I'm lookin into getting a motorcycle and was curious what some of you had for a first bike or what you'd recommend. I've ridden a couple dirtbikes, but never a sport bike, which is what I'm lookin for. Whatcha guys think?
How old are you? How much dirtbike experience? Where will you be riding (urban, suburban, country)? Budget, both for bike and insurance? Budget for decent gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, maybe some Kevlar jeans)? For me, money wasn't an issue and I had lot's of dirtbike experience and some street experience on other people's bikes, so my first street bike was a Buell X-1 Lightning new in 99, comparable in performance to a 600 Japanese bike. I did just fine. Would I recommend it as a first bike to most people? No. That was a lot of bike for a true novice. Since I don't know your experience, I'll start off on the conservative side and say look at a Ninja 650R or Suzuki SV650. Both are good starter bikes with enough to them that you won't outgrow them. Both are popular with experienced riders who want a sport bike for the street who have moved beyond the image thing that drives so many people to buy the race-replicas like Gixxer 600/750/1000 and the rest of the brands in that class. The reality is that rce-replicas are not taht enjoyable on the street. They are capable of breaking the speed limit in 1st gear and riding one slow (i.e in a sane and legal manner) really isn't that fun. Another option to look at if we're talking urban/suburban environment with not a whole lot of highway time is a Suzuki DRZ400SM. That bike is an absolute blast to ride around town.
my first bike is my current bike. 06 HD Night Rod (V Rod variant). get whatever bike you are comfortable on and can afford. i HIGHLY recommend taking a riders course.
My first bike was a 83 Honda V-45 Magna. Great bike...then I moved up from there. 2) V-45 Sabre 750 3) V-45 Interceptor 750 4) Katana 750 5) 2003 R-6 6) 2001 GSXR1000 ....AWSOME BIKE !!
My first one was a Honda 450..... Nighthawk? It was an 84 and a cruiser. Light easy bike to ride. Then I had a Suzuki Water Buffalo. Was a huge 750 2-stroke that had some serious power but impossiable to find parts for. Then I had a '00 R6 and it was a great little bike but I only got it cause it was cheap. Im not a sport rider. Sold it and got a 01 FXDWG and loved it! But then I had a customer sell back his brand new 03 VRSC to the dealership for $10,250 and my boss said I could have it at cost so I traded in the FXDWG. That V-rod was hands down the best bike I ever had. Fast, comfertable, handled very nice, good mileage and reliable as hell. I miss that bike.
Riding dirt bikes does not compare to street bikes. I dont mean YOU but its a big mistake a lot of guys make by thinking that dirt bike riding = street bike road experience. My first bike was an 05 CBR 600RR. Not the typical first bike to be suggested for a 0 experienced rider. But getting a bike like that as your first requires a few things. 1. Immense respect for the bike your on, knowing that at anytime something can happen. 2. The bike is always in control no matter how good of a rider you become. 3. Learn to properly ride, good riding technique and always wear a helmet, jacket, gloves and boots.
Everyone forgot to mention that you need to ride and view your surroundings as if everyone else on the road is trying to hit you. On a motorcycle is one time it pays to be paranoid. BTW my first street bike was an 87' GSXR1100, bought it new right after I enlisted. Reminds me how old I'm getting. Maybe you should try one of these
First, no matter what else you have in your mind, the absolute first purchase should be a Ducati 1198S...... No, Wait, I meant a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) safety class. They are incredibly important for new riders because they give you proper training, as well as instruction on things you won't do by yourself....like teaching you how to swerve, how to run over debris, how to ride out a locked up wheel....etc. Plus your able to take the DMV tests (paper and road) during the class. Best $160 I spent on Motorcycles. If your looking for a sport bike and your new...I wouldn't suggest anything over a 600-650cc bike. In all honesty, the Yamahas, Honda's, Suzakis and Kama's are all pretty much the same when compared for normal street use. They are all too fast, they are all loud, they all have more than enough power to get you in trouble. Best advice is to go sit on as many as possible, because the enjoyment of a sport bike on city streets is directly related to how comfortable you can get on them. Thats the short of it. I'm a big guy, and I found the only bike I was comfy on (in the 600 class) was the 2003 F4i (I bought it new) Also remember DON'T skimp on a jacket, gloves, boots or a Helmet. I'm a blue jean rider, unless on a track....but I rarely if ever go out without a jacket and NEVER go out without a helmet or gloves.......Take a junebug in the chest or helmet at 50 mph and you will be a believer too. Good luck
Ah! How could I forget that bike! For a week before I bought the R6 I had a 1997 Ducati SP that I thought was a SPS causeit had the body parts and tags (minus the production tag). But it was a Duck and I always thought that would be the coolest bike to own... it wasnt so before the paperwork was done I canceled it. It is the ULTIMATE half hour bike but after that you get an urge for some bacon untill you realize that smell is your ass on fire. Also, Hawaii was easy to ge a license in. I rode for years without one cause I thought it would be a hassel. When I started at the Harley dealership I had to get one and they gave me a MZ Misquito (50cc Scooter) to take the test. Man the tight turns and acceleration tests were simple as can be with that little thing. My buddy that had ridden for 20+ years took his fully dressed Road King and he failed. He used our 125cc Kawi enduro on the next one. Bur if you are in a state that allows it then a 50+cc scooter is the easiest way to take the test.
Oh yeah! OP: If you are gonna get a crotch rocket then as your first bike I would get a 600 Kawi (I know they are not 600cc). They are not the fastest, quickest, best handling but they have an excellent combination of all that but are very user friendly. They make nice torque down low so it wont punish you if you are in the wrong gear. Its very well balencedand has easy to modulate breaks. So as a first crotch rocket it would bethe best to learn on IMHO. Really a 500 Ninja would bebetter but you will get bored with it in under a year.
The important thing here is to make sure that if you screw up you go out like a man. For the love of God dont get a scooter or a "girl" bike. If you hit the back of a semi I want to be able to say "I saw that coming". I dont want to say "Man I didnt know scooters had that many parts" or "That scared the crap out of my GF, she rides the same bike". Yes, being a man, and going out like a man is the most important thing a man can do. That and scoring as much poon-tang as possible along the way.
My first was a Yamaha XT225. Pretty much a dirt bike with blinkers. My second, and current, is an 05 Yamaha FZ6 I bought new. R6 engine, so it's quick, but it's also comfortable. I've made several 500 mile one-way trips.
My first bike was a Kawasaki KZ750 Twin. Right here: Bought it for $1400, rode it for a year, sold it for $1200 a few weeks ago. Pretty good for a first bike although being 31 years old it had some quirky problems. Just bought a new one- gonna make a post about it now
Good choice. I looked at those and the FZ6R. A full faired version of the FZ6-Well almost, it is a step backwards in technology but they attached the fairing to try to capture some of the first time buyer market. I myself have an FZ1
Oh yeah, I remember when you bought that. I was saying then how it reminded me of my buddies old Kawi 750 trip 2-stroke. That was a cool old bike and you made the appropriate upgrade. Id much rather drop and old Kawi then a brand new bike.
I hear Huffy is making a comeback All kidding aside OP, be careful with whatever you get, I had a good friend of mine get smashed up pretty good on his bike. Stay safe and definitely take a course!
