Total Motorcycle Community Forums

igor wrote:Ok..
How about Ninja 650r, will that do away as a good first bike
Not much difference between 500 and 650(which only has 70hp)
But at least it fits me stylewise
Also a bike should look good, not only a ride brings people joy but also the way they look on it.

Only 70bhp Please accept that right now you have no idea what 50 bhp feels like or what you can do with it, let alone 70.

As for looking good - well nothing looks as stupid as a big bike that the owner can't handle. I love seeing massive chicken strips on sportsbikes and squared off tires.

I also like hunting them through the twisties, despite giving away 50 to a 100bhp... You've got to have balls.

Kal-


That reminds me of one of my favorite taunts with sportbike riders when they talk about racing my bike a Vstrom 650...

Common prompt number 1
him: My bike can do circles around yours
Me: Sure your bike can, but with those chicken strips, you sure as hell aren't

Common prompt number 2 (not related but used all the time)
him on big sportbike: Want to race?
me: Sure, first one to phoenix wins
-Thanks to whoever on this site gave that to me. They don't know what to say to that once the gauntlet is thrown.

Alright guys, lets try to be a bit diplomatic though. You can't always (or often) make someone understand that they are trying to bite off more than they can chew, AND if he is determined to go up a notch, there are better choices somewhere between a Ninja 250 and a Gixxer 600.

I think many times we may alienate someone who is just trying to learn. We bash them over the head with "get life insurance", and name calling, when there may be a more gentle way to nudge someone in the right direction. In the end, if someone is determined to kill themselves on an over-powered bike, they won't keep coming here for advice. I'm sure you all have noticed guys who come in, and are gone after the first post. But we do sell this site as helpful and friendly. When I read some of the previous posts, that is not what I see.

storysunfolding wrote:Kal-
Common prompt number 1
him: My bike can do circles around yours
Me: Sure your bike can, but with those chicken strips, you sure as hell aren't

Common prompt number 2 (not related but used all the time)
him on big sportbike: Want to race?
me: Sure, first one to phoenix wins

Hey, you can come down and see me! Hehehe
Wrider

scan wrote:Alright guys, lets try to be a bit diplomatic though..... we do sell this site as helpful and friendly. When I read some of the previous posts, that is not what I see.

I'll take a bite at this since I'm probably not as jaded as some of the longtime members.

I bought a Ninja 250.

Did I want to get a Honda CBR 600cc RR?
Yes.

Did my Motorcycle buddies tease me about it?
Yes.

Did I regret purchasing it?
No.

I've ALMOST dropped this bike on several occasions. The only reason I was able to hold it up was because the bike is very light. The bikes you are talking about are 500+ LBS and unless your some sort of body builder the bike WILL go down and unless it falls on it's right side OR you have someone there to help you pick it up you will more than likely have to hurt it MORE to get it up!

Onto a Similar Subject.

The other day I stopped for a lady who was attempting to cross the street. 3 *explicative* cagers just went wizzing by me on the right and that really upset me. So me being the the guy on the motorcycle I catch up to them at the next intersection and decide I'm going to pass them on the right because that pissed me off.

Is this easy to do in a sportbike when the first car is an SUV? Yes, I'll pass him for sure. I rev the bike RPMs high as I approach the light and the SUV keeps pulling into the intersection further and further so I pull up further and further. As the light is about to change I make sure to let my RPMs drop as I don't want to engage the clutch at 10,000 RPMs.

The light changes I get into gear and pin the throttle and my front wheel starts go OFF the ground. Mind you I'm 160LBs and my bike is about 350 so that's a combined total of a little over 510 lbs being lifted.

I never thought this 250 would be able to pull me off the ground like that especially considering I "Knew what I was doing" since I had been riding for "2 Months" (that's like practically enough to get a Masters Degree in Motorcycling I was sure) because I let the RPM's go down before pinning the throttle when the light went green.

If I was on a 600cc bike that thing would've flipped me right on my "O Ring" and probably fell on top of me crushing some parts of me I'm sure.

Worse of all I would've looked like the worlds BIGGEST jerk/moron and probably given a bad name to motorcyclists to everyone on that crowded street.

Take my advice, heed my call, you are not ready for a 600cc bike no matter how much you THINK you are. People want sport bikes because they love the acceleration, speed, and handling.

You'll want to challenge the motorcycle just like I did and it will bite you back HARD.

igor wrote:Now i am looking for some honest advice here, my neighbor is trying to get rid of his '04 GSX-R600, selling it to me for 2k dollars, i never rode a bike before but the price that he is giving me makes it VERY tempting because it cost less than say ninjas and other begginer bike, but looks SO much better
If this isnt a bike for me please tell me so and give some other ideas as to what to do
REMEMBER I NEVER RODE A MOTOTRCYCLE BEFORE

So I'll jump in with my best 'positive' advice. The problem here is the cost. It seems like such a good deal, to such a sweet bike, that looks soooo good, for such a low cost. But there is also a risk. So you need to look at cost/risk.

But you can't right now, because you've never ridden a motorcycle. So you have to get on some bikes, so that takes time, and in time that sweet bike may already be sold to somebody who knows what they need, or somebody who is willing to jump in, in total ignorance.

