Thinking about finally getting a bike

Skip the R6 for right now. It is a lot of bike for someone who has no riding experience at all. Also insurance and purchase price will be higher than other ways to get in the game. You can buy a older Ninja 250 or a Suzuki GS500 and you will learn a lot more about riding and it will be a lot easier/safer. The bonus is you can probably buy one ride it for a year and sell for close to if not the same you paid. As a wildcard maybe look at a Suzuki DRZ 400 supermoto or WR250x supermoto. I bought a DRZ as my first and I love it, I have since bought a GSX-R600 but the DRZ isn't going anywhere.

In terms of gear you want the best you can afford. I won't ride without my helmet, boots, gloves, knox back protector and jacket. I usually wear a pair of shift riding jeans but I don't get really hung up on pants. I want impact protection first and then skin protection second. A lot of guys ride without boots but they are extremly imprtant, you don't want a foot/ankle injury. Leather is best then textile then mesh, although I wouldn't look at mesh at all. I haven't gone down yet but everytime I get on my bike I accept the fact that today may be the day and I dress accordingly. Good luck and you will love it.

 

I was in the same boat as you over the summer. I had never ridden a bike, but took the classes in August and bought my first bike a couple weeks after finishing the course. I got a 2001 Honda CBR 600 F4I. I read a lot on different forums about avoiding sport bikes as a first bike. I partially agree with it, but I also think it depends on the rider. If you are stupid or irresponsible, then any bike can get you into trouble.

I chose the CBR since it wasn't too aggressive. The clutch isn't super stiff, the throttle isn't too sensitive and the seating position isn't that bad either. My friend let me try his 05 Ninja, and that is another story. If your friends ride, see if they will let you try their bikes so you can see what you are comfortable on. The other reason I chose my bike is that it was cheap. If i do drop it, or something happens, it won't be a big deal.

 

Get thee some training. The MSF Ridercourse is the best thing a new rider can get for himself.

http://www.msf-usa.org/


Good luck!

 

As as rider for 40 years now, I recommend getting a used 250cc dual sport off craigslist as a first bike, take a MSF course, ride in the dirt as much as you can and join the AMA. Check out www.highlandparkresort.com You can find your safety gear at Cycle Gear in Roswell or Smyrna ... www.cyclegear.com ... Once you are competent in the dirt on a dual sport, then consider moving to a 600cc street bike. I have had numerous street, dual sport and motocross bikes over the last 4 decades and currently own a Hayabusa and KTM 450 dual sport and I find myself riding the KTM 80% of the time...

 

The most important part of the gear is to wear it. It is really easy to say, "I'm just going out for a little bit", and leave the jacket and gloves at home but you need to remember,

ATGATT

All The Gear All The Time
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I 100% agree with this. I started riding around 6 years old, which means about 34 years of riding in total. I started on dirt bikes, really no better way to learn - especially a 4-stroke (which are the norm today and have a linear power curve compared to 2-strokes). If you've never ridden before, you don't want "on the job" training. I don't care who you are or how easy it may seem to be - you're primary issue is "other people", not you. As long as I've been riding, I've dumped my bikes and have had near death experiences - it comes with the turf when you're sharing it with trucks, cars, wildlife, and road hazards (pot holes, oil, water, sand, etc).

At this point in your life, you most likely developed some habits that won't lend to safe motorcycle riding. That's not a bad thing, you just need to retrain yourself - a good example is how many people drive by looking right in front of themselves. With a motorcycle, you have to be looking ahead - basically scanning and predicting hazards. On a bike, there are plenty of hazards, and you may not be able to react fast enough if you aren't thinking.

Taking a course will help you tremendously. Practicing on a dirt bike will allow you to focus on your "technique" without risk of being flattened by a semi. Can't tell you how many 18-21 years olds I've SEEN jump on a R6 or other crotch rocket and not live to tell about it - it's irresponsible and just not worth it. You'll get much more enjoyment and fulfillment out of motorcycle this way.

 

An R6 is a terrible choice. Odds are you will wreck before learning to ride proficiently. Buy something cheap and ugly to learn on.

 

Anyone know if Kawasaki is planning a facelift on the ninja 500? If they give it the body of the 250 it would make a great beginner bike!

 

Anyone Riding ...Everyone who rides would do better to learn the principals of 2 wheeled physics by starting on a motocross or dirt bike..The principals of out of control control are alike in every phase or style of biking.Cross up lock up and learn to fall.

There are 2 types of riders, those who have been down and those who are going to go down..
also riding 40 years! started on a kawasaki centurion...100cc
first time I ever agreed with Parkerf

 

James,

I hope you heed the advice given here. I know the temptation will be to purchase a sport bike with power, but be smart.

