Difference in bikes?

[eaglecatcher]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to bikes. I'm crazy about cars, and I've always wanted a motorcycle, but I don't know anything about them, so I figure I"d start learning before I go out and get into it.

My question is, what is the differnce between say a Ninja 650R, a ZX6R, and a ZZR600? I see that the 650R has the most displacement, but its cheaper, so would the others have better suspensions, etc? If I were to buy a used one (hypothetically, just for learning) would it be worth the extra money to buy the better bike?

[Dragonhawk]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to bikes. I'm crazy about cars, and I've always wanted a motorcycle, but I don't know anything about them, so I figure I"d start learning before I go out and get into it.

Very smart attitude.

There are many great resources online to help new riders.

The beginners guide on this site is here:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

I wrote one too. I even have a .PDF you can download and print and review. It tells you step-by-step how to learn to ride and even gives a list of bikes that are good to start with and BAD to start with. That site is here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

Best wishes and glad to see you are trying to educate yourself before buying a bike.

[KingRobb]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to bikes. I'm crazy about cars, and I've always wanted a motorcycle, but I don't know anything about them, so I figure I"d start learning before I go out and get into it.

Very smart attitude.

There are many great resources online to help new riders.

The beginners guide on this site is here:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm

I wrote one too. I even have a .PDF you can download and print and review. It tells you step-by-step how to learn to ride and even gives a list of bikes that are good to start with and BAD to start with. That site is here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

Best wishes and glad to see you are trying to educate yourself before buying a bike.

[eaglecatcher]

thanks for the link. THats exactly the kind of info I've been looking for.

[storysunfolding]

My question is, what is the differnce between say a Ninja 650R, a ZX6R, and a ZZR600? I see that the 650R has the most displacement, but its cheaper, so would the others have better suspensions, etc? If I were to buy a used one (hypothetically, just for learning) would it be worth the extra money to buy the better bike?

Displacement is only one part of an engine's specs. The 650R is an inline twin the others are inline fours. They are higher performance and make more power.

While the other two probably have better parts in terms of performance (suspension, grunt etc) the 650r isn't going to leave you wanting.

Other bikes to consider are the ninja 250, 500. The sv650 (comes in sporty and non sporty), the gs 500, the rebel/nighthawk 250. A vulcan 500.

For a first bike the most important thing is fit. Go sit on the bikes new in a dealership, see what style you like then start combing the papers. And don't worry to much over engine size or whatever. A ninja 250 does well on the interstate at 80 mph, and is a blast in twisties or around town.

[eaglecatcher]

My question is, what is the differnce between say a Ninja 650R, a ZX6R, and a ZZR600? I see that the 650R has the most displacement, but its cheaper, so would the others have better suspensions, etc? If I were to buy a used one (hypothetically, just for learning) would it be worth the extra money to buy the better bike?

Displacement is only one part of an engine's specs. The 650R is an inline twin the others are inline fours. They are higher performance and make more power.

While the other two probably have better parts in terms of performance (suspension, grunt etc) the 650r isn't going to leave you wanting.

Other bikes to consider are the ninja 250, 500. The sv650 (comes in sporty and non sporty), the gs 500, the rebel/nighthawk 250. A vulcan 500.

For a first bike the most important thing is fit. Go sit on the bikes new in a dealership, see what style you like then start combing the papers. And don't worry to much over engine size or whatever. A ninja 250 does well on the interstate at 80 mph, and is a blast in twisties or around town.

Thanks. I'm really leaning towards like a 250 or 500 for my first bike, I just saw those on the kawasaki website and was curious.

[eaglecatcher]

definitely nothing new. I'd probably kill myself if I dropped a brand new ninja 500 or something.

[storysunfolding]

do you ever plan on buying a new bike in the future?

im just curious since if you're too worried about dropping a bike. then you probably should never ever buy a new bike. just make sure to bring a mechanic or a knowledgeable person whenever you check out a used bike.

good luck!

I'm sure he means initally while learning verm. We all want to own shiny new someday. I'll second your last point though. always check out a used bike- never know what happened in its past life and two wheels aren't very forgiving.

That said, my cousin started on a busted ninja 250 then when he was better bought a new 250. He loves the bike, thinks its fast enough (he was accidentally in a high speed chase with 3 police cars for 20 miles), it handles like a dream and gets crazy gas mileage

[eaglecatcher]

definitely nothing new. I'd probably kill myself if I dropped a brand new ninja 500 or something.

dropping a bike can happen for so many reasons. most of the time it happens too fast for your reaction time. same goes for cars but cars have 4 wheels and can stand on it's own.

there's really no use worrying about it.

do you ever plan on buying a new bike in the future?

im just curious since if you're too worried about dropping a bike. then you probably should never ever buy a new bike. just make sure to bring a mechanic or a knowledgeable person whenever you check out a used bike.

good luck!

I'm just meaning as in my first bike. From what I understand, most everyone will drop their bike or take a spill or two on it while still learning, so I figure I'll save my money to buy a new one, when I'm more experienced and comfortable.

If I were to buy a new bike, and drop it from laying it down going around a corner, that wouldn't upset me that it was damaged, but if I bought a brand new one, put it in my garage, and forgot to put the kickstand down and cracked the fairing, I'd be really mad at myself.

[eaglecatcher]

I'm just curious, say you had one of those really big BMW type cruiser/touring bikes, with like 1300cc or so, could that be flipped over if you gave too much throttle, or would it just raise up a little?