Tall guy looking for a good starter (sport) bike

[CustomZ]

Im not saying an SV650 is not a good beginner bike, you just need the right mind set. Your lack of experience on the road makes you a little dangerous in a car, let alone a motorcycle. Make sure you take it easy, whatever bike you get.

I would recommend a SV650 to someone I knew had their head screwed on straight. If I thought someone was an irresponsible driver in a car, Id tell them to stay away from motorcycles. Respect the fact that motorcycling can be dangerous, dangerous even if careful.

so true you really have to respect the bike and watch out for the "other guy" in the car you have to pay way more attention on a bike.

[swatter555]

those bikes all look really nice to me, ive sat on the 599 and sv650 and they felt alright, but alot of people have told me that they have too much power for a beginner, what do you think?

theres really no reason you can't start on a 600 if your responsable, theres mixed opions on this topic, i'm a fairly new rider and some people said don't get a 600 start on something smaller blah blah blah, well i bought a gsx-r 600 and i'm very satisfied, i drive reasponsble, and i don't use it to its full potental (all the time), but i say get what you want, but be reasanable if your goning to speed and try wheelies etc.. then maybe you should hold off on a 600 or higher but if you won't ride out of your ability then get what you want. thats just my opion like i said before there are different veiws on the subject

When Im giving advice on a BB, I try to be pretty conservative. If someone has their head screwed on straight from the beginning and takes riding seriously(taking it easy and gearing up), Im sure they could learn on a supersport 600. The gixxer you have handles alot better than my SV650, in that respect they are good to learn on(Im guessing). The whole problem is that right grip. Even on the SV, I have a strong temptation to seriously abuse the traffic laws. I suspect that is much easier to do on supersport bikes. Unfortunately, here in Socal most of the people on the supersport 600s are true squids(short sleeve shirts and shorts). I cringe to think of another person joining the cycling community in that way.

[CustomZ]

o i know what your talking about i get tempted to crank open the right grip, and sometimes i do, but your right it is hard to stop your self when you have all that power. and every time i go out i have an armor jacket and at least denim pants and gloves. i see thought guys on sportbikes with short and a t-shirt and like you said i cringe.

[Relsek]

I see a lot of posts from riders of something other than a sport bike telling you they are not comfortable. I'm not comfortable on a cruiser, I am comfortable on my bike, I think a busa is a sport bike. I'm 6'3" and can ride hundreds of miles in a day with no problem. I think you'll probably get comfortable on whatever you decide to get once you are relaxed on it.

Kev

[poseur]

I'm 6-foot-5 and bought my first motorcycle, a GS500F, in May. It's comfortable.

I see that this bike only has one disc brake on the front wheel and one on the back. Are the brakes okay? I'm thinking of getting this bike too. I am 6' tall and weigh about 195. I'm 42 and this will be my first bike. I'm taking the basic rider's course next month and plan to get the bike shortly thereafter.

[CustomZ]

I see a lot of posts from riders of something other than a sport bike telling you they are not comfortable. I'm not comfortable on a cruiser, I am comfortable on my bike, I think a busa is a sport bike. I'm 6'3" and can ride hundreds of miles in a day with no problem. I think you'll probably get comfortable on whatever you decide to get once you are relaxed on it.
Kev

thats the same way i am, i'm so comfortable on my GSX-R and not so on a cruiser, but my wrist do hurt a little after about 2.5-3 hrs of ridding that just because i've takin my bike out every day since i've had it.

[PackRider]

I see that this bike only has one disc brake on the front wheel and one on the back. Are the brakes okay? I'm thinking of getting this bike too. I am 6' tall and weigh about 195. I'm 42 and this will be my first bike. I'm taking the basic rider's course next month and plan to get the bike shortly thereafter.

The brakes are sufficient. I've done a couple of panic stops with them. The key is to maintain a following distance and be alert. Just like you don't want too much power when learning, I would say you don't want too much braking either that will cause you to lock the brakes or otherwise lose control.

On gstwin.com you'll find a lot of people who've ridden GSs for years, take them to the track and are perfectly happy with them. Others ride for a while then move up to a 600, SV650 or something else.

One thing about the GS is you can install progressive front springs, upgrade the rear shock, add an aftermarket exhaust and rejet the carb and completely change the character of the bike, or so I've read.

[JCS]

I almost hate to bring this up. A 17 year old with a 600 sport bike is gonna get raped on insurance.

[jmillheiser]

You would probably like the SV650S. Its the SV with the fairing and lower bars. Even the SV650 will run a low 12 second 1/4 mile time which is for comparison sakes about what a dodge viper runs in the 1/4, so there is no shortage of power. A 600 supersport and above is in a completely different class of performance (think F1 car not sports car).

The SV is considered a decent starter bike due to its user friendly powerband. It will move when you want it to but is less likley to give you any nasty suprises like a 600 can (super sports come on the power HARD which can get you into serious trouble if your not ready for it).

[icariz83]

I'm lovin the love for the SV in this topic!

And to kinda go off topic. The suspension is not a big deal if you're a skinny pole. I weigh in at 145 & had to soften it (most people have the cushy feeling like the other gentleman mentioned). I believe in all that's good in the world that the motorcycle Gods invented the SVS just for me....or maybe not