First off, I'll tell you I've had my motorcycle license since I was 18.

Second, I'll tell you that I know no one that owns a bike that has not laid it down. I've know many that have had serious accidents.

Motorcycles can be great fun and a good way to travel, but you have to be smart if you want to survive. Start off with something simple and under 700cc and practice out of traffic. Buy used and upgrade when you are ready.

We all are telling you these things to help you.

BTW - When you say you are going to "go for it", do you mean take a safety class and get your license before purchasing? If not, then I have nothing further to add.

 

i have ridden and raced for years...yep, been on the ground a few times too!

i may have gone at wrong when i started...i never rode on the street, i went right to heavyweight (750cc) superbike. i have been a racer of carts, cars and bikes since i was a young boy but if i were starting as you are, i would get a kewel motard and learn to ride the wheels off of it before getting a purpose built supersport bike.

the motard has lots of grunt, great response to rider input, and a comfy and commanding rider position. aprilia makes a hot one and i suspect you could get a killer deal on a leftover 08.

pcb

 

PRICELESS.

 

PRICELESS.

LEATHER IS FOR THE SLIDE......

 

I knew that you were smarter than you looked ...

 

This is a good suggestion to follow.....

I have been on bikes most of my life, wear the best gear money can buy, and I am now recovering from a recent accident to avoid a car in my lane that resulted in near destruction of my left ankle even though I was wearing the newly designed Alpinestar boots. You must understand that it is a dangerous activity and I do not know anyone that does not make a mistake from time to time and end up being injured. It is a good idea to have health insurance. Get training. Wear all the safety gear you can afford. And keep getting training throughout your riding years.....because you must keep your reactions sharp and your skillsets up to snuff.

A wonderfully gratifying hobby, riding motorcycles is for me. I have met some great friends thru riding and racing...lifetime friends, who have travelled significant distances just to come see me since I was injured. And we will ride again in a few months when I am healed.

AXE

 

the alpinestars are a good boot but i tell everyone to invest in the best. frey daytona security is the only boot to wear. btw, i'm glad you will be back to the track soon. good luck in your rehab!!

best,

pcb

 

I could not get one to fit my foot....I will now have one made to fit my foot. You are dead on, I regret not going for it and won't make that mistake again.

 

I prefer SIDI boots. www.sidisport.com

 

I had an R6 to start big bike road riding and now ride aprilias , the R6 is a fantastic bike, but you will , i say you will be tempted to flat it out and the brakes on older bikes aren't fantastic and they are too flickable to learn on

My advice get and RVF400/CBR400RR, ZXR400 they are ideal for the beginner look the business and they are fairly cheap and bloody fun to ride and hone your cornering skills

As for Gear

As good a fulll face helmet as you can afford , dont go on price , read tests and reviews there are cheaper helmets out there that are far safer than some of the expensive ones

Summer riding : -
breatheable Leather 1 piece preferably or zip together 2 peice both must have armour
leather gloves are a must , armour on the fingers is preferential
boots proper motorcycle boots with armour

Winter riding
Gortex suit with armour
Boots waterproof with armour
gloves waterproof and wind proof withe armour

so armour armour and more armour

bet heat out in the summer , keep water and wid out in the winter

my kit

suomi helmet
SIDI Boots
Frank thomas leathers but dianese if you can afford
alpinestars gloves

Dan

 

Was in a similar situation to you this summer. I am in college and roughly your age.

I had never ridden before and took the safety course over the weekend in August and bought my buddies old bike the day after I passed the course. His bike was a 1984 650 Honda Nighthawk. It was definitely powerful enough for a first bike.

After putting about 2000 miles on it in a month I felt confident enough to ride my buddies 2001 R6. I honestly felt so much safer on the rocket and more stable at higher speeds, not to mention uncomparable brakes on the newer bike (drum brakes are horrible)! . Two weeks later I bought a 2005 600 RR. Enough said.

I consider myself to be a fairly safe and conservative rider. I had a clean record before buying the RR (never had a speeding ticket) and three days after I bought the RR I got pulled over by a cop for 64 in a 35 mph zone but was only written up for 5 because I was compliant. I now ride very slow in my college town and only really open up in the cornfields outside of town or on a deserted highway.

If you do get a rocket I hope you have a good amount of self control because it is VERY easy to go VERY fast. I would not recommend one as a first bike.

Good luck, be safe, and wear appropriate protection

 

IMO you are too stupid at the age of 21 to ride a motorcycle on the public roads.

