Help me choose!!!

[mike_myrick]

Hey everyone, I am planning on buying a motorcycle, I have no experince whatsoever on a bike (I will take the course first of course). I am looking for a nice beginners sports bike. I have made a small list, let me know pros and cons of each and add any models to the list.

Katana 750
Katana 600
Bandit 600
Ninja 500r
Kawasaki EX500
Suzuki GS500F
Yamaha YZF-600R
Suzuki SV650S

Is there anything that's too fast on there?

Mike

[shawnhpi]

Pick something OLD and Cheap but something that will not be a pain to run.

My 1st bike and riding exp. was a 1996 yamaha fzr 600 (4300 miles on it)..

Im one of those people who pay big for stuff I like..

I drove that for a while and finaly upgraded to a newer honda cbr600.

Just don't spend a loton ure 1st bike. Gain the exp and then find t hat good nice looking bike you want. The only one i like on there is the yamaha .. You should add a FZR to the list as they are a nice beginners Bike to.

The 750 would be to big for ya .. to much power.

TSick to 600 or lower..

[Mac]

This is gonna hit your pride up a bit here bro, but they are all to fast for you. For a beginner bike, sports-bikes are out of the question. It is like learning to drive a car and being put in an F-14 Tomcat (see top gun) for the test. That said hit my name as I have been putting arguments all over these boards about this topic-, as have other people. I have an R6, and love the bikes, but my kids will not start on them, they will work up to them. The right way.

That said – if you indeed are out of your tree and go through with it then here are the best of the all not good choices.

1st choice - Kawasaki 250 (they make a Ninja) gets up and goes pretty good, and is actually a decent sports-bike. You have to get a used though, but you will only have it for a year or so and WHEN you drop it; who gives a crap?
2nd choice and the only modern sports-bike I would even think of is the Yamaha 600R. NOT THE R6. As sports bikes go they are the most forgiving.
Please look around these posts and read some of the arguments on here.

In the Exp. bikers forum look up R1 or R6 read the posts to that guy.

Take care and be safe,

R/

[mike_myrick]

I really like the Yamaha r600 the Katana 600 , the Ninja 500r and the Suzuki SV650S. I just can't decide which is best for me. Which is the lightest? Best handling? Most forgiving etc.....

make suggestions please : )

thanks.

Mike

[Sev]

Take the ninja 250 if you want the most forgiving bike.

You're only going to be riding it for a season or two at the most. Long enough to develop your skills, and get used to handling a bike in general. The problem with some of these bikes is that they don't know you're a learner. They're designed to react to very subtle inputs, and as a learner you're going to be making broad unsubtle inputs that can and will get you in trouble.

Ultimately it's your choice, but I'd strongly advise spending a season or two on a smaller bike, you'll be a better rider because of it.

[huh]

I really like the Yamaha r600 the Katana 600 , the Ninja 500r and the Suzuki SV650S. I just can't decide which is best for me. Which is the lightest? Best handling? Most forgiving etc.....

make suggestions please : )

thanks.

Mike

the most important thing is respect for the bike.

with that said i would pick the sv650. (i would get the cheaper naked) the sv will have the most mid-range punch from your choices.

you must consider insurance as a major factor in your bike choice! insurance cost will vary widely from the bikes you have listed.

all those bikes are great first bikes even the new crop of 600 super sports are fine. since they all are low on tourqe and what they do make is way up high in the rev band. nothing happens below 9k on the 600 ss's. but above 9k (rpm) they can really move. they can be fast but require skill to get there.

the ninja 500 is a great bike and can be had cheap. but look for a 94 or newer. if you can get a used one and pay cash you can just get liabilty. which will save you lots o coin.

i like all those bikes and would like to have a 500 ninja someday. remember that you dont have to go fast to have fun! i got to ride a 500r and had a great time.

good luck and get a bike that is comfortable to you and your pocket.

[TheReaper]

I'd have to concur on the SV650. Unless you go with the ninja 250, which is REALLY inexpensive, all the rest of them are full fairing bikes and will cost money if/when you dump it. The sv is naked and if you get the S model you can spend a few hundred bucks later on and buy the lower fairing to give it a true sportbike look.

I went new with an FZ6 mainly because it was a naked streetbike.

My other thought on the SV is, it's agressive and from what I hear a blast. Maybe you'll like and end up keeping it longer than a year or two.

[iwannadie]

i think the katana 600 makes a good first bike. it has power but its all in the high rpms it doesnt start to pull untill over 6k. ive seen alot of people recommend the katana600 for new riders, certainly it can give you problems if you dont respect it. also the katana600 will take off on you alot faster than the ninja250 so you do have to respect it alot.

i have one its certainly got the power but i dont think it will over whelm you like the others would so easy. it is however fairly heavy which would make it hard to learn on. but i think its a bike you can learn on and grow into well enough to keep it over the years. ive been riding over 3 years and the katana is a great bike for me. usually they cn be found for cheap as well.