree:

If one can't go without talking on the phone for so long as to require a device inside one's helmet, one should reevaluate their need to ride.


:tup:

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

When it comes to gear, this is the only mantra:

All the gear, All the time.

You don't have to break the bank on gear either, but you do want to not skimp on the helmet. A good starter will cost you around $150-300 depending on brand. You can get good jackets for decent money as well. Gloves, and hard toed shoes are extremely recommended. You don't necessarily have to spring for leather either, which will cost about 2x as much as textile. For pants, a good sturdy pair of jeans can get you started, but at some point it is worth investing in riding pants.

The point of riding gear is not to protect you if you fall, its to protect you when you fall.


This again supports the idea that at least for your first bike, do not buy a new one. Buy used and get a feel for it, also if (when) you drop it, and sometimes it's just accidental, it won't be detrimental to its value.

My advice is this..
Take a motorcycle safety course first.
If you are just commuting get you a cruiser. You are too big for a 600cc sport bike
Learn to ride your bike and take the advanced courses to work your riding skills .
Wear you gear at all times. I sweated my cahonies off here in texas when I rode.
Once you learn to ride the bike, sell your cruiser and then go sport bike.

Sport bikes are seriously fast. I owned a Honda Blackbird CBR1100XX and it had 145.3hp on the ground and I could run a 10.5 second quarter mile with it.

Be cautious and respect the machine. The liter bikes, busa's, zx14's are freaking fast.

I've been riding street bikes for over 30 yrs.

Absolutely nothing wrong with getting something like a 250/350...hell, even a Honda Grom, for your first bike.

As for a 600 accelerating and, getting you in trouble faster than a 1000...Well, I ride an '08 cbr1000rr and have never come across a 600 that can do anything as fast as my 1000.

:iagree:

I learned how to ride on my buddies fizzer. The whole 250 vs. 600 debate could make you go insane, everyone has their own opinion on that. Go with what is comfortable with you. The fz6 is a sport touring bike where the other two are SS bikes. Go ride all three and imagine yourself riding for at least an hour and think, "is this going to be comfortable the entire time?" I've got a CBR600RR now and prefer the SS setup over the sport touring setup. Im your exact same weight and the fz6 was great for learning. Always remember though, ALL GEAR ALL THE TIME. Safe future riding friend.

They lane split all the time, lol

Does this look to small on me???


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/26/peqa5epu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/26/guha6uge.jpg

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Why are you still so concerned with how you look? That's the absolute last thing to worry about at your skill level? Who cares how you look on it?

Well I'm leaving towards the 250cc, although on the bike forums they said I would grow out of it quick, but regardless I don't want to pop a wheelie when I don't want to do I'll start small but I'm saying dis it look like a toy when I'm sitting on it.

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