Ok, so i've pretty much made the decision to get a motorcycle once i've saved up enough money... The last one i had was a Ninja 600 - small for my -250 pound frame, but it was more than adequate for a first bike... Unfortunately, i only rode it ONCE, so hatwas my only riding experience... With WHart's Hayabusa thread, i got to asking a bunch of questions and finally figured i should start a separate thread... The bike i had was a mechanical leper - i mean things were just falling off and not working right from the very beginning... It wasn't very confidence-inspiring... i'd never ridden a bike before that, so it was just a learn-as-you-go situation... The guy i bought the bike from went over the basics with me, but i could never seem to downshift... i had to put the bike into neutral and then shift up to the gear i originally wanted to downshift to... i was doing what he told me, but it just wasn't happening... Everything else seemed fine... Throttle, brakes, etcetera... i remember when i came to my first curve in the road and i didn't lean over far enough, i was making an immediate and unintended bee-line for the median and it was a real eye opener... You really have to lean into these things, huh...? In Bill's 'Busa thread, people were talking about all sorts of technical stuff like fork oil and what not... Is that stuff i really need to worry about...? i mean, i don't want to get screwed on my next bike, like i was on my first one, but will i really have to "PPI" the thing like a Ferrari...? i'm not looking for something that will propel me from here to Jersey in an hour, but something i can be comfortable on, that will help me get used to riding will still have a little kick... The 600 i had, had kick... Maybe because it was my first time ever, but it was still more than enough for me... In Top Gun, Tom Cruise is riding around on something that looks pretty premo; that's what i want to avoid... He looked like a little kid straddling a canoe, it was ridiculous... My Ninja was small enough where i felt like i could handle it, but at the same time, it was big enough that it was moved my fat ass forward... i'm not buying right away; i've not yet saved up the money... But i will; and when i do, i'm going shopping... So i guess i'm just looking for some dialogue and advice... Thanks.
Suzuki SV650 has a stunningly high F-Chatter endorsement rate. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57747
Yes, that is a gorgeous bike...the SV650. I am an old Triumph man so the Triumph Daytona is a favorite. There is only one Harley in my opinion, Vrod (I have one of those now). In general I like Japanese 750s. Smaller then the Canoe on Top Gun, larger then the 600's (which are too small for 6'2" me). My first super bike was a 84 Honda VFR 750 Interceptor with super trap exhaust. WOW did it sound awesome!!!!
And forget the PPI. Just look all over it for oil leaks or anything worn. Check the brakes for plenty of pad and look at the brake fluid to make sure it is clean. Any of the abpve being wrong and the bike has been ignored in some way. If you have no clue what to look for you must abide by the above. Alternatively, bring a biker bud along to scope out the potential new crotch rocket. I have done so many times for friends of mine.
First piece of advice: Never get on anything that will propel you to Jersey in any amount of time for any reason!
Ditto the SV650, perfect starter bike. V-twin torque is fun to tool around town and sounds really mean. The bike is easy to ride yet is far more capable than you will ever be. (or me for that matter) I am hoping to get one next year for a track bike and start racing. A used one can be had for under $3500.
Thumbs up for the SV. Although it is tempting to get the "S" model ( sounds cooler to have the "sports" model) DON'T DO IT! The regular, non-S is more comfy and usable.
It sounds very much like a riding school should be your first order of bussiness. Motorcycles need to be treated very different than cars, and they will teach you that at a shcool. As far as fork oil and all the other tech stuff - leave it stock. Most modifications make the bike worse - I can't tell you how many modified bikes I pass with my stock bike on the roadrace track. I personally have never found the need to exceed 100hp in a motorcycle or 500 in a car, aftere that is more about bragging than fun - they get evil. Even after 4 years of roaracing, it was still all I could almost handle. Hope that helps.
Having a motorcycle in my garage since I was 22 ,is the best thing I could have added to my life. currently I own a CBR900 RR and I have a blast everytime I take it out for a spin in company of some other bikers So go for it, life is short enjoy it fast!
Don't forget, Tom Cruise is about 5 feet tall...he'd look small on a NSR50. Another vote for the SV. Great bike.
I'll add a vote for an sv650. Great bike. Of course you can't go wrong with a used 600 sportbike. I bought my zx6r new in 2000, first bike, never had a problem with it and have almost 26,000 miles on it so far. Just be careful who you buy a bike from. With the increase in stunting (wheelies, stoppies, burnouts, and other tricks) bikes are being ridden really hard.
Stay with the Italian tradition. Ducati 999 Superbike. Seriously though, the SV650 would be a great first bike.