You are -2 for circumstance (cost/risk and time) but +1 for asking the question. These are my answers:

IF you decided to take the 600, you'd be getting a track day special. It has sharp steering, wants to fall over even when moving and can blow the doors off anything costing less than 90 grand. This is the risk, and the cost isn't only calculated in dollars. The cost can be calculated in things like:

1. Embarassment, Injury, Ignorance, Riding the damn thing in straight lines only
2. Spending more money on training, training, excellent gear, training, and excellent gear.

So far I haven't said don't get it. Because I can't. Because you can do what you damn well please. But because you asked, I would say take your time, and get to ride some bikes. Train on a piece of S*H*I*T, like a CG125 with 11hp. Awful. Then on something in the middle, putting out about 50 hp, pretty damn good. And then, when you get in that tasty little Beyotch-600-GSX-R, you'll KNOW.

And by then you might know its not for you. Because racebikes are cramped, hot, have shitty mirrors, as well as ride like the most amazing things ever. But if you check the vids, of jackasses on 600's you'll see people getting flip-kicked by machines that do 4 second 0-60, 11 second quarter miles, and don't give a ratsass if a semi is coming the other way.

So, for a non-biker, right now, I'd say no. It depends on how much work you want to put in to KNOW, and not have to ask.


Ed

To the original poster, a quick question.

How old are you? You may want to check on insurance rates for a 600 super sport bike before you jump on the Gixxer. If you are younger and/or a new rider the rates may shock you.

As far as power you may be surprised what even 30 hp would do on the street.

Fast Eddy B wrote:So I'll jump in with my best 'positive' advice. The problem here is the cost. It seems like such a good deal, to such a sweet bike, that looks soooo good, for such a low cost. But there is also a risk. So you need to look at cost/risk.

But you can't right now, because you've never ridden a motorcycle. So you have to get on some bikes, so that takes time, and in time that sweet bike may already be sold to somebody who knows what they need, or somebody who is willing to jump in, in total ignorance.

You are -2 for circumstance (cost/risk and time) but +1 for asking the question. These are my answers:

IF you decided to take the 600, you'd be getting a track day special. It has sharp steering, wants to fall over even when moving and can blow the doors off anything costing less than 90 grand. This is the risk, and the cost isn't only calculated in dollars. The cost can be calculated in things like:

1. Embarassment, Injury, Ignorance, Riding the damn thing in straight lines only
2. Spending more money on training, training, excellent gear, training, and excellent gear.

So far I haven't said don't get it. Because I can't. Because you can do what you damn well please. But because you asked, I would say take your time, and get to ride some bikes. Train on a piece of S*H*I*T, like a CG125 with 11hp. Awful. Then on something in the middle, putting out about 50 hp, pretty damn good. And then, when you get in that tasty little Beyotch-600-GSX-R, you'll KNOW.

And by then you might know its not for you. Because racebikes are cramped, hot, have shitty mirrors, as well as ride like the most amazing things ever. But if you check the vids, of jackasses on 600's you'll see people getting flip-kicked by machines that do 4 second 0-60, 11 second quarter miles, and don't give a ratsass if a semi is coming the other way.

So, for a non-biker, right now, I'd say no. It depends on how much work you want to put in to KNOW, and not have to ask.


Ed

Well written.....

scan wrote:Alright guys, lets try to be a bit diplomatic though. You can't always (or often) make someone understand that they are trying to bite off more than they can chew, AND if he is determined to go up a notch, there are better choices somewhere between a Ninja 250 and a Gixxer 600.

I think many times we may alienate someone who is just trying to learn. We bash them over the head with "get life insurance", and name calling, when there may be a more gentle way to nudge someone in the right direction. In the end, if someone is determined to kill themselves on an over-powered bike, they won't keep coming here for advice. I'm sure you all have noticed guys who come in, and are gone after the first post. But we do sell this site as helpful and friendly. When I read some of the previous posts, that is not what I see.

hmmm ok

let me try again



"To the original poster,


You sound like a very wise person, probably wise beyond your years.

Yes, you have the right idea about aquiring a GSX600R as your first bike, excellent decision.

Its a choice that nearly everyone I know has made as their 1st learner bike.

Its just not kool to be seen on any thing under horse, or that isnt an RR.

Infact as you will agree, its just a waste of time producing bikes that are under 600cc.

Im sure you will be riding unlicensed, uninsured, with no personal protection which again I think is a fantastic idea.

I only wish I lived near you so we could go for long interesting rides together.

Welcome to the forum, we all look forward to the massive amounts of educated input on riding that you have to offer.


Cheers


me"

shane-o wrote:hmmm ok

let me try again

Was that meant as humor, or is it only possible to be nice to someone if you say it is OK? The post above yours were not punative to the new user, nor was saying the behavior was good.

Your post is just acting like the only way to be nice is to agree with everything. I think you can be helpful and friendly without mentioning life insurance, are calling someone a squid, or being highly sarcastic.

This is what Mike, Totalmotorcycle, wants for his site. We are suppose to try to maintain a friendly and helpful place.