If you do please do the course and remember every SINGLE incident is YOUR fault, nobody elses as YOU have to keep yourself alive. The minute you start blaming the other guy you are dead, simple as that.

Get the gear and wear it even if it is so hot that your shoes are melting into the tarmac.

Again please don't, wait until you can make the decision to just lift off and go slower through that corner, and not care if you look like a poof ... that took me to I was about 35. I ride now and have ridden for about 6 years and for about 5 of those on a 250cc (57,000 km's), and that is plenty enough to learn that everybody will try very hard to kill you because they simply cannot see you (and some simply hate m/c's). I now ride a Suzuki GS500E after trying a Ducati SS and realising that they are not practical for a work and back bike. I very much enjoy it, but I no longer have an ego to worry about .

I say again, please don't until you are more mature. And no you are not mature enough as a male and only 21 years old ... my step son who is nearly 21 recently crashed his m/c for the third time and thankfully it was stolen on the side of the road where he left it, and it was only a 250cc, but he had to go to the doctors for a check up even though he was wearing his gear. His father has now lent him some money to get transport again, but it HAD to be a car ... and I say thank God!
Pete

 

Question about your finical situation. When you say you make between 1000-1300 a month how much of that is disposable income? Are your parents paying your rent, food & insurance? A modern sport bike will cost you MUCH more to operate than an equally priced honda civic. How do you plan on riding this thing? If you plan on taking it out of town on the highway or riding up in the hills and enjoying it where its meant to be than your going to stretching yourself very thin money wise.

The first year I owned my bike I rode it all over the place! Put on 12,000 miles in the first year. I didnt ride it to work or very much during the week. The miles were all weekend trips and rides. I now have 15,000 on the bike and have since gone through 5 sets of tires. ~$1,800 or so in tires and installation. Your tire mileage may vary depending on how you ride the bike.

You should budget at least $1200 in safety gear for getting started. This price is also going to vary depending on the quality and brands of gear you chose. If you live in a warm climate you should also budget in for more gear. Something along the lines of a 2 pc textile suit. Start looking/shopping around for prices.

Build a budget in excel and include all prices in maintenance (oil changes, sprockets & chain). safety gear and associated cost such as insurance. Doing your homework before hand will save you from a massive headache in the future! Also dont forget about taxes on the bike when you purchase it. Those will have to be paid to your local DMV at the time of registration.

I would highly recommend that you pick up something much cheaper to start out with. If you really want a good beginner bike pick up an SV650. It has plenty of power and will even keep the experienced riders satisfied. Many of the other smaller displacement beginner bikes are usually tossed out of the garage once they have been outgrown. With the SV650 there are many experienced riders out there that will add one to the collection just because its that great of a bike to own. Its also cheap to replace parts as their are plenty of them out there. If you drop that nice R6 at 5-10 mph expect a repair bill in the neighborhood of $1600+ ! Plastics are not cheap to replace.

Like the other guys have mentioned above your riding skills are at ZERO!!! You are going to make mistakes as everyone does when starting out. You will build up skill as the miles rack up. Dont jump right into idea that you have to own the best bike as your 1st bike. If you are like 90% of motorcycle riders you will eventually sell the bike and get something newer down the line.

Sign up for the MSF course! Get proper training and learn everything you can. Buy the book "sport riding techniques" by Nick Ienatsch. Read it cover to cover. Then go back with a highlighter and pick out the different parts of the book that you want to concentrate on. When you go out on a long ride or hit up the canyon/hills pick out two things in the book to practice on the ride. It WILL make you a better rider. After a year or 10,000 miles in the saddle head out to a local track and get professional instruction. I would highly recommend some sort of track school. Notice I did not say trackday.... school with instruction in the classroom & an instructor behind you on the track sessions.

Staying safe is one thing but learning how to operate a sportbike is something that someday may save your life.

My personal recommendation is to get a cheap bike, or no bike at all, and get yourself through school. Its more important to do this in the long run! When you graduate and start working money will be there for your hobby. In my area nurses are starting out making ~$35 an hour. With a few years of experience you will be in the $40 range. The opportunity of working OT is also there. If you dont mind putting in OT you'll be ahead of the game. Just one extra shift a week and you'll be able to pay cash for a sportbike in a few months. Before taxes thats over 10K in 4 months!

 

Listen to these great advices! Having ridden anything from race 2 strokes to large capacity inline fours to the current twin (a 999R Duc), I would've said the same exact things. Research a good advanced riding program locally and get yourself to perform some track days as well. The experience gained on track is very helpful in real world riding. Good luck!