For the BEGINNER BIKER

[CNF2002]

I think the horsepower of the engine IS very important. A big CC bike is going to get a new rider into trouble because they do not have the practice with handling the power appropriate to the conditions of the road/situation. A new rider coming around a corner suddenly feels he needs to speed up; a small cc bike will be more forgiving if he yanks on that throttle, a 1000cc bike will put him in the ditch. A new rider may be able to learn on a big bike, but when something unexpected comes up a twitchy throttle that he doesn't know how to properly use its just going to make things worse. How hard will it be to learn proper friction zones and gear management when you're just trying not to stall or fly off like a bat in the middle of traffic. In less-than-ideal conditions a bigger engine bike is going to be far easier to spin that rear tire, and if the rider doesn't know how to handle it (or panics) he'll end up on the pavement.

Lots of reasons to start small. The only reason I've heard anyone give for buying a big bike first is that they just want a certain bike (usually a sport bike) and it simply falls into the 'wanna be cool' category.

Plus, small bikes have PLENTY of power for everyday riding if you know how to use it. If you need a 1000cc bike to get any joy out of it, you don't know how to ride. Unless you're at a track.

[usnarnnr]

I just found this forum tonight, and I've been reading through as many of the posts as I can, and learning alot, it has all been really helpful. I'm planning on getting my first bike soon, and taking a motorcycle safety course so I can learn how to ride, since my last time on a bike was a dirtbike that was way too big for me and I popped a wheelie and fell off right away, but that was 7 years ago. So anyway, I understand what everyone has been saying about start small and cheap, and I was thinking of a ninja 500 or gs 500 although my friend is really pushing for me to get an sv650. The thing is that I haven't been able to find any of these smaller used bikes for sale for less than 3500-4000 bucks near me (Pensacola, FL). I did just find a 1987 CBR 600 for sale that I can afford, and although the guy says it's a good first bike I was wondering what your guys' advice is on that. It looks like its a little heavier, (441 lbs) and has 80 HP, so I was thinking that may be doable. Any advice is greatly appreciated. BTW I'm 6'0" and about 175.

[TechTMW]

An almost 20 year old sportbike. I'd stay away from it, only because you have no guarantees that this thing has had any kind of care in its life. People ride sportbikes hard, and their longevity suffers because of it. Something old like this, people ride EXTRA hard, because it's cheap and they can afford to bootch it up. And because it's older, they don't put as much effort into maintaining it. Unless you know all previous owners of the bike, and you know that they maintained it and rode it conservatively, go with something newer.

Or, buy it, but only if it's money you can part with. (Like if it breaks in a month, will you be OK with that...? )

[andrew54]

About older sport bikes for beginners?

Looking right now at 93 Honda CBR 600

[VermilionX]

for sportsbikes... anything 600cc and above aren't considered beginner bikes.

which leads me to think that all sportsbikes are not beginner friendly.

the GS500F and EX500 are just standard bikes w/ sport style fairings.

anyway, go get what you want. just be xtra more careful if you choose a superbike.

[skoebl]

the GS500F and EX500 are just standard bikes w/ sport style fairings.

I've been wondering about this. I have a GS500e, and I've seen it referred to as a standard AND as a sportbike.

Which is it?

From what I can tell, it's a 'sportbike', simply because the feet are positioned a bit back, more underneath the riders tailbone than under his whole body (if that makes any sense at all)...

[domenica]

i have a question,
i haven't ever had a bike before (i used to do motocross, but my dad said it's very different!) i want to ... probably get a 250 kawasaki ninja... mostly because i am about 95 pounds and only 5'4"... when i tried one out though, my feet barely touch the ground. can that size bike be dropped down more? thanks.
-nica

[VermilionX]

i have a question,
i haven't ever had a bike before (i used to do motocross, but my dad said it's very different!) i want to ... probably get a 250 kawasaki ninja... mostly because i am about 95 pounds and only 5'4"... when i tried one out though, my feet barely touch the ground. can that size bike be dropped down more? thanks.
-nica

my friend who bought a gixxer600 last year can't flat foot either so he changed the seats to a thinner seat, so now his seat height is almost an inch lower. he requested this at the dealer.

try to see if you can get a thinner seat to lower the seat height. see if that will make you be able to reach the ground.

and if only they sold this beauty over here in the US. it would have been perfect for you. the seat height is only over 26"

[domenica]

wow that is a really nice bike!

well, i am not sure getting a thinner seat would help me... my feet almost dont even touch. i kind of assumed it was important to be able to really touch the street?

[Sev]

As long as you can get one foot down flat you should be okay. Of course if you're really concerned about it, the cruiser style of bike has a much lower seat height on average.