Looking for some advice.

[Wrider]

Yeah, I'd go with the 650s... or even the 500s... If it's size you're worried about, you REALLY don't want a 600. Compared to the other ones they're way more cramped.
E.G. they're designed for the average 5'5" - 5'9" MotoGP rider...
Wrider

[R3sp4wN]

I have been riding for about a month now and my bike is a 600cc Honda VLX. It is a great bike. Between me being a noob and it only having 4 gears, it is great practice without being over-complecated. At your size, you may be more comfy on a cruiser. I was planning on getting a crotch rocket until I sat on one. They aren't comfortable to me, especially since I have a 30 minute interstate ride to and from work. Enjoy whatever you choose and be safe.
_________________
Mercedes CLR

[Koss]

1. Sign up ASAP for the MSF course. Don't just plan on it, but do it. Get your date set, and don't touch a motorcycle until you graduate from the course. Then afterwards, if you want to ride your friends 600 supersport, thats your choice. Parking lot speeds are slower, and the bike isn't as stable at those speeds. So watch out on turns, ESP. with a top heavy super sport.

2. I don't know exactly what your looking for here, you asked for advice in your OP, and we gave it. We won't tell you that an FJ 1100 or FJ 1200 is a good starter bike.

3. No matter what way you look at it, your friend is dead wrong in my honest opinion. For one, just because that yamaha fj1200 is older than the ninja 650r, dosn't mean that it must have lower or equal horse power.

Yamaha FJ 1100 1985 (Not even the FJ1200... but the previous generation 1100cc I-4 Engine.)

Engine Type: 1097 cc, 4 Stroke - Air Cooled - Inline Four
Engine Bore and Stroke: 74 mm x 63.8 mm
Valves 2 valves/cylinder
Claimed Horsepower: 125 hp (93.2 kW) @ 9000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 87 Nm (64.2 ft. lbs) @ 7500 rpm

Transmission type: 5 speed
Final Drive: Chain

Dry Weight (without fluids): 231 kg (509.3 pounds)


Okay, now the Ninja 650R... which is a "GREY AREA" bike, not suggested with any comfort for a beginning rider new to motorcycles. It makes a great second bike though.

Engine Type: 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4 Valve Cylinder Head, Parallel Twin
Displacement: 649 cc
Bore & Stroke: 83.0 x 60.0 mm
Horsepower: 71 hp (53kW)
Maximum Torque: 48.5 ft-lbf (66 Nm) @ 7000 RPM

Dry Weight: 174kg (383 lbs)


The FJ1100 has 55 MORE horsepower, and an extra
126.3 lbs of Non-newbie friendly weight. You need the lightest and least powerful motorcycle you can personally accept in order to learn properly. You will learn more on a more newbie friendly bike thats lighter and less powerful. Your skills will develope in a safer... and FASTER manner on a "smaller" bike. You need a bike that is willing to teach you proper riding technique and skills, than a bike that you must watch out for and try to adapt to or it will spell disaster.

I understand you respect your friends experience. But he isn't the only experienced rider around. I've been riding since I was 10 years old, and raced dirt bikes for many many years on very technical tracks. I built those bikes with my own hands, always have maintained all my vehicles, and am an automotive technician. So I might know a thing or two.[/b]

[MZ33]

I have been riding for about a month now

Hey, R3sp4wN, how has it been going for you? Sounds like you're loving that bike.

[Nalian]

What is your leg inseam? That will actually tell folks more about what will or won't be comfortable for you than your height. I'm only 5'8" but I have a 32" inseam which makes most bikes fairly doable for me. I have a lot of 6' tall guy friends with the same inseam.

You should take a look/sit down on the 'grey area' bikes - the ninja 650r (I have one and love it), the SV650 (hear great things about it), the Yamaha FZ6, if you're okay with used the Honda Hornet is another one to check out as well.

