Kawasaki Ninja 500R Suzuki GS500F Suzuki SV650S Suzuki V-Strom 650 Suzuki Katana 600 Suzuki GSX-R600
Suzuki GSX-R750 Suzuki GSX-1000 Yamaha YZF-R6 Yamaha YZF-R1 Honda CBR600F4i Honda CBR600RR Honda CBR1000RR
I was rather surprised as I checked these bikes out. I went there thinking the GS500F, 500R, or the SV650S would be what I would like.. Remember, this is only a style and fit review i'm saying for my personal tastes and my body size. I am 6'2" with a 34" inseam and size 13 shoe.
Kawasaki Ninja 500R - Holy hell! Way to small.. my knees came up to my elbows.. My legs didnt even fit in the grooves! Overall, the style (rectangle headlight.. eew) and fit of this bike were horrid and there is no way I would purchase it; not even for style reason, but im way too big for it.
Suzuki GS500F - The general fit and style of this bike were pretty good. my entire body fit nicely, tho the seating position and handlebars left me kind of wanting.. Decent tho
Suzuki SV650S - BLARGH! I didnt like this bike at all. It fit all weird on me, sat a little high.. It felt more like the V-Strom than the gixxers. It was a better fit and style than the 500R, but it definately isnt on the top of my list.
Suzuki V-Strom 650 - Well, at least I know I dont like Dual-Sport bikes. Too tall, fugly, and overall crappy fit for me. This is probably the bike i liked the least.
Suzuki Katana 600 - Felt kinda like the SV650S to me. I didnt like the design at all and i felt cumbersome sittin on it. I liked this bike better than the V-Strom but thats about it.
Suzuki GSX-R600 - This the the bike i liked the very most (well, almost tied the the 600RR). Perfect fit, awesome design, and just overall kick-a$$ness. On ergonomics alone, i fit this bike great. I loved the seating position and my feet actually fit the pegs/shifters.
Suzuki GSX-R750 - Pretty much the same besides design as the gixxer 600. Nice.
Suzuki GSX-1000 - Nice bike. More power that i want to have for the next few years. Maybe someday, cause this bike ruled too (Props Verm).
Yamaha YZF-R6 - This bike fit pretty good, tho it somehow seemed like it was a bit more awkward than the suzuki bikes.. They seemed about the same size, i just couldnt put my finger on it.
Yamaha YZF-R1 - Same story as the YZF-R6. I do like the style of the Yamaha seats.
Honda CBR600RR - I loved this bike also. Almost as much as the gixxer600. Fit was great, style was great (especially the headlights, which were my favorite of the group). This is second on my list.
Honda CBR600F4i - Same as the RR, tho the tail is fatter on this bike.. I prefer the RR's tail.
Honda CBR1000RR - This would prolly be my dream bike. Great fit, great design.. way to much for me for quite a long time tho!
These were all 2006 models.
I know pretty much everyone says to buy used and 500cc/60hp less as the first bike. While a newbie can successfully learn proficiently everything they need to on a supersport, it would be easier and much more safe to do so on a starter bike. And I know, agree with, and understand all of this information that the experienced riders here have given. That being said... I want a GSX-R600!.. lol, I haven't made any decisions on anything, and I have like 2-5 months to decide on what bike i want to get (I''ll explain in a moment.) so the more i read and the more input i get, the closer to deciding on a bike i come.
Most of the dealers were awesome to me and told me lots of info on each bike i saddled. Only one was a jerk and as soon as he realized i wasnt going to buy for awhile he walked away (i was in mid-sentence) and didnt say a word to me. jerk... One of my father's best friends is a manager of a Suzuki/Yamaha/Honda dealer so i would prolly buy from him if i get a bike from a dealership.
Could someone give me some pro's and con's of getting new (at a good dealer that i trust) bike and going straight to a 600cc gixxer instead of buying a bike i dont really want for a year (or less).. and is it that impossible to start on a bit more powerful bike?
I also picked out most of the gear i want!
Helmet - Shoei RF-1000 black (i like some of the graphics, but not work $150+) I'm not sold on Shoei, but i do like them.. I also like Icon's helmets, so i have options. I am going to wear my mother's old Arai helmet (only worn twice) at first and get my helmet when i can. It's a bit big but barely.
Jacket - Wilsons Leather Cycle Jacket (i look like an idiot, the helmet makes my head look huge and the jacked makes me look like i have a bit of a belly, but otherwise fits great and feels good.)
Gloves - Icon Timax 2 Long Glove (Kicka$$)
Pants - Not sure, i want something that fits my coat and will work for everyday riding.
Boots - Alpinestars S-MX R (prolly too much but meh, i like them)
I wont be able to buy gear/my bike because i'm joining the Army National Guard in the next couple of weeks. I am taking a test for it tomorrow, in fact. I will be in basic training for 9 weeks and at a training facility for 3 months, one after the other.. so if i buy new, it will be a late '06 or an early '07. Hell, maybe i'll just drop $500 on a cheap 80's bike to learn then get a gixxer a few months down the road, i dunno.
Sorry this is so long. I wanted to make a blog for it, but i need special access!
Prolly just as well, soon im not gonna be able to read or post for a few months.. I will be back tho, and hopefully with a bike!
