2008 GSX 650F for newbies?

[RhadamYgg]

You know - with all the goof-ups I've made with the clutch and throttle - I know if I started with anything more powerful than my Ninja 250 there would be little bits of either me or my jacket on the road.

RhadamYgg

[JIBTEXHNKA]

You know - with all the goof-ups I've made with the clutch and throttle - I know if I started with anything more powerful than my Ninja 250 there would be little bits of either me or my jacket on the road.

RhadamYgg

i second that. i've almost dropped mine twice but it's so light i can just catch it.

[ANDS!]

My concern is that in the rush to "save lives" (no hyperbole there), folks are taking a far TOO stringent approach in their recommendations. Is it possible to completely screw up on a GSF - sure. You can also screw up on a piddling 250 if you are irresponsible enough. There is enough latitude in some of these sub-supersport bikes that will keep a responsible rider from making the deadly mistakes as an irresponsible rider makes on a true supersport. And I get it - this opinion is decidly NOT the prevailing school of thought but eh - thats what the internet is for.

[camthepyro]

I wouldn't recommend it, and I'm someone who thinks SV650 are doable for beginners. SV650s put out 65 HP (maybe not the new ones, but my friend's '99 does). That's a lot less than 85. 20 hp on a bike goes a long, long way.

[Brackstone]

My concern is that in the rush to "save lives" (no hyperbole there), folks are taking a far TOO stringent approach in their recommendations. Is it possible to completely screw up on a GSF - sure. You can also screw up on a piddling 250 if you are irresponsible enough. There is enough latitude in some of these sub-supersport bikes that will keep a responsible rider from making the deadly mistakes as an irresponsible rider makes on a true supersport. And I get it - this opinion is decidly NOT the prevailing school of thought but eh - thats what the internet is for.

ANDS! the problem with your statement is inherent to the question people have to ask themselves. Am I "RESPONSIBLE". Most people are not capable of judging themselves and that's another reason why the MSF course is important. If you pass you get your license but they still tell you what you need to practice.

If people were able to judge themselves properly I'm sure we wouldn't have so many people going out and buying 600cc sportbikes and wrecking them all the time.

[RhadamYgg]

You know - with all the goof-ups I've made with the clutch and throttle - I know if I started with anything more powerful than my Ninja 250 there would be little bits of either me or my jacket on the road.

RhadamYgg

i second that. i've almost dropped mine twice but it's so light i can just catch it.

Yeah, I was setting up the bike and sitting on it as it was warming up. I just couldn't get it to warm up - it kept trying to stall out with the choke on.. So, I started messing around and next thing you know the bike is on the way down.

But I caught it - and with all my strength (even though it is only a 250) - I wrestled it back up to normal position.

And then figured out that warming up the bike is very difficult when the fuel switch is set to off.....

Oh well, no damage....

RhadamYgg

[Lion_Lady]

My concern is that in the rush to "save lives" (no hyperbole there), folks are taking a far TOO stringent approach in their recommendations. . .

And being "too stringent" is a problem, WHY???

All it really means is having a bit of patience and not buying the supersport (or whatever really nice, new motorcycle a rider has their eye on) until they've taken the MSF course and have a bit of real experience. On a smaller/less powerful or heavy machine.

The internet is a double edged sword. Many are looking for validation of a poor choice, and will glom onto whatever snippet of opinion will do that. Some are looking for real, useful, intelligent advice.

I can't in good conscience do anything but recommend that folks take a conservative approach to starting to ride. There will always be folks who don't listen. Some will succeed, but many won't, and too many of those end up seriously injured.

P

[RC Fan]

I have an '07 Suzuki Bandit 650S, which is the basis for the GSX650F. I am also 5'5, and this is a tall, heavy bike for a relatively short person. Once this bike goes past that magic balance point on either side, there is no stopping it. Do your wife a favor and get her a Ninja 250R. It is true that you will learn faster and have more confidence on a smaller bike.

If you do decide to buy the GSX650F for your wife, I would recommend sending your seat to Spencer as opposed to having the bike lowered.

If you have any specific questions about the bike, I would be happy to answer them.