I've been wanting to learn to ride for a long time now, all my 4 years in college, but didnt' have the money to do so. Now I'm out of college and have a job, I think I'll start to ride.
I, like many newbies, have dreams of riding a 600cc sportsbike. But the long time that I've been forced to wait has been beneficial. Since I couldn't start learning, I had plenty of time to ponder and dream and research and look at photos and read everyone elses experiences. I've convinced myself that a 600cc isn't a good starter bike. I've been a bicyclist for many years, and have had my share of spills at 20-25mph. Those were unpleasant to say the least. I can only imagine what it would be like at 60mph...and I intend to keep it only in my imagination.
So I'm considering a GS500F. My question is, a 500 isn't that much smaller than a 600. So whats the big difference between a 500 and 600 that makes it better for beginners? Tuned differently?
Also, when is a good time to take the MSF course? It's almost winter, so riding season is over. I want to be able to take the course, and then get a bike, without a long gap in between. Keep everything fresh in memory.
Sorry for the long post... all the women in my life tell me I talk to much anyways... I might not be 100% accurate, since im just making broad generalizations here... as with anything there are exceptions and sometimes I forget detailed numbers on spec sheets, etc...
sport bikes are tuned to produce more horsepower than your average standard or cruiser bike in the same CC class. The current crop of bikes can be called Race Replicas, and for good reason. These bikes are geared more for the track than an everyday general purpose street bike. Now Im not saying they can't be used for your daily commute or touring... because many people out there will prove this thinking wrong... but they are more focused on the racing aspect more than other types of bikes.
And yes you are correct in thinking the 500cc and 600cc are tuned differently. The 500cc class has had little redesigns from when they were first introduced. Current 600cc sport bikes can be said to have had major retooling every 3-4 years in their production run. But maybe the reason why manufacturers havn't brought over any modern sportbikes under 600cc's is because of lack of interest, or they dont want to cut into the Race Replica market share. Also racing has changed, 400cc, 550cc, and 750cc sport bikes use to be all the rage, now its 600cc and 1000cc at the top levels.
Now compairing a gs500F or an EX500-D to more recent 600+cc sport bike offerings... there are many differences, some being for the better or worse when under the guidance of a new rider. Remember, race replica bikes were engineered for experienced riders.
600's have a higher center of gravity (being top heavy) which makes for execptional handeling, wheelbase, and other lines in the frame and suspension will contribute to this. New riders will have a harder time at very slow speeds turning, like for example u-turns.
Kawasaki's research when going into development of the Ninja 650 figured that most new riders are more confident with a more upright seating arrangement, with foot pegs that are closer together compaired with a race replica. RR bikes have lower clip on handles to hold onto, and further away so you are leaned forward, with rear set foot pegs that are usually higher, possibly shorter length, and levers angled differently than a standard set up for cornering clearance and to contribute leaning the body forward and closer to the gas tank and frame of the bike. Improves aerodynamics, brings Rider Center of gravity closer to the bikes COG for an edge on the track.
Modern 600cc engines in RR bikes produce more than 100 horse power at the wheels... the 80's designed 500cc engines like in the ex500 have about half that power being directed at the wheel.
RR bikes have stiffer suspension, which is less comfortable but provides an edge on the track.
Short version:
GS500F is 2 cylinders with 50ish horsepower. It is an older engine design, but very durable.
600cc RR bikes are usually inline-4's with 100+ horsepower. They are the newest engine designs, and are tuned very aggressively.
That being said, the GS500F is still very quick, and I have known many riders that prefer them over bigger bikes, and routinely pass the larger sportbikes in the twisties. It is very capable, but not as twitchy as 600cc race ready bikes.
Long version: See the post above.
2008 BMW K1200S
2003 Z1000 - For Sale
1979 KZ650B - Work in progress
2005 Ducati SS 1000DS - sold :'(
1994 VFR750 Interceptor - sold
1984 VF700F Interceptor - sold
2004 Hyosung GV250 - sold
I sat on a GS500F the other day. It struck me as more of a "sporty" bike than a sportsbike. It seemed way more comfortable and practical as an all-around bike. If I was into that style, I would definitely pick a GS500F or Ninja 500 and learn to ride the daylights out of it.
Koss wrote:Also racing has changed, 400cc, 550cc, and 750cc sport bikes use to be all the rage, now its 600cc and 1000cc at the top levels.
I was watching a 250cc class sportsbike race from Japan recently. The track was very tight, and the little sportbikes were manifestly quicker through the corners than 1000cc bikes would have been. It was pretty entertaining to watch, IMO cornering is the interesting part of racing.
The Crimson Rider® wrote:super technical track can be fun... but only if you have a bike that is suited for it.
....which was kinda my point. I'm no expert on racing, but the smaller bikes seemed to set up for corners easier letting them go in deeper, and transition from corner to corner quicker.
Like I said, I'm no expert. I watch AMA Superbike on TV whenever I can, and this 250cc race was different in an interesting way.
The Crimson Rider® wrote:super technical track can be fun... but only if you have a bike that is suited for it.
....which was kinda my point. I'm no expert on racing, but the smaller bikes seemed to set up for corners easier letting them go in deeper, and transition from corner to corner quicker.
Like I said, I'm no expert. I watch AMA Superbike on TV whenever I can, and this 250cc race was different in an interesting way.
Oh yea, I really do agree. And while every form of racing has their exciting parts, Im really all for corners. Some people like drag racing... some people even like drag racing while pulling trailors full of stuff down the straights... everyones different.
Also, in defense of the larger sportbikes... this breed has come a LONG way in cornering ability when compaired with a 125 or 250cc bike. Then again... so have 125's and 250's hehe... I think these days we are lucky to have so many great choices in riding on the streets and the race track.
Hrm, now that I think about it... speaking about larger sport bikes trying to turn like their smaller brothers... isn't Kawasaki saying that their new 600 will turn like a 125, they had a former 125cc racer test and help tune the new bike.