All of those bikes will have plenty of power to get you in trouble with, so you do need to ride more alert than you would a 250, but I think most responsible folks can handle it. Just be prepared for the "oh dodo" moments you're going to have. None of those bikes would have a single issue hauling you around, it's more about your comfort sitting on them.

You buddy sounds like he has issues with seeing beyond his own purposes for a bike. I'm sure he means well, and you'll find plenty of other experienced bikers who will give you the same bad advice. I feel like most of those folks just forget what it's like your first few years of riding and how much you have to figure out. Its much harder to go through that time on a bike with as much power and weight as the FJ.

[MasterPeril]

Yeah, I am going to sign up for the MSF course asap. I really do think that the 650r was the one to get + I loved how it looks but he told me the FJ so I figured I would at least ask. But I appreciate your honest opinions.

And the parking lot stuff was simply to get into first. I did the same thing when I was learning to drive stick(Not comparing). I just get into first then stop over and over. Bad idea?

[dean owens]

And the parking lot stuff was simply to get into first. I did the same thing when I was learning to drive stick(Not comparing). I just get into first then stop over and over. Bad idea?

not a "bad" idea per se... but you start off doing that in the class. and the advantage is that it's a smaller bike that won't jump out from under you when you give it too much throttle... and if you do give it too much and it jumps out from under you, and you drop it... it's ok because that's what they are there for. but if you do that and drop your buddies bike then you have to pay for it.

i say that from experience. i was given my bike (which is a little big for a beginner because of it's weight IMO) before i took the class. i didn't want to look foolish during the class so i wanted to practice on my bike in the back yard. it's a 650cc v-twin that is 25 years old. acceptable starter sized engine. i take to things pretty quickly and know how to drive a stick. i dropped my bike twice before i could successfully ride it around my backyard.

it's not a doubt in your ability. it's just experience that i and others have that say to just wait for the class. i know that's easier said then done. i was so made i had to weight for a class. so much so that i paid double to take in from a harley dealership so i could take it in two weeks rather than 2 months.

take it slow and enjoy the process. you'll be happier in the end.

in the mean time, go and sit on bikes. sit on every bike they'll allow you to sit on. even bikes you don't like. even bikes that are too big for you now. you might find you like the seating of a different style. you might find the bike that you want to get in a year or two when you have the confidence. you might be confirmed that the busa is the bike for you to get in a few years. regardless, it's fun to go sit on bikes. just do it and keep and opened mind and enjoy yourself.

[dean owens]

You buddy sounds like he has issues with seeing beyond his own purposes for a bike. I'm sure he means well, and you'll find plenty of other experienced bikers who will give you the same bad advice. I feel like most of those folks just forget what it's like your first few years of riding and how much you have to figure out. Its much harder to go through that time on a bike with as much power and weight as the FJ.

bolds by dean

well said. i don't think your friend is a bad friend or a bad rider from what you have shared. but i know that the guy who gave me my bike has been riding for 35+ years. he said how great my bike was for a beginner. i went over to get the bike and it was massive to me. i was pretty timid and it took me longer to learn some things. i know i would have picked them up sooner and better had i had a smaller (lighter) bike. he wasn't being a bad friend. i just think he's been riding so long he can't remember starting off. because what he started on was a small dirt bike. not a 650 lb full dresser bike.

[MasterPeril]

I told him the same thing lol. He isn't the most personable person so he goes off about how long he has been riding and a rant about how good he is and what he knows. While I don't doubt him in saying I could probably do it, I am going to go with what would be easier and safer. Then probably go to that bike, then from that bigger bike to a busa class bike.

Thanks all, registration for MSF at the local college starts May 15th so I am going to get into that and take it from there. I would like to thank you all for your input and I will update when I sit on the few bikes you all mentioned to give you all my thoughts.

[MasterPeril]

Oh, one more quick question. My little brother, 16 year old, same height/weight as me, is also going to start riding. Any suggestions on a bike for him? A sport bike is kind of out of the question so I am guessing a cruiser type bike is the right choice. Something comfortable and low priced since we are buying it used. Suggestions?