few questions

[Kinuta]

Hey everyone, I've been reading every post I can find on here for the past few days, feel like i've goten to know some of you. I'm planning on buying a bike within the next couple of months. I read the posts on not getting a 600 as a started bike and personally agree, but there lies the problem, my dad wants me to get at least a 600 because he thinks i'll need the extra power once I start (after ALOT of practice and experience first) driving other people around, specially up in the mountains.
So I guess my question is this, I've been looking at the suzuki gs500f, I really like how the bike looks, and how it feels when sitting on it (your not laying on top of the bike), I really like the sportsbike look, but not the riding position so much, so will the 500 have enough power to fairly easily be able to take me up winding hills? and when the time comes take passengers as well? Thanks for the help.

[ZooTech]

my dad...thinks i'll need the extra power once I start driving other people around, specially up in the mountains.

I really like the sportsbike look, but not the riding position so much

Don't like the sportbike riding position and ya need the necessary power (and room) for a potential passenger? You sound like a candidate for a mid-size cruiser or a V-twin standard. Potentially good fits include:

- Suzuki S50 or M50 (M50 will handle altitude changes better)

- Suzuki VStrom 650 (if you're tall enough)

- Kawasaki Vulcan 750

- Kawasaki Ninja 650R (sportbike look, standard seating)

Of course, I'd put several thousand miles on the bike before hauling a passenger into the mountains. All of the above mentioned bikes will handle very differently and will be upset easily by a person on the back.

[ofblong]

My Honda Shadow Deluxe is a 600 CC bike and I have no issues with being able to handle this bike. that does not mean you wont but I am a quick learner as well. Honestly after only 300 miles I feel this bike is too small. I am stuck with it for a couple years so ill get good and proficient with it before I go pay cash for my next bike but anyways imo when I was in the MSF course I knew immediatly that all the 250cc bikes were too small except I didnt get to try the ninja so I cant comment on that other than I dont like the ninja line.

[Kinuta]

Thanks for the replies, I'll look into those bikes, from the sounds of it I may want to go for the bigger bike. But it's still something I got to look into more ha, thanks again for the help![/quote]

[Nalian]

I would be more concerned with the HP if you're looking at a cruiser, rather than the CC of the engine. The harley sportster 883 has a nice even throttle which makes it a nice starter bike candidate as well.

[Kinuta]

well see thats the thing, I'm not really looking for a cruiser, I'm looking for a sportsbike, but just one that is a bit more forgiving on the confort area (like the sg500f or ninja 500), where I don't have to be almost laying down on the bike, but at the same time be able to have to performance and look of a sportsbike, so yeah, I don't really know what to look at right now heh, oh well I'll just keep looking around and sitting on bikes ha, thanks again for the replies.

[ofblong]

in that case I dont know what your budget is but the Ducati multistrada 620 and the Monster 620 are kind of like sport touring bikes with imo good comfort. I felt comfortable sitting on them just wish I had the cash