The SV650 is an excellent bike. I owned one for a couple of years and never got tired of it. They are also very affordable now.
SV650. Great bike, less plastic to break, broad torque band, not an intimidating amount of power. Given your lack of experience, I'd suggest taking someone who is more knowledgeable about bikes with you to look at it and test ride it. I also suggest a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. There used to be a great bike shop in Marietta called Marietta Motorsports somewhere just south of the big chicken, but I forgot which street. It's race-oriented, but had knowledgeable, friendly folks. Might want to check it out. EDIT: Looks like they might have changed their name. Here's their info: www.1888fastlap.com 1685 South Cobb Dr, Marietta, GA, 30060 Tech Line & Local Calls: 770-425-5252 Toll Free Orders: 1-888-FASTLAP 24 Hour Fax: 770-424-4165 BTW, IIRC, the bike Tom Cruise rode in Top Gun was a Kawasaki Ninja 900 (GPZ 900?), the big bro of the bike you had.
I sense a theme here!!! The SV650 is the one and only!!! I really love that bike. One other advantage to the unfaired version is the gearing is slightly shorter, making it a little quicker.
You could buy my first bike from me! Im a big guy at 250lbs also and ended up with an aprilia for my first bike. Never dumped it. (knock on wood). Its a 1000cc and has plenty of power but not under power for a big guy like me. I learned on this bike by riding around the neighborhood over and over untill i felt comfortable to ride outside the immediate area.... Disreguard the shipping part, i could work something out. http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52423 Good luck on your purchase. Dave
I don't know if they're available in the US but if I had another bike I'd get a Honda CRB600. They're rated as one of the best all round bikes ever. They're quick but with a less radical riding position than a Nina or a GSXR 600 so you wouldn't be aching too much. You can't go wrong with any Honda. I've had 4 and they've all been fantastically reliable and nothing ever fell off them. They're the Toyota of the motorcycle world!
Any latish model 600+cc sportbike is capable of a low 11 second quarter mile. Awesome acceleration (compared to that of a car) coupled with very different steering to a car, mean that these are BAD NEWS for any beginner. Stick to the advice of an SV650,or any of the 250/400CC four stroke pocket rockets will fit the bill. Once you have selected the bike, spend up big on the protective gear, get some lessons, then take some advance riding courses, then attend something like the Keith Code cornering school. After 1 or 2 years of experience riding a **** box and doing all the ride schools, then and only then progress to one of the bigger bikes. If your not prepared to put in the effort, forget about the bike, unless you are intent on becoming a statistic. All IMO of course.
It sounds to me like this guy knows what he's writing about. I'm surprised few have emphasized riding school! I've been through a few courses and can tell you that they are well worth your time and money. You can't go wrong learning from other's mistakes! Buy good gear, wear it, have fun. Keep in mind, the brotherhood of motorcyclist's is a strong group, welcome to it. The MSF course is designed BY BIKERS for guys just like you- I'd advise you to take advantage of this. Welcome to our group. I'm proud to be a biker for over 25 years. I ride both sportbikes, (R1- best bike ever made IMHO), and cruisers, (Titan Sidewinder, old school). This hobby has enriched my life much more than Ferrari ownership. Buy good gear, wear it, have fun, welcome.
I had never seen the SV650 but it does look great. Saw this write up. http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0012_entry_sv650/ In the same family as the Ducati Monster and MV Agusta Brutale. If you plan on getting on the freeway I would look for a bike that will allow a windscreen. I have an MV Agusta Brutale and it is perfect for cutting through town to get tacos. They are coming out with a new 910 version so the 750 model is being blown out for under $11k. A lot more than the others but sexy. I would avoid an extreme sport riding position if you are to own one bike. I just test road the BMW RG1150S dual purpose bike. Wow! Feels like it weighs 200lbs. Windscreen. Expensive.
Wow...! What a bunch of great responses...! Thanks, everyone...! i've considered an instruction school or course, but i'll have to wait on that... i know that sounds stupid, but i don't have the time or the money... i'm not looking to race the bike - i just want a passionate, cost-effective form of transportation and a motorcycle fits that description... Eventually i'd like to take a class or course on riding and owning a bike... Deedub, thanks for the offer, but that's too steep for me... i haven't even saved up any cash yet and no one's showed any interest in buying my car until just a few minutes ago... i'm really dumbfounded by all the responses; thanks, guys... What do you guys think i can get a used SV for...? Also, with regards to 'fork oil' and stuff like that, i had no idea that was something to do with aftermarket products... i'm not looking to modify the bike at all... Stock is perfectly fine for me (for now)... Maybe a quieter exhaust, but that's a different story altogether...
