Suggestions wanted.

[kabob983]

Bike prices vary to much from city to city let alone across countries for us to be able to suggest something specifically in your price range. What I can tell you, is I do not believe a 600cc supersport is a good idea for a first bike. But I'll only say that once.

You're telling me! The Honda dealership in Chattanooga advertises openly much much lower prices on bikes than...pretty much everywhere else. I really want to go see if there's a hidden cost or something, but when they advertise bikes more than $1500 under MSRP...

[Jamers!]

Dude, you are simply setting yourself up to learn the hard way. You are looking to spend $3-4k on a 'first bike' that you admittedly will probably drop/trash. You say you want advice on a bike that's good for 'beginners' but then say you're set on some sort of '600'. What's wrong with this picture? You don't have to look too hard or too far on this site to realize general concensus regarding "600s" is that they're not for beginners. What kind of advice do you really expect to get? You want advice? Get a 500 for under 2k, get good gear, learn to 'ride like a pro'...then you can buy a 'brand new' bike next season or two without fear of 'trashing it' for lack of skill.

And Shiv, the Kawa ZX-6R is a 600...definitely not a beg. bike IMO

Hey man, I understand you have a differing opinion, but I have my own. I'm not worried about it all too much, and my friends who'll be teaching me to ride acknowledge it'll be a little more difficult, but not impossible. I don't mind you voicing your opinion, please just respect mine.

As for saying 600 Ninja, yes, my bad, I meant the 650. Pretty much a Suzuki SV650? Anything else? Just keeping my mind open.

SV650 or SV650s are the staple 600 starter bike. Though some of the ducati monster 620s are suitable starters except for the price. The ninja650 is apparently an ok starter bike as well, though dont quote me on that.


JWF

[flynrider]

As for saying 600 Ninja, yes, my bad, I meant the 650. Pretty much a Suzuki SV650? Anything else? Just keeping my mind open.

The Ninja 650 is brand new for this year, so it's unlikely you'll find a used one in your price range. It's the follow on bike to the Ninja 500 (or EX500) which has the same engine configuration, but a little less power.

I think you confused everyone with your comments about being a crazy squid and wanting a 600, then asking about a good beginner bike. The 600cc supersports are a totally different animal that the Ninja 650 or SV650. The latter are much more suited for a first timer.

[SuperRookie]

Apparently I was the only one confused Anyway, Momo, you asked for suggestions and I gave my opinion. Nothing personal. No disrespect to you in any way.

[Dragonhawk]

Alright, I plan on purchasing a bike in the near future for transportation to college and work. Through all the research I've done it seems that I will looking at 600s. (Yes, I know you all swear by the 500s, but I'm just a crazy squid) .....Now, anyone have any suggestions for bikes that I can find within my price range that are good for beginners? (I have heard Katana's can be difficult to control for beginner bikes etc)

Nah. You're a college kid who wants a 600cc sportbike even though you freely admit that you are aware of the fact that more experienced riders say that is a bad idea. You don't want any advice. You already made up your mind.

If you truly want advice, go here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

[camthepyro]

Why do you want a sport bike? Because they're fast? I can tell even my '82 nighthawk 450 is VERY FAST for a first bike, coming from driving a car. I'm not sure the exact stats, but I'm pretty sure I can get up to 60 in under 5 seconds. That's a hell of alot faster then most cars. The 600s you want will get to 60 in under 4 seconds, why do you need that extra second or two?

[MrGompers]

Bike prices vary to much from city to city let alone across countries for us to be able to suggest something specifically in your price range. What I can tell you, is I do not believe a 600cc supersport is a good idea for a first bike. But I'll only say that once.

You're telling me! The Honda dealership in Chattanooga advertises openly much much lower prices on bikes than...pretty much everywhere else. I really want to go see if there's a hidden cost or something, but when they advertise bikes more than $1500 under MSRP...

That Honda dealership your talking about is legit. They are the biggest Honda bike dealer in the USA thats why they can deep discount like that.
If you check their website they have approx 3,500 Honda's in stock right now.

I wonder if anyone on this site has ever bought a bike from them ?

[Shiv]

And Shiv, the Kawa ZX-6R is a 600...definitely not a beg. bike IMO

Uhm, never said it was. The entire point of my post was to steer him away from the 600s and towards a 650 at the max or a 500. But something tells me he's not gonna listen to the EX/GS500 talk so why bother with it?

[ofblong]

Bike prices vary to much from city to city let alone across countries for us to be able to suggest something specifically in your price range. What I can tell you, is I do not believe a 600cc supersport is a good idea for a first bike. But I'll only say that once.

You're telling me! The Honda dealership in Chattanooga advertises openly much much lower prices on bikes than...pretty much everywhere else. I really want to go see if there's a hidden cost or something, but when they advertise bikes more than $1500 under MSRP...

That Honda dealership your talking about is legit. They are the biggest Honda bike dealer in the USA thats why they can deep discount like that.
If you check their website they have approx 3,500 Honda's in stock right now.

I wonder if anyone on this site has ever bought a bike from them ?

hmm I have family in tennessee. maybe I will wait to buy a honda shadow until I visit them again . that way wife can drive the van back home and I can drive the bike lol.

[MrGompers]

Bike prices vary to much from city to city let alone across countries for us to be able to suggest something specifically in your price range. What I can tell you, is I do not believe a 600cc supersport is a good idea for a first bike. But I'll only say that once.

You're telling me! The Honda dealership in Chattanooga advertises openly much much lower prices on bikes than...pretty much everywhere else. I really want to go see if there's a hidden cost or something, but when they advertise bikes more than $1500 under MSRP...

That Honda dealership your talking about is legit. They are the biggest Honda bike dealer in the USA thats why they can deep discount like that.
If you check their website they have approx 3,500 Honda's in stock right now.

I wonder if anyone on this site has ever bought a bike from them ?

hmm I have family in tennessee. maybe I will wait to buy a honda shadow until I visit them again . that way wife can drive the van back home and I can drive the bike lol.

If your going to purchase a lower cost Honda such as the shadow 600 its prolly not worth the effort to go to Tennesee.

You will make out nice tho when you get into the higher prices. I would consider going there from Conn then ride the bike back. Would make a nice mini vacation.